Page:The New Testament of Iesvs Christ faithfvlly translated into English, ovt of the authentical Latin, diligently conferred with the Greek, & other Editions in diuers languages.pdf/156

Rh under the high Priests Annas and Caiphas: the Word of our Lord was made upon John the sonne of Zacharie, in the desert. And * he came into al the countrie of Jordan, preaching the Baptisme of pennance unto remission of sinnes; as it is written in the booke of the sayings of Esay the Prophet: A voice of one crying in the desert; prepare the way of our Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shal be filled: and every mountaine and hil shal be made low, and crooked things shal become straight; and rough wayes, plaine: and al flesh shal see the SALVATION of God.

He said therfore to the multitudes that went forth to be baptized of him: * Ye vipers broods, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? Yeald therfore fruits worthie of penance; and doe ye not begin to say, we have Abraham, to our father. For I tel you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. For now the axe is put to the roote of the trees. Every tree therfore that yealdeth not good fruit, ′ shal be cut downe, and cast into fire. And the multitudes asked him, saying: What shal we doe then? And he answering, said unto them: He that hath two coats, let him give to him that hath not; and he that hath meat, let him doe likewise. And the Publicans also came to be baptized, and said to him: Maister, what shal we doe? But he said to them: Doe nothing more then that which is appointed you. And the souldiars also asked him, saying: What shal we also doe? And he said to them: Vexe not, neither calumniate any man; and be content with your stipends.

And the People imagining, and al men thinking in their harts of John, lest perhaps he were Christ: John answered, saying unto al: * I indeed baptize you with water; but there ′ shal come a mightier then I, whose latchet of his shoes I am not worthie to loose; he shal baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire: whose fanne is in his hand, and he wil purge his floore; and wil gather the wheat into his barne, but the chaffe he wil burne with unquencheable fire.

Many other things also exhorting did he evangelize to the People.

* And Herod the Tetrarch, when he was rebuked of him for Herodias his ′ brothers wife, and for al the evils which Herod did: ″ he added this also above al, and shut up John into prison. * And it came to passe when al the People was baptized, also being baptized and praying, Heaven was opened: and the Holy Ghost descended in corporal shape as a dove upon him: and a voice from Heaven was made: Thou art my beloved Sonne, in thee I am wel pleased. And himself was beginning to be about thirtie yeares old: as it was thought, the sonne of Joseph, who was ″ of Heli, who was of Matthat, who was of Levi, who was of Melchi, who was of Janne, who was of Joseph, who was of Matthathias, who was of Amos, who was of Naum, who was of Hesli, who was of Nagge, who was of Mahath, who was of Matthathias, who was of Semei, who was of Joseph, who was of Juda, who was of Johanna, who was of Resa, who was of Zorobabel, who was of Salathiel, who was of Neri, who was of Melchi, who was of Addi, who was of Cosam, Rh