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HE RAISETH UP THE POOR OUT OF THE DUST,

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5 and lineage of-David :) to-be-taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great-with-child. And so-it-was, that, while they were there, the days were-accomplished that-she 7 should-be-delivered. And she-brought-forth her first-born son, and wrapped-him-inswaddling-clothes, and laid him in a manger;" because there-was no room for-them in the inn.

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Jesus' birth is announced by an angel to the shepherds. Luke ii. 8—15.
In the fields of Bethlehem."

And there-were in the same country shepherds abiding-in-the-field, keeping watch 9 over their flock by-night. And, lo, the-angel of-the-Lord caine-upon them, and the10 glory of-the-Lord shone-round-about them: and they-were sore afraid. And the angel said unto-them, Fear not: for, behold, I-bring-you-good-tidings of-great joy, which

MARGINAL READINGS:-a Shed or stable.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

7. brought forth-prediction, Is. vii. 14-the fulfilment, made of a woman,' Ga. iv. 4-became poor, that his people might be enriched, 2 Co. viii. 9-the word, who is God, was made flesh, (God with us,) Jno. i. 1, 14, §7.

viii. 11-predict.: 'I will fill this house with glory,' Hag. ii. 7-confirm, Jno. ii. 13, § 12; Mt. xxi. 12, .3, § 83; xxv. 31, § 86-the brightness that appeared to Saul in the way, Ac. ix. 3; xxvi. 12-8-glory of God, 2 Co. iv. 6. 10. you-Jews: the gospel was first to be preached unto Jews, and of them were made the first heralds of salvation, Zec. x. 3; xii. 7; Ac. ii.; xi. 19. xiii. .7.

8. shepherds-Jacob was so occupied, Ge. xxxi. 39, 40-Moses, Ex. iii. 1-David, 1 Sa. xvi. 11-careless shepherds reproved, Is. Ivi. 9, 10; Eze. xxxiv. 1-10-46, the good shepherd, Jno. x. 1-18, § 55.

9. glory of the Lord-its appearing to the children of Israel, Ex. xvi. 7, 10-its filling the temple, 1 Ki.

tidings of great joy-good tidings predicted, Is. xl. 9; xl. 27; lii. 7; Ixi. 1-confirmation, Lu. iv. 17-21, § 15; Re. xiv. 1-6; xxi. 3-7.

NOTES.

4. Of the house and lineage. The lineage denotes that he was descended from David as his father, or

ancestor.

[In taking a Jewish census, families were kept distinct. Hence all went into the tribe to which they belonged, and to the place where their family had resided. Joseph was of the tribe of Judah, and of the particular family of David. Hence he went up to the city of David. Thus an overruling providence fulfilled the prophecy, Mi. v. 2.-See Reflections,' p. 19. 5. With Mary. This also would be an additional proof that Mary was of the same tribe, since she could not marry out of it.]

Espoused wife.-See Espoused,' p. 13.

stable, and it was there that the child was laid. It might be either an enclosed court, or a collection of caves or stables in the rock, according to tradition. Their being there was no proof of poverty. It was a simple matter of necessity: there was no room in the inn. It may be added, that in eastern countries, in the caravansary, it is common for the whole caravan of camels, horses, and people, to lodge in the same place. Indeed, the only pillow which children often have is the side of a horse, with which the whole family lie down. Horses are trained to remarkable gentleness and docility.

In the inn. In the house of strangers." 8. The same country. Round about. Bethlehem 7. First-born. The eldest son, or he that by the was a place of pasture. Here David kept his father's law had the privilege of the birthright. sheep, 1 Sa. xvii. 15.

[Whether Mary had any other children or not has been a matter of controversy. The obvious meaning of the Bible is that she had; and if this be the case, the word first-born is here to be taken in its common acceptation.]

Wrapped him, &c. When a child among the Hebrews was born, it was washed in water, rubbed with salt, and then wrapped in swaddling clothes; that is, not garments regularly made, as with us, but bands or blankets that confined the limbs closely, Eze. xvi. 4. There was nothing peculiar in the way in

which the infant Jesus was treated.

