The Bible and Holy Scriptures conteyned in the Olde and Newe Testament. Translated according to the Ebrue and Greke, and conferred with the best translations in diuers languges. VVith moste profitable annotations vpon all the hard places, and other things of great importance as may appeare in the epistle to the reader

CHAP. I.

5 Of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Elisabet. 11 The Angel sheweth him of the natiuitie of Iohn Baptist. 20 His incredulitie is punished. 28 The talke of the Angel, and Marie. 46 Hersong. 57 The birth, Circumcision, and graces of Iohn. 68 Zacharias giueth thankes to God, and pro∣phecieth.

1 FOr as muche as ma∣ny haue takē in hand to set forthe the sto∣rie of those things, where of we are fully persuaded,

2a As they haue deli∣uered them vnto vs, which from the be∣gynnyng sawe thē their selues, & were ministers of theb worde

3 It semed good also to me (moste noble Theo philus) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as I had searched out perfite∣ly all things from the beginning, to write vnto thee there of from point to point,

4 That thou mightest acknowledge the cer∣teintie of those things, whereof thou hast bene instructed.

5 IN the time ofc Herode King of Iudea, the∣re (was) a certeine Priest named Zacharias of thed course of Abia: and his wife (was) of thee daughters of Aarō, and her name (was) Elisabet.

6 Bothe weref iust before God, and walked in all the commaundements andg ordinances of the Lord, without reprofe.

7 And thei had no childe, because that Elisa∣bet was barren and bothe were wel strickē in age.

8 And it came to passe, as he executed the Priests office before God, as his course came in order,

9 According to the custome of the Priests of∣fice, his lot was toh burne incense, when he went into thei Temple of the Lord.

10 And the whole multitude of the people we∣re without in prayer, * while the incēse was burning.

11 Then appeared to him an Angel of the Lord standing at the right side of the altar of incense.

12 And whē Zacharias sawe (him,) he was trou bled, and feare fel vpon him.

13 But the Angel said vnto him, Feare not, Za∣charias: for thy prayer is heard, and the wife Elisabet shal beare thee a sonne, and thou shalt call his namek Iohn.

14 And thou shalt haue ioye and gladnes, and many shal reioyce at his birth.

15 For he shalbe great in the sight of the Lord, and shal nether drinke wine, norl strong drinke: and he shalbe filled with the holie Gost, euen from his mothers wombe.

16 * And many of the children of Israel shal he turne to their Lord God.

17 * For he shal gom before him in the spirit & power of Elias, to turne the hearts of then Fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdome of the iust men, to make rea∣die a people prepared for the Lord.

18 Then Zacharias said vnto the Angel, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall knowe this? for I am an olde mā, and my wife is of a great age.

19 And the Angel answered, and said vnto him, I amo Gabriel that stand in the presence of God, and am sent to speake vnto thee, and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee these good tidings.

20 And beholde, thou shalt be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and not be able to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, vntilp the day that these things be done, because thou beleuedst not my wordes, whiche shalbe fulfilled in their season.

21 Now the people waited for Zacharias, and marueiled that he taried so long in the Tēple

22 And when he came out, he colde not spea∣ke vnto them: then they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that he had sene a vision in the Temple: for he made signes vnto them, and remained domme.

23 And it came to passe, when the dayes of his office were fulfilled, that he departedq to his owne house.

24 And after those dayes, his wife Elisabet cō∣ceiueth, & hid her self fiue moneths, saying,

25 Thus hathe the Lord dealt with me, in the dayes wherein he loked on (me,) to take frō mer my rebuke among men.

26 ¶ And in the sixt moneth, the Angel Gabriel was sent from God vnto a citie of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, na∣med Nazaret,

27 To a virgine affianced to a man whose na∣me (was) Ioseph, of the house of Dauid, and the virgins name (was) Marie.

28 And the Angel went into her, & said,“ Haile thou (that art) freely beloued: the Lord (is) with thee: blessed (art) thou among women.

29 And when she sawe (him,) she was troubled at his saying, and toght what maner of saluta cion that shulde be.

30 Then the Angel said vnto her, Feare not, Marie: fors thou hast founde fauour with God.

31 * For lo, thou shalt conceiue in thy wom∣be, and beare a sonne, and shalt call his na∣me IESVS.

32 He shalbe great, and shalbe called the Son∣net of the moste High, and the Lord God shal giue vnto him the throne of his Father Dauid.

33 * And he shal reigne ouer the house of Iacob for euer, & of his kingdome shalbe none end

34 Then said Marie vnto the Angel,u How shal this be, seing, I know no man?

35 And the Angel ansx 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and said vnto her, The holie Gost shal come vpon thee, & the power of the most High shaly ouer shadowe thee: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also that yholie thing which

shalbe borne of thee, shalbe called the Son∣ne of God.

