Luke 1

Luke 1:1-4

In this chapter we have, 1. Luke’s preface to his gospel, ver. 1—4. 2. The prophecy and history of the conception of John Baptist, who was Christ’s forerunner, ver. 5—25. 3. The annunciation of the virgin Mary, ver. 26—38. 4. The interview between Mary the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth the mother of John, ver. 39—56. 5. The birth and circumcision of John Baptist, for months before the birth of Christ, ver. 57—66. 6. Zachariah’s song of praise, in thankfulness for the birth of John, and in prospect of the birth of Jesus, ver. 67—69. 7. A short account of John Baptist’s infancy, ver. 80.

1. FORASMUCH as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2. ‘Even as they delivered them unto us,’ which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word: 3. ‘It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, ‘most excellent + Theophilus, 4. ‘That thou mightest know the certainty of those things wherein thou hast been instructed.

Dedications are usually but the feather with which flattery tickles the pride of the great; but here is one, whose simplicity bespeaks the Christian spirit of the author, and recommends the book not to the patronage of his noble friend, as needing his countenance, but to the consideration of his pupil, in order to instruct his conscience, and direct his practice.

The Evangelist opens with his reason for writing. Because many had undertaken to publish narratives of the birth, life, Vol. II.

doctrines, miracles, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who, though probably well-meaning disciples, wrote under no infallible guidance of the Spirit; it appeared therefore to be the will of God, and highly proper, that he should compose a connected history, and particular account of all things from the beginning, to prevent the errors and mistakes which might arise from uninspired writings.

1. He professes to confine himself to the things most surely believed among the faithful: not matters of doubtful disputation, but facts established by the most indubitable evidence of those who from the beginning were eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word; heard the doctrines, and saw the miracles of Jesus, and were divinely commissioned by him to go forth and preach the gospel he had delivered to them.

2. He was fully qualified for the work he undertook, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first; and this not merely received by tradition from the best attested reports, but as the words (vapour-&-sour-&-sour) may be rendered, having attained to the exact understanding of all things from above; which inspiration he had diligently sought, and sacredly followed.

3. The end he proposed was, that Theophilus, whom he addressed with the respectable title of most excellent, being, it seems, a man of rank and fashion, might know the certainty of those things wherein he had been instructed, or catechised. Probably Luke had been the means of his conversion, and had taught him by word of mouth the great principles of the Christian religion; and therefore, that his memory might be assisted, his knowledge increased, and his faith more firmly established in the truths of the gospel, he drew up the following history. Note, (1.) The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a cunningly devised fable, but contains facts supported by the most inconceivable evidence, and truths the most sure and certain, whereon our faith may stand unshaken. (2.) Catechising was the ancient method of commun-

nicating to the youth, and newly-converted persons, the knowledge of the great doctrines of religion; and perhaps our present deplorable ignorance is owing to no one cause more than to the perfunctory discharge or total neglect of this most useful method of instruction. (3.) Christianity, though it forbids to give flattering today, enjoins us to pay honour to whom honour is due; it teaches us politene’s without falthood; sin, licity without rudeness; respect without servility; and country without cringing.

5. THERE was in the days of Herod the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. 7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. 8. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, 9. According to the custom of the priest’s office, his for was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without, at the time of incense. 11. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13. But the angel said unto him, ‘Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the holy Ghoft, even from his mother’s womb. 16. And many of the children of Israel shall be turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the jull, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. 18. And Zacharias said unto the angel, ‘Whereby shall I know this for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. 19. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God: and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee thee glad tidings. 20. And behold, thou shalt be throth, and not able to speak, until the day that thee things shall be performed, because thou belevest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. 21. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. 22. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckned unto them, and remained speechless. 23. And it came to pass, that as soon as the days of his manifestation were accomplished, he departed to his own house. 24. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, laying. 25. That hath the Lord dealt with me, in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

6. 5-25. The other Evangelists commenced their history from the conception and birth of Jesus; Luke begins farther back, with that of John the Baptist, his forerunner, which was attended with extraordinary circumstances well deserving our regard.

