I Cannot but ingeniously acknowledg heere with Chrysostome that Multa nobis opus est vigilantia , &c. Wee haue neede of much watchfulnesse , many prayers , that wee may passe through and learne the difficultie of this present place , a a Chrysost. homil. 6. in Mat. For the strife betweene the heard-men of Abrahams Cattell , and the heard-men of Lots Cattell , about their pasturage b b Gen. 13.7 . was neuer so great , so irreconcileable as the strife betweene the sheepeheards of Israell is heere , what these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wisemen were , what their Profession , what their Countrie , when they came thence , at what time after Christs birth they came to Hierusalem , and Bethlehem , what this starre was , when and how it first appeared and rose , how it guided them in their Iourney , one ( as it was in the case of Ahab ) Saying on this manner , and another on that manner a a 1. King . 22.20 Manasses being against Ephraim , and Ephraim against Manasses , and both of them against Iudah , b b Isa. 9.21 . Amongst all which varieties , and extreamities , I holde it the best discretion to keepe that which is good for edification , c c 1. Thes. 5.20 . to cast away that which is but the fewell of contention , rather to finde out and follow that which may minister the edifying which is in Faith : d d 1. Tim. 1.4 . then to doate about vaine and vnprofitable questions e e 1. Tim. 6.4 . which doe but gender strife f f 2. Tim. 2.23 . . To come to the Text then , there is a word in it and it is Ecce , Behold , which is Nota attentionis promittens rem magnam , a note of attention , promising some great matter to follow after , which serueth as an Index to poynt out vnto vs many admirable remarkeable things here related , and which standeth as a Beacon on an hill , to discouer a strange and vnexpected comming and enquirie , not of enemies , but of friends , for the new borne Messias , accompanied , and attended , with many circumstances of Times , Places , Persons , Causes , and Ends , all of them full of admiration . For is it not wonderfull in our eyes that such persons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Wisemen shoulde come and enquire for him , that they which sate in darkenesse should see great light g g Matt. 4.16 . and that light should spring vp to them , which sate in the region , and shadow of death , that they to whome he was not spoken of should see , and they that haue not heard , should h h Isa. 52.12 . vnderstand any thing of him , k k Ioh. 1.11 . who comming amongst his owne , was not receiued by his owne , i i Rom. 15.21 . could haue none honour in his owne Countrey , l l Mat. 13.57 . Nato Christi exultabat Chaldea ( saith Maximus , ) m m Maxim. 9. homill in hunc locum . When Christ was borne Chaldea was glad , and all Hierusalem with her princes was troubled , the Iewe persecuted him , the wise man adored him , Herod whetted his Sword , the wise man prepared his gifts , that they should come at such time as this king was newlie borne , hauing no forme nor comelinesse , no beautie , that hee should be desired , a a Isai 53.2 . no better Chayre of state then an Oxes Manger , b b Luke 2.7 . before he had knowledge to refuse the euil , & to choose the good , c c Isai. 7.15 . and in the dayes of Herod the King , who to attaine and maintaine his Crowne , spared neyther Priest nor presbyterie , rooted out all the posteritie of Dauid that hee could finde , butchered the Infants of Bethlehem , made hauock of all the nobilitie of Iury , yea , hated his owne flesh , killed his owne brother Pheroras , his owne wife Mariamne , with all her kinred , his owne Sonnes , Aristobulus , Alexander and Antepater , d d Ioseph Antiq. lib. 16. c. 17. that they should come from the East , leauing their owne people , and their fathers house , and beeing followers of the obedience that was in Abraham , the Father of this new borne King , who went out of his Countrie , and from his kindred , and fathers house , vnto a Land that God shewed him , e e Gen. 12.1 . with the religious Eunuch : goe so farre a Iourney to worshippe , f f Act. 8.27 . that they should come to Hierusalem , that so Israell might know , that God might prouoake them to Iealousie by them that are no people ; and anger them by a foolish Nation , g g Rom. 10.19 . and Vt studio magorum damneretur , pigritia Iudaeorum h h Remigius apud Thomam in catena . by the diligence of the wise-men : the sluggishnesse of the Iewes might be condemned , that they should come by the guidance of a Starre , God creating a new Starre , not to giue light by night , i i Ier. 31.35 . but to bee a light to lighten these Gentiles , that they might see , and finde the way to that starre of Iacob , k k Num. 24.17 . of which Balam had fore-prophecied , and calling them : per ea quae familiaria ijs consuetudo faciebat , l l Chrysost. homil 6. in Matt. by those things which custome made familiar vnto them , that they should come to worshippe him , looking not on the things which were seene , his outward contemptible appearance , his beeing in the forme of a seruant : but on the things which were not seene , his eternall God-head and power , his being in the forme of God , and his thinking it no robberie to be equall with God , a a Phil. 2.6 . yea and acknowledging him which was Rex Iudaeorum , King of the Iewes , to bee also Rex Seculorum : b b August serm. 31. de temp. the eternall King , magnum aliquod latebat in paruo ( saith Saint Austin ) c c August serm. 35. de temp. there lay hidde some great thing in that little one , which those men the first fruits of the Gentiles , which came so suppliant from so farre , learned by heauen that shewed it , not by the earth that brought them and by adoring they desired to obtaine the fauour of that : which by beholding they did not see . are not all these wonderfull wonders ? are they not the great misteries of Godlinesse ? d d 1. Tim: 2 16. are they not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The great workes of God , e e Act. 2.11 . worthy to bee published to the World with an Ecce , a note of attention : of admiration . The body , the summe of all heere is an Historicall narration , a description of a solemne comming : and enquirie for the new borne Messiah , which being as the Center hath many circumstances , as the circumference compassing it about on euerie side , First of the time when Iesus was borne , which birth is farther illustrated either by the place , at Bethlehem of Iudea , or the time In the dayes of Herod the king . Secondly , of the persons who ; Wise men : Thirdly , of the places eyther from whence ? From the East , or whither ? to Hierusalem , Fourthly , of the forme of the inquirie : Where is he that is borne King of the Iewes ? Fiftly of the moouing cause , Wee haue seene his Starre , Sixtly , of the finall cause and end , We are come to worship him .

To prosecute these in the order I haue proposed them , I must beginne first with the time when all this was done , for to euery thing there is a season , and a time to euery purpose vnder the heauen , f f Eccles. 3.1 . and that is Now when Iesus was borne , presently vpon his birth all this falleth out : for hee that as long as hee was in the World , was the light of the World , a a Iohn 9.5 . could not bee hidde after his comming into the world , Quis enim celauerit ignem , Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo ( saith the Poet ) for who can hide fire , which is alwayes disclosed by it's owne light , Latere inter obscura saeculi , lumen caelesti non poterat ( saith Maximus ) b b Maximus serm. 2. in Epiphan. the heauenly light could not be hid amongst the darkenesse of the world , he that at his lifting vp vpon the Crosse , would draw all men both Iewes and Gentiles , c c Ioh. 12.32 . at his manifestation in the flesh , doth presently beginne to manifest himselfe to the sheepe-heards of the Iewes , and to the wisemen of the Gentiles , Noluit intra , ( saith Leo , ) &c , d d Leo serm. 1. in Epiphan. He would not haue the beginning of his birth hidde within the narrow corners of his mothers House , but would presently bee acknowledged by all men : who vouchsafed to be borne for all men .

