,,! ,,miracul\s ,,conception3 ,,or1 ,,! ,,div9ity ,,( ,,jesus ,,*ri/ ,,consid]$ ,,z ,,! ,,f\ndation ,,( ,,! ,,*ri/ian ,,religion4 ,london3 ,,pr9t$ ,,& ,,publi%$ ,,by ,r4 ,,c>lile1 #ed ,,fleet ,,/reet4 ,,miracul\s ,,conception ,!re are two acc\nts ( ! miracul\s conception1 "o 9 ! gospel accord+ to ,/4 ,mat!w1 ! o!r 9 ! gospel accord+ to ,/4 ,luke4 ,9 bo? ^! acc\nts !re are sev]al collat]al circum/ances :i* are "h pr9t$ f ! approv$ v]sion1 b ! exam9ation is int5d$ to be conf9$ z closely z possible to ^? p>ts only :i* relate to ! miracul\s conception1 &1 consequ5tly1 to ! suppos$ div9ity ( ,jesus ,*ri/4 ,t ! ,*ri/ian read] may see nak$ly1 & )\t disguise1 ! gr\nds ( 8 fai?4 ,! /ory 9 ,/4 ,mat!w is z foll[s3-- ,,*ap4 ,i4 #ah4 ,n[ ! bir? ( ,jesus ,*ri/ 0 on ?is wise3 :5 z 8 "m ,m>y 0 esp\s$ to ,joseph1 be=e !y came toge!r1 %e 0 f\nd ) *ild ( ! ,holy ,gho/4 #ai4 ,!n ,joseph h] husb& be+ a j man1 & n will+ to make h] a public example1 0 m9d$ to put h] away privily4 #bj4 ,b :ile he ?\ght on ^! ?+s1 behold ! angel ( ! ,"l appe>$ unto him 9 a dream1 say+1 ',joseph1 ?\ son ( ,david1 fe> n to take unto !e ,m>y ?y wife3 = t :i* is conceiv$ 9 h] is ( ! ,holy ,gho/4 #ba4 ',& %e %all br+ =? a son1 & ?\ %alt call 8 "n ,jesus3 = he %all save 8 p f _! s9s4' #ii4 ,n[ all ?is 0 done t x might be fulfill$ :i* 0 spok5 ( ! ,"l by ! prophet1 say+1 #ic4 ,behold1 a virg9 %all be ) *ild1 & %all br+ =? a son1 & !y %all call 8 "n ,emmanuel1 :i* be+ int]pret$1 is ,god ) u4 #id4 ,!n ,joseph be+ rais$ f sleep1 did z ! angel ( ! ,"l _h bidd5 him1 & took unto him 8 wife4 #be4 ,& knew h] n till %e _h br\ght =? h] fir/-born son4 ,& he call$ 8 "n ,jesus4 ,?is is all ,/4 ,mat!w says on ! subject4 ,/4 ,luke's acc\nt is m circum/antial1 x is z foll[s3-- ,,*ap4 ,i4 #e4 ,!re 0 9 ! days ( ,h]od1 ! k+ ( ,judea1 a c]ta9 prie/ nam$ ,za*>ias1 ( ! c\rse ( ,abia3 & 8 wife 0 ( ! daught]s ( ,a>on1 & h] "n 0 ,elizabe?4 #f4 ,& !y 7 bo? righte\s be=e ,god1 walk+ 9 all ! comm&m5ts & ord9ances ( ! ,"l blameless4 #g4 ,& !y _h no *ild1 because t ,elizabe? 0 b>r51 & !y bo? 7 n[ well /rick5 9 ye>s4 #h4 ,& x came to pass1 t :ile he execut$ ! prie/'s (fice be=e ,god 9 ! ord] ( 8 c\rse1 #i4 ,accord+ to ! cu/om ( ! prie/'s (fice1 8 lot 0 to burn inc5se :5 he w5t into ! temple ( ! ,"l4 #aj4 ,& ! :ole multitude ( ! p 7 pray+ )\t at ! "t ( inc5se4 #aa4 ,& !re appe>$ unto him an angel ( ! ,"l /&+ on ! "r side ( ! alt> ( inc5se4 #ai4 ,& :5 ,za*>ias saw him he 0 tr\bl$1 & fe> fell ^u him4 #ac4 ,b ! angel said unto him1 ',fe> n1 ,za*>ias2 = ?y pray] is he>d2 & ?y wife ,elizabe? %all be> !e a son1 & ?\ %alt call 8 "n ,john4 #ad4 ',& ?