forth in the incommodious limits of a stable, and his companions were the beasts of the field; he was not neglected nor disregarded by the bright natives of the heavenly world. A squadron of shining cherubs was dispatched from the eternal throne, to proclaim the great event, to congratulate the wondering world on their great Deliverer's birth and proclaim the approach of the exalted Prince of peace. But this report was to be made; not to the great Sanhedrim; not to the learned doctors of the law; not to the chief priests and elders: but to a company of poor shepherds, who were watching their flocks by night, in the fields of Bethleham. The rays of heavenly glory which attended this shining train, breaking through the darkness of night, alarmed and terrified the artless swains. But one of the angels called to them from on high: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be unto all people: for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." No sooner had the angel uttered these words, than the rest of the squadron, who attended him down the skies, appeared; a flood of light illumined the whole concave of heaven, and angels songs were heard on earthly ground. "Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good will towards men," was the strain they sung. And, having ended the cœlestial concert, they vanished out of sight.Soon as the angelic host was departed, the wondering shepherds repaired to Bethleham, to seek the heavenly infant, whose birth had in this glorious manner been related. And, as the angels had declared, they found the holy child, attended only by his virgin mother,& his supposed father Joseph; the babe was wrapped in the meanest clothes, and laid in a manger. These circumstances answering so perfectly to the heavenly declaration, confirmed the affected shepherds, who, with the most ardent joy, adored the holy infant, and related to his wondering parents, what a glorious appearance they had seen, and what great things the angels had related concerning the child. The shepherds then, with exultations & joy, returned to their flocks, declaring to all men, the great things they had seen, and praising God for his condescending goodness, in this unexpected manifestation of his great designs, to persons so low and inconsiderable in the world. When the shepherds were departed, the virgin mother of the Lord of life recollected, with adoration and praise, the various concurring testimonies of the divinity of her son; and treasured them up in her heart, with full expectation of all being accomplished in him, which had been predicted by the prophets concerning the Redeemer of Israel.

When the eighth day was arrived, since the birth of the holy child, he was circumcised in conformity to the command of the law of Moses; and received the name of JESUS, according to the directions of the angel, who predicted his conception and birth.

CHRIST presented in the temple. The Adoration of the Eastern Sages. The Departure of the Holy family into Egypt. The murder of the InThe Death of Herod, and CHRIST's return to Nazareth.

nocents.

THE holy Virgin, and her pious husband Joseph, having performed all that the law required in the sacred rite of circmcision, and it being necessary, that the heavenly infant should, at the end of forty days be presented in the temple; it is reasonable to suppose, that they remained at BethleLam

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till those days were accomplished: for Jerusalem was but about six miles from Bethleham, but a much greater distance from Nazareth the place of their residence. The days of her purification being fulfilled, the virgin mother, according to the rules prescribed by law, accompanied by her husband, brought her young son to the temple: she waited in the outer court, while the two turtle doves, which, conformable to her mean condition, she had brought for her offering, where presented by the priest as an oblation to the Lord; she was then admitted into the inner court, where the priest received the blessed infant from his mother's arms, and presented him to the Lord, at the altar of burnt offering; and received the five sheckels, which the law exacted from every family, without regard to their circumstances, for the redemption of a first born son. The God whom Isreal expected, then suddenly came to his temple: and the glory of the latter house was greater than the former."

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While these sacred rights were performing, a pious and venerable old man came into the temple, whose name was Simeon : he had long waited, and earnestly prayed for the redemption of Israel; and it had been revealed to him, by the spirit of God, that before he died, he should see the exalted Messiah. Accordingly the spirit which now directed his steps to the temple, impressed on his mind a clear and strong conviction, that the infant, now presenting at the altar, was this glorious person. Full of heavenly transport, he took the holy blessed infant in his arms, and addressed the throne of that God, who had thus highly favored him, in such language as this: "Lord, now lettest now thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." It may be supposed, that these words were heard with wonder and joy, by the parents of the holy child: for it must certainly seem strange to them, that the good old man should be acquainted with the great things which concerned the heavenly infant; and they doubtless had reason to wonder how he came by the information; but turning to the virgin mother, he added, “Behold, this child is sent for the fall and rising again of many in Israel." In these remarkable words, the venerable old man prophesied the opposition which the Gospel of CHRIST should meet with in the world; and shewed that the destruction of many would be the consequence of their final unbelief and disobedience; yet, at the same time, many would rise out of that dreadful condition, into which they were fallen by their sins, by being enabled to believe in the Son of God, and apply to their souls the benefits of his great salvation. The holy prophet proceeded further to inform the mother of our Lord, that her son should be set up as a mark, at which the unbelieving and disobedient should level all the darts of their infernal fury; and that the sorrows which she would feel on that account, would be exceedingly cutting, and painful: "Yea," said he, "a sword shall pierce through thy own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." The prophecy was remarkably fulfilled, when the holy Virgin, about thirty-three years after this, stood by the cross, and, in all the bitterness of grief, beheld the sufferings of her expiring son. Various have been the conjectures concerning this good old man Simeon; but who he was, is not decided with any degree of certainty. Some have supposed him to be a priest; others have imagined he was Simeon the Just, a great person who bore an excellent character amongst the Jews; others have concluded him to be the son of Hillel, a famous doctor in the Sanhedrim. But as the evangelists are silent in these particulars, they must be left without any further inquiry.

