THE GOSPEL CALLED, THE

P R O T E VA N G E L I O N
This Gospel is ascribed to James. The allusions to it in the ancient Fathers are
frequent, and their expressions indicate that it had obtained a very general
credit in the Christian world. The controversies founded upon it chiefly relate to
the age of Joseph at the birth of Christ, and to his being a widower with
children, before his marriage with the Virgin. It seems material to remark, that
the legends of the latter ages affirm the virginity of Joseph, notwithstanding
Epiphanius, Hilary, Chrysostom, Cyril, Euthymius, Thephylaet, Occumenius, and
indeed all the Latin Fathers till Ambrose, and the Greek Fathers afterwards,
maintain the opinions of Joseph's age and family, founded upon their belief in
the authenticity of this book. It is supposed to have been originally composed in
Hebrew. Postellus brought the MS. of this Gospel from the Levant, translated it
into Latin, and sent it to Oporimus, a printer at Basil, where Bibliander, a
Protestant Divine, and the Professor of Divinity at Zurich, caused it to be
printed in 1552. Postellus asserts that it was publicly read as canonical in the
eastern churches they making no doubt that James was the author, of it. It is,
nevertheless considered apocryphal by some of the most learned divines in the
Protestant and Catholic churches.

Or, an Historical Account of the 2 But at a certain great feast of the

BIRTH of CHRIST, and the Lord, when the children of Israel
perpetual VIRGIN MARY, his offered their gifts, and Joachim also
Mother, by JAMES THE LESSER, offered his, Reuben the high-priest
Cousin and Brother of the Lord opposed him, saying, it is not
Jesus, chief Apostle and first lawful for thee to offer thy gifts,
Bishop of the Christians in seeing thou hast not begot any issue
Jerusalem. in Israel.
3 At this, Joachim being concerned
CHAPTER I. very much, went away to consult
1 Joachim, a rich man, 2 offers to the registries of the twelve tribes,
the Lord, 3 is opposed by Reuben to see whether he was the only
the high priest, because he has not person who had begot no issue.
begotten issue in Israel, 6 retires 4 But upon inquiry he found that
into the wilderness and fasts forty all the righteous had raised up seed
days and forty nights. in Israel;
IN the history of the twelve tribes 5 Then he called to mind the
of Israel we read there was a patriarch Abraham, How that God
certain person called Joachim, who in the end of his life had given him
being very rich, made double his son Isaac; upon which he was
offerings to the Lord God, having exceedingly distressed, and would
made this resolution: My substance not be seen by his wife:
shall be for the benefit of the whole 6 But retired into the wilderness,
people, that I may find mercy from and fixed his tent there, and fasted
the Lord God for the forgiveness of forty days and forty nights, saying
my sins. to himself,

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7 I will not go down either to eat 9 And she saw a laurel-tree and sat
or drink, till the Lord my God shall under it, and prayed unto the Lord,
look down upon me, but prayer saying,
shall be my meat and drink. 10 O God of my fathers, bless me
and regard my prayer, as thou didst
CHAPTER. II. bless the womb of Sarah; and
1 Anna, the wife of Joachim mourns gavest her a son Isaac.
her barrennes, 6 is reproached with
it by Judith her maid, 9 sits under a CHAPTER III.
laurel tree and prays to the Lord. 1 Anna perceiving a sparrow's nest
IN the mean time his wife Anna in the laurels bemoans her
was distressed and perplexed on a barrenness.
double account, and said, I will AND as she was looking towards
mourn both for my widowhood and heaven she perceive a sparrow's
my barrenness. nest in the laurel,
2 Then drew near a great feast of 2 And mourning within herself, she
the Lord, and Judith her maid, said, said, Wo is me, who begat me? and
How long will you thus afflict your what womb did bear me, that I
soul? The feast of the Lord is now should be thus accursed before the
come, when it is unlawful for any children of Israel, and that they
one to mourn. should reproach and deride me in
3 Take therefore this hood which the temple of my God: Wo is me, to
was given by one who makes such what can I be compared?
things, for it is not fit that I, who 3 I am not comparable to the very
am a servant should wear it, but it beasts of the earth, for even the
well suits a person of your greater beasts of the earth are fruitful
character. before thee, O Lord! Wo is me, to
4 But Anna replied, Depart from what can I be compared?
me, I am not used to such things; 4 I am not compared to the brute
besides, the Lord hath greatly animal, for even the brute animals
humbled me. are fruitful before thee, O Lord! Wo
5 I fear some ill-designing person is me, to what am I comparable?
hath given thee this, and thou art 5 I cannot be comparable to these
come to reproach me with my sin. waters, for even the waters are
6 Then Judith her maid answered, fruitful before thee, O Lord! Wo is
what evil shall I wish you, when me, to what can I be compared?
you will not hearken to me? 6 I am not comparable to the waves
7 I cannot wish you a greater curse of the sea; for these, whether they
than you are under, in that God hath are calm, or in motion, with the
shut up your womb, that you should fishes which are in them, praise
not be a mother in Israel. thee, O Lord! Wo is me to what can
8 At this Anna was exceedingly I be compared?
troubled, and having on her 7 I am not comparable to the very
wedding garment, went about three earth, for the earth produces its
o'clock in the afternoon to walk in fruits, and praises thee, O Lord!
her garden.

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CHAPTER IV. his neck, said, Now I know that the

1 An Angel appears to Anna and Lord hath greatly blessed me:
tells her she shall conceive; two 10 For behold, I who was as a
angels appear on the same errand. widow am no longer as a widow,
5 Joachim sacrifices. 8 Anna goes and I who was barren shall
to meet him, 9 rejoicing that she conceive.
shall conceive.
THEN an angel of the Lord stood CHAPTER V.
by her and said, Anna, Anna, the 1 Joachim abides the first day in
Lord hath heard thy prayer; thou his house but sacrifices on the
shalt conceive and bring forth, and morrow. 2 Consults the plate on the
thy progeny shall be spoken of in priests forehead, 3 and is without
all the world. sin. 6 Anna brings forth a daughter,
2 And Anna answered, As the Lord 9 whom she calls Mary.
my God liveth, whatever I bring AND Joachim abode the first day
forth, whether it be male or female, in his house, but on the morrow he
I will devote it to the Lord my God brought his offerings, and said,
and it shall minister to him in holy 2 If the Lord be propitious to me
things, during its whole life. let the plate which is on the priests
3 And behold there appeared two forehead make it manifest.
angels, saying unto her, Behold 3 And he consulted the plate which
Joachim thy husband is coming with the priest wore, and saw it, and
his shepherds. behold sin was not found in him.
4 For an angel of the Lord hath 4 And Joachim said, Now I know
also come down to him, and said, that the Lord is propitious to me,
The Lord God hath heard thy and hath taken away all my sins.
prayer, make haste and go hence, 5 And he went down from the
for behold Anna thy wife shall temple of the Lord justified, and he
conceive. went to his own house.
5 And Joachim went down and 6 And when nine months were
called his shepherds, saying, Bring fulfilled to Anna, she brought forth,
me hither ten she-lambs without and said to the midwife, What have
spot or blemish, and they shall be I brought forth?
for the Lord my God. 7 And she told her, A girl.
6 And bring me twelve calves 8 Then Anna said, The Lord hath
without blemish, and the twelve this day magnified my soul; and she
calves shall be for the priests and laid her in bed.
the elders. 9 And when the days of her
7 Bring me also a hundred goats, purification were accomplished, she
and the hundred goats shall be for gave suck to the child; and called
the whole people. her name Mary.
8 And Joachim went down with the
shepherds, and Anna stood by the CHAPTER VI.
gate and saw Joachim coming with 1 Mary at nine months old, walks
the shepherds. nine steps. 3 Anna keeps her holy. 4
9 And she ran, and hanging about When she is a year old, Joachim

