Then Herod, when he had called the wife men, enquired of them what time the ftar appeared. And he fent them to fearch for the young child, faying, When ye have found him, bring me word, that I may come and worship him alfo.

LESSON III.

On the Cruelty of Herod.

Now when they were departed, lo, the ftar went before them, till it came and ftood over where the young child

was.

And when they came to the houfe, they faw the young child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and. worshipped him, and prefented unto him rich gifts.

And being warned of God, that they fhould not return to Herod, they departed to their own country another

way.

Then Herod, when he faw that he was mocked of the wife men, was very wroth; and fent forth and flew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in the coafts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time he had enquired of the wife men.

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto Jofeph, and faid, Arife, take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Ifrael, for they are dead who fought the young child's life. And Jofeph arofe and took them, and came into the land of Ifrael.

LESSON IV.

Jefus is baptifed of John, and preacheth. IN thofe days came John the Baptift preaching in the wilderness.

Then came Jefus from Galilee to Jordan, unto John, and was baptized of him in Jordan.

Then began Jefus to preach unto the multitude, and to fay unto them, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

And he opened his mouth and taught them, faying,

Bleffed are the merciful; for they fhall obtain mercy.

Bleffed are they that mourn; for they fhall be comforted.

Bleffed are the meek; for they fhall inherit the earth.

Bleffed are the pure in heart; for they fhall fee God.

Bleffed are the peace-makers; or they shall be called the children of God.

Bleffed are ye when men fhall revile you, and perfecute you, and fhall fay all manner of evil against you falfely, for my fake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven.

LESSON V.

Jefus fendeth the apofties to preach.

AND Jefus called unto him his twelve difciples, and gave them power againft unclean fpirits, to caft them out, and to heal all manner of fickness, and diseases among the people.

And he faid unto them, as ye go, preach, faying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Heal the fick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, caft out devils; freely ye have received, freely give.

And the difciples went and did as Jefus had commanded them.

And they returned, and faid, Lord, even the very devils are fubject unto us. Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done.

And he faid unto them, Woe unto you; for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, in fackcloth and afhes.

LESSON VI.

On the Transfiguration of our Saviour. AFTER fix days Jefus taketh with him, Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured

before them.

And his face did fhine as the fun, and his raiment became white as the light.

And behold, there appeared unto them two men talking with him.

Then Peter anfwered and faid unto Jefus, Lord, it is good for us to be

here.

While he yet fpake, behold a voice out of the cloud, which faid, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleafed, hear ye him.

And when the difciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were fore afraid.

And Jefus came and touched them, and faid, Arise, and be not afraid. And Jefus faid unto them, Tell the vifion to no man, until the fon of man be rifen again from the dead.

LESS. O. N. VII.

Chrift betrayed by Judas..

THEN affembled together the chief priefts and scribes, unto the palace of the high priests. And they confulted that they might take Jefus by fubtlety, and kill him.

Then one of the twelve called Judas went unto the chief priests,

And faid, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? and they agreed with him for thirty pieces of filver. And from that time he fought occafion to betray him unto them.

Now when even was come, they went to the mount of olives.

Then faith Jefus unto them, My foul is exceeding forrowful, even untodeath.

And while he yet fpake, lo, Judas. came with a great multitude, with fwords and ftaves to take him.

And forthwith he came to Jefus, and kiffed him..