The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

Christ was to the Virgin a Son and her first borne. He was called her first borne, not because she had any sons afterwards, but because he was borne first, though he were her only Sonne. Christs brethren were his Kinsmen; nor doth the term first borne import any following, for the first borne in Law were so called before they knew whether they should have a second child; and it is a godly profession of Divines in all ages, that she was a Virgin before birth, and in the birth, and after the birth: though this latter be no Article of faith or principle of Religion.

Christ was to the Virgin a Sonne and her first borne. Hee was called her first borne, not because she had any sonnes afterwards, but because he was borne first, though he were her onely Sonne. Christs brethren were his Kinsmen; nor doth the terme first borne import any following, for the first borne in Law were so called before they knew whether they should haue a second childe; and it is a godly profession of Diuines in all ages, that she was a Virgin before birth, and in the birth, and after the birth: though this latter be no Article of faith or principle of Religion.

The Bread of Life was borne in the house of bread, and the most fruit-bearing Nativity was performed in Bethlehem, Ephratah, (.i.) In a most fruitful place, and he was borne in a strange place, as he might bring us banished men into our true Country.

The Bread of Life was borne in the house of bread, and the most fruit-bearing Natiuity was performed in Bethlehem, Ephratah, (.i.) In a most fruitfull place, and he was borne in a strange place, as he might bring vs banished men into our true Country.

To conclude, the Birth of Christ was both ordinary and wonderful: It was ordinary, that he was carried in the womb of his Mother the ordinary time, and was brought forth at the ordinary time: but it was wonderful both in respect of the signs that fell out about the time of it, and most of all, that his Mother was a Virgin. The signs were very miraculous, as the rising of the Star in the East, the Angelical Music in the Air, and the great Light, and the publication of it by Angels. Yea, the signs were very strange among the Gentiles: for a public voice was heard, the great God is now about to be borne. At Rome was the likeness of a woman carrying a child in her arms seen about the Sun. And when Augustus asked Sibilla about a Comet was then seen: she answered, This Child is greater then thou, adore thou him: many such strange things are observed by Writers.