7. We have an account of his parents. They lived in the reign of Herod, an Idumen, who held his kingdom under the Roman emperor. Both Zechariah and Elisabeth were of the forerunner family: he was of the course of Abia, the eighth of those four and twenty into which the priest were divided, (1 Chron. xxiv. 7-10.) To the honour of this aged pair it is recorded, that their piety was most exemplary; they approved themselves to God in a holy blameless conversation, living by faith in the expelled Messiah, whom they regarded in the use of all the divine institutions, and were sincerely observant of all the ordinances of worship, and duties of morality. But notwithstanding the distinguished excellence of their characters, it was their inflicity to be dethrone of children, Elisabeth being barren; and both of them now so advanced in years, as in the common course of nature to deprive them of the hope of issue. Note, (1.) In the world of times God preserves some faithful ones, as eminent in-

influences of his grace, and reprovers of the world which lieth in wickedness. (2.) Our mercies are often long deferred, to make them at last the more welcome.

2. An angel appeared to Zacharias as he was discharging his ministry in the temple. The services to be performed by the course in waiting were determined by his: his office was to burn incense in the sanctuary; and whilst this was performing, the holy worshippers without in silent aspirations lifted up their prayers to God, expelling acceptance through the intercession of Christ, which the smoke of the incense offered by the priest represented, See Rev. viii. 1-4. And whilst Zecharias was thus employed, an angel of the Lord appeared to him on the right side of the altar of incense; and, struck with the glorious sight and unusual appearance, Zecharias trembled, and feared greatly what such a vision might portend. Note, (1.) Visits from another world may well fall even good men with terror, not only through the weakness of the humanity, but also from the consciousness of their guilt and forfeiture. (2.) Prayer is the service God’s people never neglect; and herein their care is to lift up their hearts unto God, not to follicleous about the choice of words, as that internal fervent desires may speak the language of their souls. (3.) All our services and prayers must be offered through the mediation of Jesus, for then only can they be acceptable unto God.

3. The angel delivers to him the message with which he was sent. Having said kindly quoted his tears, he informs him of gracious acceptance with God, and an answer to his prayers. Probably at that time he had particularly been crying for the coming of the promised Messiah, as he had formerly often asked for a son, and both are now granted him; the latter said, in order to introduce the former. To help Elisabeth, so long barren, and now aged, shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John, which signifies gracious, and was most admirably suited for him who should be so great in spiritual gifts and graces, and the harbinger of the Messiah and his kingdom. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; not only in him, as a welcome child given after so long waiting, but in the view of the high character and office he is ordained to bear: and many shall rejoice at his death; congratulating his parents on such an unexpected blessing. And it will afford yet farther cause of joy to multitudes, who afterwards shall be blessed with his ministry and labours; for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord; highly honoured of God, and blessed with singular endorsements from him; and shall at not another wise nor strong desire; a Nazarian from his birth; for it becomes those designed for eminent services, to live a life of eminent self-denial, and deadness to sensual delights. He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb; sanctified, in years, and qualified fully for the ministry to which he was appointed: and many of the children of Israel shall be turn to the Lord their God, the Messiah, their incarnate God, then ready to appear: and he shall go before him, as his messenger and harbinger, the morning-flat that others in the rising sun; in the spirit and power of Elias; enlisted with the soul of that eminent reformer, and in austerity of manners nearly resembling him: to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children; either the Jews to the Gentiles, removing their prejudices and enmity against them; or with the children, converting young and old by his preaching; and the disobedient to the wisdom of the jull, convincing the most rebellious sinners, and leading them to Christ for justification, even to the wisdom that maketh wife unto Salvation: and thus to make ready a people prepared for the Lord; raising their expectations of him, removing their prejudices, and pointing him personally out to them as their Lord and Servant; or prepared by the Lord, according to his eternal counsels ordained to life and glory, and now by John’s ministry to be called to faith in the Son of God. Note, (1.) Though our requests are long delayed, they are not therefore denied; and the mercy at last comes enhanced in value, as the answer of many prayers. (2.) True greatness is not to be estimated by outward grandeur or wealth; God’s favour, and the profession of the gifts and graces of his spirit, these alone make a man great in his eyes who is the fountain of honour. (3.) The great end of a zealous minister of God’s word is to convert the fools of men, and turn them to the Lord Jesus: not need they despair of the most disobedient sinners; almighty grace can berth the most stubborn heart.