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makes a great feast. 7 Anna gives the fruit of his righteousness, that it
her the breast, and sings a song to may now be told the sons of
the Lord. Reuben, that Anna gives suck.
AND the child increased in 9 Then she put the child to rest in
strength every day, so that when she the room which she had
was nine months old, her mother consecrated, and she went out and
put her upon the ground, to try if ministered unto them.
she could stand; and when she had 10 And when the feast was ended,
walked nine steps, she came again they went away rejoicing, and
to her mother's lap. praising the God of Israel.
2 Then her mother caught her up,
and said, As the Lord my God CHAPTER VII.
liveth, thou shalt not walk again on 3 Mary being three years old,
this earth, till I bring thee into the Joachim causes certain virgins to
temple of the Lord. light each a lamp, and goes with
3 Accordingly she made her her to the temple. 5 The high-priest
chamber a holy place, and suffered places her on the third step of the
nothing uncommon or unclean to altar, and sits dances with her feet.
come near her, but invited certain BUT the girl grew, and when she
undefiled daughters of Israel, and was two years old, Joachim said to
they drew her aside. Anna, Let us lead her to the temple
4 But when the child was a year of the Lord, that we may perform
old, Joachim made a great feast, our vow, which we have vowed unto
and invited the priests, scribes, the Lord God, lest he should be
elders, and all the people of Israel; angry with us, and our offering be
5 And Joachim then made an unacceptable.
offering of the girl to the chief- 2 But Anna said, Let us wait the
priests, and they blessed her, third year, lest she should be at a
saying, The God of our fathers loss to know her father. And
bless this girl, and give her a name Joachim said, Let us then wait.
famous and lasting through all 3 And when the child was three
generations. And all the people years old, Joachim said, Let us
replied, So be it, Amen: invite the daughters of the
6 Then Joachim a second time Hebrews, who are undefiled, and let
offered her to the priests, and they them take each a lamp, and let them
blessed her, saying, O most high be lighted, that the child may not
God, regard this girl, and bless her turn back again, and her mind be
with an everlasting blessing. set against the temple of the Lord,
7 Upon this her mother took her 4 And they did thus till they
up, and gave her the breast, and ascended into the temple of the
sung the following song to the Lord. And the high-priest received
Lord. her, and blessed her, and said,
8 I will sing a song unto the Lord Mary, the Lord God hath magnified
my God, for he hath visited me, and thy name to all generations, and to
taken away from me the reproach of the very end of time by thee will
mine enemies, and hath given me the Lord shew his redemption to the

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children of Israel. with him the breast-plate of

5 And he placed her upon the third judgment made prayers concerning
step of the altar, and the Lord gave her;
unto her grace, and she dance with 6 And behold the angel of the Lord
her feet, and all the house of Israel came to him, and said, Zacharias,
loved her. Zacharias, Go forth and call
together all the widowers among
CHAPTER VIII. the people, and let every one of
2 Mary fed in the temple by angels. them bring his rod, and he by whom
3 When twelve years old the priests the Lord shall shew a sign shall be
consult what to do with her. 6 The the husband of Mary.
angel of the Lord warns Zacharias 7 And the criers went out through
to call together all the widowers, all Judaea, and the trumpet of the
each bringing a rod. 7 The people Lord sounded, and all the people
meet by sound of trumpet. 8 Joseph ran and met together.
throws away his hatchet, and goes 8 Joseph also throwing away his
to the meeting. 11 A dove comes hatchet, went out to meet them; and
forth from his rod, and alights on when they were met, they went to
his head. 12 He is chosen to betroth the high-priest; taking every man
the Virgin, 13 refuses because he is his rod.
an old man, 14 is compelled, 16 9 After the high-priest had
takes her home, and goes to mind received their rods, he went into the
his trade of building. temple to pray;
AND her parents went away filled 10 And when he had finished his
with wonder, and praising God, prayer, he took the rods, and went
because the girl did not return back forth and distributed them, and
to them. there was no miracle attended them.
2 But Mary continued in the temple 11 The last rod was taken by
as a dove educated there, and Joseph, said behold a dove
received her food from the hand of proceeded out of the rod, and flew
an angel. upon the head of Joseph.
3 And when she was twelve years 12 And the high-priest said,
of age, the priests met in a council, Joseph, Thou art the person chosen
and said, Behold, Mary is twelve to take the Virgin of the Lord, to
years of age, what shall we do with keep her for him:
her, for fear lest the holy place of 13 But Joseph refused, saying, I
the Lord our God should be defiled? am an old man, and have children,
4 Then replied the priests to but she is young, and I fear lest I
Zacharias the high-priest, Do you should appear ridiculous in Israel.
stand at the altar of the Lord, and 14 Then the high-priest replied,
enter into the holy place, and make Joseph, Fear the Lord thy God, and
petitions concerning her, and remember how God dealt with
whatsoever the Lord shall manifest Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how
unto you, that do. the earth opened and swallowed
5 Then the high-priest entered into them up, because of their
the Holy of Holies, and taking away contradiction.

