The compiler's object has been the focusing of the rays of "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ," so that they might by their combined intensity kindle in the heart a flame of more fervent devotion to HIM who " so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

The carrying out of this object has necessitated the transposition of certain passages from the order in which they stand in one or other of the gospels; but the general sequence of events has, as far as was consistent with the object of this work, been carefully made in accordance with the best authorities: though the compiler has, throughout, been obliged to exercise his own judgment in this matter, in consequence of no two writers of any eminence being agreed respecting the chronology of all the recorded events in the life of Christ; as

may be seen by a comparison of the works of Lightfoot 1655, Doddridge 1739, Macknight 1756, Newcombe 1778, Townsend 1821, Gresswell 1830, Jarvis 1844, Robinson 1845, and Tischendorf 1851.

London, Nov. 1877.

INTRODUCTION.

FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, that thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.-LUKE i, 1–4,

THE GOSPEL

OF

JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD.

I.

The angel Gabriel appears to Zacharias and foretells the birth of John the Baptist.

THE

'HERE was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless; and they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people

were praying without at the time of incense ; and there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him; but the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth; for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb; and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings; and, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.