SECTION VII. (Book 7)
S. MATTHEW. CHAP. II. (Book 7)
Christ at two years old is visited and honoured by the Wisemen: The Children of Bethlehem murthered. Herod dyeth soon after. Christ returneth out of Egypt.
NOw when Iesus was born in Bethlehem of a 1.1 Judea, in the days of Herod the King, behold there came b 1.2 Wisemen from the East to Jerusalem. 2. Saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him. 3. When Herod the King had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4. And when he had gathered all the chief Priests and c 1.3 Scribes of the people together, he demanded of them, where Christ should be born? 5. They said unto him, in Bethlehem of Judea: For thus it is written by the Prophet. 6. And thou Bethlehem d 1.4 in the Land of Juda, art not the e 1.5 least among the Princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governour, that shall rule my people Israel. 7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the Wisemen, enquired diligently of them, what time the Star appeared. 8. And he sent them to f 1.6 Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him; bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9. When they had heard the King, they departed, and lo the Star which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10. When they saw the Star, they rejoyced with g 1.7 exceeding great joy. 11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his Mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts h 1.8 Gold, and Frankincense, and Myrrhe. 12. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod; they de∣parted into their own Country another away. 13. And when they were departed, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child, and his Mother and flee into Egypt; and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy him. 14. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. 15. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son. 16. Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked of the Wisemen, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the Coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time he had diligently inquired of the Wisemen. 17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremie the Prophet, saying, 18. In i 1.9 Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation and weeping and great mourning; Rachel mourning for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.