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26. GALILEE, revolution, circuit, or heap.' Kedesh in Galilee appointed a city of refuge:-Jos. xx. 7; xxi. 32.

Solomon gave to Hiram twenty cities in Galilee:-1 Ki. ix. 11, (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.'

is invaded by the king of Assyria:-2 Ki. xv. 29, In the days of Pekah king of Israel came Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and took Ijon, and Abel-beth-maachah, and Janoah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Gilead, and Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and carried them captive to Assyria.'

prediction respecting the people who sat in darkness there:-Is. ix. 1, 2-see ch. ix. p. (14).

Jesus made many circuits around Galilee, and thence chiefly chose his first witnesses-See Sect. 18, 30, .8, 61-70. the word began from Galilee:-Ac. x. 37, That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.'

NAZARETH, kept, or preserved.'-See Scripture Illustrations,' page opposite.

Jesus was subject to his parents there:-Lu. ii. 51,.2, § 6, p. 42. 51, 'And he went down with them,' &c. where he had been brought up :-Lu. iv. 16, § 15, p. 102. after having been preserved, as being taken into Egpyt: -Mt. ii. 13-23, § 5, pp. 34, .5.

remarkably preserved in Nazareth:-Lu. iv. 28-30, § 15, p. 105. 28, And all they in the synagogue,' &c. 27. MARY, bitterness, or my myrrh, or of the sea.' Marah:-Ex. xv. 23-6. 23, And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24, And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25, And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26, and said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.' Mara:-Ruth i. 20, And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.'

enmity between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent:-Ge. iii. 15, And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.' Mary sorely tried as to character:-Mt. i. 18-20, § 2, p. 13. 18, Now the birth of Jesus Christ was,' &c. privations-Lu. ii. 7, § 4, p. 20, And she brought,' &c. a fugitive into Egypt:-Mt. ii. 14-22, § 5, pp. 34, .5. forewarned of affliction:-Lu. ii. 34, .5, § 4, p. 26. yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.' Jesus lightly esteemed as being her son:-Mk. vi. 3, § 37, Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.'

35,

Jesus upon the cross:-Jno. xix. 26, § 91, When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!'

28. THE LORD IS WITH THEE.

the true ground of confidence :-Examples: Gideon,' Ju. vi. 12, And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.'

Israel, as new created, and called by the Lord's name: -Is. xliii. 1, 'But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2, When thou... I will be with thee.' Paul:-Ac. xviii. 9, 10. 9, Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: 10, for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.'-xxiii. 11, And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.'

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palace and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6, Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.' these had reason to be troubled, but the prophet himself was so:-Da. vii. 15, I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.'-x. 3, I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.'

Cornelius:-Ac. x. 3, 4. 3, He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4, And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.' 31. CONCEIVE.

prediction:-Is. vii. 14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.' fulfilment :-Mt. i. 23, § 2, p. 14, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a sou, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.'-Lu. ii. 7, § 4, p. 20. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.'-Ga. iv. 4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.'

JESUS.

the Lord the Saviour:-Is. xliii. 11, I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.'-Zep. iii. 17, The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.'-Mt. i. 25, § 2, p. 14, And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.'-Lu. ii. 11, 21, § 4, pp. 21, 2. 11, For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' 21, 'And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.'

saves his people from their sins:-Mt. i. 21, p. 13, And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.'

from the present evil world:-Ga. i. 4, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.'

47,

from the wrath to come:-1 Th. i. 10, And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." his salvation exemplified:-Lu. vii. 47-50, § 29 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48, And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49, And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50, And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.'

PSALM XIX. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night 3 sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, 4 where their voice is not heard. Their line [or, their rule, or direction] is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them 5 hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and re5 joiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going

forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from 7 the heat thereof. The law [or, doctrine] of the LORD is perfect, converting [or, restoring] the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the 8 simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is 9 pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the 10 LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in 12 keeping of them there is great reward. Who can

understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret 13 faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from 14 the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength [Heb. my rock], and my redeemer.

CHRIST LOVES HIS PEOPLE WHEN IN THEIR RAGS AS WELL AS IN THEIR PROSPERITY.

SECTION 2.-THE BIRTH OF JESUS FORETOLD.-MARY VISITS ELISABETH, AND RETURNS HOME. Luke i. 26-56.