36 And beholde, thyz cousin Elisabet, she hath also cōceiued a sonne in her olde age: & this is her sixt moneth, which was called barren.

37 For with God shal nothing be vnpossible.

38 Then Marie said, Beholde, the seruant of the Lord: be it vnto me according to thy worde. So the Angel departed from her.

39 ¶ And Marie arose in those dayes, and went into the hill (countrey) with haste to aa citie of Iuda,

40 And entred into the house of Zacharias, & saluted Elisabet.

41 And it came to passe, as Elisabet heard the saluaciō of Marie, the babeb sprāg in her bel lie, & Elisabet was filled with the holie Gost.

42 And she cryed with a loude voyce, and said, Blessed art thou among women, because thec frute of thy wombe is blessed.

43 And whence (cometh) this to me, that the mother of my Lord shulde come to me?

44 For lo, assone as the voyce of thy salutation sounded in mine eares, the babe sprang in my bellie for ioye.

45 And blessed (is) she that beleued: for those things shalbe performed, which were tolde herd from the Lord.

46 Then Marie said, Mye soule magnifieth the Lord,

47 And my spirit reioyceth in God my Saui∣our.

48 For he hathe loked on the“ poore degre of his seruant: for beholde, from hence forthe shal all ages callf me blessed.

49 Because, he that is mightie, hathe done for me great things, and holie (is) his Name.

50 And hisg mercie (is) from generacion to ge∣neracion on them that feare him.

51 * He hathe shewed strenght with his arme: * he hathe scattered the proude in theh ima∣gination of their hearts.

52 He hathe put downe the mightie frō (their) seates, and exalted them of lowe degre.

53 * He hathe filled the hungrie with good things, and sent away the riche emptie.

54 * He hathe vpholden Israel his seruāt, being mindeful of (his) mercie.

55 [* As he hathe spokē to our fathers, (to wit,) to Abraham and his“ sede] for euer.

56 ¶ And Marie abode with her about thre mo neths: after, she returned to her owne house.

57 ¶ Now Elisabets time was fulfilled, that she shulde be deliuered, and she broght forthe a sonne.

58 And her neighbours, and cousins heard tel how the Lord had shewed his great mercie vpon her, and they reioyced with her.

59 And it was so that on the eight day they came to circumcise the babe, and called him Zacharias, after the Name of his Father.

60 But his mother answered, and said, Not so, but he shalbe called Iohn.

61 And they said vnto her, There is none of thy kinred, that is named with this Name.

62 Then they made signes to his Father, how he wolde haue him called.

63 So he asked for writing tables, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn, and they maruei∣led all.

64 And his mouth was opened immediatly, & his tōgue (losed,) and hei spake and praised God.

65 Then feare came on all them that dwelt nere vnto them, and all these wordes were noised abroade throughout all the hil (countrey) of Iudea.

66 And all they that heard them, laid (them) vp in their hearts, saying, what maner childe shal this be! and thek hand of the Lord was with him.

67 Then his Father Zacharias was filled with the holie Gost, and prophecied, saying.

68 Blessed (be) the Lord God of Israel, because he hathel visited * and redemed his people,

69 * And hathe raised vp them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of saluaciō vnto vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid,

70 * As he spake by the mouth of his holie Pro phetes, which were since the worde began, (saying.)

71 (〈◊〉〈◊〉 he wolde send vs) deliuerance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate vs,

72 That he wolde shewen mercie towards our fathers, and remembre his holie couenant,

73 * (And) the othe which he sware to our Fa∣ther Abraham:

74 (Which was,) that he wolde grante vnto vs, that we being deliuered out of the hands of our enemies, shuldo serue him without feare

75 All the dayes of our life, in * 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & righ∣teousnesp before him.

76 And thou, babe, shalt be called the Prophe∣te of the moste High: for thou shalt go be∣fore the face of the Lord, to prepare his wayes,

77 (And) to giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by theq remissiō of their sinnes.

78 Through the tender mercie of our God, whereby * ther day spring from an hie hathe visited vs,

79 To giue light to them that sit in darkenes, and in the shadowe of death, & to guide our fete into the way ofs peace.

80 And the childe grewe & waxed strōg in spi∣rit, & was int the wildernes, til the day came, that he shulde shewe him self vnto Israel.

