The second particular touching the dark morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Thus far the morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Chri t was bright and glorious, but behold presently a dark cloud ariseth, which involveth both Joseph and Mary, and the holy conception in her womb in bitter anguish and distress, Mary must and did of necessity tell Joseph that she was with child, and that this matter befell her since their Espousals, and opened to him all the History of it, all that the Angel had said, and that the effect of this divine vision is, that she is with child. This was amazing tidings to Joseph, he would ask her what Testimony, Evidence, or proof she could bring, that these things were so as she had said; alas, there was no Testimony or proof to be made of these things, only Mary her self in her own cause and defence. To be begotten with child after Espousals, is by the Law of God a capital offence. such incredible stories as you tell in your own defence, I have no rule to believe: I love you dearly, but I cannot, I may not believe you, and much less will the judges, or any body else give credit to your Apology. Joseph took this matter into deep consideration, Math. 1.20. what an heart wounding consideration must this needs strike into the heart and Soul of Mary! who knew her own Innocency yet could by no means clear her self to her Husband. Josephs godly heart was rent and distressed, he loved his godly espoused wife, but his love to God & zeal of his Law obliged him to put away his espoused and beloved wife, God is to be loved in the first place, and this is the Law of God, Deut. 22.20, 21. if this thing be true, (viz. that she is with child) then they shall bring out the Damosel to the door of her Fathers house, and the men of her City shall stone her with stones that she dye: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her Fathers house, so shalt thou put away evil from among you. How bitterly would the sword of this Law pierce through the godly heart of Mary? and how would it fill her Soul with such distress, as would not a little affect the very conception of her womb? to be so near destruction, his Mother, who had conceived him, to be stoned to death at her Fathers door, and that b• the Law of God.
The second particular touching the dark morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Thus far the morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Chri t was bright and glorious, but behold presently a dark cloud ariseth, which involveth both Joseph and Mary, and the holy conception in her womb in bitter anguish and distress, Mary must and did of necessity tell Joseph that she was with child, and that this matter befell her since their Espousals, and opened to him all the History of it, all that the Angel had said, and that the effect of this divine vision is, that she is with child. This was amazing tidings to Joseph, he would ask her what Testimony, Evidence, or proof she could bring, that these things were so as she had said; alass, there was no Testimony or proof to be made of these things, only Mary her self in her own cause and defence. To be begotten with child after Espousals, is by the Law of God a capital offence. such incredible stories as you tell in your own defence, I have no rule to believe: I love you dearly, but I cannot, I may not believe you, and much less will the judges, or any body else give credit to your Apolog•. Joseph took this matter into deep consideration, Math. 1.20. what an heart wounding consideration must this needs strike into the heart and Soul of Mary! who knew her own Innocency yet could by no means clear her self to her Husband. Josephs godly heart was rent and distressed, he loved his godly espoused wife, but his love to God & zeal of his Law obliged him to put away his espoused and beloved wife, God is to be loved in the first place, and this is the Law of God, Deut. 22.20, 21. if this thing be true, (viz. that she is with child) then they shall bring out the Damosel to the dore of her Fathers house, and the men of her City shall stone her with stones that she dye: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her Fathers house, so shalt thou put away evil from among you. How bitterly would the sword of this Law pierce through the godly heart of Mary? and how would it fill her Soul with such distress, as would not a little affect the very conception of her womb? to be so near destruction, his Mother, who had conceived him, to be stoned to death at her Fathers dore, and that b• the Law of God.