Laid him in a manger. The word manger, in the English language, means the box or trough in which provender is placed for horses or cattle.' This is not the meaning of the word here. It means simply the stable, or the place where the cattle and camels lodged. The Easterns have no mangers, for they have no hay, but lay their fodder in stone troughs. There was no room in the inn, and they were obliged to lie in the

Shepherds abiding in the fields, &c. Remaining out of doors, under the open sky, with their flocks. This was commonly done. The climate was mild; and, to keep their flocks from straying, they spent the night with them. It is also a fact that the Jews sent out their flocks into the mountainous and desert regions during the summer months, and took them up in the latter part of October or the first of November, when the cold weather commenced.

Keeping watch. Tending their flocks by turns through the night watches; each three hours in turn, to preserve the sheep from beasts of prey, and from banditti.

9. Angel of the Lord. Probably Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God.-See ver. 19, § i., p. 5; § ii., p. 9.

The glory of the Lord. The extreme splendour in which the Deity is represented as appearing unto men; and sometimes called the Shechinah, an appearance frequently attended, as in this case, by a company of angels.-See Scrip. Illus.,' above.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

7 ver. The condition of the poor is not to be despised, therein the Son of the Highest' was born. Privations are not always the sign of the Lord's displeasure; for amid these, at the birth of her firstborn, was found Mary, the highly-favoured of the Lord. Let us be content with such things as we have; and make the best use of the circumstances in which we are placed.-Let us not be forgetful to entertain strangers, and assist them in their necessities: it would have been an honour to any in Bethlehem who had kindly received the neglected family from Nazareth! Christ, who is the Bread of Life, was to be born in Bethlehem, which name means the house of bread. This had been predicted, Mi. v. 2. Out of thence was to come forth, as being man, He whose goings forth, as being God, are from everlasting.

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[8 ver. It is good to be watchful even in worldly duty. It was thus the shepherds enjoyed the sight of the glory of the Lord, when, after long absence, it returned to the earth, now, that He who previously dwelt in the cloud of glory, was to tabernacle with man in human flesh.]

8,9 ver. It is good to be found diligent in business, and faithful to our charge, as were the shepherds, when called to a higher service and a rich participation in the joys of heaven.

The children of God are often, like the shepherds, sore afraid when they have the least occasion to be so.

[10 ver. How gracious is the command Fear not; ' and true ground have they for obeying the command, who repose their confidence in the incarnate Son of God.]

PRAISE YE THE LORD.

AND LIFTETH THE NEEDY OUT OF THE DUNGHILL.

Psalm cxiii. 7.

7. BROUGHT FORTH.

prediction:-Is. vii. 14, Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin,' &c.—see p. (14).

the fulfillment:-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.'

became poor that his people might be enriched:-2 Co. viii. 9, For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.'

the Word, who is God, was made flesh, &c.:-Jno. i. 1, 14, §7, pp. 46-.8.

8. SHEPHERDS.

Jacob was so occupied :-Ge. xxxi. 39, 40. 39, That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. 40, Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.'

Moses:-Ex. iii. 1, Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.'

David:-1 Sa. xvi. 11, And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remain. eth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.'

careless shepherds reproved :-Is. lvi. 9, 10. 9, All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. 10, His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.-Eze. xxxiv. 1-10.

EZEKIEL XXXIV. And the word of the LORD 2 came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! 3 should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that 4 are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled 5 them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of 6 the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the 8 LORD; As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my 9 flock; therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of 10 the LORD; thus saith the Lord GoD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth,

that they may not be meat for them.

and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.

20 Therefore thus saith the Lord GoD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and 21 between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them 22 abroad; therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle 23 and cattle. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken 25 it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace,

and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and 26 sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there

27 shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field
shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her
increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and
shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken
the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the
28 hand of those that served themselves of them. And
they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither
shall the beast of the land devour them; but they
shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and
they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the
land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.
30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am
with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are
31 my people, saith the Lord GOD. And ye my flock, the
flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God,
saith the Lord GOD.

the good Shepherd :-Jno. x. 1-18, § 55.
9. GLORY OF THE LORD.

7, And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of
its appearing to the children of Israel :-Ex. xvi. 7, 10.
the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against
the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against
us?' 10, And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the
looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of
whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they
the LORD appeared in the cloud.'

its filling the temple:-1 Ki. viii. 11, 'So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for

the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.' prediction:-Hag. ii. 7, And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.' confirmation :-Juo. ii. 13-7, § 12, p. 81; Mt. xxi. 12, .3, § 83; xxv. 31, § 86.

the brightness that appeared to Saul in the way :---Ac. ix. 3, And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.-xxvi. 12-.8.

glory of God:-2 Co. iv. 6, For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.'