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15 Now therefore, Joseph, fear God 5 But from that time Zacharias the
lest the like things should happen in high-priest became dumb, and
your family. Samuel was placed in his room till
16 Joseph then being afraid, took Zacharias spoke again.
her unto his house, and Joseph said 6 But Mary took the true purple;
unto Mary, Behold, I have taken and did spin it.
thee from the temple of the Lord, 7 And she took a pot, and went out
and now I will leave thee in my to draw water, and heard a voice
house; I must go to mind my trade saying unto her, Hail thou who art
of building. The Lord be with thee. full of grace, the Lord is with thee;
thou art blessed among women.
CHAPTER IX. 8 And she looked round to the right
1 The priests desire a new veil for and to the left (to see) whence that
the temple, 3 seven virgins cast lots voice came, and then trembling
for making different parts of it, 4 went into her house, and laying
the lot to spin the true purple falls down the water-pot, she took the
to Mary. 5 Zacharias, the high purple, and sat down in her seat to
priest, becomes dumb. 7 Mary takes work it.
a pot to draw water, and hears a 9 And behold the angel of the Lord
voice, 8 trembles and begins to stood by her, and said, Fear not,
work, 9 an angel Appears and Mary, for thou hast found favour in
salutes her, and tells her she shall the sight of God.
conceive by the Holy Ghost, 17 she 10 Which when she heard, she
submits. 19 Visits her cousin reasoned with herself what that sort
Elizabeth, whose child in her womb of salutation meant.
leaps. 11 And the angel said unto her, The
AND it came to pass, in a council Lord is with thee, and thou shalt
of the priests, it was said, Let us conceive:
make a new veil for the temple of 12 To which she replied, What!
the Lord. shall I conceive by the living God
2 And the high-priest said, Call and bring forth as all other women
together to me seven undefiled do?
virgins of the tribe of David. 13 But the angel returned answer,
3 And the servants went and Not so, O Mary, but the Holy Ghost
brought them into the temple of the shall come upon thee, and the
Lord, and the high-priest said unto power of the Most High shall
them, Cast lots before me now, who overshadow thee;
of you shall spin the golden thread, 14 Wherefore that which shall be
who the blue, who the scarlet, who born of thee shall be holy, and shall
the fine linen, and who the true be called the Son of the Living
purple. God, and thou shalt call his name
4 Then the high-priest knew Mary; Jesus; for he shall save his people
that she was of the tribe of David; from their sins.
and he called her, and the true 15 And behold thy cousin
purple fell to her lot to spin, and Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a
she went away to her own house. son in her old age.

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16 And this now is the sixth month determines to dismiss her privately,
with her, who was called barren: for 17 is warned in a dream that Mary
nothing is impossible with God. is with child by the Holy Ghost, 20
17 And Mary said, Behold the and glorifies God who had shewn
handmaid of the Lord; let it be unto him such favour.
me according to thy word. AND when her sixth month was
18 And when she had wrought her come, Joseph returned from his
purple, she carried it to the high- building houses abroad, which was
priest, and the high-priest blessed his trade, and entering into the
her, saying, Mary, the Lord God house, found the Virgin grown big:
hath magnified thy name, and thou 2 Then smiting upon his face, he
shalt be blessed in all the ages of said, With what face can I look up
the world. to the Lord my God? or, what shall
19 Then Mary, filled with joy, went I say concerning this young
away to her cousin Elizabeth, and woman?
knocked at the door. 3 For I received her a Virgin out of
20 Which when Elizabeth heard, the temple of the Lord my God, and
she ran and opened to her, and have not preserved her such!
blessed her, and said, Whence is 4 Who has thus deceived me? Who
this to me, that the mother of my has committed this evil in my
Lord should come unto me? house, and seducing the Virgin from
21 For lo! as soon as the voice of me, hath defiled her?
thy salutation reached my ears, that 5 Is not the history of Adam
which is in me leaped and blessed exactly accomplished in me?
thee. 6 For in the very instant of his
22 But Mary, being ignorant of all glory, the serpent came and found
those mysterious things which the Eve alone, and seduced her.
archangel Gabriel had spoken to 7 Just after the same manner it has
her, lifted up her eyes to heaven, happened to me.
and said, Lord! What am I, that all 8 Then Joseph arising from the
the generations of the earth should ground, called her, and said, O thou
call me blessed? who hast been so much favoured by
23 But perceiving herself daily to God, why hast thou done this?
grow big, and being afraid, she 9 Why hast thou thus debased thy
went home, and hid herself from the soul, who wast educated in the Holy
children of Israel; and was fourteen of Holies, and received thy food
years old when all these things from the hand of angels?
happened. 10 But she, with a flood of tears,
replied, I am innocent, and have
CHAPTER X. known no man.
1 Joseph returns from building 11 Then said Joseph, How comes it
houses, finds the Virgin grown big, to pass you are with child?
being six months gone with child, 2 12 Mary answered, As the Lord my
is jealous and troubled, 8 God liveth, I know not by what
reproaches her, 10 she affirms her means.
innocence, 13 he leaves her, 16 13 Then Joseph was exceedingly

