The Life of Jesus

Hee hath put downe the mighty from their seates, and exalted them of lowe degree.

Hee hath filled the hungrie with good things, and sent away the rich emptie.

Hee hath vpholden Israel his seruaunt to be mindefull of his mercie

(As hee hath spoken to our fathers, to wit, to Abraham, and his seede) for euer.

And Marie abode with her about three moneths: after, shee returned to her owne house.

Nowe Elisabets time was fulfilled, that shee should be deliuered, and shee brought foorth a sonne.

And her neighbours, and cousins heard tell howe the Lord had shewed his great mercie vpon her, and they reioyced with her.

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.

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

And they saide vnto her, There is none of thy kindred, that is named with this name.

Then they made signes to his father, howe he would haue him called.

So hee asked for writing tables, and wrote, saying, His name is Iohn, and they marueiled all.

And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue, and he spake and praised God.

Then feare came on all them that dwelt neere vnto them, and all these woordes were noised abroade throughout all the hill countrey of Iudea.

And al they that heard them, laid them vp in their hearts, saying, What maner childe shall this be! and the hand of the Lord was with him.

Then his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because he hath visited and redeemed his people,

And hath raised vp the horne of saluation vnto vs, in the house of his seruant Dauid,

As he spake by ye mouth of his holy Prophets, which were since the world began, saying,

That he would sende vs deliuerance from our enemies, and from the hands of all that hate vs,

That he might shewe mercie towards our fathers, and remember his holy couenant,

And the othe which he sware to our father Abraham.

Which was, that he would graunt vnto vs, that we being deliuered out of the handes of our enemies, should serue him without feare,

All the daies of our life, in holinesse and righteousnesse before him.

And thou, babe, shalt be called the Prophet of the most High: for thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord, to prepare his waies,