BUT The high-pricet in dificulty. to break through by lying with a man. 7 The high priest being hereby brought into a difficulty, 8 Seeing he durst neither on the one hand dissolve the vow, and disobey the Scripture, which UT the Virgin of the Lord, assays, Vow and pay,1 she advanced in years, in creased also in perfections, and according to the saying of the Psalmist, her father and mother forsook her, but the Lord took care of her. 9 Nor on the other hand introduce a custom, to which the people were strangers, commanded, 2 For she every day had the conversation of angels, and every day received visitors from God, which preserved her from all sorts of evil, and caused her to abound with all good things; 3 So that when at length she arrived to her fourteenth year, as the wicked could not lay any thing to her charge worthy of reproof, so all good persons, who were acquainted with her, admired her life and conversation, 4 At that time the high-priest made a public order. That all the virgins who had public settlements in the temple, and were come to this age, should return home, and, as they were now of a proper maturity, should, according to the custom of their country, endeavou to be married. 5 To which command, though allthe other vi gins readily yielded obedience, Mary the Virgin of the Lord alone answered, that she could not comply with it. 10 That at the approaching feast all the principal persons both of Jerusalem and the neighbouring places should meet together, that he might have their advice, how he had best proceed in so difficult a case. 11 When they were accordingly met, they unanimously agreed to seek the Lord, and ask counsel from him on this matter." 12 And when they were all engaged in prayer, the high-priest, according to the usual way, went to consult God. 13 And immediately there was a voice from the ark, and the mercy scat, which all present heard, that it must be enquired or sought out by a prophecy of Isaiah to whom the Virgin should be given and be betrothed; 14 For Isaiah saith, there shall come forth a rod out of the stein of Jesse, and a flower shall spring out of its root, 15 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and the Spirit of the fear of the Lord shall fill him. 6 Assigui g these reasons, that both she and her parents had devoted her to the service of the Lord; and besides, that she had 16 Then, according to this provowed virginity to the Lo. d, phecy, he appointed, that all the which vow she was resolved never men of the house and family of 1 Eccles. v. 4, 5, 6; and Psalm lxxvi. 11. 2 Num. xxvii. 21, compared with Exod. xxviii. 30; Lev. viii. 8; Deut. xxxiii. 8; Ezra ii. 63; Nehem. vii. 65. The Virgin betrothed. MARY. Angel Gabriel salutes Mary David, who were marriageable and not married, should bring their several rods to the altar, 17 And out of whatsoever person's rod after it was brougit, a flower should bud forth, and on the top of it the Spirit of the Lord should sit in the a pearance of a dove, he should be the man to whom the Virgin should be given and be b.trothed. CHAP. VL 1 Joseph draws back his rod. 5 The dove pitches on it. Ile betroths Mary and returns to Bethlehem. 7 Mary returns to her parents' house at Galilee. A MONG the rest there was a man named Joseph, of the house and family of David, and a person very far advanced in years, who drew back his rod, when every one besides presented his. 2 So that when nothing appeared agreeable to the heavenly voice, the high-priest judged it proper to consult God again, 3 Who answered that he to whom the Virgin was to be betrothed was the only person of those who were brought together, who had not brought his rod. 4 Joseph therefore was betrayed. 5 For, when he did bring his rod, and a dove coming from Heaven pitched upon the top of it, every one plainly saw, that the Virgin was to be betrothed to him : 6 Accordingly, the usual ceremonies of betrothing being over, he returned to his own city of Bethlehem, to set his house in order, and make the needful proisions for the marriage. 7 But the Virgin of the Lord, Mary, with seven other virgins of Luke i 28 the same age, who had been weaned at the same time, and who had been appointed to attent parents' house in Galilee. her by the priest, returned to her CHAP. VII. 7 The salutation of the Virgin by Gabriel, who explains to her that she shall conceive, without lying with a man, while a Virgin, 19 by the Holy Ghost coming upon her without the heats of lust. 21 She submits. OW at this time of her first NOW coming into Galilee, the angel Gabriel was sent to her froin God, to declare to her the conception of our Saviour, and the manner and way of her conceiving him. 2 Accordingly going into her, he filled the chamber where she was with a prodigious light, and in a most courteous manner saluting her, he said, 3 Hail, Mary! Virgin