be acknowledged and revered by all the host of heaven for ever and ever." Next to the doxology follows a gratulation; Glory be to God in the highest, for there is peace on earth, and good will towards men. The birth of Christ has brought a peace of reconciliation betwixt God and man upon earth, and also a peace of amity and concord betwixt man and man, and is therefore to be celebrated with acclamations of joy.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

as,

Several particulars are here observable; 1. That the shepherds no sooner heard the news of a Saviour, but they ran to Bethlehem to seek him; and though it was at midnight, yet they delayed not to go. Those that left their beds to attend their flocks, now leave their flocks to inquire after their Saviour. Learn thence, That a gracious soul no sooner hears where Christ is, but instantly makes out after him, and judges no earthly comfort too dear to be left and forsaken for him. These shepherds show, That they preferred their Saviour before their sheep. Observe, 2. These shepherds having found Christ themselves, do make him known to others, ver. 17. When they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Learn, That such as have found Christ to their comfort, and tasted that the Lord is gracious to themselves, cannot but recommend him to the love

and admiration of others. Observe, 3. What effect this relation had upon the generality of people that heard it; it wrought in them amazement and astonishment, but not faith; The people wondered, but not believed. 'Tis not the hearing of Christ with the hearing of the ear, nor the seeing of Christ with the sight of the outward eye: neither the hearing of his doctrine, nor the sight of his miracles will work divine faith in the soul, without the concurring operation of the Holy Spirit: the one may make us marvel, but the other makes us believe: All that heard it wondered at these things. Lastly note, The effect which these things had upon Mary, quite different from what they had upon the common people: they wondered, she pondered; the things that affected their heads, influenced her heart: She kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in

the womb.

Two things are here observable, 1. Our Saviour's circumcision, and the name given him at his circumcision. There was no impurity in the Son of God, and yet he is circumcised, and baptized also, though he had neither filth nor foreskin, which wanted either the circumcising knife or the baptismal water, yet he condescends to be both circumcised and baptized; thereby showing, that as he was made of a woman, so he would be made under the law, which he punctually observed to a tittle. And accordingly, he was not only circumcised, but circumcised the eighth day, as the ceremonial law required: and thus our Lord fulfilled all righteousness, Matt. iii. 15. Observe, 2. The name given at our Saviour's circumcision: His name was called Jesus; that is, a Saviour; he being to sace his people from their sins, Matt. i. 21. The great end of Christ's coming into the world was to save persons from the punishment and power of their sins. Had he not saved us from our sins, we must have died in our sins, and died for our sins, and that eternally. Never let us then sit down desponding, either under the guilt, or under the power of our sins; and conclude, that they are either so great

that they cannot be forgiven, or so strong that they can never be overcome.

22 And when the days of her purification. according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord; Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

A twofold act of obedience doth the Holy Virgin here perform to two ceremonial laws, the one concerning the purification of women, after child-birth, the other concerning the presenting the malechild before the Lord. The law concerning the purification of women we have recorded, Lev. xi. Where the time mentioned for the woman's purification is set down; namely, after a male-child forty days; after a female, fourscore days: after which time she was to bring a lamb of a year old for a burnt-offering, in case she was a person of ability; or a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons, in case of extreme poverty. Now as to the Virgin's purification, observe, 1. That no sooner was she able and allowed to walk, but she travels to the temple. Where note, That she visited God's house at Jerusalem, before her own house at Nazareth. Learn thence, That such women whom God has blessed with safety of deliverance, if they make not their first visit to the temple of God to offer up their praises and thanksgivings there, they are strangers to the Virgin's piety and devotion. Observe, 2. Another act of Mary's obedience to the ceremonial law: she presented her child at Jerusalem to the Lord. But how durst the blessed Virgin carry her holy babe to Jerusalem, into Herod's mouth? It was but a little before that Herod sought the young child's life to destroy it; yet the Virgin sticks not, in obedience to the commands of God, to carry him to Jerusalem. Learn hence, That no apprehension of dangers, either imminent or approaching, either at hand or afar off, ought to hinder us from performing our duty to Almighty God. We ought not to neglect a certain duty, to escape an uncertain danger. Ob

serve farther, As the obedience, so the humility, of the Holy Virgin, in submitting for thus she might have pleaded, “What to the law for purifying of uncleanness : need have I of purging, who did not conceive in sin? Other births are from men, but mine is from the Holy Ghost, who is purity itself. Other women's children are under the law, mine is above the law." But, like the mother of him whom it befully fulfils the law of God without quarhoved to fulfil all righteousness, she dutirelling or disputing. Observe, lastly, As the exemplary humility, so the great poverty, of the Holy Virgin; she has not a lamb, but comes with her two doves to God. Her offering declares her penury. The best are sometimes the poorest, seldom the wealthiest Yet none are so poor, but God expects an offering from them: he looks for somewhat from every one, not from every one alike. The providence of God it is that makes difference in person's abilities, but his pleasure will make no difference in the acceptation; Where there is a willing mind, it shall be accepted according to what a person hath, 2 Cor.

viii. 12.