But here the wisedome ; or rather the curiositie of man ( which cannot content it selfe , with the reuealed things which are onely ours . ) e e Deut. 29.29 . but must make it selfe ouer-wise f f Eccles. 7.17 . eate of the forbidden Fruit : and prie into the Arke of God g g 1. Sam. 6.19 . cannot forbeare to enquire into the things that God hath secreted , nor keepe it selfe from running vpon the rocks of vaine , and vnprofitable questions , touching the very particular time , and day of their comming after our Sauiours Birth . And as in them that were guided by their owne coniectures : and not by any heauenly reuelation ; there were sundrie erronious oppinions about the Sauiour of the World , some saying , that he was Iohn Baptist , some Elias , others Ieremias , or one of the Prophets , h h Matt. 16.14 . so in this point wherein the Scriptures are silent : and haue reuealed nothing vnto vs , men following their owne coniectures , are deuided in their opinions : some saying , that they came the very day of Christs byrth , and worshipped him with the sheepeheards ; i i August . serm. 30. de temp. some a little before the Virgins purification , some presently after , some a yeere after this byrth , some almost two yeeres after . All which if I should at large discourse of , or discusse , I might happilie builde vpon the foundation , Hay and Stubble , Vanas & inutiles argutias , a a Beza in 1. Cor. 3.12 . vaine and vnprofitable quirkes : which would bee but matter for the fire , enough for the present , that our Churche hath thought fit for a memoriall of these mens comming vnto Christ , to celebrate the twelfth day after his Natiuitie : and to note withall vnto the disputers heereaabouts , that if the wisedome of the spirit , ( which hath singled out those things to be written , quae saluti credentium sufficere videbantur , b b August . tract 49. in Ioh. which seemed sufficient for the saluation of them that beleeue , ) had held the precise knowledg of the particular time so necessary , it would as well haue recorded it : as the very time of the Sheepheards comming to see him , which was the very day of his birth , c c Luke 2.11.15 . Howbeit the very Phrase vsed by the HOLY-GHOST 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iesus being borne or as soone as Iesus was borne : importing that they came with as great celeritie and speede , as so large a Iourney could be accomplished , it shall bee good and profitable for vs d d Tit. 3.8.9 . ( auoyding foolish questions ) to learne by this which is written for our instruction , to doe that which we heere and see in them heere ; namely to make hast , and delay not to keepe Gods commandements e e Phil. 4.9 . to make no tarrying to turne vnto the Lord , nor to put it of from day to day , f f Psal. 119.60 . but to seeke the Lord whilst hee may bee found , to call vpon him whilest hee is neere , g g Eccle. 5.7 . that is requisite in all the duties of godlinesse , which is required in our vowes , that wee must not bee slack to pay them , h h Isai 55 6. & as wheresoeuer the Gospell should bee preached in the whole world : that worke of the Woman , which powred an Alablaster boxe of precious oyntment , i i Deut. 23.21 . vpon the head of our Sauiour : was to be mentioned in memoriall of her , k k Matt. 26.13 . so wheresoeuer the obedience of Gods seruants is recorded ; the haste that they vsed the diligence that they gaue , is euer remembred , as that which crowneth the worke , Abraham beeing enioyned to circumcise himselfe and his familie , doth it the same day , a a Gen. 17.23 . to sacrifice his sonne , riseth vp Earlie in the morning to goe about it , b b Gen. 22.3 . Cornelius to send for Peter , who must speake vnto him words , whereby hee should be saued , doth it immediatly , c c Act. 10.33 . Paule , to goe vnto the Gentiles , to open their eyes , and turne them from darkenesse to light , doth it immediatly : without communicating with flesh and blood , d d Gal. 1.16 . Nescit tarda molimina , spiritus sancti gratia , ( saith Ambrose on Luke , ) the grace of the holy Ghost , cannot skill of any slow enterprises . How sharpely then are the men of this generation to be rebuked , who say of the building of the spirituall Temple of Christ in their hearts : as the Iewes did of the materiall Temple , the time is not yet come , e e Hag. 1.2 . who with the Iewes , will not in this their day : know the things that belong vnto their peace , f f Luke 19.41 . but are content that their legions of sinnes which possesse them ; as so many deuills ( for Quot crimina , tot Doemonia , saith Bernard , how many sinnes , so many deuills , ) should say vnto Christ when hee commeth to cast them out : as the Deuills that hee came to dispossesse , art thou come hither to torment vs before the time ? g g Matt. 8.29 . and who when they should heare Gods voice to Day , h h Psal. 95.7.8 . putit of till to Morrow , as i i Exo. 8.10 . Pharaoh did praying for him , k k August . in . confession . Quamdiu cras , cras , quare non modò , quare non haec horâ finis turpitudinis meae , ( saith Saint Austin ) How long ? to morrow , to morrow , why not now , why in this very houre is there not an end of my filthines .

