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All the generations, therefore, from Abraham unto David are fourteen generations; and from David unto the removal to Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the removal to Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

LUKE iii. 23-38.

JESUS-being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Nagge, the son of Maath, the son of Mat`tathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joanna, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Naashon, the son of Aminadab, the son of Aram, the son of Hezron, the son of Phares, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Salah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enoch, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

SECT. VII.

Announcement to Joseph of the approaching Birth of Jesus.

MATT. i. 18-25.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus:1 for his mother Mary having been espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she proved to have conceived of the holy spirit. Now Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to expose her, purposed to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, 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 spirit. And she will bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Now all this came to pass so that it was fulfilled 2 which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet,3 saying, 'Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bring forth a son, and they will call his name Emmanuel,' which being interpreted is, God with us.4) But Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife; yet knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son: and he called his name Jesus.

SECT. VIII.

Birth of Jesus, with connected Circumstances.

LUKE ii. 1-21.

Now it came to pass in those days, that there went forth a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the land should be

1 "For," seems to imply and not in the ordinary way after "thus." 2 v. H. n. 3 Is. vii. 14. 4 Or, God is with us.

enrolled. (The enrollment itself was first made when Cyrenius was govenor of Syria).1 And all went to be enrolled, every one to 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 lineage of David ;) to be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. Now it came to pass while they were there, that the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country, shepherds abiding in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were exceedingly afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; that this day, in the city of David, hath been born for you a Saviour"—who is Christ the Lord.2 "And this is a sign unto you; Ye will find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heavens, and on earth peace! there is good will towards men.”3 And it came to pass, when the angels were gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go over unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which hath come to pass, which the Lord hath made known to us." And they went with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph,

1 v. H. n. 2 Or, this day hath been born, for you, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is the anointed Lord. 3 v. H. n.

and the babe lying in the manger. But when they had seen it, they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary laid up all these things and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, according as it had been told unto them.

And when eight days were accomplished for circumcizing him, then his name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

SECT. IX.

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

LUKE ii. 22-40.

AND when the days of their purification were accomplished, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord,1 'Every male that openeth the womb, shall be called holy to the Lord;') and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is enjoined in the law of the Lord,2 A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.'

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the holy spirit was upon him. And it was signified unto him by the holy spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Anointed of the Lord. And he came in the spirit into the temple

1 Numb. xviii, 15. 2 Lav. xii. 8.

and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do according to what was appointed by the law concerning him, he also took him up in his arms, and he blessed God, and said, "Now, Lord, thou lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word;1 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all the peoples; a light for the illumination of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." And his father and mother wondered at those things which were spoken concerning him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, "Lo! this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign to be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also ;) that the purposes of many hearts may be disclosed."

There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; (she was far advanced in age,2 having lived with a husband seven years from her virgin-state, and herself a widow of about fourscore and four years ;) who departed not from the temple, serving God with fastings and prayers, night and day. And she, coming up that same hour, gave thankful acknowledgments unto the Lord, and spake concerning him to all that were waiting for redemption in Jerusalem.3

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon

him.

1 Or, Now, Sovereign Lord, thou art dismissing thy servant according to thy word, in peace; for &c. 2 Lit, in many days. 3 v. H. n.

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