4. Zecharias, looking at human probabilities, staggered at the promise through unbelief, and wanted some further sign to remove his doubts. He and his wife being now grown old, the age as well as barrenards of Elisabeth made him regard the event as incredible. Very unlike a son of Abraham! Rom. iv. 19. 20.

5. The angel gives him the sign he asked, and therewith the just punishment of his unbelief. I am Gabriel; my very appearance to you should have been sufficient to be considered in my word; because that I stand in the preface of God, attentive to his orders, and employed in his service; and am just expressly to thee with this message, and to shew thee thee glad tidings, which should have been received with thankfulness and joy: but since thou ashes a sign, behold, thou shalt be throth, and no more able to object to the truth of what I say, and not able to speak, until

the day that these things shall be performed, as a punishment upon thee, because thou hast not believed my words, which, notwithstanding all the obstacles unbelief suggests, shall be fulfilled in their season. Note, (1.) Our unbelief is very dishonourable and displeasing to God. (2.) God’s promises will take effect, notwithstanding our unbelief; and though we suffer for our districts of him, he will not cast us off from him.

6. Zacharias returns to the people, who wondered at the length of his stay in the temple, and were waiting for the usual benediction before they retired. And their wonder increased, when coming forth he was unable to speak a word, and by his signs they perceived he had seen a vision in the temple, and for a time continued deaf and dumb, (See ser. 6b.) The Aaronical priesthood was now about to be silenced, and the dumb signs of typical infatuations to be set aside by the clear voice of perfect grace.

7. The angelic message quickly received its accomplishment. Having flayed out the days of his minification in the temple, he returned home with his wife, who immediately conceived by him; and thereupon, as she was to bring forth a Nazarim, kept herself for five months close retired from all company, that she might contract no ceremonial uncleanness; spending the time in thankfulness, praise, and devotion; blessing God for the singular mercy, in removing the reproach of barrenness from her, under which she had so long laboured, and at half bellowing on her, in so extraordinary a way, that son who should be the harbinger of the Messiah. Note, In all our mercies God is ever to be acknowledged; and particularly we are assured, that children and the fruit of the womb are the heritage and gift that cometh from the Lord.

8. 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: bleffed 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 shall 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 for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 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 Ghoft 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.

Luke 1:25

—38. Six months after the former miraculous conception of Elisabeth, the same angel Gabriel is sent on a more important message, to foretell the conception and birth of the Lord’s Ghoft. We have here.

1. The person from whom the human nature of the Son of God was to be taken. Her name was Mary; of the royal race of David, but now reduced to very mean circumstances; a virgin unported, espoused to Joseph of the same royal line; dwelling in a remote corner of the land, and in a place despicable almost to a proverb, See John i. 46.

2. The angel’s address and salutation. Hail, thou that art highly favoured, &c. He wishes her all peace, prosperity, and joy; assures her of the favour of the Most High; that his gracious pretence was with her; and that she of all others was singled out to be distinguished with peculiar honour, and to be called bleffed in all generations, as the mother of the abused Messiah. The popish plea for the salvation of the virgin Mary, taken from hence, is absurd, and utterly unsupported; these words in no wise implying prayer or worship, but merely a friendly salutation.

3. Mary’s surprise on the angel’s appearance and address. She was greatly astonished at such an unexpected visit, and the respect paid to her, a woman so unknown and unnoticed; and much perplexed, reasoned with herself what this hailfulness should mean, which was pronounced with such solemnity.