The testimony of this great person was confirmed by that of an aged matron, named Anna, whom the evangilist calls a prophetess; and de. clares, that "she departed not from the temple, but served God, with fastings and prayers, night and day." The meaning of which is, that she had

dedicated herself to the service of God, and constantly attended on his worship in the temple. She had been married in her youth, and lived seven years with her husband: after his death, she continued in a state of widowhood, and was now far advanced in years. She came into the temple while the aged Simeon held our great Redeemer in his arms; and, filled with heavenly rapture, blessed and praised the Lord for his infinite merey, in remembering his people; and spake of the heavenly child to all themthat looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Every thing which the law required concerning the redemption and presenting the holy child, being performed, Joseph and his family returned to Galilee, and dwelt in their own city Nazareth But, it is supposed that they did not long remain there, but settling their affairs, they soon returned to Rethleham, and with the heavenly infant, dwelt there.

While the holy family dwelt at Bethleham, there came to Jerusalem, a company of eastern philosophers or wise men. There had been a tradition spread all over the eastern nations, that a great King was to be born to the Jews, who would gain the empire of the world. This tradition is supposed to have arisen from the Jews, who were scattered throughout the various nations of the East; and Zoroaster, the reformer of the Persian religion, said to be a servant to the prophet Daniel, copied into his Book several passages out of the Old Testament, and cannot be supposed to have emitted the famous prophecies concerning the kingdom of the Messiah.At the time of our Redeemer's birth, a remarkable star, or luminous appearance, was seen in those countries, which induced the learned men of those times to conclude, that this splendid luminary denoted the birth of that extraodinary person: and so fully were they satisfied that their conclusion was true, that a company of learned men actualy came to Jerusa lem on this errand. Whether they were princes, priests, or philosophers; how many there were in number; from what country they came, or how many days they arrived at Jerusalem after the birth of CHRIST, are ques tions which have puzzled the learned in all ages, but have never yet obtained a satisfactory answer. However, it is a certain matter of fact, that, "when Jesus was born in Bethleham in Judea, in the days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and we are come to worship him." The appearance of these persons, the report, and the inquiry they made, alarmed and terrified the jealous old tyrant for though by reason of his years, and. ill state of health, he could not expect long to hold the crown; he could not bear the thought of a prince being born that was destined to that high dignity. And, as it had been his constant practice to murder every one who had a greater right to the crown than himself, he soon concluded, that the young child, when found, should add to the number of those murders he had been guilty of, to rear his throne, and to support it; but he craftily concealed his wicked design, spake to the strangers fair, and summoned the Sanhedrim to answer their inquiry where the Messiah was to be born. He soon received their answer, and was informed, that Betlehem in Judea, was the place where CHRIST was to be barn: for thus is written by the prophet," And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least amongst the princes of Judah for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Isreal." The gloomy tyrant, satisfied with this reply, sent for the noble strangers; and seeming well pleased with the event, diligently inquired after every circumstance which might throw light on the affair; and sent them to Bethlehem, desiring them when they had found the child, to return to Jerusalem, and direct him to the place of his abode; and he pretended, that he would wait on him himself, and appoint him such honors as his high dignity required. The wise men received this intelligence with great satisfaction, and gladly set out for Bethlehem; when,

to their unspeakable joy, they saw, going before them, the same luminous appearance which they had seen in their own country: this glorious star stopped at Bethlehem, and stood directly over the house where the heavenly infant was, Thus directed by divine wisdom and power, they approached the sacred babe with adoration and joy, and having fallen down and worshipped him, they presented their offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But when they departed, they returned not to Jerusalem, but went to their own country another way; for the Lord had warned them, in a dream, not to return to Herod with the information he desired.

Here may be observed the particular care of Divine Providence, in the preservation of the holy child; for Herod, who was one of the most crafty tyrants that ever existed, did not act in this case with his usual circumspection. He had no other notion of the Messiah, but that of his setting up a temporal kingdom, and supposed that this child would drive both himself and his family from the throne; and on this account he had resolved to put the infant to death. But is it not strange that he should not have went himself or sent some of his officers, or spies along with the wise men, and prevented the escape of his destined prey? The character and conduct of Herod in almost every case, is contrary to this: but the great Governor of the universe, when he pleases can cast confusion on the councils of princes, and preserve the innocent from their wicked designs.

