ceived that he had seen a vision in || days wherein he looked on me, to the temple; for he beckoned unto take away my reproach among men. them, and remained speechless. The priests, during the time of their Observe here, Zachary being slow to be- || administration, had their lodgings in buildlieve so strange a message, asks the an-ings appertaining to the temple. Zachary gel by what sign he should know that this having ended his administration, leaves thing, so far above the ordinary course of his lodgings, and returns to his house, nature, should come to pass? The angel where his wife Elisabeth conceiving, she answers, that he was despatched by God hides herself; that is, retires from comas a messenger extraordinary, to declare pany, partly to prevent the discourse of this good news to him. And seeing he people, until it was out of all doubt that was so hard to believe it, and required a she had conceived: and partly to give sign, he should have it, but such a one as herself opportunity of returning her thankshould be a punishment of his unbelief, as ful acknowledgements unto God, who had well as a sign to confirm his faith; given her this miraculous mercy: and namely, he should from thenceforward, to had thereby taken away her reproach of the birth of the child, be dumb and deaf, barrenness, which was so heavy and inas the original word signifies. Because supportable among the Jews. Note here he had not harkened to the angel's speech two things, 1. How piously Elisabeth ashe was struck deaf; and because he had cribes this mercy to the power of God: gainsaid it, he was made dumb. Learn Thus hath the Lord dealt with me. It is hence, That the word of God in the mouth God that keeps the key of the womb in of his messengers is God's own word, and his own hand, and makes the fruit of it as such to be received and believed. 2. his reward, and therefore children are to That not believing their word, is a sin be owned as his special gift. Note, 2. which God will severely punish: it is all How great a reproach bodily barrenness one not to believe God, and not to believe is in the sight of man, but not so great as the messengers of God speaking from him. spiritual barrenness in the sight of God: Some expositors will have this dumbness for this is at once a reproach to God, a of Zachary to be prefigurative. The reproach to religion, a reproach to profespriest, at the dismission of the people, sors, and to ourselves. when the service of the temple was finishéd, was to pronounce the blessing, recorded Numb. vi. 24, 25, which when Zachary was about to do, he is struck dumb, and cannot perform it; signifying thereby, that the silencing of the Levitical priesthood was now at hand; that they must expect another kind of worship, and that he who was able to bless indeed, namely, the Messias, was near at hand. Observe lastly, That though Zachary ceased to speak, yet he did not cease to minister; he takes not his dumbness for a dismission, but stays out the eight days of his course, knowing that the service of his heart and hand would be accepted of that God which had bereaved him of his tongue. Those powers which we have we must make use of in the public service of God, who will accept us according to what we have; pardoning our infirmity, and rewarding our sincerity.

were

23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the VOL. I.-33

26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David. 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

In this history of our Saviour's miracu-
I 2

Observe, 6. The effect which the sight and salutation of the angel had upon the Holy Virgin: she was afraid. If Zachary before her was amazed at the sight of the angel, much more the Virgin, her sex subjecting her to fear. All passions, but particularly the passion of fear, disquiets the heart, and makes it unfit to receive the messages of God. Therefore the angel instantly says unto her, Fear not: let joy enter into thy heart, out of whose womb shall come salvation. Thus the fears of holy persons do end in comfort: joy was the errand which the angel came upon, and not terror. What little cause she

had to fear the presence of an angel, who was so highly favoured of Him, at whose presence the angels tremble! But we see the holiest person on earth cannot bear the presence of an holy angel, much less the presence of an holy God; nor stand before the manifestation of his favour: Lord! how unable then will the wicked be at the great day to stand before the manifestation of thy fury! If the sight of an holy angel now makes the best of saints to quake and tremble, what will the sight of an infinitely holy and just God then do, when the wicked shall be slain by the brightness of his presence? Observe, lastly, The character which the angel gives of the