4. The angel, to remove the perplexity and confusion under which she appeared, proceeds with his message. Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God; and when this is the case, all disquieting fears are groundless: and behold, astonishing as the tidings are, yet true, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, tho’ a virgin immaculate, (See vii. 14.) and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus, the same as Joshua, or Savinor, of whom the former deliverers of Israel were types and figures. He shall be great, in dignity, person, offices, and works; and shall be called the Son of the Highest; shall really be so, partaking of the same divine nature: and the Lord shall give unto him, as the Messiah, the throne of David his father, from whom, as man, he descended, and whose kingdom was typical of that spiritual dominion which Jesus should erect in the hearts of his people, sitting as a king upon his holy hill of Sion, the church of his esteemed: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob, the true Israel of God, whether Jews or Gentiles brought to the obedience of the faith; and his throne shall be established for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end; enduring as the days of time, and subject to none of the vicissitudes and changes which attend earthly sovereignty; and, when time shall end, this kingdom shall be continued in a more glorious form, coeval with the ages of eternity.

5. The Virgin, not disturbing the truth, or questioning the possibility of what he said, humbly desires to be informed by what means this should be brought to pass, seeing she was conscious of her own virginity.

6. He vouchsafes to inform her as much as she need with to know. The Holy Ghoft, the power of the Highest, exerting his almighty influence, will by his immediate agency, as he moved upon the face of the water in the first creation, enable her to conceive: and therefore, because in this miraculous manner the body of the child Jesus should be formed, he shall be a holy thing, from his conception not partaking of the taint of human corruption, as all flesh do in the ordinary courts of generation; and shall be called the Son of God, being as such now manifested in the human nature; and that which she conceived, henceforward undissolubly subsisting in personal union with the bound person of the sacred trinity, should henceforth bear his name. And he adds, as an encouragement to thereupon her faith in his word, that her cousin Elisabeth, who was by one of her parents allied it seems to the house of David, as by his other descended from Aaron, was now with child, though so stricken in years, and in the sixth month of her pregnancy, who had before been barren. The same power therefore which had wrought this miracle, would work this greater one, of which he assured her; for such God nothing is impossible; however it exceeds human power or conception, what he promises he can and will surely perform.

7. Mary with deep humility and submission yields herself up to the Lord, as his handmaid, desiring him to do with her whatever he pleased; utterly unworthy to great an honour, yet, since such was his promise, begging it might be fulfilled, and faithfully depending upon the Lord’s almighty power and grace. Hereupon the angel departed, having finished the work the Lord had given him to do. Note, (1.) However wonderful and surpassing great God’s promises are, it becomes us to credit his word, and rest our everlasting hopes thereon; then we glorify him. (2.) Angelic visions here below were always transient; shortly these bleffed spirits will be our companions to eternity.

8. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill-country with hail, into a city of Judah, 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 Ghoft. 42. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said: “Bleffed art thou among women, and bleffed 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 the voice of thy salutation founded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45. And bleffed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were sold 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 behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me bleffed. 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 imagination of their hearts. 52. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and ex- alized them of low degree. 53. He hath filled the hungry

9. 6. Or, that there shall be, &c. v. 1 Sam. ii. 1. Pl. xxviii. 5. &] xxvi. 6.

hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. 54. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55. As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever. 56. And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

9. 39—56. Quickly after the angel’s departure we are informed.

10. Of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth in hable, to confer with her on these strange events, that they may confirm each other’s faith, and rejoice in these singular mercies. The journey was long from Galilee to the hill-country of Judea, probably to Hebron, a city of griefs; but the converts of such a friend as Elizabeth would repay all her pains. Note, Nothing is more encouraging, comforting, and quickening, than when the faithful communicate their mutual experiences.