26

(G. 1.) The Birth of Jesus foretold. Luke i. 26-38. At Nazareth.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was-sent from God unto a-city of Galilee," 27 named Nazareth, to a-virgin espoused to-a-man whose name was Joseph, of the28 house of-David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came-in unto her, and-said, Hail, thou that art highly-favoured, κεχαριτωμένη the Lord is with 29 thee: blessed art thou among women. And when-she-saw him, she-was-troubled at his saying, and cast-in-her-mindƒ dieλoyiČeтo what-manner-of salutation this should-be. 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 shalt-call MARGINAL READINGS:- Circuit or revolution. b Branch or slip preserved. He (the Lord) shall add, or give increase. d Beloved. Given great cause of joy. Reasoned or debated. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

30

character, Mt. i. 18-20, § 2-privations, Lu. ii. 7. § 4 -a fugitive, Mt. ii. 14-22, §3-forewarned of affliction, Lu. ii. 34, .5, § 4-Jesus lightly esteemed as being her son, Mk. vi. 3, § 37-Jesus upon the cross said to her, 'Woman, behold thy son,' Jno. xix. 26, § 91. 28. the Lord is with thee the true ground of confidence: examples, Gideon, Ju. vi. 12-Israel, as new created, and called by the Lord's name, Is. xliii. 1-Paul, Ac. xviii. 9, 10; xxiii. 11.

26. Galilee-revolution, circuit, or heap,' Jos. xx. 7; xxi. 32-Solomon gave to Hiram 20 cities in Galilee, 1 Ki. ix. 11-the king of Assyria took Galilee, 2 Ki. xv. 29-prediction respecting it, Is. ix. 1, 2Jesus made many circuits around Galilee, in raising up that heap of witness, which is contained in the gospels, 18, (first circuit); § 30, (second circ.); § 38, (third circ.)-the word began from Galilee, Ac. x. 37. Nazareth-kept or preserved.' The word signifies a valuable young stem or shoot; hedged around, 29. troubled-Nebuchadnezzar, Da. ii. 3; iv. 4-18 or defended, from destroying animals. The place -Belshazzar, v. 6-these had reason to be troubled; where the Rod out of the stem of Jesse (Is. xi. 1) but the prophet himself was so, Da. vii. 15; x. 3was brought up, Lu. iv. 16, § 15-after having been Cornelius, Ac. x. 3, 4. preserved, as being taken into Egypt, Mt. ii. 13-23, $5-remarkably preserved in Nazareth, Lu. iv. 28-30,5, p. 14; Lu. ii. 7, § 4; Ga. iv. 4. 31. conceive-prediction, Is. vii. 14-fulfil. Mt. i. 22 § 15.-See Nazarene, § 5. Jesus the Lord the Saviour,' Is. xliii. 11; Zep. iii. 17; Mt. i. 25, p. 14: Lu. ii. 11, 21. § 4-saves his people from their sins, Mt. i. 21, p. 13-from the present evil world, Ga. i. 4-from the wrath to come, 1 Th. i. 10-His salvation exemplified, Lu. vii. 47-50, § 29. NOTES.

27. Mary-bitterness, or my myrrh, or of the sea'-Marah, Ex. xv. 23-6-Mara, Ru. i. 20-enmity predicted between the seed of the woman and that of the serpent, Ge. iii. 15-Mary sorely tried, as to

26. Angel, or messenger, is the common name given to those spiritual and intelligent beings, by whom God partly executeth his providential work, and who are most ready and active in his service. They were created with eminent wisdom, holiness, and purity, and placed in a most happy and honourable estate; but capable of change. Their knowledge is great, but not infinite: they desire to look into the mystery of our salvation, and learn from the church the manifold wisdom of God. Nor can they search the hearts of men, nor know future things, but as particularly instructed of God. Mt. xxiv. 36, § 86, But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Nor do we understand their manner of knowing things corporeal and visible; nor the manner of their impressing bodies, or their method of communicating among themselves. Their power, too, is very extensive; but reaches to nothing strictly called miraculous. Their number is very great, amounting to a vast many millions: Ps. lxviii. 17, The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels. Mt. xxvi. 53, §88, Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?' Rev. v. 11, And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands.' And their names, of archangels, thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers, suggest an order among them, though of what kind we know not. Col. i. 16, For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him.'

Gabriel. A noted angel of God.

