Obs. 2.-Some appearance of reason (though indeed reasonless) that Herod should be stirred with the news of a new-born king, for though Christ's office never wrongs the just power of kings, yet the jealousy of it will never be out of their minds, while they are not acquainted with him; they will still think that his kingdom encroaches upon theirs, and this is the ground of their almost general enmity against him. But why were the Jews troubled, who could not but apprehend, according to the very notion of the Messiah, that if this was he, he was come for their deliverance and release from the tyranny of foreign power, yet they with Herod are troubled? The reason seems to be, they fear that trouble and war would arise by this appearing, and they might possibly foresee much in the way to the change, and, therefore, would rather have chosen to lie still under the burden of the Roman power. There is a natural prejudice in all, against the kingdom of Christ, that it brings disturbance and disquiet with it, and therefore would rather sleep in their chains, than hear of a deliverance by him.

Thus the Jews in Egypt appear to have been prejudiced against the message of their going forth, which Moses brought them. Thus a carnal heart would comply with its bondage, rather than be at any pains in the remove from it.

Obs. 3.-Was the birth of Christ subject to accompanying trouble? Thus it is in the soul, a tumult as it were, of Herod and the Jews. They that are without, viz. carnal friends, all in a rage at it; what! turn a melancholy precise fool, go mad, &c. And within, like the tumultuous multitude, all the lusts of the heart for their interest, noising to it, that it will suffer much in this change; all wonted delights cut off; much war and trouble by this new kingdom, besides many other doubts and fears that arise in this

matter.

Think it not strange to find it thus, that the soul is tost with disquiet at the birth of Christ in it, bụt

let it rather rejoice in this trouble, as a sign of that blessed birth, and that spiritual kingdom of Christ within it, which, however it occasion some present stir, it shall sweetly compense that, and compose the soul and make it happy; for the child born is the Prince of Peace, and the proper nature of his kingdom, that whereof it is made up, is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Obs. 4.-Herod's fear and anger against this news, gathers the priests and scribes together, to give clear testimony from the scriptures of that very birth which was so hateful to him, and to verify by the true designment of the place. Thus all his enemies practices still prove, in the issue, of service to him; all their stirrings againt his kingdom and glory make for it. When all is reckoned, it is found in effect that they undo themselves, and advance his end whom they oppose.

Obs. 5.-Bring me word that I may come and worship him. This is an old piece of kingcraft, (we see) older than Machiavel, to serve themselves of the shadow and mask of religion, to walk unseen in their atheism. The most of them in their wars and confederacies pretending religion, and intending the subversion of it, would seem to come to worship,. and come indeed to worry, cultum pretendit, cultrum intendit.

Obs. 6.-Though Herod and the priests both enemies, yet they concur to this testimony, and furnish it to the enquiring strangers, but went not with them, nor so much as sent any. Thus many testify, yea teach the truth of Christ in the general, yet go not to him, as signs in the way direct others, and stir not themselves; but, my brethren, think it not enough to give general assent to divine truths, for unless the heart be warmed with them, and the soul stirred up to seek interest in them, they save not, yea they more deeply condemn.

Obs. 7.-Divers readings of the evangelists and prophet's agreeing in one sense very useful. Beth

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lehem the least, yet not the least: the least of thyself, but the greatest by the birth of the great king born in thee. Thus all are raised and ennobled by Christ. The poorest persons, and things in themselves most despicable, yet through him, in themselves most excellent. The simplicity of the ordinances, the word, and sacraments, so far below the pomp the world, and gaudy false worship in outward visage, but much farther above them in inward dignity. Thus the soul of a poor simple, unlettered believer, that is the meanest and least in itself, far below the greatest persons, and great wits of the world in naturals, Jesus Christ being born in it, is not the least, but in spiritual excellency truly great, and far beyond all others void of Christ.

Obs. 8.-Christ newly born, hotly persecuted, put to flight, &c. This presage of his after condition and entertainment in the world in his own person, and still in his body, his church and saints. No sooner born in thee, but the wicked will be upon thee, seeking to kill him with persecuting malice, with scoffs and taunts at the least.

