(seq. 13)

1.

2.4.[16]78. Sacram^t Day.

Luke.1.53.

Πεινῶντας ἐνέπλησεν ἀγαθῶν, κὶ πλουτοῦντας
ἐξαπέσειλε κενούς.

The Evangelist Luke writing y^e History of Christ
after others had done it, does a little more en-
large himselfe in severall parts & passages of
the History, & particularly in what hath refe-
rence to y^e Nativity & birth of Christ. In this
first chapter we have y^e large relation of seve-
rall passages antecedent to to y^e birth of Christ.
And these are either (1) Such as have reference
to John y^e Baptist, where after y^e description of his
parents, we have related y^e officiating of Zachari-
as in his course, y^e apparition of the Angell to him,
his promise of a son y^t should be of great worth,
Zacharias his incredulity, his being struck dumb,
the conception, birth ^ ^naming & circumcision of John, the
loosing of Zacharias his tongue, his song & pro-
phesy concerning John.

Or (2) They are such as
have a more peculiar reference to Christ. As,
1) The mission of the y^e Angel Gabriel to [crossed out word] Virgin
Mary to foretell y^e birth of Christ by her. v. 26–
38. Where we may take notice (1. of the time of it
in y^e sixt moneth. v. 26. i.e. y^esixt moneth [after?] Eliza-
beths conception, there being y^t space or distance
betwixt the conception & so the birth of John &
of Christ. (2. The linage of y^e virgin Mary, of y^e
house of David, & that alliance which was con-
tracted betwixt her and Joseph. v. 27. (3. The Angels
salutation to Mary. v. 29. (5. The Angels encouragemy^t
of her & more plain & full declaring of his messag^e
to her. v. 30–33. (6. Mary's doubt of y^e possibility of
this thing. v. 34. [?] When God speakes great things in
a way of favour y^t are beyond y^e apprehensions & hopes
of his servants, yy are often difficultly entertained
& believed. When Gods Word crosses or goes beyond rea-
son his servants are often at a stand, & can't believe
without yy can see some ground. (7. The Angels
answer to Mary wherein he clears up y^e possibility,
probability & certainty of this matter. And this
He does 1) by declaring the way & means how this
should be effected. v. 35. 2) by proposing to her the in-
stance of Gods great work in causing conception in