found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Herod spoke these "words of peace, having war in his heart" hoping in this way to discover the abode of the infant king, that he might destroy him. He was little aware that the safety of Christ was secured by a guardian who cannot be deceived. And so, likewise, (blessed reflection,) is the safety of his people. "He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." "The angel of the Lord encampeth about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

" 6

9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

12. And being warned of God in a dream, that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

In this narrative, an example is set us, which it is our duty to follow. God intimated the birth of his Son to the wise men, by a new appearance in the heavens. So, to us, a Redeemer is made known by early education, by the ministry of the word, by the Scriptures which we enjoy.

5

Ps. cxxi. 4.

G

Ps. xxxiv. 7.

The philosophers of the east were not inattentive to the heavenly vision; but came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Thus they made the birth of the Messiah their own personal concern: and that they might not be disappointed in their search, applied to those best able to instruct them. We are bound to do the same; we are bound to secure to ourselves, by a lively faith, that interest in Christ which is covenanted to us by the privilege of our baptism. We hear his gracious offers, and must come and worship him as our Saviour and our Lord.

God does not leave unnoticed and unrewarded those who desire to discover his will, and comply with the suggestions of his Spirit upon their hearts. The star which they had seen in the east, appeared again to the wise men, as they pursued their search from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. This illustrates the way in which the Holy "Spirit prevents us, that we may have a good will, and works with us when we have that good will." The star which advertised these strangers of the birth of Christ is like the Spirit warning us, as we hear or read the word, that the same Jesus is the Author of eternal life to all them that obey him. Are our hearts awakened by this truth? do we desire to know him "of whom Moses and the prophets did write?" do we desire more fully to understand "what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance?"-Here again the star appears,

7 Art. x.

and guides us on our way; "the eyes of our understanding" are gradually" enlightened; and the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, gives unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him." The Spirit does not leave us, till he has conducted us safely to the Son of God: as the star did not desert the wise men, till it came and stood over where the young child was. "The mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh," is more and more unfolded to us, and its wonderful adaptation to the circumstances and wants of our state, is more and more perceived till we entirely and cordially receive him as "made unto us of God wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 9

Has the Spirit done this for ourselves? Is he thus leading us? Has he brought us to acknowledge Christ as the author of our salvation, by whom we "have access to the Father?"

The history gives us one more lesson of instruction. The wise men when they were come into the house, and saw the young child with Mary his mother, fell down aud worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Here again they afford us an example: we too must present unto him gifts; not once only, or when we first approach him; but constantly offer him, out of the treasure of our heart, the best gifts we have of active service and obedient love. These are the gifts which he requires, and this is the least return which we can pay-that

the "life which we live in the flesh," we "live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us, and gave himself for us."

LECTURE IV.

HEROD'S CRUELTY-CHRIST CALLED A NAZARENE.

MATT. ii. 13-23.

13. And when they were departed, behold the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word; for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

14. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

15. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

The passage alluded to occurs in Hosea xi. 1, "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt." So God now loved his "only begotten Son, in whom he was well pleased;" and it was part of his providential design, that for a while he should find a refuge in Egypt, like the Israelites of old. Afterwards he called Jesus out of Egypt, as in former times he had delivered

Israel from the bondage of the same strange land; and as he will deliver all the true members of that church, of which Christ was to be the Head, from the bondage and dangers of sin.

16. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

No one can foresee the end of any worldly principle or passion, when allowed to have dominion. Herod's passion was the love of power; and when he conceived that his power was threatened, he determined to preserve it at all hazards, and by all means, lawful or unlawful. It was his misfortune to hold a station, which allowed him, without restraint, to practise the cruel devices which he believed to be needful to his security.

A lamentation was made then, in the scene of this barbarous wickedness, like that which had been made six hundred years before by Jeremiah, when Jerusalem was destroyed, and the prisoners were brought to Ramah.1 Ramah was within the district of Bethlehem; therefore we are told,

17. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

18. In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 2