11. Their meeting was accompanied with circumstances very remarkable. No sooner had Mary entered the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elizabeth, than the babe, as under a divine impulse, leaped in her womb, seeming to congratulate the blessed Virginia arrival: and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost; with the extraordinary affections of the divine Spirit, revealing to her mind the Messiah’s conception, the mottage of the angel to Mary, her faith therein, and the sure performance of what was then promised: and addressing her welcome and highly honoured good, the spake aloud, with a transport of holy joy, as the Spirit gave her utterance, saying, Blessed art thou among women; distinguished above all others with peculiar marks of divine favour; and, far from envying, Elizabeth warmly congratulated her on the honour: and blessed is the fruit of thy womb; that divine Messiah being there conceived, in whom all nations of the world should be blessed, and who is in himself, in the glory of the divine nature, God over all blessed for ever. And unless it is this to me? how great the condescension, that the matter of my Lord should come to me? that she should honour me with her company, from whom a body is preparing for the great Lord of all, to appear in the human nature. For it! with wonder bear what with wonder I relate; as soon as the cause of my falastation founded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy, as if conscious of the nearness of his Lord, and welcoming her who should bring forth that Messiah, whose harbinger he is appointed to be. And blessed is she that believed; not staggering at the promise, but acquiescing in the divine word, whose shall infallibly be accomplished; for there shall be a performance of these things which were told her from the Lord. Note, (1.) True grace makes us thankful for our own mercies, and to rejoice without envy in others greater attainments. (2.) When the gospel’s joyful found reaches our ears, and the sweet name of Jesus is proclaimed; then should our hearts leap as this babe, and bless the God of our salvation. (3.) Believing souls must be blessed: Christ is now formed in their hearts the hope of glory, and they shall assuredly see the eternal performance of all the great and precious promises which the faithful God hath given them.

12. Mary, deeply affected with the words of Elizabeth, and moved with the same divine inspiration, echoes back her praises, and foresets and foretells the great salvation of the Messiah now in her womb.

(1.) She rejoices in God for the distinguished honour conferred upon her. My soul doth magnify the Lord, exalting his great and glorious name, and admiring and admiring the wonders of his products; and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour: and justly was it a greater cause of joy to her, that she knew herself interested in his salvation, than that after the flesh she should be honoured as his mother; for without the former, the latter could have prodded her nothing. For he hath regarded the law of his handmaiden; though in outward circumstances contemplable and mean, and as a poor sinner, vile and unworthy, he hath been pleased to honour me so highly: for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; as distinguished with this singular mark of his favour; as interested through faith in the salvation of Jesus; and as the happy instrument chosen to bring forth that Redeemer, who should be the great blessing of mankind. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, displaying his power beyond all conception, in the incarnation of his son, and his sovereign grace to me, appointed to bring him forth; and holy is his name, as all his works and ways declare; therefore from men and angels to him all pride is due; and may it be for ever allotted to him by all the holds of earth and heaven! Note, (1.) When Christ is known as our God and Saviour, then shall we rejoice in him, and magnify his name. (2.) The lower we are in our own eyes, the more admiring thoughts shall we have of the distinguishing grace of our Lord.

(3.) She praises him for the wonders he doth for his people in the ways of his providence and grace. His mercy is to me that fear him, from generation to generation; not to me only, but to all who with filial reverence and godly fear worship and serve him. His mercy to such is rich and gracious; and now more eminently displayed than ever, in the incarnation of his Son,