of the Lord most acceptable! O Virgin full of Grace! The Lord is with you, you are blessed above all women, you are blessed above all men, that have been hitherto born.' 4 But the Virgin, who had before been well acquainted with the countenances of angels, and to whom such light from heaven was no uncommon thing, 5 Was neither terrified with the vision of the angel, nor astonished at the greatness of the light, but only troubled about the angel's words: 6 And began to consider what so extraordinary a salutation should mean, what it did portend, or what sort of end it would have.' 7 To this thought the angel, divinely inspired, replies; 8 Fear not, Mary, as though I intended anything inconsistent Luke i. 29. And tells her she shall conceive. MARY. with your chastity in this salutation; 9 For you have found favour with the Lord, because you made virginity your choice. 10 Therefore while you are a Virgin, you shall conceive without in, and bring forth a son. 11 He shall be great, because he shall reign from sea to sea, and from the rivers even to the ends of the earth.' 12 And he shall be called the Son of the Highest ; for he who is born in a mean state on earth reigns in an exalted one in heaven. 13 And the Lord shall give him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of She is married to Joseph. it only is conceived without sin and being born, shall be called the Son of God. 21 Then Mary stretching forth her hands, and lifting her eyes to heaven, said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord! Let it be unto nie according to thy word. ' CHAP. VIII. 1 Joseph returns to Galilee to marry the Virgin he had betrothed. 4 perceives she is with child, 5 is uneasy, 7 purposes to put her away privily, 8 is told by the angel of the Lord it is not the work of man but the Holy Ghost, 12 Marries her, but keeps chaste, 13 removes with her to Bethlehem, 15 where she brings forth Christ. Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom J there shall be no end. 14 For he is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and his throne is for ever and ever. 15 To this discourse of the angel the Virgin replied not, as though she were unbelieving, but willing to know the manner of it. 16 She said, How can that be? For seeing, according to my vow, I have never known any man, how can I bear a child without the addition of a man's seed. 17 To this the angel replied and said, Think not, Mary, that you shall conceive in the ordinary way. 18 For, without lying with a man, while a Virgin, you shall conceive; while a Virgin, you shall bring forth; and while a Virgin shall give suck. 19 For the Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you, without any of the heats of lust. Judæa to Galilee, with intention to marry the Virgin who was betrothed to him: 2 For it was now near three months since she was betrothed to him. 3 At length it plainly appeared she was with child, and it could not be hid from Joseph: 4 For going to the Virgin in a free manner, as one espoused, and talking familiarly with her, he perceived her to be with child. 5 And thereupon began to be uneasy and doubtful, not knowing what course it would be best to take; 6 For being a just man, he was not willing to expose her, nor defame her by the suspicion of being a whore, since he was a pious man. 7 He purposed therefore privately to put an end to their agreement, and as privately to send her away. 8 But while he was meditating these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his * Luke i. 38. 'Matt. i. 19. Joachim's offering. THE PROTEVANGELION. in the temple. sleep, and said Joseph, son of to the command of the angel, David, fear not; married the Virgin, and did not know her, but kept her ir chastity. 9 Be not willing to entertain any suspicion of the Virgin's being guilty of fornication, or to think any thing miss of her, neither be afraid to take her to wife; 10 For that which is begotten in her and now distresses your mind, is not the work of man, but the Holy Ghost. 11 For she of all women is that only Virgin who shall bring forth the Son of God, and you shall call his name Jesus, that is, Saviour: for he will save his people from their sins. 12 Joseph thereupon, according 13 And now the ninth month from her conception drew near, when Joseph took his wife and what other things were necessary to Bethlehem, the city from whence he came. 14 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled for her bringing forth. 