N00187:39
The harmony of the Gospels, in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…
The harmony of the Gospels, in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings of Jesus Christ, from his incarnation to his death and burial. / Published by John Eliot, teacher of the church in Roxbury. ; [Two lines from Acts]
printed by John Foster, 1678
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
8. Mary by faith submitteth her self to the will of God. She said, behold the Handmaid of the Lord, be it unto me according to thy word. And that this was an act of Faith in Mary, doth appear by the Testimony of the Holy Ghost, who spake by Elizabeth, Luk. 1.45. and blessed is she that believed, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And the Holy Ghost whose Office is to bring to our remembrance the word of God which we have heard, Joh. 14.26. did (doubtless) bring to her remembrance, and presented to her humble believing Soul, that word of God, Isai. 7.14. 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, by Faith in this Word of God she did conceive, all this may justly be gathered from that Text, Math. 1.22, 23.
The second particular touching the dark morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. Thus far the morning of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ 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,