ragement, to send the Gospel into the East, the country of the Magi?

And let the pains which these wise men took in their search for the infant Jesus, admonish us to use all diligence in our endeavours to become acquainted with him and his great salvation. Let us consider, too, how sad is our case, if, while the Gospel is brought to our very door, and Jesus Christ is evidently set forth among us, not only as born into the world, but as crucified for us and risen again, we are yet careless and indifferent concerning his blessed person and his most glorious work! The wise men undertook a long journey in order to see the newly-born King of the Jews. "Oh how will their coming so far as from the east to seek Christ rise up another day in judgment against us, if we refuse to be found by Christ, who came from heaven to save us!" "Those who truly desire to know Christ, and to find him, will not regard pains or perils in seeking after him."

Theophilus. I observe, Sir, that the wise men, on their arrival at Jerusalem, spoke of the birth of some illustrious prince in terms which seem to indicate that the subject was quite familiar to their own minds, as well as a matter of general expectation among the Jews.

Reader. We cannot be surprised to find that the birth of the Messiah, the King of the Jews, was expected about that time by the Jews themselves, when we consider how clearly the period of his appearance in the world had been determined by the voice of prophecy. The question

proposed to John the Baptist (Luke iii. 15), and the frequent appearance of false Christs (see Matt. xxiv. 5) about the time of our Saviour's first coming, are striking indications of the fact. It is remarkable also that a certain undefined expectation of the appearance of some illustrious personage, who should assume universal empire, was very prevalent in other Eastern countries at this period. Perhaps the Jews, who were scattered in various parts of the world, had given rise to this expectation, by declaring, to a certain extent, the signification of their prophecies. But be this as it may, it is plain that an opinion on this subject had become very common, especially in the East. I will read to you some remarkable extracts from two Roman historians, which affect this point. The first is from Suetonius, in his Life of Vespasian.-"An ancient and settled persuasion had become very prevalent throughout the East, that it had been decreed by the fates that some should go forth from Judea and obtain universal empire." The other passage, of like import, is from the fifth book of the History of Tacitus. Many were persuaded that it was contained in the ancient books of the priests, that, at that very period of time, the East would prevail; and that some should go forth from Judea, and obtain universal empire." The historians, ignorant alike of the origin of such an expectation, and of its real fulfilment, applied it to the dominion of the Roman emperors. But their testimony is, on this very account, the more important. Per

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haps some of you may remember that the poet Virgil, in one of his Eclogues, alludes to the expected birth of some illustrious progeny from heaven, in terms very much like those employed by the inspired prophet Isaiah relating to the kingdom of Messiah.

Much could be said respecting these passages in ancient authors, which would not serve our present purpose. They possess an historical value, and may tend to the confirmation of the truth. At present, it may be enough for us to remember, with devout thankfulness, that God has been pleased to favour us with abundant evidence in support of religion; and to charge ourselves, in humble dependence on divine grace, to make a good use of the benefit thus conferred upon us, by meekly submitting to the sceptre of that King of Righteousness and Prince of Peace, concerning whom we have received full and sufficient information. Oh, may he reign in our hearts, and may every thought and desire be brought into a willing subjection to his most righteous and most beneficial sway!

Mary. What kind of star may we suppose it to have been which the wise men saw?

Reader. Perhaps this is one of the many cases in which it is our wisdom not to suppose anything at all. We know that the Magi saw something which had the appearance of a star, but we know nothing more. Some have conjectured that it was a meteor, moving at no great height from the surface of the earth; others, that

it was a constellation, or peculiar conjunction of the planets; others have even fancied that it was a comet; while others, again, have supposed that it was the same light as that which shone round about the shepherds of Bethlehem; and the reveries of some of the fathers (as they are called) | have proclaimed it to have been an angel! All that we can know, however, amounts to this; that the wise men saw an extraordinary luminary, probably in the western part of the heavens, which was made the means of conducting them to the birth-place of Christ. This is the largest paraphrase which we can give to the words, "We, in the east, have seen his star."-Repeat that remarkable prophecy in which the Messiah himself is spoken of under the figure of

a star.

Mary. It is the prophecy which was uttered by Balaam. "There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Seth." Numb. xxiv. 17.

Reader. Whether or not the remembrance of this prophecy had been preserved in the East, and may have been alluded to by the wise men, we cannot say. Nor do we know with what degree of certainty, or in what manner, they were assured of the significancy of the star which they discovered. Either these Magi, of their own accord, interpreted the appearance of the star as an announcement of the birth of the great Deliverer; or else God vouchsafed to give them instructions by

immediate revelation, or in some miraculous manner, as he did afterwards with reference to their return to their own country. But one thing at least we know, and this ought to be a subject of serious reflection; namely, that we have been blessed with a guide to Christ, more glorious in character, and more distinct in its announcement, than that which the wise men saw. We have the holy Scriptures, and they testify of Him. Let us follow their guidance, in humility and faith; and we shall find that they will lead us into the palace and the presence-chamber of the King of kings. "Thy word is a light unto my feet, and a lamp unto my path."