[He forwarded the ruin of Persia. Da. x. 13, 20. He explained to Daniel his visions of the four beasts, of the ram and goat; he declared the time of our Saviour's appearance on earth, and his death, and the fearful consequents thereof to the Jewish nation. He informed him of the ruin of the Persian empire; of the wars between the Grecian kings of Egypt and Syria; of the distress of the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes; of the rise and fall of Anti-Christ; and of the present adversity, and future restoration of Israel, Da. vii.-xii.]

27. To a virgin espoused.-See Mt. i. 18, p. 13. Matthew informs us of the subsequent appearance of the angel to Joseph; Luke, of the previous annunciation to Mary.

long expected Messiah: the mother of the Redeemer 28. Highly favoured. As the mother of the of mankind. To be reckoned among his ancestors, was accounted sufficient honour for even Abraham and David. But now on Mary, a poor virgin of Nazareth, was to come this honour of giving birth to the world's Redeemer-the Son of God.

Blessed art thou. A form of salutation denoting kindness, but not necessarily implying reverence; the happiest, most fortunate, art thou of women. 30. Found favour with God. God hath chosen. thee before all others.

31. JESUS. The Lord and Saviour of mankind. He is called JESUS because, by his righteousness, power, and Spirit, he is qualified to save, to the and appointed of God for that end, and freely given uttermost, them that come unto God through him, in the offer of the gospel. Isa. lxi. 1, 2, 3, The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,' &c. Mt. i. 21, p. 13, He is the eternal Son of God, equal with his adored Father in every unbounded perfection.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

26-9 ver. It becomes us, not only with reverence to listen to the Lord's messenger, but, with Mary, earnestly to inquire into the import of the message which is brought unto us; those who so listen and inquire will find it a message of joy and peace, however it may at first excite alarm in the poor in spirit.

[27 ver. The woman's own name, as having come under the curse, was Mary, bitterness, but, as the waters of Marah were sweetened by the tree cast into them, so was there sweetness to the troubled spirit of

Mary, and so there is to that of every repentant sinner who receives the message respecting the Rod out of the stem of Jesse; to such are the words, Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God.'See Ex. xv. 22-7.]

[31 ver. How wonderful that Jesus, the Lord, the Saviour, should condescend to become the seed of the woman! And how marvellous the grace, that we should have the privilege of having Christ formed in us, the hope of glory!' Ga. iv. 19; Col. i. 27.]

THE CLOTH OF HUMILITY SHOULD BE WORN ON THE BACK OF THE SAINTS.

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BLESSED ARE ALL THEY THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.-Psalm ii. 12.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IS TO BE MAGNIFIED, WHEN

32 his name Jesus." He shall-be great, and shall-be-called the-Son of-the-Highest: and 33 the-Lord God Kupios ó eos shall-give unto-him the throne of his father David: and he-shall-reign over en the house of Jacob for everd Els TOUS alwras; and of-his 34 kingdom there-shall-be no end. OUR EσTAL TEλOS. Then said Mary unto the angel, 35 How shall-this-be, seeing I-know not a-man? And the angel answered and-said unto-her, The-Holy Ghost shall-come upon thee, and the-power of-the-Highest shallovershadow thee: therefore also that holy-thing which-shall-be-born of thee shall-be36 called the-Son of-God. 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. MARGINAL READINGS: a The Lord shall save. b Lord the God. Heeler or supplanter. d Unto the ages. e Shall not be an end. Sterile. SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

32. great, &c.-predicted, Mi. v. 2, 4; Ps. lxxxix. 27; Is. ix. 6, 7; xii. 6-confirmation, Ph. ii. 9-11; He. i. 3-6; Mt. iii. 17, § 8-confessed by devils, Mk. i. 24, § 17; v. 7, § 35.

throne of his father David Jerusalem, 2 Sa. v. 6-10-prediction, vii. 12-.6-shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD,' Je. iii. 17, see Notes, infra -confirm., Mt. xix. 28, §75; xxi. 5, § 82-Christ is now on the throne of his Father in heaven, Rev. iii. 21. father David prediction, 2 Sa. vii. 11-29; Ps. lxxxix. 35, .6; cxxxii. 11; Je. xxiii. 5, 6-recognition, Mt. i. 1, § 4; xxi. 9, § 82-David's Lord, as well as David's son, Mt. xxii. 41-.5, § 85.

