The Life of Jesus

And to giue knowledge of saluation vnto his people, by the remission of their sinnes,

Through ye tender mercy of our God, wherby the day spring from an hie hath visited vs,

To giue light to them that sit in darknes, and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feete into the way of peace.

And the childe grewe, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the wildernesse, til the day came that he should shewe him selfe vnto Israel.

And it came to passe in those dayes, that there came a decree from Augustus Cesar, that all the world should be taxed.

(This first taxing was made when Cyrenius was gouernour of Syria.)

Therefore went all to be taxed, euery man to his owne Citie.

And Ioseph also went vp from Galile out of a citie called Nazareth, into Iudea, vnto the citie of Dauid, which is called Beth-leem (because he was of the house and linage of Dauid,)

To bee taxed with Marie that was giuen him to wife, which was with childe.

And so it was, that while they were there, the daies were accomplished that shee shoulde be deliuered,

And she brought foorth her first begotten sonne, and wrapped him in swadling clothes, and laide him in a cratch, because there was no roome for them in the ynne.

And there were in the same countrey shepheards, abiding in the fielde, and keeping watch by night ouer their flocke.

And loe, the Angel of the Lord came vpon them, and the glorie of the Lord shone about them, and they were sore afraide.

Then the Angel saide vnto them, Be not afraid: for behold, I bring you glad tidings of great ioy, that shalbe to all the people,

That is, that vnto you is borne this day in the citie of Dauid, a Sauiour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shalbe a signe to you, Yee shall finde the babe swadled, and laid in a cratch.

And straightway there was with the Angel a multitude of heauenly souldiers, praising God, and saying,

Glory be to God in the high heauens, and peace in earth, and towards men good will.

And it came to passe whe the Angels were gone away from them into heauen, that the shepheards sayde one to another, Let vs goe then vnto Beth-leem, and see this thing that is come to passe which the Lord hath shewed vnto vs.

So they came with haste, and founde both Marie and Ioseph, and the babe laid in the cratch.

And when they had seene it, they published abroade the thing, that was tolde them of that childe.

And all that heard it, wondred at ye things which were tolde them of the shepheards.

But Mary kept all those sayings, and pondred them in her heart.

And the shepheardes returned glorifiyng and praising God, for all that they had heard and seene as it was spoken vnto them.

And when the eight daies were accomplished, that they shoulde circumcise the childe, his name was then called Iesus, which was named of the Angell, before he was conceiued in the wombe.