Now this first circumstance of Christs birth : is amplified eyther by the place or the time , the place : In Bethlehem of Iudea , it maketh no matter whether wee reade here Bethlehem of Iudea , or of Iudah , Iudea , beeing put , not for the whole Countrie of the Iewes , but for the Tribe of Iudah , as else-where ; Ioseph hearing that Archelau● raigned in Iudea would not goe thither , but turned aside into the parts of Galilie . a a Mat. 2.22 . Now this addition serueth here for a distinction betweene it and another , Bethlehem in the Tribe of Zabulon , b b Iud. 19.15 . duae Bethlehem sunt ( saith the ordinary glosse ) there are two Bethlehems , one which is in the Land of Zabulon , another which is in the Land of Iudah , which was first called Ephrata . And for this Bethlehem , the place of Christs birth , Saint Austin hath well obserued that c c August de concord . Euangel. Matthew and Luke doe agree concerning the Citty of Bethlehem : but how and for what cause Ioseph and Mary came thither , Luke declareth ; Matthew omitteth .

When our Sauiour then was conceiued in the wombe of his mother at Nazareth , and by all likelyhood should in her purpose haue beene borne there , both Ioseph and Mary are compelled by the decree of Augustus Caesar to goe to Bethlehem : the Citty of Dauid , to be taxed there because they were of the house of Dauid , d d Luke 2.4.5.6 . God so making a way for the accomplishment of that Prophecie : which fore-told the place of his birth . Oh come hither then , and behold the works of the Lord ; yea the mightie hand of our God , who , as in the great worke of the Creation , hee made the light out of darkenesse , so in the wonderfull workes of his prouidence , and preseruation : can out of the euill actions of men and deuills , bring forth good : and turne those things which they doe for the satisfying of their sinfull wills ; to the executing of his holy , and righteous will . Deus suas voluntates vtique bonas , implet per malorum voluntates vtique non bonas , saith Austin e e August in Enchirid cap. 101. God can fulfill his wills beeing good , by the wills of wicked men that are not good . Thus when Iosephs brethren thought euill against him in selling him for a slaue into Egypt : God meant , and turned it to good , to saue much people aliue thereby . f f Gen. 50.20 . As then the expert Phisitian can so temper , and compose the poyson of Serpents : that it shall bee a preseruatiue against poyson : so the great Phisition of our Soules , did so master , and ouerrule the poysonfull action of the traytor Iudas , who betrayed his Master , and through couetousnesse , made merchandise of him that his shipes became a plaster to heale vs , a a Isa. 53 5. and the selling of him , made him ours , as Rabanus saith sweetely , Exulta Christianae . b b Rabanus apud Ludolphum de u●ta Chri. part 2. part. 52. And reioyce O Christian , for by the merchandize of thine enemies thou hast gotten the victory , that which Iudas solde , and the Iewe bought , thou hast gotten , for Christ is ours not the Iewes , which bought him .