We are not to suppose, that the satisfying the curiosity of these noble atrangers, was the only end which Providence had in view, when it directed them, in this extraordinary manner, to the place of our Redeemer's birth, and inspired them with such sentiments concerning him. Several great and important ends, were answered by this visit; it shewed to succeeding generations, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that there was an expectation, among the heathen nations, that a great king would at this time appear amongst the Jews; and it is manifest from hence, that there were prophecies amongst the Gentiles, which inspired them with a constant hope, that some great things would be done for mankind by this exalted person. And it is supposed, that these great men, when they returned to their own country, published abroad through various nations, the tidings of what they had seen: and filling the world with the expec. tations of the kingdom of the Messiah, prepared the various nations for the reception of his glorious gospel. Thus, while the Jews continued in the blindness of obstinacy and unbelief, vast multitudes of the Heathens received the gospel, rejoiced in the truth, and dwelt under the benign influence of the great Sun of Righteousness. It may further be noted, that the coming of these philosophers to Jerusalem at this time, on such an errand, produced the determination of the Jewish council, that it was the Janguage of the prophets, that Bethlehem was destined by heaven to be the place of our Redeemer's birth. And it may further be observed, that the seasonable presents made to the holy family, by these beneficent and learned strangers, enabled the good man to support his family in Egypt, where they soon after this were sent by divine direction, to escape the murdering fury of that execrable tyrant Herod.

The wise men being departed to their own country, "the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Joseph immediately obeyed the divine command, and, for the greater security set out from Bethlehem in the night and taking a journey of near two hundred miles, he settled with his family in Egyyt, and there he remained till the tyrant was dead. Herod, in the mean time, having waited for the return of the wise men in vain, and knowing he was hated by the Jews, was so

jealous, discontented, and wicked, that he mistrusted every body of plotting against him; and perhaps, concluding that the Jews might conceal this child till a proper opportunity should offer for them to bring him forth, was full of rage, and, actuated by the most infernal cruelty, sent his soldiers to Bethlehem, and the adjacent country, with orders to kill all the young children that were under two years old. The troops too punctually executed the orders of the detested tyrant; and it is asserted by historians, that fourteen thousand young children fell in this bloody massacre, and Judah's streams ran infant blood. The horrid cruelty of this transaction is such, that it is almost sufficient to stagger our belief. But if we consider the conduct and character of the man, that he was grown old in murder and cruelty; that he reared his throne in blood; that he was guilty of the most horrid murders to support it; and, at this very time, was most deplorably miserable by quarrels in his family, and was constantly apprehensive of plots against his life; if we consider, that he had no friend he could trust, but was jealous of all about him, and thought his own sons conspired to poison him; but we shall not wonder at any degrees of wickedness, which such a man, in such a situation, might be capable of committing. But this horrid scene, as it might be expected, was soon followed by peculiar and distinguished vengeance, which burst on the impious tyrant, and laid him low in death. In the utmost agonies of mind, and the acutest torments of body, he soon after this expired. He ordered the execution of his own son but five days before his death, and he commanded all the nobility of the Jewish nation to be put to death as soon as it was known that he ceased to breathe. But the persons to whom he trust, ed to execute this last order, not being so wicked as himself, the noble prisoners were set at liberty.

This affecting and terrible slaughter of the innocents, is pathetically described by the evangelist, in referring to a passage in the prophet Jeremiah. "Then 'was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 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 were not.

Some time after the tyrant was dead, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in Egypt, in a dream, and commanded him to take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: at the same time informing him, that they were dead who sought the young child's life.The good man, without hesitation, obeyed the heavenly vision, and returning to his native country, designed to have settled in Judea, probably at Bethlehem. But when he heard that Archelaus, the son of Herod, suc ceeded his father in Judea, and he being a prince of a cruel disposition, Joseph judged it imprudent to settle in his dominions; and hearing that Antipas, another of Herod's sons, but more mild & peaceable in his temper, was governor of Gallilee, he by divine direction, went thither, and took up his abode at Nazareth, the former place of his residence," that it might be fulfilled," the evangelists inform us, "which was spoken by the prophet, He shall be called a Nazarene.”

The adversaries of our religion have not neglected to remark, that there is no such prophecy as is here referred to; but very probably, it might be in some prophecy which is not transmitted to us or, if the very words are not to be found, the thing intended is the frequent language of the prophets; for, whenever CHRIST is mentioned in the gospels, as called a Nazarene, it is always looked upon as a term of reproach; & how applica ble this is to the language of the prophet Isaiah, "He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”