10. You.

and of them were made the first heralds of salvation:Jews the gospel was first to be preached unto Jews, 11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will Zec. x. 3, Mine anger was kindled against the shep12 both search my sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts herd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my them as his goodly horse in the battle.'-xii. 7-see § 3, sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where P. (17), ver. 69, HORN,' under see for this,' &c.-Ac. ii. they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. -see APPENDIX-xi. 19, 'Now they which were scattered 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen them from the countries, and will bring them to their travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the xiii. 46. 7. 46, Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, 14 country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and and said, It was necessary that the word of God should upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, 15 shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47, For so hath the Lord feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of 16 saith the Lord God. I will seek that which was lost, the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto and bring again that which was driven away, and will the ends of the earth.' bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the 17 strong; I will feed them with judgment. And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and 18 the he-goats. Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread-lii. 7-see p. (45).-lxi. 1-see p. (44). down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must 19 foul the residue with your feet? And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet;

TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY.

good tidings predicted:-Is. xl. 9, O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!'-xli. 27-see p. (41).

confirmation :-at Nazareth: Lu. iv. 17-21, § 15, p. 102-Rev. xiv. 1-6, And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion,' &c.-xxi. 3-7, And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold,' &c.

10. ALL PEOPLE.-Ge. xii. 3, And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.'-Ps. Ixvii. 3, Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.-Ps. xcviii-see p. (50); Is. xlix.-see p. (23). specially all the house of Israel, &c. :-Eze. xxxvii. 11-4-see p. (30).

in the countries where they shall come:-xi. 15, .6. 15, Son of man, thy brethren, even thy brethren, the men of thy kindred, and all the house of Israel wholly, are they unto whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, Get you far from the LORD: unto us is this land given in possession. 16, Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come."

the glad tidings sent after them toward the north :-Je. iii. 11, 2-see ch. iii. p. (39).

all the nations:-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."

confirmation:-Mt. xxviii. 18-20, § 96, Go... teach all nations.-Mk. xvi. 15. § 98, Preach the gospel to every

creature.'-Jno. iii. 16, § 12. p. 86, Whosoever,' &c. reconcile all to himself:-Col. i. 20, And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.'

chief of sinners:-1 Ti. i. 15, .6. 15, This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16, Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

Christ Jesus a ransom for all, a testimony in due time: -1 Ti. ii. 6, Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.-2 Ti. ii. 11. It is a faithful saying; For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him.' - Jno. ii. 2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.'-Rev. vii. 1-4; xiv. 1-6.

11. CHRIST THE LORD.

the Shiloh:-Ge. xlix. 8-10. 8, Judah, thou art he,' &c. -see § 3, p. (17), ver. 70, AS HE SPAKE, under of their Redeemer,' &c.-Ps. ii.-see p. (7); lxxxix. 15-37-see p. (50); cx. 1, 2, 4. 1, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. 2, The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.' 4, The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.'

confirmation:-Mt. xvi. 16, § 50; Jno. i. 41, § 10, p. 71; vi. 69, § 43.

both Lord and Christ :-Ac. ii. 36, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.' Jesus is Christ-Ac. xvii. 3, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ."

Christ, who is over all :-Rom. ix. 5, 'Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, Amen.' who is over all, God blessed for ever.

every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father:-Ph. ii. 4—11. thou art worthy, &c. :-Rev. v. 8-10.

13. MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST.

God's host :-Ge. xxxii. 1, 2. 1, And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2, And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.'

thousands of angels:-Ps. Ixviii. 17, The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the LORD is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.'

bless the Lord, ye, &c.-Ps. ciii. 20, .1-see p. (30). praise ye him, all, &c. :-Ps. cxlviii. 2, Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him,' &c.-Da. vii. 10-see p. (37). worship him, all gods:-Ps. xcvii. 7, Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.'

confirmation:-He. i. 6, And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.'

voices of many angels:-Rev. v. 11, .2.

14. GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST-IS. xliv. 23, Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemned Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.'-xlix. 3, And said unto me, Thou art my serv

ant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'-xlvi. 13, I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory." confirmation:-2 Th. i. 10, When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.'-See also Rom. viii. 17, .8.

raised in glory:-1 Co. xv. 43, It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.'-Ep ii. 6, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.'-Mt. xxv. 34, § 86; Rev. iv. 6-8.

ON EARTH PEACE.

predicted:-Ps. lxxii.-see p. (23).-cxlvii.-ibid. the Lord hath sworn it :-Is. Ixii. 8, 9-see p. (30).

will prove a God of truth in this :-Is. Ixv. 16, That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.' -ix. 6, For unto us a child is born,' &c.-see p. (14).

extend peace:-Is. Ixvi. 12, For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, aud be dandied upon her knees.'-Je. xxxi. 27, .8-see ch. xxxi. p. (39). ch. xxxvii. p. (30)--Same, Ho. ii. 18-23-see ch. ii. p. (31). See also Joel iii. 17, .8, ch. iii. p. (29); and Am. ix. 11-5, ch. ix. p. (29).

a covenant of peace with them:-Eze. xxxvii. 26-see

shall speak peace to the nations, &c. -Zec. ix. 12-.7see ch. ix. p. (29), Turn you to the strong hold,' &c. confirmation:-Jno. xiv. 27, § 87, My peace,' &c. peace with God:-Rom. v. 1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.'

Christ is our peace :-Ep. ii. 14, .5, .7, For he is our peace, who hath made,' &c. -Col. i. 20, And having cile,' &c.-Rom. xvi. 20, And the God of peace shall made peace,' &c.-see on 10 ver., supra, under 'reconbruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.'

will return, and build again the tabernacle of David :— Ac. xv. 14-8. 14, Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15, And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17, that the residue of men,' &c.

great multitude rejoicing in peace :-Rev. vii. 9-17.
the creature delivered:-Rom. viii. 19-22.
every creature:-Rev. v. 13.

the destroyers destroyed:-Rev xi. 18, And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.'

GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN, &c.

what is man, &c. :-Ps. viii. 3-9-see p. (7).—xxxiv. 8, 'O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.'

bless the Lord, &c. :-Ps. ciii.-see p. (30)." confirmation:-Jno. iii. 14-.6, § 12, p. 85. rich in mercy:-Ep. ii. 4-7.

reconciling the world unte himself:-2 Co. v. 19, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.'

herein is love:-1 Jno. iv. 10-see Notes.'

will take up men, &c. :-Rev. iii. 21, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.'

will bring his.... with men :-Rev. xxi. 3, 4, And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold,' &c.

15. LET US.

should invite one another, &c. -Ps. xlvi. 8-10-see p. (8); Is. ii. 3-5-see p. (38); xlv. 21, .2-see ch. xlv. p. (22). so Andrew brought his brother to Jesus-Jno. i. 41, § 10, p. 71. And Philip said to Nathanael, Come and see,' ver. 45, 6, p. 72.

so the Samaritan woman:-ch. iv. 29, § 13, p. 95.-Rev. xxii. 17.

Now Go.

so, many cities are yet to invite each other :-Zec. viii 20-2-see ch. viii. p. (57).

the danger of delay, exemplified in the foolish virgins -Mt. xxv. 10-.3, § 86.

THE FIRST ADAM WAS FOR SELF-ADVANCEMENT;

11 shall-be to-all people." For unto-you is-born this-day in the-city of-David a-Saviour, 12 which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to anuelov unto-you; Ye-shall13 find the-babe wrapped-in-swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there14 was with the angel a-multitude of-the-heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory ro-God in the-highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men.

15 And it-came-to-pass, as the angels were-gone-away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one-to-another, Let us-now-go even-unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is-come-to-pass, which the Lord hath-made-known unto-us.

MARGINAL READINGS:- All the people. b Messiah, or Anointed. The sign. d Highest (places).

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

10. all people, Ge. xii. 3; Ps. lxvii. 3; xcviii.; Is. xlix-specially all the house of Israel, who, by the word and Spirit of God, were to be raised up and quickened, Eze. xxxvii. 11-4-in the countries where they shall come,' xi. 15, 6-the glad tidings sent after them toward the north, Je. iii. 11, .2-all the nations, &c., ver. 17-confirmation: Go, teach all nations,' Mt. xxviii. 18-20, § 96-' preach the gospel to every creature,' Mk. xvi. 15, § 98-whosoever,' Jno. iii. 16, § 12-reconcile all to himself, Col. i. 20chief of sinners, 1 Ti. i. 15, .6-Christ Jesus, a ransom for all, a testimony in due time, 1 Ti. ii. 6-see also 2 Ti. ii. 11; 1 Jno. ii. 2; Re. vii. 1-4; xiv. 6.

