which, in a great measure, depend the dates of all the rest. In some places, however, without regard to order, he gives a number of detached precepts and instructive lessons, one after another, which probably have not been spoken on the same occasion, but are introduced as they occur to the writer's memory, that nothing of moment might be omitted. In regard to the latter part of the life, and to the death of this Evangelist, antiquity has not furnished us with any accounts which can be relied on.

THE

GOSPEL

BY

LUK E.

Introduction.

I. FORASMUCH as many have undertaken to compose a narrative of those things which have been 2 accomplished amongst us, as they who were, from the beginning, eye-witnesses, and afterwards mi3 nisters of the word, delivered them to us; I have also determined, having exactly traced every thing from the first, to write a particular account to thee, 4 most excellent Theophilus; that thou mayest know the certainty of those matters wherein thou hast been instructed.

CH. 1.

SECT. 1.

1 Chr. 24;

40.

Ex. 30; 7.
Lev. 16; 17.

SECTION I

The Annunciation.

5 IN the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah ; and his wife, named Elizabeth, was of the daughters 6 of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless observers of all the Lord's commandments 7 and ordinances, And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

8

Now when he came to officiate as priest in the 9 order of his course, it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to offer incense in 10 the sanctuary. And while the incense was burning, 11 the whole congregation were praying without. Then

there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zacharias was discomposed at the sight, and in 13 great terror. But the angel said to him, Fear not

Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and Elizabeth thy wife shall bear thee a son, whom thou 14 shalt name John 28 He shall be to thee matter of joy and transport; and many shall rejoice be

28 The Lord's favour.

cause

SECT. 1.

CH. 1,

15 cause of his birth. For he shall be great before
the Lord; he shall not drink wine, nor any fer-
mented liquor; but he shall be filled with the
16 Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And
many of the sons of Israel he shall bring back to
17 the Lord their God. Moreover, he shall go be-
fore them in the spirit and power of Elijah, to re-
concile fathers to their children, and, by the wis-
dom of the righteous, to render the disobedient a
18 people well disposed for the Lord. And Zacharias
said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this: for
I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in
19 years? The angel answering, said unto him, I
am Gabriel 29, who attend in the presence of God,
20 and am sent to tell thee this joyful news. But
know that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not re-
cover thy speech, until the day when these things
happen; because thou hast not believed
my words,

which shall be fulfilled in due time.
21 Meantime the people waited for Zacharias, and
wondered that he staid so long in the sanctuary.
22 But when he came out, he could not speak to
them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision
in the sanctuary; for he made them understand
23 by signs, and remained speechless. And when his

days of officiating were expired, he returned home. 24 Soon after, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and lived 25 in retirement five months, and said, The Lord hath done this for me, purposing now to deliver me from the reproach I lay under among men.

Mal. 4; 6.
Mat.11; 14.

to God's power.