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afraid, and went ay from her, 4 And went away to the priest, and
considering what he should do with told him, Joseph in whom you
her; and he thus reasoned with placed so much confidence, is
himself: guilty of a notorious crime, in that
14 If I conceal her crime, I shall be he hath defiled the Virgin whom he
found guilty by the law of the Lord; received out of the temple of the
15 And if I discover her to the Lord, and hath privately married
children of Israel, I fear, lest she her, not discovering it to the
being with child by an angel, I shall children of Israel.
be found to betray the life of an 5 Then said the priest, Hath Joseph
innocent person. done this?
16 What therefore shall I do? I will 6 Annas replied, If you send any of
privately dismiss her. your servants you will find that she
17 Then the night was come upon is with child.
him, when behold an angel of the 7 And the servants went, and found
Lord appeared to him in a dream, it as he said.
and said, 8 Upon this both she and Joseph
18 Be not afraid to take that young were brought to their trial, and the
woman, for that which is within her priest said unto her, Mary, what
is of the Holy Ghost, hast thou done?
19 And she shall bring forth a son, 9 Why hast thou debased thy soul,
and thou shalt call his name Jesus, and forgot thy God, seeing thou
for he shall save his people from wast brought up in the Holy of
their sins. Holies, and didst receive thy food
20 Then Joseph arose from his from the hands of angels, and
sleep, and glorified the God of heardest their songs?
Israel, who had shewn him such 10 Why hast thou done this?
favour, and preserved the Virgin. 11 To which with a flood of tears
she answered, As the Lord my God
CHAPTER XI. liveth, I am innocent in his sight,
3 Annas visits Joseph, perceives the seeing I know no man.
Virgin big with child, 4 informs the 12 Then the priest said to Joseph,
high priest that Joseph had Why hast thou done this?
privately married her. 8 Joseph and 13 And Joseph answered, As the
Mary brought to trial on the Lord my God liveth, I have not
charge. 17 Joseph drinks the water been concerned with her.
of the Lord as an ordeal, and 14 But the priest said, Lie not, but
receiving no harm, returns home. declare the truth; thou hast
THEN came Annas the scribe, and privately married her, and not
said to Joseph, Wherefore have we discovered it to the children of
not seen you since your return? Israel, and humbled thyself under
2 And Joseph replied, Because I the mighty hand (of God), that thy
was weary after my journey, and seed might be blessed:
rested the first day. 15 And Joseph was silent.
3 But Annas turning about 16 Then said the priest (to Joseph),
perceived the Virgin big with child. You must restore to the temple of

