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.

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. You observe how 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 "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

2 Art. x.

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, 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 it 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."

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

The history gives us 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 and worshipped him; and when

they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. You must resemble them in this: you must offer him gifts; not once only, or when you first approach him; but constantly offer him, out of the treasure of your heart, the best gifts you have of active service and obedient love. These are the gifts which he requires, and this is the least return which you can pay-that the "life which you live in the flesh," you should "live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved you, and gave himself for you."

LECTURE III.

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, as he delivered Israel from the bondage of Egypt, so he delivered Christ from the dangers of the same strange land; and so 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.

Such is the effect 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 determines to preserve it at all hazards, and by all means, lawful or unlawful. What reason we have for thankfulness, that God has not cast our lot in an age or country where cruelty like Herod's could be practised!

A lamentation was made then, in the scene of this barbarous wickedness, like that which had been made six hundred years before, when Jerusalem was destroyed, in the time of Jeremiah, and the prisoners were brought to Ramah. (See Jer. xl. 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. (See Jer. xxxi. 15.)

The words of the prophet proceed, "Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy." And so it might be said on this occasion, Refrain your voice from weeping, ye mothers of Bethlehem, and your eyes from tears; for your sorrow shall have a recompense: your children shall live again, in a land where they have no enemy. They are taken from a world of sin and trial, into the presence of a merciful God. His goodness may be trusted, however dark the present dispensation

may appear.

Shortly after the commission of that cruelty, by which he had intended to preserve his life and his power, Herod died. Herod died. We may turn aside the hand of man; but we cannot turn aside the universal decree, Thou shalt surely die.

19. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20. Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

21. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea, in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee.