Being with child; not with Christ considered personally, who was long before brought forth by the virgin Mary, but with the truth, and gospel of Christ, or with Christ mystical. Cried; desiring to bring many children to the kingdom of Christ; or to bring forth Christ in the souls of others: of this burden and labour she desired to be delivered. The phrase is judged to signify both the primitive church's desire to propagate the gospel, and also her many sufferings for that endeavour.

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