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the Lord the Virgin which you took 4 When the time of the Lord's
thence. appointment shall come, let him do
17 But he wept bitterly, and the as seems good to him.
priest added, I will cause you both 5 And he saddled the ass, and put
to drink the water of the Lord, her upon it, and Joseph and Simon
which is for trial, and so your followed after her, and arrived at
iniquity shall be laid open before Bethlehem within three miles.
you.—[bitter water that causeth the 6 Then Joseph turning about saw
curse] Mary sorrowful, and said within
18 Then the priest took the water, himself, Perhaps she is in pain
and made Joseph drink, and sent through that which is within her.
him to a mountainous place, 7 But when he turned about again,
19 And he returned perfectly well, he saw her laughing, and said to
and all the people wondered that his her,
guilt was not discovered. 8 Mary, how happens it, that I
20 So the priest said, Since the sometimes see sorrow, and
Lord hath not made your sins sometimes laughter and joy in thy
evident, neither do I condemn you. countenance?
21 So he sent them away. 9 And Mary replied to him, I see
22 Then Joseph took Mary, and two people with mine eyes, the one
went to his house, rejoicing and weeping and mourning, the other
praising the God of Israel. laughing and rejoicing.
10 And he went again across the
CHAPTER XII. way, and Mary said to Joseph, Take
1 A decree from Augustus for taxing me down from the ass, for that
the Jews. 5 Joseph puts Mary on an which is in me presses to come
ass, to return to Bethlehem, 6 she forth.
looks sorrowful, 7 she laughs, 8 11 But Joseph replied, Whither
Joseph inquires the cause of each, shall I take thee? for the place is a
9 she tells him she sees two desert.
persons, one mourning and the 12 Then said Mary again to Joseph,
other rejoicing. 10 The delivery take me down, for that which is
being near, he takes her from the within me mightily presses me.
ass, and places her in a cave. 13 And Joseph took her down.
AND it came to pass, that there 14 And he found there a cave, and
went forth a decree from the let her into it.
Emperor Augustus, that all the Jews
should be taxed, who were of CHAPTER XIII.
Bethlehem in Judaea. 1 Joseph seeks a Hebrew midwife, 2
2 And Joseph said, I will take care perceives the owls stopping in their
that my children be taxed; but what flight, 3 the working people at their
shall I do with this young woman? food not moving, 8 the sheep
3 To have her taxed as my wife I standing still, 9 the shepherd fixed
am ashamed; and if I tax her as my and immoveable, 10 and kids with
daughter, all Israel knows she is not their mouths touching the water but
my daughter. not drinking.

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AND leaving her and his sons in down from the mountains, and she
the cave, Joseph went forth to seek said to me, Where art thou going, O
a Hebrew midwife in the village of man?
Bethlehem. 2 And I said to her, I go to enquire
2 But as I was going (said Joseph), for a Hebrew midwife.
I looked up into the air, and I saw 3 She replied to me, Where is the
the clouds astonished, and the fowls woman that is to be delivered?
of the air stopping in the midst of 4 And I answered, In the cave, and
their flight. she is betrothed to me.
3 And I looked down towards the 5 Then said the midwife, Is she not
earth, and saw a table spread, and thy wife?
working people sitting around it, 6 Joseph answered, It is Mary, who
but their hands were upon the table was educated in the Holy of Holies,
and they did not move to eat. in the house of the Lord, and she
4 They who had meat in their fell to me by lot, and is not my
mouths did not eat. wife, but has conceived by the Holy
5 They who lifted their hands up to Ghost.
their heads did not draw them back, 7 The midwife said, Is this true?
6 And they who lifted them up to 8 He answered, Come and see.
their mouths did not put any thing 9 And the midwife went along with
in; him, and stood in the cave.
7 But all their faces were fixed 10 Then a bright cloud over-
upwards. shadowed the cave, and the mid-
8 And I beheld the sheep dispersed, wife said, This day my soul is
and yet the sheep stood still. magnified, for mine eyes have seen
9 And the shepherd lifted up his surprising things, and salvation is
hand to smite them, and his hand brought forth to Israel.
continued up. 11 But on a sudden the cloud
10 And I looked unto a river, and became a great light in the cave, so
saw the kids with their mouths that their eyes could not bear it.
close to the water, and touching it, 12 But the light gradually
but they did not drink. decreased, until the infant
appeared, and sucked the breast of
CHAPTER XIV. his mother, Mary.
1 Joseph finds a midwife. 10 A 13 Then the midwife cried out, and
bright cloud overshadows the cave. said, How glorious a day is this,
11 A great light in the cave, wherein mine eyes have seen this
gradually increases until the infant extraordinary sight!
is born. 13 The mid-wife goes out, 14 And the midwife went out from
and tells Salome that she has seen the cave, and Salome met her.
a virgin bring forth. 17 Salome 15 And the midwife said to her,
doubts it. 20 her hand withers, 22 Salome, Salome, I will tell you a
she supplicates the Lord, 28 is most surprising thing which I saw,
cured, 30 but warned not to declare 16 A virgin hath brought forth,
what she had seen. which is a thing contrary to nature.
THEN I beheld a woman coming 17 To which Salome replied, As the