But because the things which befell our Sauiour in the dayes of his flesh , came not to passe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c c Luke 10.31 . By chaunce , but were done either for the fulfilling of some promise or prophesy , or for the expressing of some mistery , let vs a little examine why Bethlehem is the place of his byrth . Not to heape vp al that might be said heerein , it was in respect ; first either of former prediction , secondly , present condition , thirdly , or future signification ; first , of former prediction : hee that came in the fullnesse of time , would be borne at Bethlehem ; for the fullfilling of former both prophecies and promises : for so it was fore-prophecied , that out of Bethlehem Iudah : should he come forth that was to be ruler in Israell . d d Micah 5.2 . And heere by the way , the very place of his byrth doth serue like a Iohn Baptist e e Ioh. 1.29 . to point out , to demonstrate him to be the Lambe of God , the verie God , the very Christ : f f Ioh. 4 29. so that as the things which Iohns desciples that he sent vnto Christ , saw and heard the works that he did , did testifie of him ; so the place where hee was borne , sheweth that this is hee that should come , and none other is to bee looked for . g g Matt. 11.3.4.5.6 . And so it was fore-promised to Dauid , yea ; bound with the indissoluble bond of an Oath , ( that God would not shrinke from ) that of the fruite of his wombe , hee would set vpon his Throane h h Psal. 132.11 . yea , such a seede which should endure for euer , and whose Throne should bee as the Sunne before God , a a Psal 89 36. which must necessarily bee vnderstood of that blessed seede of the Woman , which should bruise the Serpents head , b b Gen. 3.15 . of that branch that should grow out of the roote of Iesse , c c Isa. 11.1.2 . at whose conception the Angell promised to the Virgin : that God should giue vnto him the Throane of his father Dauid , &c. d d Luk. 1.32.33 . And then where should this seede promised to Dauid , be more fitly borne : then in that Towne which was especially denominated of him ? the Citty of Dauid , and where hee himselfe was borne ; where should the roote of Iesse first sprout out : but in Bethlehem , the towne of Iesse the Bethlehemite ? e e 1. Sam. 16.1 . Now that I may referre all things to edification and instruction , I cannot but cry out with our blessed Sauiour : f f Matt. 13.6 . Happy are our eyes that see or may see : heere is this particular , the truth of that generall laid downe by the Apostle , That all the promises of God made in Christ are in him , yea , and in him Amen : g g 2. Cor. 1.20 . hath he said , and shall hee not doe it ? hath he spoken , and shall hee not make it good ? h h Num. 23.19 . It is one of his properties wherby he proclaimed himselfe to Moses , and would bee knowne to the whole World to be aboundant in truth , i i Exo. 34.6 . that is such an one as keepeth couenant and mercy with his seruants . k k 1. Kin. 8.23 .

Oh then beloued , let vs that are the heires of grace , seeing the immutability of Gods counsell ; haue strong consolation l l Heb. 6.17.8 . against all either outward striuings , or inward terrors , that would seeme to separate vs from the loue of God in Christ : and seeing hee is faithfull , that hath promised : let vs holde fast the profession of our faith without m m Heb. 10.23 . wauering .

Againe , our Sauiour was borne at Bethlehem , in regard of the present condition of the place , a poore place was fittest for his birth : that made himselfe poore for vs . n n 2. Cor. 8.9 . A Citty little amongst the thousands , of Iudah , ( a thing which the spirit of God taketh notice of , o o Micah 5.2 . ) meetest for him to be borne in , who made himselfe of no reputation , and tooke upon him the forme of a seruant , a a Phil. 2.7 . Qui serui susceperat formam ( saith Leo b b Leo serm. primi in Epiphan. ) &c he that tooke on him the forme of a seruant , and cam not to iudge , but to be iudged , chose Bethlehem aforehand for his natiuity , & Hierusalem for his passion . A City so meane , that it is not rekoned vp in the number of those Cities that fell by lotte vnto the Tribe of Iudah , c c Iosh 15. for him that should haue neyther forme nor beautie , d d Isai. 53 2. but must bee the shame and contempt of the people e e Psal. 22.6 . If the wisedome of the flesh should haue beene Gods counsellor , to haue taught him f f Isa. 40.13 . it would rather haue aduised to make choise of Hierusalem , the Citty of God g g Psal. 87.2 . the Ioye of the whole Earth , h h Lam. 2.15 . where the wise men sought him , or of Rome , that was then the head of the World , ( Romanos rerum Dominos saith the Poet about this time , the Romanes that were Lords of all , ) then of Bethlehem : so ignoble a place : But the Lord , to shew that his waies are not as mans wayes , his thoughts , as mans thoughts , i i Isai. 55.8 . that his vertue is made perfect in weakenesse k k 2. Cor 12.9 . and that hee hath chosen the weake things of this World , to confound the things which are mighty , l l 1. Cor. 1.27 . honoured this meane village , with the byrth of the Sauiour of the World .

