And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost, and he prophesied saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people; and hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant. As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning. Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. To perform mercy to our fathers; and to remember his holy covenant. The oath which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we might serve him without fear, in holiness and uprightness before him, all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways. To give knowledge of salvation to his people, unto the remission of their sins. Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, in which the Orient from on high hath visited us; to enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death; to direct our feet into the way of peace.

And the child grew, and was strengthened in spirit; and was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel.

SECT. VII. JOSEPH IS ADMONISHED BY AN ANGEL CONCERNING THE VIRGINITY OF MARY.

Now the birth of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel

*The Orient, or rising sun, in allusion to the prophecy of Malachias (chap. iv. 2), "the Son of Justice shall arise."

of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spake by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Isaias vii. 14).

And Joseph rising up from sleep did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. And he knew her not till she brought forth her first-born son; and he called his name JESUS.

SECT. VIII. CHRIST IS BORN AT BETHLEHEM, AND CIRCUMCISED. B.C. 4.

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus,* the governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and family of David), to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

Bethlehem.

And it came to pass that, when they were there, her days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes,

* This Cyrinus, whose name in its Roman form is Publius Sulpicius Quirinus, was, as some think, governor of Syria twice-the first time B. C. 4 to A.D. 1, the time here referred to; the second time, ten years later.

and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their flock. And behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round about them; and they feared with a great fear. And the Angel said to them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people; for this day is born to you in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: ye shall find the infant wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly company praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of good will.

And it came to pass, after the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath showed to us. And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they understood the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child. And all that heard it wondered, and at those things that were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the Angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

SECT. IX. AFTER FORTY DAYS, JESUS IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE. THE CANTICLE OF SIMEON.

And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord (Exod. xiii. 2; Num. viii. 16). And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons (Lev. xii. 8).

Jerusalem.

And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the anointed of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now thou dost dismiss thy servant in peace, according to thy word; for my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to enlighten the gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.*

And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, Behold this child is set for the fallt and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted: and thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that out of many hearts thoughts may be revealed.

*Isaias xlix. 6.

Christ came for the salvation of all men; but Simeon here foretells that many should fall through their rejection of him, and many should rise through receiving him.

And there was one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving God night and day. Now she at the same hour coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spake of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

SECT. X. THE VISIT OF THE WISE MEN FROM THE EAST. B.C.4.

Jerusalem.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and are come to adore him. And king Herod, hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembling together all the chief priests* and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they said to him, In Bethlehem of Juda; for so it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel (Micheas v. 2).

Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned accurately of them the time of the star which had appeared to them; and sending them into Bethlehem, said, Go, and diligently inquire after the child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore him. And they, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East, went before them, until

*The chief priests were those who had formerly filled the office of high priest, and perhaps others who were men of eminence. The Scribes were the public teachers and interpreters of the law; they were mostly Pharisees.