\ %alt h joy & gladness2 & _m %all rejoice at 8 bir?4 #ae4 ',= he %all be great 9 ! sight ( ! ,"l1 & %all dr9k nei!r w9e nor /rong dr9k2 & he %all be fill$ ) ! ,holy ,gho/1 ev5 f 8 "m's womb4 #af4 ',& _m ( ! *ildr5 ( ,israel %all he turn to ! ,"l _! ,god4 #ag4 ',& he %all g be=e him 9 ! _s & p[] ( ,elias1 to turn ! he>ts ( ! fa!rs to ! *ildr51 & ! disob$i5t to ! wisdom ( ! j2 to make ready a p prep>$ = ! ,"l4' #ah4 ,& ,za*>ias said unto ! angel1 ',:]eby %all ,i "k ?is8 = ,i am an old man1 & my wife well /rick5 9 ye>s4' #ai4 ,& ! angel answ]+ said unto him1 ',i am ,gabriel1 t /& 9 ! pres5ce ( ,god2 & am s5t to speak unto !e1 & to %ew !e ^! glad tid+s4 #ij4 ',&1 behold1 ?\ %alt be dumb1 & n able to speak1 until ! day t ^! ?+s %all be p]=m$1 because ?\ believe/ n my words1 :i* %all be fulfill$ 9 _! season4' #ba4 ,& ! p wait$ = ,za*>ias1 & m>vell$ t he t>ri$ s long 9 ! temple4 #bb4 ,& :5 he came out1 he c\ld n speak unto !m2 & !y p]ceiv$ t he _h se5 a vision 9 ! temple3 = he beckon$ unto !m1 & rema9$ spee*less4 #bc4 ,& x came to pass1 t1 z soon z ! days ( 8 m9i/ration 7 accompli%$1 he dep>t$ to 8 own h\se4 #bd4 ,& aft] ^? days 8 wife ,elizabe? conceiv$1 & hid h]self five mon?s1 say+1 #be4 ',?us ha? ! ,"l dealt ) me 9 ! days :]e9 he look$ on me1 to take away my reproa* among m54' #bf4 ,& 9 ! six? mon? ! angel ,gabriel 0 s5t f ,god unto a city ( ,galilee1 nam$ ,naz>e?1 #bg4 ,to a virg9 esp\s$ to a man ^: "n 0 ,joseph1 ( ! h\se ( ,david2 & ! virg9's "n 0 ,m>y4 #bh4 ,& ! angel came 9 unto h]1 & said1 ',hail1 ?\ t art highly fav\r$1 ! ,"l is ) !e3 bless$ art ?\ among wom54' #bi4 ,& :5 %e saw him1 %e 0 tr\bl$ at 8 say+1 & ca/ 9 h] m9d :at mann] ( salutation ?is %\ld be4 #cj4 ,& ! angel said unto h]1 ',fe> n1 ,m>y3 = ?\ ha/ f\nd fav\r ) ,god4 #ca4 ',&1 behold1 ?\ %alt conceive 9 ?y womb1 & br+ =? a son1 & %alt call 8 "n ,jesus4 #ci4';,he %all be great1 & %all be call$ ! ,son ( ! ,highe/3 & ! ,"l ,god %all give unto him ! ?rone ( 8 fa!r ,david3 #cc4 ',& he %all reign ov] ! h\se ( ,jacob = ev]2 & ( 8 k+dom !re %all be no end4' #cd4 ,!n said ,m>y unto ! angel1 ',h[ %all ?is be1 see+ ,i "k n a man8' #ce4 ,& ! angel answ]$ & said unto h]1 ',! ,holy ,gho/ %all come ^u !e1 & ! p[] ( ! ,highe/ %all ov]%ad[ !e3 !re=e also t holy ?+ :i* %all be born ( !e %all be call$ ! ,son ( ,god4 #cf4 ',&1 behold1 ?y c\s9 ,elizabe?1 %e ha? also conceiv$ a son 9 h] old age3 & ?is is ! six? mon? ) h]1 :o 0 call$ b>r54 #cg4 ',= ) ,god no?+ %all be impossible4' #ch4 ,& ,m>y said1 ',behold ! h&maid ( ! ,"l2 be x unto me accord+ to ?y ^w4' ,& ! angel dep>t$ f h]4 #ci4 ,& ,m>y arose 9 ^? days1 & w5t into ! hill-c\ntry ) ha/e1 into a city ( ,juda4 #dj4 ,& ent]$ into ! h\se ( ,za*>ias1 & salut$ ,elizabe?4 #da4 ,& x came to pass1 t1 :5 ,elizabe? he>d ! salutation ( ,m>y1 ! babe leap$ 9 h] womb & ,elizabe? 0 fill$ ) ! ,holy ,gho/4 #db4 ,& %e spake out ) a l\d voice1 & said1 ',bless$ art ?\ among wom51 & bless$ is ! fruit ( ?y womb4' #dc4 ',& :5ce is ?is to me1 t ! "m ( my ,"l %\ld come to me8' #dd4 ',=1 lo1 z soon z ! voice ( ?y salutation s\nd$ 9 m9e e>s1 ! babe leap$ 9 my womb = joy4' #de4 ',& bless$ is %e t believ$3 = !re %all be a p]=mance ( ^? ?