THE GOSPEL BY LUKE. INTRODUCTION. I. FORASMUCH as many have undertaken to compose a narrative of those things which have 2 been accomplished amongst us, as they who were, from the beginning, eye witnesses, and afterwards 3 ministers of the word, delivered them to us; I have also determined, having exactly traced every thing from the first, to write a particular account to 4 thee, most excellent Theophilus; that thou mayest know the certainty of those matters wherein thou hast been instructed. CH. 1. SECT. I. SECTION 1. THE ANNUNCIATION. 1 Chr. 24, 10. Ex. 30; 7. 5 IN the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abijah; and his wife, named Elizabeth, was of the daugh6 ters of Aaron. They were both righteous before God, blameless observers of all the Lord's com7 mandments and ordinances. And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. 8 Now when he came to officiate as priest in the 9 order of his course, it fell to him by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to offer incense in 10 the sanctuary. And while the incense was burning, 11 the whole congregation were praying without. Then there appeared to him a messenger of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zacharias was discomposed at the sight, and 13 in great terror. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard, and Elizabeth thy wife shall bear thee a son, whom thou 14 shalt name John 28. He shall be to thee matter of joy and transport; and many shall rejoice be 28 The Lord's favour. SECT. I. CH. 1. 15 cause of his birth. For he shall be great before the Lord; he shall not drink wine, nor any fermented liquor; but he shall be filled with the 16 Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And Mat. 11; 14. many of the sons of Israel he shall bring back to 17 the Lord their God. Moreover, he shall go be- Mal. 4; 6. fore them in the spirit and power of Elijah, to reconcile fathers to their children, and, by the wisdom of the righteous, to render the disobedient a 18 people well disposed for the Lord. And Zacharias` said to the angel, Whereby shall I know this: for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in 19 years? The angel answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel 29, who attend in the presence of God, 20 and am sent to tell thee this joyful news. 21 But know that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not re- Meantime the people waited for Zacharias, and wondered that he staid so long in the sanctuary. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary; for he made them understand 23 by signs, and remained speechless. And when his days of officiating were expired, he returned home. 24 Soon after, Elizabeth his wife conceived, and lived 25 in retirement five months, and said, The Lord hath done this for me, purposing now to deliver me from the reproach I lay under among men.. 29 God's power. Is. 7; 14. Mat. 1; 21. ch. 2; 21. Dan. 7; 14. CH. 1. 26 SECT. I. NOW in the sixth month God sent Gabriel his 27 messenger, to Nazareth, a city of Galilee; to a virgin betrothed to a man called Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 When the angel entered, he said to her, Hail, favourite of heaven! the Lord be with thee, thou 29 happiest of women! At his appearance and words she was perplexed, and revolved in her mind what 30 this salutation could mean. And the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour 31 with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive and 32 bear a son, whom thou shalt name Jesus 3. He 31 shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest. And the Lord God will give him the 33 throne of David his father. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever: his reign shall 34 never end. Then said Mary to the angel, How shall this be, since I have no intercourse with man? 35 The angel answering, said unto her, The Holy Spirit will descend upon thee, and the power of the Highest will overshadow thee; therefore the Holy progeny shall be called the Son of God. 36 And lo, thy cousin Elizabeth also hath conceived 37 a son in her old age; and she who is called bar ren, is now in her sixth month: for nothing is im38 possible with God. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word. Then the angel departed. In those days Mary set out and travelled expedi 39 30 Saviour. |