33. reign-prediction, my servant David their Prince for ever,' Eze. xxxvii. 25-the Lord, Ps. cxlvi. 10; Mi. iv. 2; v. 2-confirm., 2 Ti. ii. 11, .2; Re. xi. 15; xx. 4, 6.

no end-prediction, Is. ix. 7: Da. ii. 44; vii. 13, .4, 27-confirm., He. i. 8; Re. xi. 15; xxii. 5.

35. Son of God-His name, a subject of inquiry for the wise, Pr. xxx. 4-prediction, Ps. ii.; lxxxix.

26-confirmation, Ac. iv. 24-31; Col. i. 12-9-with his servants in the fire, Da. iii. 25-acknowledged of the Father, Mt. iii. 17, §8; xvii. 5, §51-questioned by the tempter, Mt. iv. 3, 6, § 9-confessed by devils, Lu. iv. 41. § 17; Mk. iii. 11, § 26, see great,' aboveJesus declared himself to be the Son of God, Jno. iii. 16, .7, § 12; v. 25, § 23: ix. 35-.7, § 55; x. 36, § 56; xi. 4, $58; xvii. 1, §87-His accusation, Jno. xix. 7, $90; Lu. xxii. 70, § 89; Mt. xxvii. 43, § 91-witnessed by the Baptist, Jno. i. 34, § 10-by Nathanael, ver. 49, 10-by the centurion, Mt. xxvii. 51, § 92-the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mk. i. 1, § 7-by the apostles, Ac. ix. 20; xiii. 32, .3; Ro. i. 4; v. 10; Ga. iv. 4; 1 Jno. i. 7; iv. 10, .5; v. 5, 20-for what purpose, Jno. iii. 16, .8, § 12; xx. 31, § 100-His manifestation in power, Re. ii. 18, 27-compare Ps. ii. 7-9.

37. with God nothing shall be impossible - said Job, xlii. 2-by Nebuchadnezzar, Da. iv. 35-by and to Abraham, Ge. xviii. 14-to Moses, Nu. xi. 23-by to the prophet Jeremiah, xxxii. 17-27-by Jesus, Mt. xix. 26, § 75-the power to be had in Christ, 2 Co. xii. 9, 10; Ph. iv. 13.

NOTES.

32. He shall be great. Illustrious.-See Is. ix. 6, 7, 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is,' &c. [Great in power and authority, in glory and fame, in office and administration, when he shall reign.' Great in his person, as God and man united;' in his Prophetic office, mighty in word and deed,' doctrine and miracles; in his Priesthood, establishing upon its merit a constant and universal intercession.]

The Son of the Highest: that is, of God; one of whose names is the Most High. The Highest' often stands as a title of God. The Son of God,' in a sense in which no creature can be. The Son of God,' in his higher and Divine nature.

Throne of his father David. David is called his father, because Jesus was lineally descended from him. -See Mt. i. 1, § 4. The promise to David was, that there should not fail a man to sit on his throne, 1 Ki. viii. 25. David had reigned over all Israel-the Jews rejected his rightful heir when he appeared among men. But, by the foundation being laid in Zion, at the time of Christ's first coming to suffer, the purpose of God was not frustrated, but rather infallibly secured. To Christ not only belongs the kingdom, or throne of the house of Judah, he was appointed to reign over the house of all Israel,' few belonging to which were then in the land, and in whose empty heritages the Jews, such as Joseph and Mary, were then dwelling. Until the kingdom shall come, when Israel will ac knowledge their King, and submit to his righteous government, permanent peace cannot be expected. PRACTICAL

32 ver. Not Herod, who had usurped the throne of David, was recognised as 'great' by God, but he whose right it is, although the child of a poor inhabitant of despised Nazareth. Let us patiently wait upon Him who, however we may be tried, forgetteth not the cause of the poor and needy.-Jesus was properly the Son of the Highest; but behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us poor sinners, that we, accepted in that Son, should be called the sons of God!

[Although, by men, Jesus was denied, with cruelty and scorn, the throne of his father David; yet was it given to him by the Lord God, as a place in which should be displayed his truth as a prophet, and his awful justice as a king, seeing it refused to come uuder the blessing of his priesthood.]

10]

[The promise seems to be that he would not only have the throne of David, which, latterly, was more connected with the house of Judah, but that he would reign over the house of Jacob, which had separated from the house of Judah; had been subsequently taken away by the Assyrians, (see 2 Ki. xv. 27-.9; xvii. 6-23); and was to appearance lost.] Of his kingdom there shall be no end. His is the kingdom predicted by the prophets, as by Da. ii. 44, [And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.'-vii. 27, And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.']