Notes

• a

  Meaning, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with whome he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• b

  Or of the thing and it may be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Christ or to the Gospel, and here by is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that they were the ministers of Christ, who is cal led the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: or ministers of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is to say, of the Gospel and this cōmen∣deth the autori∣tie of his doctrine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he receiued it of the Apo∣stles.
• c

  The sonne of Antipater.
• d

  Read. 1. Chr. 24. 10.
• e

  By her Father: for by her mo∣thers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she was of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 house of Dauid.
• f

  This perfection or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the frutes and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ap pearance, & not by the cause: which onely co∣meth of Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 through Christ.
• g

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whe reby is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God.
• h

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 is, the eue ning & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 accordīg to the Law.
• i

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was deuided 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thre partes: the first was the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where the people was: these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where the Priests and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, into the which the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Priest entred on∣ce a yere to sacri fice.
• k

  Whiche signi∣fieth the grace of the Lord.
• l

  The worde si∣gnifieth all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ner of drinke whiche maketh men dronken.
• Exod. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 7.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 17.
• m

  As a King in his royaltie hath one to go before him, who signi∣fieth the king to beat hand.
• n

  When Christ saieth he came to set the Father a∣gainst the sonne &c. he meaneth the successe which cometh of the Gospel through the malice of mē but here he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & prosperitie of the Gospel.
• Mal. 4. 3.
• mat. 11. 14.
• Mat. 3. 14.
• o

  Whiche signi∣fieth, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or soueraintie of God.
• p

  We must not measure Gods promes by our weake senses.
• q

  Whiles their course 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉, they might not lie with their wiues nor drinke anie licour that might make one 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• r

  For the barren women enioyed not the promes which God mad to thē that were married, to haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of that promes whiche God made to Abraham, that he wolde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 se his sede.
• “

  Or gladnes be to thee.
• "Or receiued in∣to 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• s

  Not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her me rites: but onely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods fre mercie, who loued vs when we were sinners that whosoeuer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 h, shulde reioyce in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• t

  Because he is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God, begotten from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all beginning, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in flesh at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at time.
• Isa. 7. 14.
• mat. 1. 21.
• chap. 2 21.
• u

  She wolde be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 solued of all dou tes to the end that she might more surely em∣brase the promes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God.
• x

  It shalbe a se∣cret operatiō of the holie Gost.
• y

  He must be pu∣re and without 〈◊〉〈◊〉, whiche must take away the sinnes of the worlde.
• Dan. 7. 14.
• micah 4. 7,
• z

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 withstan∣ding that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was maried to one of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Leui, yet she was Maries cousin 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was of the stocke of Dauid. For the law whiche 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mariage out of their own 〈◊〉〈◊〉, was onely that the tribes shulde not be mixt and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ded, which colde not be in maryīg with the Leuites for they had no portion assigned vnto them.
• a

  Which was also called, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ar ba, or Hebron, Iosh 14. 15 & 21. 11.
• b

  This mouing was extraordi∣narie and not na tural, which was to commend the miracle.
• c

  He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the cause why Marie was blessed.
• d

  By the message of the Angel.
• e

  The soule, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the vnderstāding & 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which are the two prin cipal partes of the soule.
• “

  Or, lowe estate
• f

  This fauour that GOD hathe shewed me, shal be spoken of for euer.
• g

  According to the promes made to Abraham that he wolde be his God, ād the God of his sede for euer.
• h

  The wicked lay snares for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wherein they them selues are taken.
• Isa. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9.
• Psal. 33. 10.
• “

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• isa. 29. 15.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Sam. 2. 6.
• psal. 34. 11.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 30. 38 & 41. 8. and 54. 5.
• iere. 31. 5.
• Gen. 7. 19. & 22. 16
• psal. 132. 12
• i

  Not onely for his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in pardoning his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but also to shewe that he was iustly pu∣nished for his in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• k

  The mightie power of God & his graces which declared that he shulde be an ex∣cellent 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Mat. 1. 21.
• chap 2 30.
• l

  In 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him self 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his people, and therefore is come from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and rede∣me them.
• m

  When the pro 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to haue fai∣led, & the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Israel to haue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rished, then sent he his Christ who by his inuincible strength, as with a strong horne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his enemies.
• Psal. 132, 17.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 23. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 30 10.
• n

  He declareth the cause and foū taine of our re∣demption.
• Gen. 22 16.
• iere. 31. 6.
• o

  This is the end of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 6. 13.
• p

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 whome no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 can be acceptable.
• 1. Pet. 1. 15.
• q

  He sheweth that our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consisteth in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of sin∣nes, which is the principal parte of the Gospel.
• r

  Or, branche of a tre, meaning 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Messias, who is the sunne of righ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whiche shineth frōheauē.
• zach. 3. 9.
• s

  That is, of all fe licitie.
• mal. 4. 2. & 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• t

  He meaneth that parte of Iu∣dea whiche was least inhabited where also the grosse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 people dwelled.