+s :i* 7 told h] f ! ,"l4' #df4 ,& ,m>y said1 ',my s\l do? magnify ! ,"l4' #dg4 ',& my _s ha? rejoic$ 9 ,god my ,savi\r4' #dh4 ',= he ha? reg>d$ ! l[ e/ate ( 8 h&maid53 =1 behold1 f h5ce=? all g5]ations %all-call me bless$4' #di4 ',= he t is mighty ha? done to me great ?+s2 & holy1 x 8 "n4' #ej4 ',& 8 m]cy is on !m t fe> him f g5]ation to g5]ation4 #ea4 ,he ha? %ew$ /r5g? ) 8 arm2 he ha? scatt]$ ! pr\d 9 ! imag9ation ( _! he>ts4 #eb4 ',he ha? put d[n ! mighty f _! seats1 & exalt$ !m ( l[ degree4' #ec4 ',he ha? fill$ ! hungry ) good ?+s2 & ! ri* he ha? s5t empty away4' #ed4 ',he ha? holp5 8 s]vant ,israel1 9 remembrance ( 8 m]cy4' #ee4 ',z he spake to our fa!rs1 to ,abraham1 & to 8 se$ = ev]4' #ef4 ',& ,m>y abode ) h] ab\t ?ree mon?s1 & return$ to h] own h\se4 ,! :ole ( ! =ego+ matt]1 z well t tak5 f ,mat!w z t f ,luke1 is reject$ by ! ,unit>ians z spuri\s4 ,?is sect1 :i* is e day increas+1 conta9s1 & has long conta9$1 _m v le>n$ m52 & ^! m5 h = ! use ( ! sect made a new translation ( ! ,te/am5t1 :i* is publi%$ "u ! title ( ,! ,new ,te/am5t1 9 an improv$ ,v]sion1 c4 ,9 a long note1 app5d$ to ! #af? v]se ( ! #a/ *apt] ( ,/4 ,mat!w1 reasons are giv5 = reject+ ! /ory ( ! miracul\s conception4 ,among o!r ?+s x obs]ves1 ,! acc\nt ( ! miracul\s conception ( ,jesus 0 probably ! fiction ( "s e>ly ,g5tile conv]t1 :o hop$1 by elevat+ ! f\nd]1 to abate ! popul> prejudices aga9/ ! sect4 ,see ^u ?is subject1 ,dr4 ,prie/ley's ,hi/ory ( ,e>ly ,op9ions1 ,vol4 ,,iv4 ,book iii4 c4 #ii2 ,pope on ! ,miracul\s ,conception2 ,dr4 ,williams's ,free ,enquiry2 ,dr4 ,bell's ,argum5ts = ! ,au!nticity ( ! ,n>ratives ( ,mat!w & ,luke1 & ,dr4 ,williams's ,rem>ks2 ,dr4 ,campbell's & ,dr4 ,newcombe's ,notes ^u ! ,text2 ,mr4 ,evanson's ,dissonance1 *ap4 i4 sect4 #c4 *ap4 iii4 sect4 ,s42 ,jones's ,developem5t ( ,ev5ts1 ,vol4 ,i4 p4 #cfe1 c4 ,9 a note to ! #a/ *apt] ( ,luke1 ! ,improv$ ,v]sion has six articles1 conta9+ reasons = reject+ bo? t & ! succe$+ *apt]4 ,! six articles are summ$ up by ! foll[+ obs]vation3 ,& !re are _m o!r circum/ances 9 ! /ory :i* we> an improbable & fabul\s aspect4 ,x has1 !y cont9ue1 be5 object$1 t s l>ge & gross an int]polation c\ld n h escap$ detection1 & w\ld nev] h be5 s e>ly & s g5]ally receiv$4 ,9 reply to ?is objection x is obs]v$1 t ! int]polation 0 n admitt$ into ! ,hebrew #a copies ( ,mat!w's ,gospel1 nor into ,m>cion's #b copies ( ,luke4 #a ,! language 9 :i* ,mat!w is suppos$ to h writt54 #b ,m>cion 0 ! lead] ( a sect 9 ! second c5tury4 ,t x is notori\s t =g$ writ+s1 "u ! names ( ! apo/les1 7 9 circulation almo/ f ! apo/olic age4 ,see #b ,!ssalonians1 *ap4 ii4 v]4 #b4 ,t ! or?odox *>ge ! h]etics ) corrupt+ ! text2 & t ! h]etics recrim9ate ^u ! or?odox4 ,also1 t x 0 mu* easi] to introduce int]polation :5 copies 7 few & sc>ce1 ?an s9ce !y h be5 multipli$ by means ( ! press4 ,&1 f9ally1 t ! int]polation 9 "q w\ld1 to ! g5]ality ( ,*ri/ians1 be extremely gratify+1 z x w\ld less5 ! odium atta*$ to ,*ri/ianity f its f\nd] be+ a crucifi$ ,jew1 & w\ld elevate him to ! dignity ( ! h]oes & demi-gods ( ! hea!n my?ology4 ,! ,unit>ians1 reject all t is relat$ ( ! bir? ( ,*ri/1 z spuri\s & int]polat$1 & ( c\rse consid] him z ! son ( ,joseph & ,m>y1 begott5 9 ! ord9>y way2 & !y give ref]5ces to _m s*ol>s & inquisitive m51 9 ^: works ! curi\s read] w f9d a numb] ( le>n$ argum5ts aga9/ ! /ories ( ,mat!w & ,luke be+ receiv$1 & to ^! he is ref]r$4 ,:at foll[s is a %ort exam9ation ( ! two /ories on ! pr9ciples ( :at is usually call$ common s5se1 9 ! way 9 :i* an ord9>y man w\ld inve/igate a tale 9 :i* he 0 int]e/$ 9 kn[+ ! tru?4 ,we w beg9 ) ,mat!w1 because he is admitt$ to h be5 ! olde/ writ]4 ,v]4 #ah4 ,be=e !y came toge!r4 ,x 0 necess>y to premise ?is1 because _! com+ toge!r 0 9 no way disreputable accord+ to ! cu/om ( ! ,jews ( t "t4 ,x 0 usual1 :5 bo? ! p>ties 7 ( mature age1 = !m to come toge!r z soon z !y 7 esp\s$2 if ! woman became great ) *ild1 !y 7 !n m>ri$1 if o!rwise1 ! esp\sem5t cont9u$ = a ye>1 :5 ! p>ties 7 usually m>ri$2 b x sometimes happ5$ t !y sep>at$ by cons5t4 ,n hav+ *ildr5 be+ consid]$ a curse4 ,v]4 #ai4 ,joseph 0 m9d$ to put h] away privily4 ,9 ! =m] v]se x is said1 %e 0 f\nd ) *ild ( ! ,holy ,gho/1 "h1 x seems1 x 0 n suspect$ to be ( ! ,holy ,gho/1 b by a man1 & t too z a fraud ^u ,joseph1 :o 0 m9d$ 9 consequ5ce to put h] away4 ,x foll[s1 also1 t ,m>y 0 unconsci\s t x 0 ( ! ,holy ,gho/ %e 0 bre$+1 or we mu/ suppose %e w\ld n h fail$ to h told ,joseph ( s v important a circum/ance2 x is1 h[ev]1 abundantly pla91 %e told him no?+ ab\t x4 ,%e 0 f\nd ) *ild4 ,h[ f\nd8 h] own confession4 ,no su* ?+2 _h t be5 ! case1 x w\ld c]ta9ly h be5 m5tion$2 & ! angel :i*1 9 ! next v]se1 came on purpose to ann\nce x1 w\ld1 in/ead ( ann\nc+ x1 h come only to h confirm$ h] acc\nt ( h] be+ ) *ild1 )\t hav+ kn[n man1 & to say h[ x happ5$4 ,b1 no2 ! angel comes n = any su* purpose1 b to prev5t h] be+ put away :5 x _h be5 discov]$ t %e 0 bre$+4 ,by :at 0 %e f\nd to be ) *ild4 ,by h] appe>ance8 ,no2 9 t case1 putt+ h] away privily w\ld h be5 absurd8 ,by h] fri5ds8 ,no2 putt+ h] away privily w\ld 9 t case h be5 equally absurd4 ,x c\ld !n h be5 kn[n to no "o b h] husb& ,joseph1 :o f9d+ himself impos$ ^u1 0 will+ to hide 8 %ame by gett+ rid ( h] 9 ! quiete/ way he c\ld4 ,b all ?is happ5$ be=e !y came toge!r2 ?is ass]tion 0 made = ! op5-m\!d1 wide-?roat$1 cr$ul\s1 ignorant p1 to :om ?is ,gospel 0 address$1 & = _! successors1 :o /ra9 at a gnat1 & swall[ a camel4 ,if !y _h n come toge!r1 all ,joseph w\ld h _h to d w\ld h be5 to s5d h] home aga9 to h] p>5ts2 he w\ld h _h no occasion to cogitate oh ! means ( gett+ rid ( h]2 he w\ld h told h] relations1 ,my b>ga9 0 = s\nd w>e1 & ,i _c take ?is 'crack$ pit*]1' & !re ! matt] w\ld h end$4 ,b x 0 by _! com+ toge!r t ,joseph f\nd out %e 0 ) *ild2 h[ long !y _h cohabit$ does n appe>1 b x mu/ h be5 "s "t1 accord+ to ! easy1 famili> /yle ( ! n>rative3 ,:5 z 8 "m ,m>y 0 esp\s$ to ,joseph1 be=e !y came toge!r %e 0 f\nd ) *ild4 ,_! hav+ be5 toge!r1 & h] be+ ) *ild1 7 inde$ ! only reasons :y he c\ld n s5d h] home aga91 z b>r5ness 0 a curse1 s fruitfulness 0 a bless+1 & _h ,joseph s5t h] home he w\ld h be5 rem9d$ t he _h possess$ ! p]son ( 8 esp\s$1 & 0 9 a fair way to be bless$4 ,accord+ to ! ,jewi% law & cu/om1 he _h no cause = compla9t1 & c\ld h receiv$ no r$ress2 !re=e he ?\ght on ^! ?+s1 & 0 m9d$ to put h] away privily4 ,s f> ?is /ory is told 9 a bungl+ mann]1 pomp\sly introduc$ by a falsehood1 t %e 0 f\nd ) *ild ( ! ,holy ,gho/4 ,v]4 #bj4 ,b :ile he ?\ght ( ^! ?+s1 behold1 ! angel ( ! ,"l appe>$ unto him 9 a dream1 say+1 ',joseph1 ?\ son ( ,david1 fe> n to take unto !e ,m>y ?y wife1 = t :i* is conceiv$ 9 h] is ( ! ,holy ,gho/4' ,9 v]se #ah1 %e 0 f\nd to be ) *ild ( ! ,holy ,gho/1 & !n1 & n till !n1 ,joseph 0 go+ to put h] away2 pla9 en\gh x is1 if ! words h any mean+1 t %e 0 f\nd ) *ild1 b n ( ! ,holy ,gho/ if x _h be5 s1 x c\ld n h be5 said1 ,!n ,joseph 0 m9d$ to put h] away1 nei!r w\ld x h be5 necess>y = ! angel ( ! ,"l to pe/] him 9 8 sleep1 z he is said to h done4 ,cavill]s may talk !mselves bl9d1 le>n$ doctors may prea* !mselves ho>se1 comm5tators may write s _m books1 t ! _w w\ld n conta9 !m1 !y w nev] be able to make any ?+ m ( ?is /ory ?an t a poor1 ignorant1 cr$ul\s man1 dream$ 9 8 sleep t an angel _h be5 talk+ nons5se to him2 ?is folly might h pass$1 z no d\bt x did pass = reason1 "s c5turies ago1 :5 almo/ e body _h fai? 9 dreams1 b x is an ill complim5t to ! intellig5ce ( ! pres5t g5]ation to expect x %\ld be equally besott$4 ,joseph dream$ t he saw an angel1 t ! angel told him 8 wife 0 ) *ild by ,god himself1 7! ,holy ,gho/ be+ ,god71 & v]4 #bd1 ,!n ,joseph be+ rais$ f 8 sleep1 did z ! angel ( ! ,"l _h comm&$ him1 & took unto him 8 wife4 ,b did ,joseph dream8 ,p]haps he did2 b :e!r he did or did n1 cle> en\gh x is t he1 & he alone1 c\ld relate t he _h dream$2 :e!r or n he did make su* a relation we are n told1 b we are left to inf] t he did1 because somebody1 nobody kn[s :o1 has writt5 t he did say he _h dream$4 ,b if he _h dream$1 & _h p]sonally relat$ 8 dream to e "o ( u1 w\ld t be any reason = our believ+ t ,god _h got 8 wife ) *ild1 & t an angel _h be5 s5t to tell him s8 ,talk ( blasphemy2 9 :at c ?is relation be p>allel$ z blasphem\s1 except inde$ by ! grosse/ cr$ulity8 ,a poor1 ignorant man relates a dream1 & all ! _w are call$ ^u n only to believe 8 relation ( t dream1 absurd1 abom9able1 & ridicul\s z x is1 b to place _! ev]la/+ happ9ess ^u ! absurd relation1 to inculcate a belief = x into _! *ildr51 to wa/e _! sub/ance 9 pay+ p to prea* x1 & to p]secute to dea? ^? ^: m9ds _c receive ! mon/r\s doctr9e z und\bt$ tru?4 ,moral evid5ce !re is none1 !re c be none2--!re is no?