lous and immaculate conception, we have several things observable, as, 1. The messenger sent from heaven to publish the news of the conception of the Son of God: an angel. An evil angel was the first author of our ruin, a good angel could not be the author of our restoration, but is the joyful reporter of it. Observe, 2. The angel's name: Gabriel, which signifies the power of God. The same angel who had many hundred years before declared to the prophet Daniel the coming of the Messiah. Observe, 3. The place which the angel is sent unto: Nazareth, an obscure place, little taken notice of; yea, a city in Galilee, out of which arises no prophet:|| even there doth the God of prophets condescend to be conceived. No blind corner of Nazareth can hide the Blessed Virgin from the angel. The favours of God will find out his children wherever they are withdrawn. Observe, 4. The person whom the angel is sent unto, to a virgin espoused, whose name was Mary: for the honour of virginity, Christ chose a virgin for his mother; for the honour of marriage, a virgin espoused to an husband. Observe, 5. The message itself: Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Where note, That the angel salutes the Virgin as a saint, he doth not pray to her as a god-person that should be born of the Blessed dess. The church of Rome idolatrously uses these words as a prayer to the Holy Virgin, (saying ten Ave Maries for one Pater Noster,) whereas they are only a salutation; declaring that she, above all women, had the honour freely conferred by God upon her to be the mother of the Messiah. The original word signifies, not full of grace, but freely beloved. Compare Mary with other renowned women, and what had she, besides this favour, more than they. Had she the spirit of prophecy? so had they; had she the spirit of sanctification so had they: and she had no more immunity and freedom from sin and death than they. Accordingly, says the angel, Blessed art thou among women: he doth not say, Blessed art thou above women. Let the church of Rome be as copious as they will in the commendation of the mother, so they do not derogate from the

glory of the Son. But how senseless are they, 1. In turning a salutation into a prayer! 2. In making use of these words upon every occasion, which were spoken by an angel upon a special occasion! 3. In applying these words to her now in

heaven, which suited with her only when she was here on earth, saying, full of grace to her who is full of glory; and, the Lord is with thee, to her that is with the Lord!

Virgin: He shall be great, and called the Son of the Highest. Great in respect of his person; great in respect of his offices; great in respect of his kingdom; for God would settle upon him a spiritual kingdom, of which David's earthly one was a type, which never shall be abolished: though the administration of it by the word and sacraments shall cease at the day of judgment, when he shall deliver up his kingdom, in that respect to his Father. All other kingdoms have had, or shall have their periods; but the gospel-church, which is Christ's kingdom, shall continue || till his kingdom of glory be revealed.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For with God

nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

particular notice he takes of all the children of men; he knoweth not only ourselves, but our relations also: Behold thy God has of every person, and every accousin Elisabeth. The knowledge which tion, is a clear and distinct knowledge. Observe here, 1. The Virgin's question; Note, 2. How the angel strengthens herhow shall this be? This question doth not faith by a consideration drawn from the import her denial of the possibility of the almighty power of God: With God nothing thing, but her wonder at the strangeness shall be impossible, be it never so strange of the thing; it proceeded rather from a and difficult. There is no such way to desire of information, than from a doubt overcome difficulties, as by strengthening of infidelity. Therefore she doth not say our faith in the almighty power of God. this cannot be, nor, how can this be? but, Faith will enable us to assent to truth, How shall this be? She doth not distrust, though seemingly incredible, and to bebut demand how her virginity should be- lieve the possibility of things, though ap come fruitful, and how she, being a virgin, || pearing impossible. Observe lastly, How could bring forth a son? Observe, 2. the Virgin expresses her faith and obediThe angel's reply to the Virgin's ques- ence, her submission and entire resignation; The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. tion to the divine pleasure to be disposed Where note, The angel declares the author of by God as he thought fit; Behold the who, but not the manner how: the Holy handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me acGhost shall come upon thee, but in what cording to thy word. We hear of no more way, and after what manner, is not de- objections or interrogations, but an humclared. No mother knows the manner of ble and submissive silence. Learn hence, her natural conception; what presumption That a gracious heart, when once it underhad it then been, for the mother of the stands the pleasure of God, argues no farMessiah, to have enquired how the Son of ther, but quietly rests in a believing exGod could take flesh and blood of his pectation of what God will do. All discreature? It is for none but the Almighty putations with God, after his will is made to know those works which do imme-known and understood, arise from infi, diately concern himself. Observe, 3. The delity and unbelief. The Virgin having holy and immaculate conception of our thus consented, instantly conceived by blessed Redeemer: The Holy Ghost shall the overshadowing power of the Holy come upon thee, and the power of the Most Ghost. High shall overshadow thee: wherefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God; that is, the Holy Ghost shall prepare and sanctify so much of thy flesh, blood, or seed, as shall constitute the body of Christ. For though it was a word of the whole Trinity, yet it is ascribed particularly to the Holy Ghost, sanctification being his peculiar work. And the title and epithet of that holy thing, showeth the purity and immaculateness of Christ's human nature, and that none