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Lord my God liveth unless I receive which thou hast seen, till the child
particular proof of this matter, I shall come to Jerusalem.
will not believe that a virgin hath 31 So Salome also departed,
brought forth. approved by God.
18 If Then Salome went in, and the
midwife said, Mary, shew thyself, CHAPTER XV.
for a controversy is risen 1 Wise men come from the east. 3
concerning thee. Herod alarmed; 8 desires them if
19 And Salome received they find the child to bring him
satisfaction. word. 10 They visit the cave and
20 But her hand was withered, and offer the child their treasure, 11
she groaned bitterly; and being warned in a dream, do
21 And said, Woe to me, because of not return to Herod, but go home
mine iniquity; for I have tempted another way.
the living God, and my hand is THEN Joseph was preparing to go
ready to drop off. away, because there arose a great
22 Then Salome made her disorder in Bethlehem by the
supplication to the Lord, and said, coming of some wise men from the
O God of my Fathers, remember east,
me, for I am of the seed of 2 Who said, Where is the King of
Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. the Jews born? For we have seen
23 Make me not a reproach among his star in the east, and are come to
the children of Israel, but restore worship him.
me sound to my parents. 3 When Herod heard this, he was
24 For thou well knowest, O Lord, exceedingly troubled, and sent
that I have performed many offices messengers to the wise men, and to
of charity in thy name, and have the priests, and enquired of them in
received my reward from thee. the town-hall,
25 Upon this an angel of the Lord 4 And said unto them, Where have
stood by Salome, and said, The you it written concerning Christ the
Lord God hath heard thy prayer, king, or where should he be born?
reach forth thy hand to the child, 5 Then they say unto him, In
and carry him, and by that means Bethlehem of Judaea; for thus it is
thou shalt be restored. written: And thou Bethlehem in the
26 Salome filled with exceeding land of Judah, art not the least
joy, went to the child, and said, I among the princes of Judah, for out
will touch him. of thee shall come a ruler, who
27 And she purposed to worship shall rule my people Israel.
him, for she said, This is a great 6 And having sent away the chief
king, which is born in Israel. priests, he enquired of the wise men
28 And straightway Salome was in the town-hall, and said unto
cured. them, What sign was it ye saw
29 Then the midwife went out of concerning the king that is born?
the cave, being approved by God. 7 They answered him, We saw an
30 And lo! a voice came to Salome. extraordinary large star shining
Declare not the strange things among the stars of heaven, and so

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out-shined all the other stars, as from two years old and under.
that they became not visible, and 2 But Mary hearing that the
we knew thereby that a great king children were to be, killed, being
was born in Israel, and therefore we under much fear, took the child, and
are come to worship him. wrapped him up in swaddling
8 Then said Herod to them, Go and clothes, and laid him in an ox-
make diligent inquiry; and if ye manger, because there was no room
find the child, bring me word again, for them in the inn.
that I may come and worship him 3 Elizabeth also, hearing that her
also. son John was about to be searched
9 So the wise men went forth, and for; took him and went up unto the
behold, the star which they saw in mountains, and looked around for a
the east went before them, till it place to hide him;
came and stood over the cave where 4 And there was no secret place to
the young child was with Mary his be found.
mother. 5 Then she groaned within herself,
10 Then they brought forth out of and said, O mountain of the Lord,
their treasures, and offered unto receive the mother with the child.
him gold and frankincense, and 6 For Elizabeth could not climb up,
myrrh. 7 And instantly the mountain was
11 And being warned in a dream by divided and received them.
an angel, that they should not 8 And there appeared to them an
return to Herod through Judaea, angel of the Lord to preserve them.
they departed into their own 9 But Herod made search after
country by another way. John, and sent servants to
Zacharias, when he was
CHAPTER XVI. (ministering) at the altar, and said
1 Herod enraged, orders the infants unto him, Were hast thou hid thy
in Bethlehem to be slain. 2 Mary son?
puts her infant in an ox-manger. 3 10 He replied, to them, I am a
Elizabeth flees with her son John to minister of God, and a servant at
the mountains. 6 A mountain the altar: how should I know where
miraculously divides and receives my son is?
them. 9 Herod incensed at the 11 So the servants went back, and
escape of John, causes Zacharias to told Herod the whole; at which he
be murdered at the altar. 23 The was incensed, and said, Is not this
roofs of the temple rent, the body son of his like to be king of Israel?
miraculously conveyed, and the 12 He sent therefore again his
blood petrified. 25 Israel mourns servants to Zacharias, saying, Tell
for him. 27 Simeon chosen his us the truth, where is thy son, for
successor by lot. you know that your life is in my
THEN Herod perceiving that he hand.
was mocked by the wise men, and 13 So the servants went and told
being very angry, commanded him all this:
certain men to go and to kill all the 14 But Zacharias replied to them, I
children that were in Bethlehem, am a martyr for God, and if ye