given to bring in an everlasting righteousness, and work out an everlasting salvation, in which wholesome truths, from generation to generation, will find mercy for ever. He hath proved strength with his arm; chusing the weak things of the world to confound the mighty; raising up so glorious a Redeemer from a birth so obscure: he hath scattered the proud in the imaginations of their hearts; disappointing their schemes, and humbling them in the dust. Both in the dispositions of his providence and grace, he hath put down the mighty from their feats; the proud oppressors of his people of old, as Pharoah, Bennacherib, &c. and the spiritually proud, the lofty Pharisees, and all self-righteous sinners; these he hurls from their fancied dignity, destroys their vain confidences, and calls them down as contemptible and vile: and exalted them of true degree; he hath done so, and continues so to do, raising up by his providence the oppressed, as Joseph from the prison to it among the princes; and by his grace reviving the hearts of poor and contrite sinners, exalting them to his favour, and delighting to honour them. He hath filled the hungry, those that hunger after righteousness, and feel their utter need of Jesus, with good things, latching their souls out of his fulness; and the rich, who, admiring their own excellencies, see no want of a better righteousness; those he hath sent empty away, destitute of all true grace, without the truth mark of his favour, and given up to their own delusions. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in all past ages, by extraordinary interpolations on their behalf; and now more eminently, in raising them up a Saviour from their most dangerous spiritual enemies; in remembrance of his mercy, which from eternity dwelle in his mind towards them, and which at sundry times he revealed to them; in the spake to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever; to whom he had promised, that in his seed all nations of the world should be blessed, which promise God was now about to fulfil. Note, (1.) Pride will surely have a fall. No height of station or self-confidence can protect those whom God abhors. (2.) There is help laid on one mighty to save; and all the poor, the weak, and helpless of God’s Israel, may come to him, and be holpen. (3.) All God’s promises will, sooner or later, receive their accomplishment, and blessed are they who wait for him.

4. Mary, after a visit of three months, returned to Nazareth, satisfied now of her own conception, and thereby assured of the truth of the angel’s and Elizabeth’s predictions.

5. Now Elizabeth’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 mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. 59. And it came to pass, that “on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. 60. And his mother answered and said, Not Ja; but he shall be called John, 61. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. 62. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. 63. And he asked for a writing-table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. 64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loafed, and he spake, and praised God. 65. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noted abroad throughout all the hill-country of Judea. 66. And all they that had heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be? And the hand of the Lord was with him.

6. 57—60. Elizabeth’s full time being come, we have here, 1. The birth of her son, and the great joy extending it. Tidings of so extraordinary an event were soon spread among her relations and neighbours, and they could not but magnify the Lord for so signal a mercy vouchsafed to her, who was both barren and aged; and they came to congratulate her on the occasion, and rejoice with her. Note, A gracious heart takes pleasure in the comforts which others enjoy, and rejoices with those that rejoice.

7. On the eighth day, when the child was to be circumcised, as it was usual at that time to give him a name after some of his ancestors, the friends and relations, who met on that occasion, would have called him Zacharias, after his father; but Elizabeth, informed by writing from her husband, or by revelation, objected, insisting the child should be called John. They who were present expressed their surprise at this, and objected against what was so unusual, none of her kindred bearing that name: the matter therefore was referred to the father for his decision, who being died and dumb, they made signs to him that he would fix the child’s name; and he making signs for a writing-table, to the astonishment of the company, wrote, His name is John. Note, (1.) The first concern we owe our children is, early to dedicate them to God. (2.) Every John should

should remember the import of his name, and show himself truly present:

3. Zacharias immediately thereupon recovered his speech, and, as the first and best use of his tongue, offered up his praise and thanksgiving to the God of his mercies.

4. These extraordinary events, which now were spread, and in every body’s mouth, filled the people with affections and reverential fear, in awful expectation of what would be the issue, measuring up in their memories, and often pondering in their mind, the wonderful circumstances attending the birth of this extraordinary child; and from his earliest infancy something unsatisfactory great and gracious was seen in him, which further engaged their attention, it evidently appearing that the hand of the Lord was with him, and that he was taken under the care and guidance of his peculiar providence and grace. Nate, God has weys we know not of, to communicate his grace to the fools of infants, and make them partakers of the Holy Ghost, even before they are partakers of reason: who then can say, why such should not be baptized?

