all the cities and villages, teaching 36 But when he faw the multitudes, he was moved with compaffion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as fheep having no fhepherd. 37 Then faith he unto his difciples, The harveft truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will fend forth labourers into his harvest. about Jefus therefore departed from thence, and continued his Progrefs thro the other parts of Galilee, and wherever he came, he cur'd the Sick that were prefented to him, and publifh'd the good Tidings of the Approach of the Kingdom of Heaven. For which reafons a very great Multitude followed him in all his Journies, who were proper Objects of his Pity, and who feemed to him like Sheep wandring without a Shepherd, and not having any Fold to repair unto. And indeed the condition of the Jewish Laity at that time was deplorable, not knowing what to chufe or avoid, and diftracted by the difagreeing Factions of the Sadduces and Pharifees, and as yet unacquainted with the Voice of the true Shepherd fent to them from God himself. The Reflections which this ftate of the Jews fuggefted to Jefus, gave him occafion to tell his Difciples that there was a great deal of Corn ripe for the Sickle, but very few Reapers; that therefore the Lord of that Corn ought to be intreated to provide many Labourers against the Harveft. For many now were prepar'd for the reception of the divine Doctrine of the Gofpel, and only wanted proper perfons to inftruct them in a convenient Time and Place. Fefus ND when he Α CH A P. VI. CHAP. IX. 7 And he calleth un- I A had called un- to him the twelve, to him his twelve dif ciples, he gave them power against unclean fpirits, to caft them out, and to heal all manner of fickness, and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apoftles are these : The firft, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, James the fon of Zebedee, and John his brother, 3 Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas, and Matthew the publican, James the fon of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whofe firname was Thaddeus, 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Ifcariot, who alfo betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jefus fent forth, and commanded them, faying, and began to fend them forth two by two, gave them power and 2 And he fentthem JOHN. Jefus afterwards confidering that he himself could not be prefent in all places where it was expedient the Gofpel fhould be publish'd, refolved to fend his Apoftles abroad to all thofe places he did not vifit himself. We have already fet down their names, chap. 20. and it is not neceffary to repeat them here. Having therefore call'd them to him, he furnish'd them with a Power of cafting evil Spirits out of human Bodies, and curing all manner of Diftempers; and gave them thefe Di rections rections in charge. In this your firft Progrefs apply your felves whol., LO the Converfion of the Jews, that after their various wandrings like ftrayed Sheep, they nay at laft return into the right Sheepfold. This is, as it were, your time of Probation Go not therefore into any Heathen or Samaritan City, but acquaint the Jews only with the good Tidings of the Approach of the Kingdom of the Meffiah and tell them, that the only way to participate of the Benefits that belong to it, is to lead a Life full of Piety and good Works. And that you may give demonftration of this Commiffion you receive from God, I authorize you in his name to cure all manner of Diftempers, to cleanfe the Lepers, to raife the Dead to Life, and to expel the evil Spirits out of the Bodies of Men. All these gracious Affiftances fhalf accompany your Endeavours, on condition you as freely make ufe of them for the good of Men, as they have been freely beftowed upon you. Begin then without delay, and inftantly fet about this glorious work; and be not follicitous after providing your felves with Victuals, Shoos, or any manner of Garb, or even Mony to defray the Expences of your Journy. Thofe that have Staves, let them keep them, and thofe that have not,, content i. themselves 12 And when ye come into an house, falute it. 13 And if the houfe be worthy, let 'your peace come-upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whofoever fhall not receive you, nor hear your words; 10 And he faid unto them, In what 4 And whatfoever place foever ye enter houfe ye enter into, there there abide till ye depart abide, and thence de- part. II And whofoever $ And whofoever fhall not receive you, will not receive you, nor hear you, when when ye go out of when ye depart out ye depart thence, that city, fhake off of that house or city, thake off the duft un- the very duft from shake off the duft of der your feet, your feet. your feet, JOHN. themselves without them. Confider you are under God's Protection, and the Peo ple among whom you will preach the Gofpel will furnish you with all things neceffary for your Subfiftence; and 'tis but reasonable that the Labourer should expect to be requited, according to the Proverb. At your entrance into any Town or Village inquire firft into the Morals of the Inhabitants, whether they be men of Probity, and in expectation of the Kingdom of the Meah; and whofoever entertains you, continue in his Houfe during your abode in that place, left by leaving of him you alienate his Mind from you and when you first come into the Family, pray to God for a Bleffing on it. If that Family deferve to have your Bleffings confer'd upon it, God will hear your Prayers on their behalf; otherwife your Prayers fhall be fruitlefs in respect to them, but abundantly rewarded with Benefits on your felves. But, whatsoever Town or private Family fhall refufe to entertain you, as judging the Meffage you are charged with (viz. the good Tidings of the approach of the Meffiah's Reign) unworthy their Attention, at your departure from them shake off the very Duft Ee from 15 Verily, I fay unto you, it fhall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 16. Behold, I fend you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves :. be ye therefore wife as ferpents, and harmlefs as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they' fhall fcourge you in. their fynagogues. 18 And ye fhall be brought before governours and kings for my fake, for a teftimony against them and the Gentiles. CH A P. VỊ. for a teftimony against them. Verily I fay unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that. city. for a teftimony against them. from the Soles of your Feet, as a Token that you will not have the leaft Intercourse with such an impious Race of Men; but reft affured that the Inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha fhall be lefs feverely punish'd in the Day of Judgment than thofe that refuse to hear you, or having heard you, contemn your Doctrine. I fend you now, and fhall do it hereafter with greater Solemnity, as Sheep unto a company of Wolves, that is, men of an inoffenfive Temper, to a barbarous and cruel People. You ought therefore to behave your felves with fo much prudence, as not to irritate them by reproaching them too freely, nor by unfeafonable Interpretations of that Truth they fo much hate at prefent; but take heed this Prudence and Caution do not degenerate into worldly Craft, fo as to make you betray the Caufe of Truth, by incouraging them in their vitious Practices. Unite therefore the Cunning of the Serpent (as I may fo fay) with the Harmlefnefs of Doves. Secure your felves with all neceffary Diligence againft the Artifices of the Jews, who will perfecute you for the preaching of the Gospel, and accufe you before the Jewish Magiftrates, and caufe you to be punish'd with Stripes; nor will their Malice top here, but they will force you to plead for your Life before the Roman Governours for having been my Difciples: By which means the Gofpel will be the more taken notice of both by the Jews and Gentiles. At that time be not folli |