Obs. 9.-All his motion by divine direction. Thus his saints in all times, particularly in times of straits and troubles, still depending on his pointing out of every step, and safe in following that.

Further, we may observe, that they that the Father intends to bring to the Son, shall not want. means of their calling and leading to him. He will create a light in them, and cause it arise in their hearts to stir them up to enquire after him. And when they need direction and seek it, he will furnish it even where it would be least expected. If they be driven to attend it at their hands that go not to Christ themselves, even under a ministry that hath little life in it, that is formal and spiritless in itself, yet if God hath cast thy lot there, even there say, shall a soul seeking after Jesus Christ find direction and confirmation, and the word shall be made lively to it by a higher hand; and though

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they go not to Christ, yet shall they give thee his true address, and direct thee right to him, as here the scribes and priests did these enquirers. Again, observe, how God takes hold of men by suitable ways: his call does not lie wholly in the congruity of the means, but he makes it effectual, yet he carries that efficacy so sweetly, that there is not any violence at all, often in the means, that sweetness is in the particular aptness of them. These were stargazers, and he gives them notice according to their faculty by a star. Thus some are taken with some accessary qualification of a minister, baited by this to give ear and take liking to his doctrine. Thus St. Augustine confesses he was caught in hearing St. Ambrose, through delight in his eloquence, for though he looked no further, yet together with the words he loved, the things that he loved not did likewise slide in and gain upon him. Again, they undertake a long and hard journey, and resolve to go on, and missing him at Jerusalem, they enquire there concerning him, and will not leave off till they find him. A soul that hath once seen a light pointing out Christ to it, and stirring up to seek after him, will not be drove back, nor called off from going to him by any discouragements and difficulties, yea they sharpen it, and set an edge on it, and make them so much the more earnest. Others can speak of him, and lie still and not stir to go to him, as here the priests, but such a soul must have him, and will not take rest without him; will still enquire where he is, where and how I may find my Christ? A man may possibly meet with some formal minister, that knows little of Christ, and loves him less, that yet can tell such enquirer, that by believing he shall find him, and instruct him somewhat about the notion of faith, and inseparable repentance, and leaving off sin, which things he himself that directs makes no use of, hath no experience of at all, yet may his information be useful to the soul seeking Christ, and in following them it may

find him. And as it is in the first enquiry and journey to Christ, so in after seeking, upon his withdrawments, as Cant. iii. and v. though the watchmen that should direct thee, deride and mock thee; yea, though they smite and wound thee, yet if once thou hast found the sweetness of his love, or but heard his voice speaking to thy heart, and desiring it to open to him, thou will not leave off thy search day nor night, till thou hast found him, in how mean a condition and outward appearance however; thou wilt see through that, and behold him thy king, thy beloved Lord, and see him beautiful, all beauty and loveliness, and will be forced to declare him so, and to outvie all creature loves, as not worthy to be compared; yea, that their enjoyments have not near so much sweetness as the very seekings and mournings after Jesus Christ.

Fell down and worshipped him. When a soul is busy asking after Jesus Christ, if it be enquired what would you do with him? Why this is my purpose, will it say, I would worship him. I would not only be saved by him, but I would fall down aud adore him, and acknowledge him my king, and if I had any thing better than another I would offer it him. But what hast thou? Hast thou rich presents for him? Alas! no. These are called wise men, and were, it seems, rich; had rich gifts. I am a foolish and a poor creature, and I have nothing to offer. --Nothing. Hast thou a heart? Yes: a heart. I have; but, alas! there can be nothing more unfit for him, and unworthy of him; it is dark, and foul, and hard; all disorder and filthiness. Yet will thou give it him as it is, and be willing that he use and dispose of it as it pleases him? Oh! that he would accept of it, that he would take it upon any terms. Here it is, if it would fly out from this offer, I would he would lay hold of it. Oh! that it were once received by him; that it were in his hand, and then let him do with it what seems him good. Sayest thou so, then it is done; give it really and freely VOL. III. C