5. And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, 68. “Bleffed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69. And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us, in the house of his servant David; 70. “As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began; 71. That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. 72. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant: 73. “The oath which he hears to our father Abraham, 74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75. “In holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. 76. And thou child shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways; 77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins, 78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-spring tones on high hath visited us, 79. “To give light to them that fit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. 80. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

Luke 1:67-80

Zacharias, filled with the Holy Ghost, among his other skriptions of praise to the Lord, when his tongue was healed, uttered the following prophetic song, relative to the Messiah’s incarnation and redemption, and the fulfillment of the everlasting covenant of grace to his people:

1. He bleffes, adores, and praises the God of his Israel for the salvation to be obtained by the Messiah, unto hath visited and redeemed his people; hath often done it before, but now more signally than ever, by that eternal redemption which his incarnate Son was about to obtain for his elect: and hath visited up a bore of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; one able to save to the uttermost, and before whom all his foes must fall; sprung from the royal race of David, according to his faithful promises, as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began; from the promise made to claim man in Paradise had this Saviour been the constant subject of the prophetic word, as the lord of the woman, the descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Judah, and the family of David; and so, the event verifies all the predictions. The expected Saviour is now incarnate, and ready to appear, that we should be saved from our enemies, the world of enemies, sin, Satan, death, and hell; and from the hand of all that hate us; from this present evil world, and all the wicked who inhabit it; not a temporal, but, what is infinitely better, a spiritual salvation from all the powers of darkness and corruption: to perform the mercy promised to our fathers; that mercy of all mercies, the sending the Messiah; and to remember his holy covenant, which from eternity was established, and is now about to be fulfilled by the obedience and death of Jesus in behalf of his people, whereby all our forfeited mercies might be restored, and our title to glory be recovered, according to the oath which he hears to our father Abraham, the father of all the faithful, both Jews and Gentiles, that he would grant unto us, in virtue of our divine Redeemer’s undertaking, that we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies; those spiritual enemies by whom we were ordained, and must have for ever continued under the bondage of corruption, unless the Son had made us free: but, bleffed be his name? he hath brought us by his blood, his righteousness and grace, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, that we might serve him without fear; no longer in the spirit of a slave, but under the influence of that free spirit of adoption, where love casteth out servile fear, and enables us to walk willingly and cheerfully, in

holiness and righteousness before him; in the universal discharge of the duties of piety towards God, and justice towards men; at least, under a prevailing desire to do so, with exallects prayer for divine assistance, all the days of our life, faithful and persevering until death in his bleffed service: and they who have found this fulfilled to them, have reason indeed to praise God without ceasing.

2. He bleffes God for the particular mercy shown to himself in giving him forth a Son, whose office and dignity he in spirit foresees. And thou child shalt be called the prophet of the Highest; of that divine Immanuel, who is God over all, bleffed his ever: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, as the harbinger of the King of Glory, to prepare his ways, by preaching repentance, and directing Godless to him, as the only Saviour of his fools: to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, of a spiritual and eternal salvation wrongly met by Jesus, which he declared to them: a salvation not obtained by any personal righteousness of their own, as a matter of detest, but feely be followed on them by the remission of their sins; the tender mercy of our God, the original incursion from whence all the great salvation shows; whereby the day-spring, or rising sun of righteousness, from on high hath visited us, with his reviving and refreshing beams of grace, to give light to them that fit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to those who before through a veil darkly in types and figures caught the glimmering day; to disturb his bright influences amidst the heathen world, covered with thirteenth darkness of ministry and ignorance; and to shine into the minds of blind, stupid, and hardened sinners, dispelling the sails of error, and chasing the clouds of sin away, enlightening the conscience, and defaming the heart, in order to guide our feet into the way of peace; to peace with God through the ensuing blood; to peace within, through the application of it to our fools; to peace with men, through the spirit of universal love; to eternal peace, the consummation of our felicity.

3. The younger years of the Baptist strongly corroborated this prediction concerning him. He grew, and waxed strong in spirit; his parts and capacity increased wonderfully with his stature, and his soul was filled with uncommon wisdom, fortitude, and grace; and he was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel; living in solitude, retirement, and devotion, till the time appointed for his entering upon his prophetic office. Nate, They who most carefully improve their younger days in the school of true wisdom, will be best qualified to appear, and most likely to be successful, when they are called forth to minister in public.