11. Christ the Lord, Ge. xlix. 8-10; Ps. ii.; lxxxix. 15-37; ex. 1, 2, 4-confirmation, Mt. xvi. 16, § 50; Jno. i. 41, § 10; vi. 69, § 43-both Lord and Christ, Ac. ii. 36-Jesus is Christ, xvii. 3 Christ, who is over all, God blessed for ever,' Ro. ix. 5-every tongue should confess Jesus Christ Lord to the glory of God the Father,' Ph. ii. 4-11-thou art worthy,

&c., Re. v. 8-10.

on earth peace-predicted, Ps. lxxii., exlvii.-' the Lord hath sworn it,' Is. Ixii. 8, 9-will prove a God of truth in this, lxv. 16- unto us a son is given... the Prince of Peace,' ix. 6-will extend peace, lxvi. 12- will watch over them to build and to plant,' Je. xxxi. 27, 8-a covenant of peace with them,' Eze. xxxvii. 26-same, Ho. ii. 18-23-see also Joel iii. 17, 8; Am. ix. 11-.5-shall speak peace to the nations, and his domin., &c., Zec. ix. 12-7-confirm.: my peace I give unto you,' Jno. xiv. 27, § 87-peace with God,' Rom. v. 1.-Christ is our peace', Ep. ii. 14, 5, 7'made peace through the blood of his cross,' Col. i. 20-the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly,' Ro. xvi. 20-will return and build again the tabernacle of David,' Ac. xv. 14-8-'great multitude rejoicing in peace,' Re. vii. 9-17-the creature delivered, Ro. viii. 19-22-every creature, Re. v. 13-the destroyers destroyed, xi. 18.

3-9-0 taste, and see that the Lord is good,' &c., Ps. xxxiv. 8-Bless the Lord, who forgiveth, redeem

good will toward men-What is man, &c.? Ps. viii.

eth, satisfieth, vindicateth, hath made known and 13. multitude-of the heavenly hosts: Jacob, the accomplisheth, forbeareth, removeth transgression, angels of God met him, and he said, 'This is God's pitieth, considereth our weakness and mortality, hehost,' Ge. xxxii. 1, 2-thousands of angels,' Ps. stows everlasting mercy, introduces to glory, Ps. ciii. Ixviii. 17-Bless the Lord, ye, his angels,' Ps. ciii.-confirm., Jno. i. 14, § 12- rich in mercy,' Ep. ii. 20, .1-Praise ye him, all his angels, his hosts,' Ps. 4-7-reconciling the world unto himself, 2 Co. v. 19exlviii. 2; Da. vii. 10 worship him, all Gods,' Ps. 'Herein is love,' 1 Jno. iv. 10-will take up men to xcvii. 7-confirmation: when he bringeth again the be with him on his throne, Rev. iii. 21-will bring his first-begotten,' &c.;' let all the angels of God wor- dwelling place down to be with men, xxi. 3, 4. ship him,' He. i. 6-voice of many angels, Worthy is the Lamb, &c., Re. v. 11, .2.

14. glory to God in the highest- Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done... hath redeemed Jacob, glorified himself in Israel,' Is. xliv. 23-my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified,' xlix. 3- will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory,' xlvi. 13confirm.. he shall come to be glorified in his saints,' 2 Th. i. 10-see also Ro. viii. 17, .8-raised in glory, I Co. xv. 43- hath raised... up together, and made ... sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,' Ep. ii. 6; Mt. xxv. 31, § 86; Re. iv. 6-8.

15. let us should invite one another to contemplate the Lord's fulfilment of his word, both as to judgment and mercy, Ps. xlvi. 8-10; Is. ii. 3-5; xlv. 21, 2-so Andrew brought his brother to Jesus, Jno. i. 41, 2, § 10-and Philip said to Nathanael, Come and see,' ver. 45, 6, 10-so the Samaritan woman, ch. iv 29, § 13-let him that heareth say, Come,' Re. xxii. 17.

now go-so, many cities are yet to invite each other, saying, Let us go speedily; I will go also,' &c., Zec. viii. 20-.2-the danger of delay exemplified in the foolish virgins, Mt. xxv. 10-.3, § 86.

