But when the goodness and kindness of God our Saviour appeared:5 Not by the works of justice, which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration, and renovation of the Holy Ghost;†6 Whom he hath poured forth upon us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour:7 That, being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life everlasting.
I should prefer no good to a vain good: what profits it that that should exist whose existence profits not? It is our own good things whose position is now sinking; it is the system of Christian modesty which is being shaken to its foundation-(Christian modesty), which derives its all from heaven; its nature, "through the layer of regeneration; " its discipline, through the instrumentality of preaching; its censorial rigour, through the judgments which each Testament exhibits; and is subject to a more constant external compulsion, arising from the apprehension or the desire of the eternal fire or kingdom.
And it came to pass, after the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another: Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let us see this word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shewed to us.16 And they came with haste; and they found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.17 And seeing, they understood of the word that had been spoken to them concerning this child.18 And all that heard, wondered; and at those things that were told them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.†20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God, for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
But because they came in haste, and not with loitering steps, it follows, They found Mary, (i. e. her who had brought Jesus into the, world,) and Joseph, (i. e. the guardian of our Lord’s birth,) and the babe lying in the manger, (i. e. the Saviour Himself.)
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)