+ 9 ! /ory :i* c be comp>$ & contra/$2 !re is no?+ out ( x :i* c elucidate x2 x is no?+ m ?an a pret5d$ relation ( a cr$ul\s man--,t he1 be+ a sleep1 _h dream$ a dream43 ,accord+ to ! acc\nt giv5 by ,/4 ,luke1 n "o ^w ( all ?is /ory is true4 ,/4 ,luke4 ,*ap4 ,i4--,"h ! /ory is altoge!r1 f ! beg9n+ to ! end1 a diff]5t "o f t told by ,mat!w4 ,"h !re is no acc\nt1 #a4 ,( ,m>y be+ f\nd ) *ild4 #b4 ,( ,joseph's int5tion to put h] away4 #c4 ,( ,joseph's dream+4 #d4 ,( ! angel appe>+ to him4 #e4 ,( 8 *ang+ 8 m9d1 & resolv+ to keep h]4 ,x %\ld be obs]v$1 t ^! five items include ! :ole acc\nt 9 ,mat!w4 ,s1 9 ,luke1 n "o ( ! circum/ances relat$ are told by ,mat!w4 ,9 ,mat!w1 ,joseph is made ! important p]sonage1 :ile poor ,m>y seems to h be5 ignorant ( all t 0 pass+2 9 ,luke %e is made ! important p]sonage1 & poor ,joseph is n[ z ignorant z ,m>y 0 accord+ to ! =m] relation4 ,luke's acc\nt is inde$ v circum/antial1 he says x 0 ! angel ,gabriel :o visit$ ,m>y1 b al?\gh he relates ! v words :i* pass$ betwe5 !m1 x does n appe> t ,m>y knew %e 0 conv]s+ ) an angel2 he did n ann\nce himself z an angel1 nor is !re "o ^w 9 ! dialogue betwe5 !m :i* c fairly be said to indicate any su* und]/&+ on ! "p ( ,m>y3 %e does n appe> to h be5 at all surpris$ at ! visit1 private & abrupt z x 04 ,%e 0 tr\bl$ at 8 say+1 n at 8 pres5ce1 & ca/ 9 h] m9d :at mann] ( salutation ?is %\ld be2 at ?is salutation %e might1 to be sure1 be some:at conf\nd$1 al?\gh %e imm$iately aft]w>ds submitt$ h]self s humbly to h] gue/4 ,all ^! ?+s %e kept 9 h] he>t1 = x does n appe> t %e communicat$ any ( !m to h] husb&2 to him %e nev] op5$ h] lips on ! subject2 no angel visit$ him1 sleep+ or wak+1 to tell him ( x2 no?+ is said ab\t 8 kn[+ h] n till %e _h br\ght =? h] fir/-born !y liv$ toge!r 9 ! ord9>y way ( poor p1 z man & wife1 until %e 0 br\ght to b$ 9 a /able1 ,joseph all ! "t consid]+ ! *ild z 84 ,luke's /ory1 /ripp$ ( its v]biage1 is ?is3--,! angel ,gabriel 0 s5t by ,god to ,m>y1 :o 0 esp\s$ to ,joseph4 ,! angel addresses h] v famili>ly--%e becomes al>m$1 & ! angel tells h] %e %all conceive 9 h] womb1 & br+ =? a son1 & %all call 8 "n ,jesus4 ,m>y1 9 h] simplicity1 asks h[ t c be1 see+ ,i "k n a man4 ,! angel replies1--,! ,holy ,gho/ %all come ^u !e1 & ! p[] ( ! ,highe/ %all ov]%ad[ !e4 ,& ,m>y says1 ,behold ! h&maid ( ! ,"l1 be x unto me accord+ to ?y ^w4 ,m>y !n w5t to h] c\s9 ,elizabe?1 :o liv$ at a di/ance 9 ! hill-c\ntry1 :]e %e /aid ab\t ?ree mon?s1 & !n %e came home aga94 ,aft]w>ds ,joseph & ,m>y g to ,be?lehem to be tax$1 7enroll$72 "h ,m>y is deliv]$ 9 a /able1 !re be+ no room 9 ! inn4 ,a ,mr4 ,le ,cl]c1 a v le>n$1 t is1 a v booki% man1 made :at he call$ a h>mony ( ! ,evangeli/s2 he puts ! relation ( ,luke fir/1 & supposes all t he relates1 happ5$ to ,m>y1 be=e ,joseph & %e got toge!r3 & t %e conceal$ f him all t _h pass$ betwe5 h] & ! angel ,gabriel1 & betwe5 h] & ,elizabe?2 & t ,joseph be+ left 9 