Now the manner of Christ's birth was this: his mother Mary being promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she became pregnant by the holy Spirit.

and she shall be deliver'd of a son, to whom you shall give the name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

but did not cohabit with her as a wife, before she had-brought forth her first-born son; whom he named JESUS.

and Jesus said to him, take care not to tell any man, but go thy way, shew thy self to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, that it may be a testimony against them.

he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose and gave him entertainment.

Whilst he thus entertain'd them, the ruler of the synagogue came and made his address to him, saying, my daughter is upon the point of death: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

for she said within her self, if I do but touch his garment, I shall be cured:

"behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew justice to the nations.

Then certain of the Scribes and of the Pharisees said, master, we should be glad you would shew us some miracle.

the queen of the south shall rise up at the day of judgement against this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the remote parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now a greater than Solomon is here.

that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask;

who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger.

but Jesus not making her any answer, his disciples came and entreated him to grant her request; for, said they, she is very importunate with us.

however she advanc'd, and throwing her self at his feet, cried, O Lord, assist me.

'tis true, Lord, said she: yet even puppies eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table.

and he said to her, what would you have? grant, said she, when you are upon the throne, that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left.

shew me the tribute money. and they brought him a penny.

now if there be another life after this, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all married her.

so that you maybe charg'd with all the innocent blood shed upon earth, from the blood of Abel the just, unto the blood of Zacharias, the son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

for there shall arise false Messiahs, and false prophets, and shall shew such astonishing miracles and prodigies, as to deceive, if that can do it, the very converts themselves.

Jesus perceiving this, said to them, why do you trouble the woman? for what she has done is out of regard to me.

for this represents my blood, the blood of the new covenant which is shed for mankind for the remission of sins.