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skied my blood, the Lord will howled, and were rent from the top
receive my soul. to the bottom:
15 Besides know that ye shed 24 And they could not find the
innocent blood. body, but only blood made hard like
16 However Zacharias was stone.
murdered in the entrance of the 25 And they went away, and told
temple said altar, and about the the people, that Zacharias was
partition; murdered, and all the tribes of
17 But the children of Israel knew Israel heard thereof, and mourned
not when he want killed. for him, and lamented three days:
18 Then at the hour of salutation 26 Then the priests took council
the pnests went into the temple but together concerning a person to
Zacharias did not according to succeed him.
custom, meet them and bless them. 27 And Simeon and the other
19 Yet they still continued waiting priests cast lots, and the lot fell
for him to salute them; upon Simeon.
20 And when they found he did not 28 For he had been assured by the
in a long time come, one of them Holy Spirit, that he should not die,
ventured into the holy place where till he had seen Christ come in the
the altar was, and he saw blood flesh. (I James wrote this History in
lying upon the ground congealed: Jerusalem: and when the
21 When, behold, a voice from disturbance was I retired into a
heaven said, Zacharias is murdered, desert place, until the death of
and his blood shall not be wiped Herod, and the disturbances ceased
away, until the revenger of his at Jerusalem. That which remains
blood come. is, that I glorify God that he hath
22 But when he heard this, he was given me such wisdom to write unto
afraid; and went forth and told the you who are spiritual, and who love
priests what he had seen and heard; God: to whom (be ascribed) glory
and they all went in, and saw the and dominion for ever and ever.
fact. Amen.)
23 Then the roofs of the temple

T H E P R O T E VA N G E L I O N .

Note on the death of Zacharias in, Chap. 16. There is a story both in the
Jerusalem and Babylonish Talmud very similar to this. It is cited by Dr.
Lightfoot, Talmud, Hierosol, in Taanith, fol. 69; and Talmud. Babyl. in
Sanhedr., fol. 96. "O Rabbi Jochanan said, Eighty thousand priests were
slain for the blood of Zacharias. Rabbi Judas asked Rabbi Achan, Where
did they kill Zacharias? Was it in the woman's court, or in the court of
Israel? He answered, Neither in the court of Israel, nor in the court of
women, but in the court of the priests; and they did not treat his blood in
the same manner as they were wont to treat the blood of a ram or young
goat. For of these it is written, He shall pour out his blood, and cover it
with dust. But it is written here, The blood is in the midst of her: she set it

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upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground. (Ezek. xxiv.
7.) But why was this? That it might cause fury to come up to take
vengeance: I have set his blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be
covered. They committed seven evils that day: they murdered a priest, a
prophet, and a king; they shed the blood of the innocent they polluted the
court: that day was the Sabbath: and the day of expiation. When therefore
Nebuzaradan came there (viz. to Jerusalem,) he saw his blood bubbling, and
said to them, What meaneth this? They answered, It is the blood of calves,
lambs, and rams, which we have offered upon the altar. He commanded
then, that they should bring calves, and lambs, and rams, and said I will try
whether this be their blood: accordingly they brought and slew them, but
the blood of Zacharias still bubbled, but the blood of these did not bubble.
Then he said, Declare to me the truth of this matter, or else I will comb
your flesh with iron combs. Then said they to him, He was a priest,
prophet, and judge, who prophesied to Israel all these calamities which we
have suffered from you; but we arose against him, and slew him. Then, said
he, I will appease him then he took the rabbins and slew them upon his
(viz. Zacharias's) blood, and he was not yet appeased. Next he took the
young boys from the schools, and slew them upon his blood; and yet it
bubbled. Then he brought the young priests and slew them in the-same
place, and yet it still bubbled. So he slew at length ninety-four thousand
persons upon his blood, and it did not as yet cease bubbling, then he drew
near to it, and said, O Zacharias, Zacharias, thou halt occasioned the death
of the chief of thy countrymen, shall I slay them all? then the blood ceased,
and did bubble no more."

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