utt] ignorance ( all t _h pass$1 resolv$ to put h] away4 ,to prev5t ?is1 says ! le>n$ ,doctor1 an angel appe>$ to him 9 a dream 7:at does appe>+ 9 a dream mean1 simply 9 8 imag9ation7 & told him ! /ory z relat$ by ,mat!w4 ,! le>n$ ,doctor says3 ,joseph be+ awak$ f 8 dream1 p]ceiv$ x _h be5 s5t by ,god1 z well because ,m>y1 ^u 8 enquiry1 relat$ to him :at _h happ5$ to h] j aft] ! same mann] z ! angel _h told him 9 8 sleep4 ,to :at mis]able %ifts is folly driv5 to support sup]/ition2 :at mis]able pretexts does rogu]y h rec\rse to1 to propagate & uphold imposition6 ,n "o ^w is !re to w>rant ?is pret5d$ conf]5ce ) ,m>y1 :i* ! le>n$ ,doctor has s circum/antially relat$4 ,t ,joseph 0 ignorant ( ! int]c\rse ,m>y _h _h ) ! angel1 c\ld n be conceal$ f ! read]1 :o believ$ ,mat!w's relation1 accord+ to :i* ,m>y _h said no?+ to ,joseph ( ! communication & comm]ce %e _h _h ) ! angel1 nei!r is !re ! lea/ reason f t acc\nt to suppose t ,mat!w knew any ?+ ( ! dec5tly told /ory ( ,elizabe?1 or ( ,m>y's go+ & rema9+ ?ree mon?s ) h]2 b1 accord+ to ,luke1 %e hurri$ (f 9 h] exultation ( be+ ) *ild1 & !re !y commun$ toge!r 9 a /ate ( ! highe/ en?usiasm4 ,elizabe?1 be+ fill$ ) ! ,holy ,gho/1 & ! babe leap+ = joy 9 h] womb1 spake out 9 a l\d voice1--& ,m>y foll[$ 9 ! same mann]1 & 9 ! same /ra94 ,b not)/&+ ?is1 not)/&+ ! exultation betwe5 ! wom51 ,joseph 0 n to be let into ! secret2 all ! raptur\s feel+s ( ,m>y 7 n[ subdu$2 %e n only suppress$ h] joy :i* seem$ unb\nd$1 b %e kept ! :ole matt] a pr(\nd secret1 ev5 at a risk ( be+ turn$ out ( doors z a /rumpet1 & an angel is oblig$ to be s5t f ,god to ,joseph 9 a dream1 to prev5t ! cata/rophe2 ! deception is approv$ by ,god1 :o s5ds ! angel f heav5 to reconcile ,joseph to 8 wife's p]fidy4 ,accord+ to ,mat!w1 a c]ta9 man _h a dream4 ,accord+ to ,luke1 an angel call$ privately on a "y woman1 :o1 9 consequ5ce ( ! visit1 0 ) *ild4 ,& ?is is all !re is to e/abli% ! div9ity ( ,jesus ,*ri/4 ,x _c be call$ evid5ce1 = by :om x 0 giv51 :e!r by ! man himself1 or ! woman h]self1 nobody kn[s2 to :om x 0 giv51 if x 0 giv51 nobody kn[s2 :5 x 0 giv51 nobody kn[s2 :]e x 0 giv51 nobody kn[s2 & ! le>n$ are ev5 disput+ to ?is v "t ab\t ! language 9 :i* ! /ories 7 orig9ally writt51 & by :om !y 7 writt54 ,& yet n lit]ally to believe ei!r or bo? ( ^! worse ?an old wives' tales1 is to subject a man to p]secution2 n to affect to believe t :i*1 :5 /ripp$ ( ! absurd rev]5ce :i* has be5 ca/ r\nd x1 no man ev] did or ev] c believe1 is to be imput$ to him z a reproa* ( s horrible a nature1 t1 ?