darkness, and in the fhadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. I AND it came to pass in those days, that there went a decree from Cefar Auguftus, that all the world fhould be taxed. out Morning-light, fhall difpel the Darknefs of Ignorance, Errour and Wickednefs; and guide Men in the plain and direct way to Life and Happi nefs. CHA P. II. Auguftus's Taxing the Empire, the Occafion of Jesus's being born at Bethlehem, according to the Prophecy, ver. 1. The Birth of Jefus, ver. 7. Made known to the Shepherds, ver. 8. Jefus circumcifed, ver. 21. and prefented in the Temple, ver. Old Simeon prophefies of Christ, ver. 25. and Anna, ver. 36. Jefus difputes with the Doctors, ver. 43. 22. (2 And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governour of Syria. ) 80. Thus Zacharias expreffed his Joy in Hymns and Thanksgivings. And the Child continued to grow, and to give every Day more and more evident Signs of his being highly favoured of God, and defigned to be an extraordinary Prophet. And he dwelt privately in the Wilderness, till the time that the Divine Wisdom had appointed to fend him forth to preach. (* at which time Quirinius was Prefect 3. Upon account of which Edict, every Man that happened to be fojourning in a ftrange place, returned home immediately to the City of his Fathers; that his Name might be enrolled in his own Family, and his Pedigree continued with that of his Anceftors. 45. Many therefore were obliged to take fudden Journies: And among the reft, Jofeph the Hufband of Mary; Who being by Birth of the Family of David, but dweiling at that time in Nazareth, a City of Galilee, went up into Judea with Mary his efpoufed Wife, who was then great with Child, to be enrolled at Bethlehem the City of David, amongst thofe of the fame Family. 6. Now by this means, the Wifdom of God wonderfully brought about the Accomplishment of that + Micah. Prophecy, that Chrift fhould be born at Bethlehem. For while fo v. 5. 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Jofeph alfo went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (becaufe he was of the house and linage of David) 5 To be taxed with Mary his ef poufed wife, being great with child. that while they were 6 And fo it was, there, the days were accomplished that the fhould be delivered. *The Words of this Second Verfe being very ambiguous, and Prophane Hiftory not affording fufficient Light in the matter, there is great difficulty in interpreting this Paffage. For the Words may fignify, eiiber that Quirinus was then appointed to make the Inrollment in Syria; or that the Inrollment was first begun under Quirinius, and then renewed and continued afterward; or that the Inrollment was made before Quirinius was Governour of Syria, the Phrale πρώτη ηγεμονέτου. Ο Κυρηνίου, being the fame as parós per John i. 15 & 30. Cenfum populi ter egit Auguftus. Sueton. cap. 27. 7 And 7 And fhe brought forth her first-born fon,and wrapped him in fwadling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the fame country fhepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord fhone round about them; and they were fore afraid. feph and Mary continued there upon this accidental occafion of the Enrollment, the time came for Mary to be delivered. 10 And the angel faid unto them, Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which fhall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Chrift the Lord. 12 And this hall be a fign unto you; fhall find the Ye 7. And fhe brought forth her Only Son, and wrapped him in fuch Clothes as fhe could there procure. And becaufe the Town was at that time full of People, fo that there was no room to be had in the Inn, fhe with great Humility, and contented Refignation to the Will of Providence, laid him in a Manger. 8. At the fame time, there were Shepherds in the neighbouring Fields, watching their Sheep all Night in their turns, according to the Cuftom of the Country. 9. And fuddenly in the Night, there appeared to thefe Men a great and unufual Light; and therewith an Angel of God in a vifible Form, bright and glorious; at which wonderful Sight, the Shepherds were greatly affrighted. 10. But the Angel with a chearful Countenance fpake comfortably to them, and faid, Be not afraid; I come not to terrify you; but to bring you great and happy News, matter of great Joy to you; and not to you only, but alfo to all the Nation of the Jews, and to the whole World. 11. For He of whom all the ancient Prophets prophefied, and whom all the People of Ifrael, according to the Promife of God, have long and impatiently expected; even the Meffiah your Saviour, is this Night born in Bethlehem, the City of David. 12. And by these Signs ye fhall know him ¿ When you go into the Town,, B 4 dred at those things which were told them by the shep herds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying God, for all the things that they had heard and feen, as it was told unto them. 21 And when eight days were accomplifhed for the circumcifing of of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was fo named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification, according to the law of Mofes, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerufalem, to present him to the Lord, 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth 21. Now on the Eighth Day after the Birth of the Child, his Parents caufed him to be circumcised according to the Law, and they called his Name Jefus, that is, the Saviour; as the Angel had exprefsly directed, both at his appearance to Mary be- Chap. i. fore the Conception, and in a † Vi- 31. fion to fofeph before the Birth of the † Mat. i.. Child. * * 21. |