flesh, so that the lineaments of his limbs were discernible to human vision. And he is believed to have been conceived on the twenty fifth day of March, and when thirty-three years had elapsed, to have died on the same day. And we must remark that there were two sisters in Judeea, by name Hymeria and Anna, the first of whom was the mother of Elizabeth, who brought forth John, the forerunner of the Lord. The second had three husbands, Salome, Joachim, and Cleophas. And Salome begot Mary the wife of Zebedee, of whom were born James the Greater, and John the Evangelist ; Cleophas begot Mary the wife of Alphseus, of whom were born James the Less, and Jude, or Thaddeus. And Joachim begot Mary, the Mother of the Lord. And we have detailed these circumstances in order to show the relationship between Elizabeth and the Mother of the Lord ; as it was said by the angel, " Behold, your cousin Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age." CH. XXXV.—Joseph thinks of putting away Mary. AND immediately after the departure of the angel, Mary arose and went into the city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zechariah, and saluted Elizabeth, and remained there three months, ministering to her cousin until she. was delivered. And when the child was circumcised on the eighth day, and was called John, Mary returned to her own home to Nazareth. And when Joseph her husband knew that she was with child, he was unwilling to divorce her, but was minded to put her away privately. Then he was warned in his sleep by an angel to take her as his wife, for the angel told him that her child had been conceived by the Holy Ghost, and that he was one wh o should save his people from their sins. So he, receiving his wife, remained with her, both of them living in a state of virginity, in order that she might enjoy the comfort of a husband, and that the Son of God might be concealed from the devil. CH . XXXVI.—The circumstances preceding the Birth of our Saviour—Cœsar's Edict—Christ is born. THSBT went forth an edict of Caesar Augustus, that a census should be taken of all the world. The emperor wished to Imow the number of countries in the world which were subject lo th e Roman dominion, and also the number of the citizens 1 TOI». I