NOTES.

11. Christ the Lord. The anointed One of God, chosen to be King in Zion.

12. And this shall be a sign, &c. The birth of Jesus, in the circumstances predicted, was an assured sign that God will fulfil all his promises as to the great salvation. It was the sign long before pointed out, as in Is. vii. 14, Therefore the Lord himself shall,' &c. 13. Suddenly, &c. As representing that which is to be the unexpected appearing in glory of Him, whose coming in humiliation was now made known. -See 1 Th. v. 2-9.

Heavenly host. Angels, who are ministering spirits, doing the will of God in heaven and earth.

14. Glory to God. That is, the praise for the redemption of man is due to God. The plan of redemption expresses his power and glory. It is the highest expression of His love and mercy.

In the highest. In the highest heaven.'-See Job xvi. 19. As the Jews reckoned three heavens, the highest was considered as the place of the throne of God. See Mt. xxi. 9, § 82. The plural number is used in the original, because the Hebrew word for heaven is never in the singular.

On earth peace. That is, the gospel shall bring peace. The Saviour was predicted as the Prince of Peace, Is. ix. 6, 7. For unto us a child is,' &c.

[The world is at war with God; sinners are at enmity against their Maker, and against each other. But Jesus came to make peace. And this he did,

1st. By reconciling the world to God by his atonement. 2nd. By bringing the sinner to a state of peace with his Maker, inducing him to submit himself to God, and thus giving him the peace which passeth all understanding. 3rd. By diffusing in the heart universal good will to men. In the days of the long promised reign of Messiah, who is styled the Prince of Peace,' and under whose feet all things are to be placed, there will be universal peace; all the causes of war will have ceased; men will love each other, and do justly; and nations be brought under the influence of the royal law of LOVE.]

Good will toward men. The gift of the Saviour is an expression of good will or love to men, and therefore God is to be praised. [The work of redemption is uniformly represented as the fruit of the love of God, Jno. iii. 16, § 12; 1 Jno. iv. 10, Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be... propitiation for our sins. Re. i. 5, 6. 5, And from Jesus Christ,... the faithful witness, ... the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of Unto him that loved us, and the kings of the earth. washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him. glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.' No words can express the greatness of that love. It can only be measured by the condescension, sufferings, and death of Jesus; and by the eternal honour and happiness to which he will raise his people. Jesus is the full expression of the Father's good will.]

WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND.-Rom. v. 20.

[21

THE SECOND ADAM WAS FOR SELF-ABASEMENT.

BE NOT RASH WITH THY MOUTH, AND LET NOT THINE HEART

16

The shepherds go to Bethlehem. Luke ii. 16-20.

And they-came with-haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a 17 manger. And when-they-had-seen-it, they-made-known-abroad the saying which was18 told them concerning this child. And all they that-heard-it wondered at those-things which-were-told them by the shepherds.

19

But Mary kept all these things, and-pondered-them ovußaλovoa in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all-the-things that theyhad-heard and seen, as it-was-told unto them.

21

Jesus is circumcised and named. (Matt. i. 25.) Luke ii. 21. At Bethlehem.

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. [For ch. ii. 22, see p. 24.]

MARGINAL READINGS:- Cast together; weighed.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

16. they came with haste-they not only believed the word, but acted according thereto: so Abraham went forth, Ge. xii. 1, 4-to Moriah, xxii. 2, 3, 9-Israel actually went forth out of Egypt, and that in haste, Ex. xii. 11, 34-.9, 42-punished for not immediately and cheerfully going into the land, Nu. xiv. 29-31Paul actually and immediately went, as called, into Macedonia, Ác. xvi. 10–see also Ga. i. 15, .6.

lying in a manger-(where cattle are fed). Jesus, as becoming the babe of Bethlehem, as being made

flesh, is the food of his people, Jno. vi. 48-58, § 43the words of eternal life, ver. 68, ib.-must be more than wondered at, as by the people, ver. 18-comp. Ac. xiii. 40, .1-must be kept and pondered, as by Mary, ver. 19-comp. Is. lv. 2, 3.