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill-country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to pass, that when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb: and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For, lo, as soon as from eternity; but his taking flesh in this the voice of thy salutation sounded in manner evidences him to be the Son of mine ears, the babe leaped in my God. Observe, 4. The argument used by womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she the angel to confirm Mary in the belief of that believed: for there shall be a perwhat he had told her: namely, the won-formance of those things which were derful conception of her cousin Elisabeth in her old age, who was now six months told her from the Lord.

was ever born thus holy and immaculate but Christ only; because none had ever such a way and means of conception, but only he therefore that holy thing shall be called the Son of God: not constituted and made, but evidenced and declared. Christ was God before he assumed flesh, even

gone with child. Where observe, 1. What Observe here, 1. The visit made by the an exact knowledge God has, and what a Virgin Mary to her cousin Elisabeth. The

for thy faith, all things shall certainly be performed that were foretold thee from the Lord." Learn hence, 1. That it is the property of God to do great and wonderful things. Our faith must be great, and our expectation great; great expectations from God honour the greatness of God. 2. That if our faith be great, God's performances will be gracious and full: Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behoid, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the im52 He hath

Holy Virgin had understood by the angel, || that believed: and know, that as a reward that Elisabeth was no less akin to her in condition than in relation, being both fruitful in conception; she hastens into the hill-country to visit that holy matron. The two wonders of the world were now met under one roof, to congratulate their mutual happiness; only the meeting of the saints in heaven can parallel the meeting of these two saints on earth. Observe, 2. The design and intention of this visit; which was partly to communicate their joys to each other, and partly to strengthen the faith of each other. Such a soul as has Christ spiritually conceived in it, is restless and cannot be quiet till it has imparted its joy. Observe, 3. The effect of the Virgin's salutation: she had no sooner saluted Elisabeth, but the babe in Elisabeth's womb leaped for joy, doing homage, and paying adoration to his Lord, who was then in presence. If Elisabeth and her holy babe thus rejoiced, when Christ came under their roof, how should our hearts leap within us, when the Son of God vouchsafes to come into the secret of our souls, not to visit us for an hour, but to dwell with us, yea, to dwell in us, and that forever? Observe, 4. How Elisabeth by an extraordinary spi-agination of their hearts. rit of prophecy, confirms what the angel put down the mighty from their before had told the Holy Virgin: Blessed, seats, and exalted them of low degree. says she, art thou ammg women, and blessed 53 He hath filled the hungry with is the fruit of thy womb and what an honour is this, that the mother of my Lord good things; and the rich he hath should come to me! Where note, How sent empty away. 54 He hath holpElisabeth acknowledgeth the incarnation en his servant Israel in remembrance of Christ, and the union of the divine and of his mercy; 55 As he spake to our human nature in the person of the Media- fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed tor. She acknowledges Christ her Lord, for ever. and Mary to be the mother of the Son of God. Observe lastly, How the Virgin is This is the first canticle, or song of pronounced blessed; not so much for car- praise, recorded in the New Testament, rying Christ in her womb by sense, as for composed by the Blessed Virgin with unbearing him in her heart by faith: Blessed speakable joy, for designing her to be the is she that believed. Mary was not so instrument of the conception and birth of blessed in bringing forth Christ, as be- the Saviour of the world. Where observe, lieving in him; yet the believing here 1. The manner of her praise: her soul mentioned I take to be her firm assent to and spirit bear their part in the work of the message which was brought her by the thanksgiving, My soul doth magnify, my angel; as if Elisabeth had said, “Dumb- spirit hath rejoiced. As the sweetest music ness was inflicted on my husband for his is made in the belly of the instrument, so unbelief of what the angel said," but, the most delightful praise arises from the "Blessed art thou that didst believe the bottom of the heart. Observe, 2. The ob angel." My husband a man, an aged ject of her praise: she doth not magnify man, a learned and eminent man, a priest herself, but the Lord; yea, she doth not of the most high God, and the message to rejoice so much in her son, as in her Sahim of more appearing possibility, yet he viour. Where note, 1. That she doth imdisbelieved; but thou, a woman, a mean, plicity own and confess herself a sinner: unlearned woman, of a private condition, for none need a Saviour but a sinner. and the message brought most incredible || And, 2. By rejoicing in Christ as her Saboth to nature and reason, and yet it is viour, she declares how she values her believed by thee! Blessed therefore is she || self, rather by her spiritual relation to