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the cus tom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

No sooner was our Saviour brought into the temple and presented to the Lord by his holy parents, but in springs old Simeon, a pious and devout man, who had a revelation from God, that he should not die until he had with his bodily eyes seen the promised Messiah. Accordingly, he takes up the child Jesus in his arms, but hugs him faster by his faith, than by his feeble arms, and with ravishment of heart praises God for the sight of his Saviour, whom he calls the Consolation of

Israel; that is, the Messiah, whom the Israel of God had long looked and waited for, and now took comfort and consolation in. Note here, 1. How God always performs his promises to his children with wonderful advantages. Simeon had a revelation that he should not die until he had seen Christ; now he not only sees him, but feels him too; he not only has him in his eye, but holds him in his hands. Though God stays long before he fulfils his promises, he certainly comes at last with a double reward for our expectation. Note, 2. That the coming of the Messiah in the fulness of time, and his appearing in our flesh and nature, was and is matter of unspeakable consolation to the Israel of God. And now that he is come, let us live by faith in him, as the foundation of all comfort and consolation both in life and death. Alas! what are all other consolations besides this, and without this? They are impotent and insufficient consolations, they are dying and perishing consolations; nay, they are sometimes afflictive and distressing consolations. The bitterness accompanying them, is sometimes more than the sweetness that is tasted in them; but in Christ, who is the consolation of Israel, there is light without darkness, joy without sorrow, all consolation without any

mixture of discomfort.

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word : 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

These words are a sweet canticle, or swanlike song, of old Simeon, a little before his dissolution. He had seen the Messias before by faith, now by sight, and wishes to have his eyes closed, that he might see nothing after this desirable sight. It is said of some Turks, that after they have seen Mahomet's tomb, they put out their eyes, that they may never defile them after they have seen so glorious an object: Thus did old Simeon desire to see no more of this world, after he had seen Christ the Saviour of the world, but sues for his dismission; Lord, let thy servant depart. Note here, 1. That a good man having served

his generation, and God in his generation, faithfully, is weary of the world, and will. ing to be dismissed from it. 2. That the death of a good man is nothing else but a quiet and peaceable departure; it is a departure in peace to the God of peace. 3. That it is only a spiritual sight of Christ by faith that can welcome the approach of death, and render it an object desirable to the christian's choice; he only that can say, My eyes have seen thy salvation, will be able to say, Lord, let thy servant depart. Observe, farther, Holy Simeon having declared the faithfulness of God to himself in the gift of Christ, next he celebrates the mercy of God in bestowing this invaluable gift of a Saviour upon the whole world. The world consists of Jews and Gentiles; Christ is a light to the one, and the glory of the other. A light to the blind and dark Gentiles, and the glory of the renowned church of the Jews; the Messias being promised to them, born and bred up with them, living amongst them, preaching his doctrine to them, and working his miracles before them : and thus was Christ the glory of his people Israel.

34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

blessing, and Simeon's prediction; He Two things are here observed, Simeon's blessed them: that is, the parents and the child Jesus: not authoritatively, but prophetically, declaring how God would bless them. His prediction is twofold, 1. Concerning Christ. 2. Concerning his mother. Concerning Christ, Simeon declares, that he should be for the rise of many in Israel; namely, all such as should embrace and obey his doctrine, and imitate and fol. low his example: and for the fall of others; that is, shall bring punishment and ruin upon all obdurate and impenitent sinners: and a sign to be spoken against: that is, he shall be as a mark for obstinate sinners to set themselves against. Christ himself, when here in the world, was a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, to the men of the world, enduring the

contradiction of sinners against himself, both the virulence of their tongues, and the violence of their hands. Doubtless God's first design in sending his Son into the world was, that through him the world might be saved, John iii. 16. But to such persons, whose minds had no relish for spiritual things, he became accidentally a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. Secondly, Concerning the mother of Christ, Simeon declares that the sight of her son's bitter sufferings would, like a sword, pierce her heart; for though he might be born, yet should he not die, without the pains of his mother; as if the throes suffered by other women at the birth were reserved for her to endure at the death of her son. The sufferings of the holy Jesus on the cross, were as a sword or dagger at the heart of the Holy Virgin, and she suffered with him both as a tender mother, and as a sympathizing member of his body: yea, suffered martyrdom after him, saith Epiphanius.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Simeon is seconded by Anna, a prophetess; she also declares that the child Jesus was the promised and expected Messias and thus Christ was proclaimed in the temple by two heralds of different sexes. Concerning this aged woman, Anna, it is said, that she departed not from the temple night nor day: not that she lived and lodged there, but by her never departing from, understand her daily repairing to, the temple. That which is often done, is said in scripture to be always done. We are said to do a thing continually when we do it seasonably: thus we pray continually, when we pray as often as duty requires us to pray. Learn bence, That such duties as a christian performs out of conscience, he will perform with constancy and perseverance; nature will have her good moods, but grace is