Simaximam Romanam , eligisset Ciuitatem , &c. ( saith Tho. Aquinas , m m Thom. 3. part quest. 35. artic. 7. ) If he had chosen that great city Rome men would haue thought that the change of the World : had come through the power of the Cittizens : If hee had beene the Sonne of the Emperour , they would haue attributed the profit that came by him to his power : But that it might bee knowne that the God-head had altred the World , hee chose a poore Mother , and a poorer Countrie .

To giue heere some briefe touch of instruction as I passe along ; the meanenesse of our Sauiours birth , in so contemptible a Towne , yea ; in a stable , the basest place in the Inne , his lodging in a Cratch , for a Cradle , serueth to pull the Peacocks feathers of the high-minded ones of this world , who glory so much in the flesh ; of the Nebuchadnezars , who stand so much vpon their great Babels that they haue built for the honor of their Maiestie , a a Dan. 4.29 . of the vaine-glorious boasters , that bragge so much of their earthly Burges shippes , b b Act. 22 28. that reioyce because their wealth is great , and because their hand hath gotten much ; c c Iob. 31.25 . that glory in their strength , in their wisedom , in their ritches , or in any outward things , which ( as Paule said of meates : ) commend vs not vnto God . d d 1. Cor. 8.8 . That we may the better cast away this sinne of vaine-glory , which cleaueth so fast vnto vs : we are to looke vpon the patterne which Iesus the author and finisher of our faith , hath left vs herein , we must for lowlines of minde , haue the same minde in vs which was in Christ Iesus , who made himselfe of no reputation . e e Phil. 2.5 . Quae superbia sanari potest ( saith Bernard . ) what pride can be healed , if it be not healed by the humblenesse of the Sonne of God .

Thirdly , Bethlehem is the place , in regard of a future and misticall signification , I will rather vtter it in the words of the ancients then mine owne . Locus iste Bethlehem ( saith Chrisostome , f f Chrisost. hom 1. ex uariis in Matt. ) This place of Bethlehem , where the Lord was borne , had a prophetical name : for Bethlehem out of the Hebrew , is interpreted the house of Bread , because here the sonne of God must be borne , who is the bread of life , according to that which he himselfe saith in the Gospell , I am the bread of life , which came downe from heauen . Almost the same words speaketh Gregorie g g Gregor. hom 8. in Euangel. that out of the mouth of two witnesses the matter might bee established . Bene etiam in Bethlehem , &c. well also is hee borne in Bethlehem , for Bethlehem is interpreted the house of Bread , for it is he that saith I am the Bread of life , which came downe from Heauen : therefore the place wherein the Lord is borne , is beforehand called the house of bread , because it should come to passe that he should there bee borne in the substance of flesh , who should with inward fulnesse refresh the mindes of the Elect. The interpretation howsoeuer it be Allegoricall , neede not be offensiue , because it is Analogicall , agreeing to the proportion of faith , a a Rom. 12 6. At such times then amongst vs , wherein , as wee haue heard , so we must see in the citty , & church of our God b b Psal. 48 8. wherein we must not only heare with eares : but also see with our eyes , and handle with our hands , the word of life , c c 1. Ioh. 1.1 . and bread of life , it shall not bee an vnprofitable meditation for vs to consider : that he who gaue his body for vs vpon the Crosse , and now giueth it to vs in the Sacrament , would bee borne at Bethlehem , that thereby hee might shew himselfe to bee the true bread of life , that cometh downe from Heauen , and giueth life to the World , d d Ioh. 6 33.35 . that eating thereof , we might liue and not die , e e Ibid. vers. 50.51 . and also that as Eusebius Emissenus speaketh , f f Euseb. Emiss . hom. in hoc Euangel. we must bee Bethlehems , houses of bread , spirituall Temples , in whome Christ must bee formed , g g Gal. 4.19 . and in whose hearts he must dwell by faith , h h Eph. 3.17 . Simus nos Bethlehem , ( saith he ) &c. Let vs be Bethlehem , let vs be the house of Bread for he which will not bee the house of Bread must perish , for this the Lord himselfe saith , vnlesse yee eate the flesh of the Sonne of man : yee shall not haue life in you , let vs therefore receiue Christ in our house , let vs receiue him in our mind and heart , Let him be borne in vs . Now after the description of the place , followeth the mention of the time of our Sauiours Byrth : In the dayes of Herod the King ] in the dayes , an hebraisme , quo optime exprimitur , i i Beza in Luc. 1.5 . &c. Whereby it is well expressed , how short and fading is the power euen of good Kings , much lesse that the tirrany of some should be perpetuall . Of Herod ] surnamed the great King ] of Iudea , as hee is called Luke 1.5 . And hee is so called to distinguish him from Herod Antipas the Tetrarch of Galile , k k Luke . 3.1 . and Herod Agrippa his nephew , that butchered S. Iames , l l Act. 12.2 . of which three the common verse runneth Ascalonita necat pueros Antipa Iohannem , Agrippa , Iacobum mittitque in carcere Petrum . The infants , kills great Herod . Antipas the Baptist slayes , And I ames , Agrippa kills , and Peter in the Prison layes .