he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Learn hence, That the appearance of the promised Messiah in the fulness of time, in order to the redemption and salvation of a lost world, was the fruit of God's tender love, and the effect of his faithfulness in the promises made of old to his church and children: He hath holpen his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy, as he spake to our forefathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. 57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great merObcy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.

Two things are here observable, 1. The civil courtesy of the Virgin Mary towards her cousin Elisabeth. She stays with her three months, probably till she was delivered and brought to bed, not leaving her just at the time of her travail; for the angel told Mary, ver. 36. that it was then the sixth month with Elisabeth, after which Mary stays with her three months, which

Christ as his member, than by her natural relation to him as his mother; according to that of St. Austin, Beatior fuit Maria percipiendo Christi fidem, quam concipiendo carnem; she might have been miserable notwithstanding she bore him as her son, had, she not believed in him as her Saviour: therefore she sings, My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Observe, 3. How she admires and magnifies God's peculiar favour towards herself, in casting an eye upon her poverty and lowly condition; that she, a poor obscure maid, unknown to the world, should be looked upon with an eye of regard by him that dwells in the highest heavens. Where note, That as God magnified her, she magnified him, ascribing all honour and glory to him that had thus dignified and exalted her: He that is mighty hath done for me great things and glorified be his name. serve, 4. She thankfully takes notice, that it was not only an high honour, but a lasting honour, which was conferred upon her: All generations shall call me blessed. She beholds an infinite, lasting honour prepared for her, as being the mother of an universal and everlasting Blessing, which all former ages had desired, and all succeeding ages should rejoice in, and proclaim her happy for being the instrument of. Observe, 5. How the Holy Vir-made up the full time. To visit and acgin passes from the consideration of her personal privileges to the universal goodness of God: showing us that the mercies and favours of God were not confined and limited to herself, but his mercy is on all them that fear him throughout all generations. She declares the general providence of God towards all persons: his mercy to the pious, his mercy is on all them that fear him; his justice on the proud, he hath put down the mighty from their seat, and scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts: his bounty to the poor, he fills the hungry with good things. Learn hence, The excellency and advantageous usefulness of the grace of humility; how good it is to be meek and lowly in heart. This will render us lovely in God's eye; and though the world trample upon us, he will exalt us to the admiration of ourselves, and the envy of our despisers. Observe lastly, How she magnifies the special grace of God in our redemption: He hath holpen his servant Israel, that is, blessed them with a Saviour, who lived in the faith, hope, and expectation, of the promised Messiah: and this blessing he declares was, 1. The result of great mercy; He remembering his mercy, hath holpen his servant Israel. 2. The effect of his truth and faithfulness in his promises, As

company our friends in the time of their distress, is not only an act of civil courte. sy, but of religion and piety; not a matter of indifference, but of duty: James i. 27. Pure religion and undefiled is this, to visit in affliction; that is, this is an eminent act and exercise of religion, the evidence and fruit of sincere religion; and the Virgin's doing this, was an act and instance of her piety, as well as of her civil courtesy. Observe, 2. The religious joy, and spiritual rejoicing, which the neighbours and kindred expressed at the lyingin of Elisabeth. They did not meet together upon that great occasion only to eat and drink and make merry; but they rejoiced that the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her. Oh, how rarely is this example followed in our age! At the delivery of the mother, and at the birth of the child, how little is God taken notice of! How little is his power magnified, and his goodness celebrated, in opening the womb, in giving strength to bring forth! And how rarely is this subject of discourse at the woman's labour! Verily, if the mercy of a child, and the safe delivery of the mother, be not the first and principle things taken notice of at such rejoicing meetings, they look more like Pagan than Christian rejoicings.