hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things and the rich He hath sent away empty. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful of His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.-And Mary abode with her about three months: and she returned to her own house.

And when Elizabeth's time was come, she brought forth a son. And her neighbours and kinsfolks heard that the Lord had shewed His great mercy towards her: and they congratulated with her. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child and they called him by his father's name, Zachary. And his mother answering, said: Not so; but he shall be called John. And they said to her: There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. And Zachary asked for writing tablets, and wrote the words, His name is John. And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue loosed; and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came upon all their neighbours: and all these words were divulged over all the mountain country of Judea. And all they who had heard them laid them up in their heart, saying: What a one, think ye, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him. And Zachary his father was filled with the Holy Ghost: and he prophesied, saying: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, because He hath visited and wrought the redemption of His people and hath raised up a horn of salvation to us, in the house of David His servant: as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who are from the beginning: Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: to shew mercy to our fathers; and to remember His holy covenant. The oath which He swore to Abraham our father, that He would grant to us: That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve Him without fear, in holiness and justice before Him all our days. And thou, child, shalt

be called the prophet of the Most High: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare His way: to give knowledge of salvation to His people, unto the remission of their sins, through the bowels of the mercy of our God: in which the Orient, from on high, hath visited us to enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death: to direct our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and from his earliest years commenced the life he was hereafter to lead as the preacher of repentance, to prepare the way for the coming Saviour. He passed his days in the deserts, under the special inspiration of Almighty God, until the day was come when he was to be summoned to fulfil his work.

CHAP. III. The Nativity.

WHEN the time was at hand for the birth of Mary's Son, the ancient prophecy respecting the place where the Saviour should be born was fulfilled through the instrumentality of the Roman conquerors of Judea. Mary and Joseph dwelt at Nazareth: but it had been foretold by the prophet Micheas, that from Bethlehem, though one of the least of the thousands of Juda, should come forth the ruler of Israel. An enrolment of all the Jews was commanded by the Roman authority; and every one was compelled to attend in person at the place to which, by their family, they belonged. Mary and Joseph, therefore, being of the royal family of David, left Nazareth and went to Bethlehem, which was the city of David. And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger: because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night-watches over their

* Respecting the division of the people into thousands, see Exod. xviii. 25.