Secondly, among the vowes that they made to God, Virginity
never came in the number. Jephtha's was heedlesse, and might have
been revoked, as the Chaldee Paraphrast, and Rabbi Solomen well con∣ceive;
and David Kimchi is of a mind, that hee was punished for not
redeeming it according to Lev. 27.
Thirdly, to die childlesse, was a reproach among men, Luke 1. 25.
and to live unmarried, was a shame to women, Psal. 78. 63. Their
Virgins were not praised; that is, were not married. Now what a
gulfe is there betweene vowing perpetuall Virginity, and accounting
it a shame, dishonour, and reproach?
Fourthly, if Mary had vowed Virginity, why should she marry?
Or when shee was married, why should shee vow Virginity? For
some hold that her vow was made before her espousalls, and
some after.
Fifthly, it was utterly unnecessary that she should be any such a vo∣tall,
it was enough that she was a Virgin.
Sixthly, it is a most improper phrase, to say, I know not a man, and
to meane, I never must know him: and in every place where it is used
concerning Virgins, why may it not bee so understood, as well as
here?
Seventhly, while the Romanist goeth about, with this glosse to ex∣tol
her Virginity, he abaseth her judgment and beleefe: For if she
meant thus, shee inferreth, that either this child must be begotten by
the mixture of man, which sheweth her ignorance; or that hee could
not be begotten without, which sheweth her unbeliefe.
Eighthly, shee uttereth not these words in diffidence, as Zachary
had done, when he said, how shall I know this; but in desire to bee
satisfied in the mystery, or the manner, as shee was in the matter.
Shee understood that the Angel spake of the birth of the Messias; she
knew that hee should bee borne of a Virgin; shee perceived that shee
was pointed out for that Virgin; and beleeving all this shee desi∣reth
to be resolved how so great a thing should come to passe.
Vers. 35. [The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, &c.] The An∣gel
satisfieth the Virgins question, with a threefold answer. First;
instructing her in the manner of the performance. Secondly, fur∣nishing
her with an example of much like nature in her Cosin Elisa∣beth.
Thirdly, confirming her from the power of God, to which no∣thing
is impossible. Now, whereas, this unrestrained power of God