35. The power of the highest, &c. This evidently means that the body of Jesus should be created by the direct power of God.

Shall be called the Son of God. Rom. i. 4, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.'-Ac. xiii. 33-compare with Ps. ii. 7.- See above, in Scrip. Illustra. ;' and see' Jesus,' p. 9.

38. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. This expresses prompt obedience.-See Ac. ix. 10; He. x. 7. REFLECTIONS.

33 ver. However we may refuse allegiance to the King of Israel, there is no time in which entire submission to him is not due: and the Father will vindicate the Son's right to reign throughout all ages, even unto the dispensation of the fulness of times: and thenceforth shall his dominion be for ever: of his kingdom there shall be no end.'

34 ver. Whilst we avoid the unbelief of Zacharias, as asking, whereby we shall know that God will believing solicitude as to how the will of God is to accomplish his word? let us, with Mary, exercise

be done.

37, .8 ver. God is omnipotent; and we do well, like Mary, to resign ourselves willingly into his hands, who can do for his people marvellous things.

I DELIGHT TO DO THY WILL, O MY GOD.-Psalm xl. 8.

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRISTIANS IS NOT TO BE MENTIONED.

32. GREAT, &c.

predicted:-Mi. v. 2, 4. 2, 'But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.' 4, And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.'Ps. lxxxix. 27,Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.'-Is. ix. 6, 7-seeing: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with p. (14).-xii. 6, Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee."

confirmation:-Ph. ii. 9-11-see p. (36), Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,' &c.-He. i. 3-6. 3, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4, being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5, For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6, And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.'-Mt. iii. 17, § 8, p. 59.

confessed by devils:-Mk. i. 24, § 17, p. 110; v. 7, § 35. THRONE OF HIS FATHER DAVID.

the Lord:-Ps. cxlvi. 10, The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.-Mi. iv. 2, And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.'-v. 2, But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though,' &c.- See ver. 32, under Great,' predicted.' confirmation:-2 Ti. ii. 11, .2. 11, It is a faithful sayhim: 12, if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.'-Rev. xi. 15, And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.'-xx. 4,6. 4, 'And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.' 6, Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.' NO END.

Is. ix. 7-see p. (14), Of the increase of his government,' &c.-Da. ii. 44,And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.'-vii. 13, .4, 27-see ch. vii. p. (37). 13, I saw in the night visions,' &c.

35. SON OF GOD.

all Israel:-2 Sa. v. 4-10. 4, David was thirty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned forty years. 5. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. 6... 7, David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David. confirmation:-He. i. 8, But unto the Son he saith, 8, And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.'-Rev. xi. 15 the blind, that are hated of David's soul, he shall be chief-see above, under confirmation.-xxii. 5, And there and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither lame shall not come into the house. 9, So David dwelt in light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built and they shall reign for ever and ever.' round about from Millo and inward. 10, And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.'-vii. 12-6. 12, 'And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13, He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14, I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15, but my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16, And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.'-See in § 90.

shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord:-Je. iii. 17, At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart" -See NOTES infra; and for ch. iii. see p. (39).

confirmation:-Mt. xix. 28, § 75, Ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son,' &c.-xxi. 5, § 82, Tell ye the daughter of Zion,' &c.

Christ is now on the throne, &c.:-Rev. iii. 21, 'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne,' &c.

FATHER DAVID.

prediction:-2 Sa. vii. 11-29; Ps. lxxxix. 35, .6. 35, 'Ouce have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36, His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.'-cxxxii. 11, The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.'Je. xxiii 5, 6. 5, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6, In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.'

recognition:-Mt. i. 1, § 4, p. 23, The book of the generation,' &c.-Mt. xxi. 9, § 82, The multitudes... cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David,' &c.