The wise men said, "We have seen his star, and we are come to worship him," ie. to do him homage, as the great and illustrious prince whose birth was expected. It is probable that they did not know his real character, and had little idea how worthy he is of supreme honour, of worship in the strict sense of the expression. But we know this. "When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Heb. i. 6. Those who have been truly led to Christ by that bright star, the word of revelation, will fall down and worship him in spirit and in truth; they will say to him practically, by the surrender of their hearts, and the obedience of their lives, My Lord, and my God! "Have we seen Christ's star?" says a pious writer on this passage, "let us study to do him honour!"

Theophilus. I fear that we must attribute it to his wicked heart and guilty conscience. He knew how justly he was disliked on account of his cruel and tyrannical conduct; and he dreaded the consequences of his crimes, whenever any one should arise to make head against him.

Reader. And, in another point of view, we may trace this disquietude to false apprehensions, and a mistaken opinion concerning the nature of the Messiah's kingdom. Here we discover two great sources of uneasiness, which have caused perplexity to many men. A guilty conscience, that is the worst tormentor; and a set of mistaken opinions, or foolish prejudices, is another, capable of inflicting much misery and pain. Let us cultivate a conscience void of offence; and aim also at a right understanding, a sober, wellinformed judgment, as a subsidiary and concurrent source of comfort. A right judgment in all things, how great a blessing! What a happy preservative against vain hopes and distressing fears! And how needful to each of ourselves, in these days especially, assaulted as we are by infidelity on the one hand, and by superstition, fanaticism, and false pretensions of various kinds on the other! Let us, therefore, without ceasing, study the Scriptures and pray to God.

We may observe, also, that Herod's mistaken notions concerning the na

ture of Messiah's kingdom were not only a source of anxiety to himself, but became, also, the occasion of his animosity against the infant. And hence we are reminded that "the greatest enmities, and the bitterest animosities, have arisen from causeless fears and groundless jealousies." It is only the reign of perfect truth that will be the reign of perfect peace. Blest Prince of Peace, thy kingdom come!

It is a melancholy picture which this verse brings before us. "Christ, who was the angel's song, the wise men's joy, and Israel's consolation, becomes Herod's fear and Jerusalem's terror." Yes; all Jerusalem was troubled together with guilty Herod. This must have proceeded from gross ignorance, to say the least. The wise men found the Jews, the professors of the true religion, uninformed on a point concerning which they ought to have been well instructed, and uneasy at the mention of one whose name ought to have been a cause of thankfulness and rejoicing! And, alas! how many nominal Christians are equally ignorant of the Saviour, and equally offended at him! Satan in the soul, like Herod on the throne, hates and is troubled at the name of Christ; and the poor slaves of Satan, like the Jews in the days of Herod, are unprepared to give a welcome to their glorious Deliverer. Ignorance

of the true nature of Christ and his office, and a willing subjection to the tyranny of sin,-what impediments are these to that cheerful reception of the Saviour, wherein alone

6 "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, ‘that shall "rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

tive concerning the visit of the wise men to the infant Saviour; and in it we find many particulars which may well arrest our attention, and afford subject for profitable reflection. Perhaps we may do well to review the whole passage, verse by verse.Does any question arise out of the fourth verse, which stands first in the portion that has now been read?

Theophilus. I have been request

lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

e2 Chron. xxxvi. 14. f2 Chron. xxxiv. 13. 1 Mac. v. 42, & vii. 12. g Mal. ii. 7.-h Mic. v. 2. John vii. 42. i Rev. ii. 27. Or, feed.

Reader. In these verses, the place which was honoured as the scene of our Lord's nativity is brought very strikingly before our notice.

We

are conducted, in thought, to Bethlehem; and, if we rightly consider the great event by which that town was distinguished, we shall be able to say, in the words of an honoured disciple of old, "Master, it is good for us to be here!" In this passage we have also a continuation of the narra

mentioned in this verse? We read

in the Old Testament of one High Priest, who was distinguished from all other priests, but it does not appear so clearly what priest, besides this High Priest, could lay any claim to the title of chief.

Reader. But you do read of chief priests in the Old Testament, do you not? Turn, for example, to 2 Chron. xxxvi. 14.

Theophilus. "Moreover, all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after the abominations of the heathen, and

polluted the house of the Lord which he had hallowed in Jerusalem." Reader. And find menyou may tion of the chief of the priests in other parts of the Old Testament; for instance, in 1 Chron. xxiv. 6; Ezra, viii. 24; Nehem. xii. 7.-By "chief priests" in the New Testament we are to understand not only the High Priest for the time being, and others who had served that office, but also the heads of the twenty-four orders or classes into which the priests were divided in the time of David. These heads of the sacerdotal families, as such, were members of the Sanhe

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