19. kept-so Jacob, Ge. xxxvii. 11-see Lu. ii. 51 $6.

21. which was so called-to Mary, Lu. i. 31, § 2, p. 9 and afterwards to Joseph, Mt. i. 21, § 2, p. 13-his great manifestation, Is. xlv. 21-.5.

NOTES.

[19. Mary kept all these things. All that happened, and all that was said respecting her child. Here is a delicate and beautiful expression of the feelings of a mother.]

Pondered. She revolved them; weighed. This is the original meaning of the word weighed. She kept them; she weighed them in her mind, giving to each circumstance its just importance, and anxiously seek ing what it might indicate respecting her child. In her heart. She remembered and thought of these things often and anxiously.

20. Glorifying... God, &c. Giving honour to God, and celebrating his praises. 21. Eight days, &c. This was the regular time ror

performing the rite of circumcision, Ge. xvii. 12.-See Sect. iii.-If the birth of our Lord took place on the first day of the week, his circumcision would take place eight days after, on the first day of the week also; which is not only a striking coincidence, if we consider the spiritual import of the rite of circumcision itself, and the connection of this import with the final end of both the birth, the death, and the rising again, of our Saviour, but saves the further difficulty whether, in administering this necessary rite upon the body of our Lord, it would be requisite to dispense with the sabbath.'-- Greswell, vol. I. Diss. xii. p. 409.]

His name... JESUS. This was given by divine appointment.-See Mt. i. 21, p. 13.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS

[11 ver. Although the gospel was first preached to, and by Jews, yet was it especially designed for all the people. It is not selfish, exclusive joy, but is increased as it becomes diffused. The fulfilment of the prophecy is to be looked for in the very place predicted; God gave not only the type, David, but the antitype, the true Beloved, to be born in Bethlehem. As truly as Jesus was born to be a Saviour, so truly was He to be Christ, the Anointed, from whom the anointing upon his saved people descends, and so truly is he to be submitted to as their Lord, by whom they are fed, led, protected, and ruled over.] 12 ver. The sign that Christ is indeed the Saviour of the literally poor and needy, is most strikingly given in the circumstances of his humble birth-in his being laid in a manger.

[13, 4 ver. As truly as the sign was given of Christ's appearing in the weakness of infancy, and the depth of humiliation, so truly will that glorious consummation be, of which this was the sign.-Now is the time for the manifestation of God's good will, in the preaching of the gospel; then follows peace to the individual, and our God will yet command peace to the ends of the earth; and then, and thereafter, shall the whole result in songs of eternal gladness, from the church, which shall be to Him for a glory in heavenly places]

14 ver. From the conduct of the angels who sang thus together when the Foundation-stone was brought forth, in anticipation of man's full redemption, let us learn to look forward to the coming glory, and rejoice in the display of God's goodness to others. 15 ver. Like the shepherds, who said, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,' let us make no delay to

221

make ourselves acquainted with whatever evidence our God is pleased to give, that his great salvation will be completed: and surely if God hath not withheld his own Son, he will, with Him, give all he hath promised.

Let us not merely acquiesce in that which God makes known to us, but let us shew that we have faith, by doing what we know to be the divine will. 16 ver. Those who take God at his word will find his promise true, as did the shepherds, upon going to see the sign that God will accomplish all that he hath promised.

17 ver. Let us be faithful to the great Shepherd of the sheep; and, like the shepherds, make known to others what the Lord hath revealed unto us respect

ing Jesus. Let us speak of the coming glory of Him

who appeared as the babe of Bethlehem.

[18 9 ver. Let our lot not be with the despisers who wonder and perish, but with Mary who kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.]

20 ver. Let us, with the shepherds, when we return to our ordinary callings, continue to give thanks unto the Lord, and acknowledge his truth. Let us, with the shepherds, praise God, and not the creature, whether heavenly or earthly, for what we have heard and seen respecting his grace or his glory.

[21 ver. Jesus was made a servant-a minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; at the same time that He is, as he was named, JESUS, the Lord, the Saviour.]

[Every word of God shall stand, as here did that which seals them all, the incarnation of Messiah; of Him whose name was called JESUS.]

MY BELOVED IS MINE, AND I AM HIS.-Solomon's Song, ii. 16.

BE HASTY TO UTTER ANY THING BEFORE GOD.-Eccles. v. 2.

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