The Life of Jesus

And sent his seruant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come: for all things are nowe readie.

But they all with one mind beganne to make excuse: The first saide vnto him, I haue bought a farme, and I must needes goe out and see it: I pray thee, haue me excused.

And another said, I haue bought fiue yoke of oxen, and I goe to proue them: I pray thee, haue me excused.

And another said, I haue maried a wife, and therefore I can not come.

So that seruaunt returned, and shewed his master these thinges. Then was the good man of the house angrie, and said to his seruant, Goe out quickely into the streetes and lanes of the citie, and bring in hither the poore, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blinde.

And the seruaunt saide, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is roome.

Then the master sayd to the seruaunt, Goe out into the hie wayes, and hedges, and compell them to come in, that mine house may bee filled.

For I say vnto you, that none of those men which were bidden, shall taste of my supper.

Nowe there went great multitudes with him, and he turned and sayd vnto them,

If any man come to mee, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters: yea, and his owne life also, he can not be my disciple.

And whosoeuer beareth not his crosse, and commeth after mee, can not bee my disciple.

For which of you minding to builde a towre, sitteth not downe before, and counteth the cost, whether hee haue sufficient to performe it,

Lest that after he hath laide the foundation, and is not able to performe it, all that behold it, begin to mocke him,

Saying, This man began to builde, and was not able to make an end?

Or what King going to make warre against another King, sitteth not downe first, and taketh counsell, whether he be able with ten thousande, to meete him that commeth against him with twentie thousand?

Or els while hee is yet a great way off, hee sendeth an ambassage, and desireth peace.

So likewise, whosoeuer hee be of you, that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Salt is good: but if salt haue lost his sauour, wherewith shall it be salted?

It is neither meete for the land, nor yet for the dunghill, but men cast it out. He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

Then resorted vnto him all the Publicanes and sinners, to heare him.

Therefore the Pharises and Scribes murmured, saying, Hee receiueth sinners, and eateth with them.

Then spake hee this parable to them, saying,

What man of you hauing an hundreth sheepe, if hee lose one of them, doeth not leaue ninetie and nine in the wildernesse, and goe after that which is lost, vntill he finde it?

And when he hath found it, he laieth it on his shoulders with ioye.

And when he commeth home, he calleth together his friendes and neighbours, saying vnto them, Reioyce with mee: for I haue founde my sheepe which was lost.