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Christ restores a withered Hand. 61

entered into the synagogue and taught: and behold there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst.

But

And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? they held their peace. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a

man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. And when he had looked round about on them all with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and his hand was restored whole as the other. Then the Pharisees were filled with madness; and went out, and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus, and straightway took counsel

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Christ retires with his Disciples.

with the Herodians how they might destroy him '.

Christ retires with his Disciples.

BUT when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence with his disciples to the sea and great multitudes followed him from Galilee and from Judæa, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumæa, and from beyond Jordan: and he healed them. And they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any

7 Matt. xii. 9-14. Mark iii. 1—6. Luke vi.

Christ chooses the Twelve Apostles. 63

man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall

the Gentiles trust 8.

Christ chooses the Twelve Apostles, and performs many Cures.

AND it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him. his disciples whom he would: and they came unto him. And of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; and he ordained that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, whom he also surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, sons of thunder: and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew the publican, and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon the Canaanite, called Zelotes, and Judas (Lebbæus, whose surname was Thaddeus)

Matt. xii. 15-21. Mark iii. 7—12.

64

The Sermon on the Mount.

the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him. And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coasts of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all1.

The Sermon on the Mount.

AND he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall

obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Blessed are

That is, "on a level place," below the peak to which Christ had conducted the twelve, but higher than the surrounding country; so that he might still be said to remain on the mountain.-Matt. v. 1.

'Matt. x. 2-4. Mark iii, 13-19. Luke vi. 12-19.

The Sermon on the Mount.

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the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for their's is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, where with shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven 2.

2 Matt. v. 1-16. Luke vi. 20-26.

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