15 And she brought forth her first-born son, as the holy Evangelists have taught, even our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, lives and reigns to everlasting ages. The PROTEVANGELION; or, An Historical Account of the BIRTH of CHRIST, and the perpetual VIRGIN MARY, his Mother, by JAMES THE LESSER, Cousin and Brother of the Lord Jesus, chief Apostle and first Bishop of the Christians in Jerusalem. [This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient Fathers are frequent, and their expressions indicate that it had obtained a very general credit in the Christian world. The controversies founded upon it chiefly relate to the age of Joseph at the birth of Christ, and to his being a widower with children, before his inarriage with the Virgin. It seems material to remark, that the legends of the latter ages affirm the virginity of Joseph, notwithstanding Epiphanius, Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Thephylact, Occumenius, and indeed all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers afterwards, maintain the opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their belief in the authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been originally composed in Hebrew. Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel from the Levant, translated it into Latin, and sent it to Oporimus, a printer at Basil, where Bibliander, a Protestant Divine, and the Professor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be printed in 1552. Postellus asserts that it was publicly read as canonical in the eastern churches, ney making no doubt that James was the author of it. It is, never theless, considered apocryphal by some of the most learned divines in the Protestant and Catholic churches.] CHAP. I. Joachim, a rich man, 2 offers to the Lord, 3 is opposed by Reuben the highpriest, because he has not begotten issue in Israel, 6 retires into the wilderness und fasts forty days and forty nights. | IN N the history of the twelve tribes of Israel we read there was a certain person called Joa chim, who being very rich, made double offerings to the Lord God, having made this resolution : That is, gave as much more as he was obliged to give. rejected for his THE PROTEVANGELION. my substance shall be for the benefit of the whole people, and that I may find mercy from the Lord God for the forgiveness of my sins. barrenness. 2 Then drew near a great feast of the Lord, and Judith her maid said, How long will you thus afflict your soul? The feast of the Lord is now come, when it is unlawful for any one to mourn. 3 Take therefore this hood which was given by one who 2 But at a certain great feast of the Lord, when the children of Israel offered their gifts, and Joachim also offered his, Reuben the high-priest opposed him, say-makes such things, for it is not fi ing it is not lawful for thee to offer thy gifts, seeing thou hast not begot any issue in Israel. 3 At this Joachim being concerned very much, went away to consult the registries of the twelve tribes, to see whether he was the only person who had begot no issue. 4 But upon enquiry he found that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel : 5 Then he called to mind the patriarch Abraham, How that God in the end of his life had given him his son Isaac; upon which he was exceedingly distressed, and would not be seen by his wife: 6 But retired into the wilderness, and fixed his tent there, and fasted forty days and forty nights, saying to himself, 7 I will not down either to eat go ordrink, till the Lord my God shall look down upon me, but prayer shall be my meat and drink.' CHAP. II. I Anna, the wife of Joachim, mourns her barrenness, 6 is reproached with it by Judith her maid, 9 sits under a laurel ree and prays to the Lord. N the meantime his wife Anna IN that I, who am a servant should wear it, but it well suits a person of your greater character. 4 But Anna replied, Depart from me, I am not used to such things; besides, the Lord hath greatly humbled me. 5 I fear some ill-designing person hath given thee this, and thou art come to pollute me with my sin. 6 Then Judith her maid answered, what evil shall I wish you when you will not hearken to me 1 7 I cannot wish you a greater curse than you are under, in that God hath shut up your womb, that you should not be a mother in Israel. 8 At this Anna was exceedingly troubled, and having on her wed ding garment, went about three o'clock in the afternoon to walk in her garden. 9 And she saw a laurel-tree, and sat under it, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 10 O God of my fathers, bless me and regard my prayer as thou didst bless the womb of Sarah, and gavest her a son Isaac.1 1 CHAP. III. Anna perceiving a sparrow's nest in the laurels bemoans her barrenness. ND as she was looking to was distressed and perplexed Awards heaven she perceived on a double account, and said I will mourn both formy widowhood a sparrow's nest in the laurel, and my barrenness. 2 And mourning within herself, 1 In imitation of the forty days and nights fast of Moses, recorded Exod. xxiv. 11, xxxiv. 28; Deut. ix. 9 ; of Elijah, 1 Kings, xix. 8 ; and Christ's. Matt. iv. 2. 2 Gen. xxi. 2. |
