good pleasure of my Father, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit; and I was incarnate of her, by a mystery surpassing the capacity of the reason of creatures. But when three months had passed since the conception, the just man Joseph returned from the place where he followed his trade, and when he found the virgin my mother pregnant, he was troubled in mind, and thought of dismissing her secretly.[1] For fear also, and the sorrow and anguish of his heart, he could not bear either to eat or drink that day.
CHAPTER VI.
Now about the middle of the day, holy Gabriel, the prince of the angels, appeared to him in a dream, being supplied with a command from my Father; and he said to him, Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary thy spouse; for she hath conceived by the Holy Spirit, and shall bear a son, whose name shall be called Jesus. He it is who shall govern all nations with an iron sceptre.[2] When he had said this the angel departed from him. But Joseph arose out of his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord said to him; and Mary continued with him.[3]