steady. The devotions of a pious soul, like Anna's, are as constant, but more frequent, than the returns of day and night.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Here we see the truth and reality of Christ's human nature: he grew as we do, from infancy to childhood, from childhood to youth and manhood. To his divine nature no accession or addition could be made, for that which is infinite cannot increase. The Deity was infinite in Christ, so was not the humanity, but capable of additions: and accordingly, as Christ grew up in the stature of his body, the faculties of his mind increased, through the grace and power of God's Spirit upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

42 And when he was

yearly journey to Jerusalem; our Saviour's Observe here, The persons making this parents and himself. 1. Joseph, who is called Christ's father, not that he was his natural father, for Christ had no father upon earth: but Joseph was his reputed and supposed father, his nursing father, who by the appointment of God took a fatherly care of him; and his father-in-law, being husband to Mary. 2. Mary, the mother of Christ, went up to Jerusalem, with her husband and her son: God commanded only the males to go up to Jerusalem, the weaker sex were excused; but the Holy Virgin, well knowing the spiritual profit of that long journey, would not stay at home. Such as will go no farther than they are dragged in religious exercises, are strangers to the Virgin's piety and devotion. But, 3. The child Jesus in his minority goes up with his parents to this holy solemnity, thereby no doubt intending our instruction, when we are young to give God an early possession of our souls, to consecrate the virgin operations of our minds to him, and in our youth to keep close to the worship and service of God, when we are so importunately courted by the world. Observe farther, This holy family came

not to look at the feast and be gone, but they duly staid out all the appointed time. Joseph's calling, and the Virgin's household business, could neither keep them at home, nor hasten them home before the public duties in the temple were despatched and ended. All worldly business must give place to divine offices, and we must attend God's services to the end, except we will depart unblest. Observe, lastly, The constant returns of their devotion: They went up to Jerusalem every year. No difficulties, no discouragements, could hinder their attendance. Though it is no certain evidence of the truth of grace to frequent the public assemblies, yet it is an infallible sign of the want of grace customarily to neglect them.

43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

The service of the temple being ended, they return home to Nazareth. Religious duties are not to be attended to the prejudice and neglect of our particular callings. God calls us, as well from his house as to his house. They are much mistaken, who think God is pleased with nothing but devotion he that says, Be fervent in spirit seroing the Lord, says also, Be not slothful in business. Piety and industry must keep pace with one another; God is as well pleased with our return to Nazareth, as with our going up to Jerusalem. Observe farther, Though Joseph and Mary returned home, the child Jesus, unknown to them, stays behind. Their back was no sooner turned upon the temple, but his face was towards it; Christ had business in that place which his parents knew not of. They missing him, seck him in the company, concluding him with their kinsfolk and acquaintance. From whence we may gather, That the parents of Christ knew

him to be of a sweet and sociable, of a free and conversative, not of a sullen and morose, disposition. They did not suspect

him to be wandering in the fields or deserts, but when they missed him, sought him among their kinsfolk: had he not wanted to converse formerly with them, he had not now been sought amongst them. Our blessed Saviour, when on earth, did not take pleasure in a wild retiredness, in a froward austerity, but in a mild affability, and amiable conversation; and herein also his example is very instructive to us.

46 And it came to pass, that, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Observe here, 1. The place where the child Jesus is found, In the temple: where could there be a more likely place to find the Son of God, than in the house of his Father? No wonder that his parents found him there; but that they went not first to seek him there. Observe, 2. At twelve years old our Saviour disputes in the temple with the doctors of the law: never had those great rabbies heard the voice of such a tutor. Thus, in our Saviour's nonage, he gives us a proof of his proficiency; even as the spring shows us what we may hope for of the tree in summer. Our Saviour discovered his accomplishments by degrees: had his perfections appeared all at once, they had rather dazzled, than delight. ed, the eyes of the beholders; even as the sun would confound all eyes, should it appear at its first rising in its full strength. Christ could now have taught all those great rabbies the deep mysteries of God; but being not yet called by his Father to be a public teacher, he contents himself to hear with diligence, and to ask with modesty. Learn hence, That parts and abilities for the ministerial function are not sufficient to warrant our undertaking of it without a regular call. Christ himself would not run, no not on his heavenly Father's errand, before he was sent, much less should we.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed and his mother said dealt with us? behold, thy father unto him, Son, why hast thou thus and I have sought thee sorrowing.

Without doubt it was impossible to express the sorrow of the Holy Virgin's soul, when all the search of three days could