\s&s1 :o treat x z x des]ves 9 _! own m9ds1 d>e n av[ _! disbelief2 n to commit ! immoral act ( self-delusion & debasem5t is imput$ z a crime1 & m5 are %unn$ because !y are moral4 ,! sanctity ?r[n ar\nd ?is sad nons5se2 ! cry ( blasphemy :i* has be5 rais$ aga9/ any "o :o v5tur$ to exam9e x1 ! horror felt by fanatics1 :i* v5t$ itself 9 p]secutions ! mo/ div]sifi$1 det]r$ p f tru/+ to reason1 & made !m ev5 =get t x 0 by reason alone !y are ev] able to *oose "o religion 9 pref]5ce to ano!r4 ,e religi\s sect all[s1 t y may use y\r reason to di/+ui% betwe5 :at !y hold out to y1 & :at y y\rself believe2 y may1 & y ought1 !y tell y1 to ex]cise y\r reason s f> z to give _! doctr9es ! pref]5ce2 & hav+ ?us ex]cis$ y\r reason1 & hav+ by its aid ab&on$ y\r =m] notions1 & adopt$ !irs2 hav+ become a *ild ( grace1 & turn$ to ! "r way1 !re %all be m joy 9 heav5 at y\r conv]sion ?an ov] n9ety & n9e j p]sons1 :o hav+ always belong$ to ! sect1 ne$$ no conv]sion4 ,all sects proclaim ?is joy1 at ! same mom5t1 z ea* makes conv]ts f ! o!rs2 ) all ( !m reason to *oose y\r fai? is ! great ! good1 b hav+ ex]cis$ x s f>1 !re y mu/ /op1 reason mu/ be in/antly ext+ui%$2 on no acc\nt mu/ y tru/ to su* a bl9d guide2 reason1 :i* b j be=e 0 all b omnipot5t1 is n[ fallible--poor fallible reason1 all is n[ fai? exam9e any "o ( _! dogmas1 y are a backslid]2 d\bt any "o ( _! absurd relations1 y are a blasphem]2 & ?us x is t ignorance & p]secution brutalizes & degrades mank9d4 ,_h ! /ories ( ,joseph & ,m>y be5 prea*$ to u f ! sacr$ books ( ! ,p]sians1 h[ w\ld e good ,*ri/ian h be5 sc&aliz$6 ,:at1 he w\ld h exclaim$1 :at horrid blasphemy6 fir/ to pret5d t ,god himself 7! ,holy ,gho/ be+ ,god7 _h comm]ce ) a woman1 by :i* %e became ) *ild1 & :o all ! "t %e 0 bre$+ liv$ ) a man1 liv$ ) him1 too1 by comm& ( 'an angel s5t f ,god1' liv$ ) him z 8 wife 9 su* a way t no "o seems to h suspect$ ! *ild 0 n 8 own1 & aft] ! bir? ( ,god1 7,god ! ,son be+ ,god7 9 ! ord9>y way ( all mank9d1 & /ill liv+ ) him1 & hav+ o!r *ildr5 by him4 #a ,fir/ ,god has h]1 !n ,joseph has h]2 ,^! are abom9able /ories1 inde$4 ,call out blasphemy at y\rselves1 ye fanatical p]secutors ( o!r m5's op9ions4 ,%ame1 pity1 contempt1 are ! passions ^? t]rible tales excite = y1 compassion = ^? :o are s un=tunate z to become y\r victims4 #a ,matt4 *ap4 xiii4 v]4 #ee1 #ef4 ,is n ?is ! son ( ! c>p5t]8 is n 8 "m call$ ,m>y8 & 8 bre?r51 ,james1 & ,joses1 & ,simon1 & ,judas1 & are n all 8 si/]s ) u8 ,?anks1 h[ev]1 are due to ! intellig5ce ( ! age :i* c\ld endure ?is mon/r\s p]v]sion ( ! human und]/&+ no long]1 :i* has aboli%$ ! ,law t made x crim9al to d5y t ,jesus ,*ri/ is ,god1 & left u at lib]ty freely to express our op9ions on ?is absurd dogma4 #a #a ,by /at4 #i & #aj ,william #aaa4 c4 #cb4 ,any p]son or p]sons1 hav+ be5 educat$ 9 or hav+ at any "t made pr(ession ( ! ,*ri/ian religion )9 ?is realm1 %all by writ+1 pr9t+1 tea*+1 or advis$ speak+1 d5y any "o or ! p]sons 9 ! ,holy ,tr9ity to be ,god1 or %all2 ass]t or ma9ta9 !re are m ,gods ?an "o1 %all be liable to c]ta9 p5alties4 ,by /at4 #ec ,george ,,iii4 c4 #afj4 x is enact$1 t ! ,act pass$ 9 ! #i & #aj ,william ,,iii4 s f> z ! same relates to p]sons d5y+ z !re9-m5tion$1 respect+ ! ,holy ,tr9ity1 be1 & ! same are h]eby repeal$4