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MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION

There are two accounts of the miraculous conception, one in the gospel according to St. Matthew, the other in the gospel according to St. Luke. In both these accounts there are several collateral circumstances which are here printed from the approved version, but the examination is intended to be confined as closely as possible to those parts only which relate to the miraculous conception, and, consequently, to the supposed divinity of Jesus Christ. That the Christian reader may see nakedly, and without disguise, the grounds of his faith.

The story in St. Matthew is as follows: —

CHAP. I.

"18. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: when as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

"19. Then Joseph her husband being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

"20. But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

"21. 'And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.'

"99. Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

"93. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us.

"94. Then Joseph being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.

"25. And knew her not till she had brought forth her first-born son. And he called his name Jesus."

This is all St. Matthew says on the subject.

St. Luke's account is more circumstantial, it is as follows: —

CHAP. I.

"5. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

"6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

"7. And they had no child, because that Elizabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

"8. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

"9. According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

"10. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

"11. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

"19. And when Zacharias saw him he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

"13. But the angel said unto him, 'Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

"14. 'And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

"15. 'For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

"16. 'And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

"17. 'And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.'

"18. And Zacharias said unto the angel, 'Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.'

"19. And the angel answering said unto him, 'I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.

"90. 'And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.'

"21. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

"22. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

"23. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

"24. And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

"25. 'Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.'

"26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

"27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

"28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, 'Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.'

"29. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.