Now this accurate mention of the time , is not for the times sake onely : but there is a further misterie in it , Hoc non tantum ponit , ( saith Hierome ) a a Hier. in locum The holy writer bringeth this in : not only in regard of the time ; but that that might appeare to bee fulfilled , a prince shall not depart from Iudah , b b Gen. 49.10 . till Shiloh come , ponit tempus ( saith Chrysostome c c Chrys. hom. 6. in Matt. ) &c. hee mentioneth the time that he might bring to our memory the olde prophecie of the Patriarch Iacob , who heretofore diligently mentioned the time vnto vs , and gaue an euident signe of the coming of Christ saying , a prince shall not depart from Iudah , &c. Huius ineffabilis miserecordia manifestatio , ( saith Leo ) d d Leo homil. 3 in Epiphan. the manifestation of this vnspeakeable mercy , came to passe at such time , as Herod was King of the Iewes , euen when the lawfull succession of Kings ceased , the power of the high priests was destroyed , and a stranger bare rule , that the true kings byrth might bee prooued by that prophecy which had said , a prince shall not depart from Iudah . e e Gen. 46.10 . Or as wee reade the Scepter shall not depart from Iudah . As then Bethlehem was the place , so the days of Herod , are the time of his natiuitie , that so , that might be fulfilled , which God almost two thousand yeares before , had shewed by the mouth , and last words of that blessed Patriarch Iacob , for now the scepter was departed from Iudah , the royall power that from that time had beene inuested in that Tribe , was now pulled from it , and none of the seede of Dauid sate vpon the Throane of the kingdome , but Herod patre Idumes , et matre ortus Arabica , f f Rupertus Whose Father was an Edomite and his mother an Arabian , being created King by the Emperor Augustus , and the senate of Rome , g g Ioseph Antiq lib. 14. cap. 26. into whose hands at this time , God had giuen the whole World , h h Luke 2.1 . now also was a Law-giuer departed from betweene his feete , for whereas till this time the Sanhedrim , the Eldershippe of the seauentie Iudges ( which were chosen out of the house of Dauid ) stood and had iudiciall power , this Herod in the thirtieth yeere of his tyrannicall rule , a a Philo Iudeus de partibus imp. destroyed the Sanhedrim of the house of Dauid , and foysted in a Sanhedrim of proselytes-because it was said that Christ promised in the Law , was now borne , so that now : hee that was to come , must come , the fulnesse of time was now come for God to send Shiloh , euen him that was made of a Woman : b b Gal. 4 4. borne of a Virgin that had not knowne a man . c c Luk. 1.34 . As then the finding of him wrapped in swadling clouts , and lying in a Manger , is a signe to the sheepe-heards , that hee is the new borne Messias , d d Luk. 2.12 so the finding of him in the flesh , at such time as God , ( who onely can declare the end from the beginning : and from ancient times , the things that are not yet done , e e Isa 46.10 . ) had fore shewed by the mouth of his Prophet , that he must come : is a signe vnto vs that hee is the horne of saluation , raised in the house of Dauid : f f Luk. 1.69 . as being none abortiue , borne out of time , but comming in due season , euen in the fullnesse of time , that was appointed for him .