David's Lord, as well as David's son:-Mt. xxii. 41-.5, $85, Jesus asked them... What think ye of Christ?' &c. 33. REIGN.

prediction:-Eze. xxxvii. 25, And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.'-See ch. xxxvii. p. (30).

his name a subject of inquiry for the wise:-Pr. xxx. 4, Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

prediction:-Ps. ii.-see p. (7), and lxxxix. 26, He shall cry unto me. Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

confirmation:-Ac. iv. 24-31-see p. (35).—Col. i. 12-.9 -see p. (7).

with his servants in the fire:-Da. iii. 25, He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.'

acknowledged of the Father:-see 'Scripture Illustrations,' page opposite.

by the apostles:-Ac. ix. 20, And straightway_he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.'-xiii. 32, .3. 32, And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.'-Rom. i. 4, And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.'-v. 10, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.'-Ga. iv. 4, But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.'-1 Jno. i. 7, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.'-iv. 10, .5 -see p. (56).-v. 5, 20. 5, Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?' 20, 'And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.' for what purpose:-Juo. iii. 16, .8, § 12, p. 86; xx. 31, § 100. his manifestation in power:-Rev. ii. 18, 27. 18, And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass.' 27, ' And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.'

compare:-Ps. ii. 7-9-see p. (7), I will declare,' &c. [For 'Scripture Illustrations,' ver. 37, see p. (11).J

[Continued from page (10).]

37. WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE. said to Abraham:-Ge. xviii. 14, Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have

a son.'

to Moses-Nu. xi. 23, 'Is the LORD's hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.'

by Job:-ch. xlii. 2, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.' by Nebuchadnezzar :-Da. iv. 35, And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?'

by and to the prophet Jeremiah:-Jer. xxxii. 17-27see p. (67). 17. Ah Lord Gop! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power,' &c.

by Jesus:-Mt. xix. 26, § 75, With men this is,' &c. the power to be had in Christ:-2 Co. xii. 9, 10. 9, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10, Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.'-Ph. iv. 13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.'

39. HILL COUNTRY.

where the children of Aaron had portions:-Jos. xxi. 4, 19. 42. BLESSED.

those that trust in the Son:-Ps. ii. 12-see p. (7). they that hear the word, &c. :-Lu. xi. 27, .8, § 62. John the Baptist :-Mt. xi. 6, § 29, And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.'

this truth declared to Thomas :-Jno. xx. 29, § 95.

45. PERFORMANCE.

of the oath to Abraham:-Ge. xxii. 15-8-see p. (1). promised to Isaac:-Ge. xxvi. 3, Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father.'

confirmed to Jacob:-Ge. xxviii. 13-5. 13, And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14, and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15, And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of."

same in the prophets:-Je. xxxiii. 14, Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.'-Mi. vii. 20, Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.'

God did not become the Son of man that he should repent:-Nu. xxiii. 19, God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?'

but in order to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:-Rom. xv. 8, Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.'

performance continuous from its commencement at Philippi:-Ph. i. 6, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good,' &c.-ii. 16, Holding forth the word of life; that I,' &c.-see ch. ii. p. (36). where the gospel began to be preached in Europe:-Ac. xvi. 6-12. 6, Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8, And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9, And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10, And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11, Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12, and from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.'

46. MY SOUL.

Hannah so rejoiced in song:-1 Sa. ii. 1-10. 1, And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2, There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3, Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4, The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5, They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7, The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8, He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. 9, He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10, The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.'

David:-Ps. xxxiv. 2, 3. 2, My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3, O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.'

so all the seed of Israel shall glory:-Is. xlv. 25, In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.'-See ch. xlv. p. (22).

48. ALL GENERATIONS.

all families of the earth to be blessed :-Ge. xii. 1-3— see ch. xii. p. (32).

all nations:-Ps. 1xxii. 17-9. 17, 'His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. 18, Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19, And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.'-See Ps. lxxii. p. (23).

call you blessed-Mal. iii. 12, And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.'

the word to a thousand generations:-Ps. cv. 6-11. 6, 'O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. 7, He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. 8, He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. 9, Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; 10, and confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11, saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.'

the blessing upon the nations through Christ:-Ga. iii. 13, 4-see ch. iii. p. (16).

49. HOLY.

glorious in holiness:-Ex. xv. 11, 'Who is like unto thee, O LORD,' &c.-See p. (12), ver. 51, under STRENGTH.' holy in all his works:-Ps. cxlv. 17, The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.'

holy, holy, holy-Is. vi. 3, And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.'-Rev. iv. 8, And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.'

his name holy:-Is. lvii. 15, For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.'-Ps. xcix. 3, Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.'

the Holy One of God: his coming disturbed the unclean spirits in the synagogue:-Lu. iv. 34, § 17, p. 110.

the saints to reflect his holiness:-Lev. xix. 2, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy for I the LORD your God am holy.'-1 Pe. i. 15, .6. 15, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16, because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.'-1 Co. vi. 19, 20. 19, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20, For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.'

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