The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

But Joseph was a just man, that is, right godly, holy, and merciful, he was not willing to expose his Espoused unto the rigour of the Law, to the shame and disgrace ⟨p. 7⟩of her, and her Relations. Mean while when these considerations were before them, oh how would good Mary cry unto God to clear her Innocency. But good Joseph called to mind a more gentle Law, which left it in his liberty to deal more gently with her, and he purposed to act towards Mary according to that Law, Deut. 24.1. when a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a Bill of Divorce, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house, by this Law, or some other of like importance, Joseph (considering deeply of the matter) purposed to walk, Math. 1.19. Joseph her Husband being a just man, and not willing to make her a public Example (viz. by the Law, Deut. 22.20, 21.) was minded to put her away privily, viz. by that Law. Deut. 24.1. this I propose with submission.

But Joseph was a just man, that is, right godly, holy, and merciful, he was not willing to expose his Espoused unto the rigour of the Law, to the shame and disgrace ⟨p. 7⟩of her, and her Relations. Mean while when these considerations were before them, oh how would good Mary cry unto God to clear her Innocency. But good Joseph called to mind a more gentle Law, which left it in his liberty to deal more g•ntly with her, and he purposed to act towards Mary according to that Law, Deut. 24.1. when a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a Bill of Divorce, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house, by this Law, or some other of like importance, Joseph (considering deeply of the matter) purposed to walk,