I. The Angel and Zacharie .

WHen things are at worst , then God begins a Change . The state of the Jewish Church was extremely corrupted immediately before the news of the Gospell ; yet , as bad as it was , not onely the Priesthood , but the Courses of attendence continued , even from David's time till Christ's . It is a desperately-depraved condition of a Church , where no good Orders are left . Judaea passed many Troubles , many Alterations , yet this orderly Combination endured about eleven hundred years . A settled Good will not easily be defeated , but in the change of persons will remain unchanged ; and if it be forced to give way , leaves memorable footsteps behind it . If David foresaw the perpetuation of this holy Ordinance , how much did he rejoyce in the knowledge of it ? Who would not be glad to doe good , on condition that it may so long out-live him ?

The successive Turns of the Legall ministration held on in a Line never interrupted . Even in a forlorn and miserable Church there may be a personall Succession . How little were the Jews better for this , when they had lost the Urim and Thummim , Sincerity of Doctrine and Manners ? This stayed with them even whilst they and their Sons crucified Christ . What is more ordinary , then wicked Sons of holy Parents ? It is the Succession of Truth and Holiness that makes or institutes a Church , whatever becomes of the Persons . Never times were so barren , as not to yield some good : The greatest Dearth affords some few good Ears to the Gleaners . Christ would not have come into the World , but he would have some faithfull to entertain him : He , that had the disposing of all Times and Men , would cast some Holy ones into his own Times : There had been no equality , that all should either over-run , or follow him , and none attend him . Zachary and Elizabeth are just , both of Aaron's Bloud , and John Baptist of theirs . Whence should an holy Seed spring , if not of the Loins of Levi ? It is not in the power of Parents to traduce Holiness to their Children : It is the blessing of God that feoffs them in the Vertues of their Parents , as they feoffe them in their Sins . There is no certainty , but there is likelihood , of an holy Generation , when the Parents are such . Elizabeth was just as well as Zachary , that the Fore-runner of a Saviour might be holy on both sides . If the Stock and the Graffe be not both good , there is much danger of the Fruit. It is an happy Match , when the Husband and the Wife are one , not onely in themselves , but in God ; not more in flesh , then in the spirit . Grace makes no difference of Sexes : rather the weaker carries away the more honour , because it hath had less helps . It is easie to observe , that the New Testament affordeth more store of good Women then the Old . Elizabeth led the ring of this mercy , whose Barrenness ended in a miraculous Fruit both of her body and of her time .

This religious pair made no less progress in Vertue then in Age ; and yet their Vertue could not make their best Age fruitfull . Elizabeth was barren . A just soul and a barren womb may well agree together . Amongst the Jews Barrenness was not a defect onely , but a reproach : yet while this good woman was fruitfull of holy Obedience , she was barren of Children . As John , who was miraculously conceived by man , was a fit Fore-runner of him that was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; so a barren Matron was meet to make way for a Virgin .

None but a son of Aaron might offer Incense to God in the Temple : and not every son of Aaron ; and not any one at all seasons . God is a God of Order , and hates Confusion no less then Irreligion . Albeit he hath not so streightned himself under the Gospell , as to tie his service to Persons or Places ; yet his choice is now no less curious , because it is more large : He allows none but the authorized ; he authorizeth none but the worthy . The Incense doth ever smell of the hand that offers it . I doubt not but that Perfume was sweeter which ascended up from the hand of a just Zachary . The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination to God . There were Courses of ministration in the Legall services . God never purposed to burthen any of his creatures with Devotion . How vain is the ambition of any soul , that would load it self with the universall charge of all men ? How thankless is their labour , that do wilfully over-spend themselves in their ordinary vocations ? As Zachary had a Course in God's House , so he carefully observed it : The favour of these respites doubled his diligence . The more high and sacred our Calling is , the more dangerous is Neglect . It is our honour , that we may be allowed to wait upon the God of heaven in these immediate services . Woe be to us , if we slacken those Duties wherein God honours us more then we can honour him .

Many sons of Aaron , yea of the same Family , served at once in the Temple , according to the variety of imployments . To avoid all difference , they agreed by lot to assign themselves to the severall offices of each day . The lot of this day called Zachary to offer Incense in the outer Temple . I do not find any prescription they had from God of this particular manner of designment . Matters of good Order in holy affairs may be ruled by the wise institution of men according to reason & expediency .

It fell out well that Zachary was chosen by lot to this ministration , that God's immediate hand might be seen in all the passages that concerned his great Prophet ; that as the Person , so the Occasion might be of God's own chusing . In Lots , and their seeming casual disposition , God can give a reason , though we can give none . Morning and Evening , twice a day , their Law called them to offer Incense to God , that both parts of the Day might be consecrate to the Maker of Time . The outer Temple was the figure of the whole Church upon earth , like as the Holy of holiest represented Heaven . Nothing can better resemble our faithfull Prayers , then sweet Perfume : These God looks that we should ( all his Church over ) send up unto him Morning and Evening . The Elevations of our Hearts should be perpetuall : but if twice in the day we do not present God with our solemn Invocations , we make the Gospell less officious then the Law .

That the resemblance of Prayers and Incense might be apparent ; whilst the Priest sends up his Incense within the Temple , the people must send up their Prayers without . Their Breath and that Incense , though remote in the first rising , met e're they went up to Heaven . The people might no more go into the Holy place to offer up the incense of Prayers unto God , then Zachary might go into the Holy of holies . Whilst the partition-wall stood betwixt Jews and Gentiles , there were also partitions betwixt the Jews themselves . Now every man is a Priest unto God ; every man ( since the veil was rent ) prays within the Temple . What are we the better for our greater freedome of access to God under the Gospell , if we do not make use of our privilege ?

Whilst they were praying to God , he sees an Angel of God . As Gideon's Angel went up in the smoak of the sacrifice , so did Zachary's Angel ( as it were ) come down in the fragrant smoak of his incense . It was ever great news to see an Angel of God ; but now more , because God had long withdrawn from them all the means of his supernaturall Revelations . As this wicked people were strangers to their God in their Conversation , so was God grown a stranger to them in his Apparitions : yet now that the season of the Gospell approached , he visited them with his Angels , before he visited them by his Son . He sends his Angel to men in the form of man , before he sends his Son to take humane form . The Presence of Angels is no novelty , but their Apparition : they are always with us , but rarely seen ; that we may awfully respect their messages when they are seen . In the mean time our faith may see them , though our senses do not . Their assumed shapes do not make them more present , but visible .

There is an Order in that heavenly Hierarchie , though we know it not . This Angel that appeared to Zachary was not with him in the ordinary course of his attendences , but was purposely sent from God with this message . Why was an Angel sent ? and why this Angel ? It had been easie for him to have raised up the propheticall spirit of some Simeon to this prediction : the same Holy Ghost which revealed to that just man that he should not see death , e're he had seen the Messias ; might have as easily revealed unto him the Birth of the Forerunner of Christ , and by him to Zachary . But God would have this Voice , which should goe before his Son , come with a noise : He would have it appear to the world , that the Harbinger of the Messiah should be conceived by the marvellous power of that God , whose coming he proclaimed . It was fit the first Herald of the Gospel should begin in wonder . The same Angel that came to the Blessed Virgin with the news of Christ's Conception , came to Zachary with the news of John's , for the honour of him that was the greatest of them which were born of women , and for his better resemblance to him which was the Seed of the woman . Both had the Gospell for their errand , one as the Messenger of it , the other as the Authour : Both are foretold by the same mouth .

When could it be more fit for the Angel to appear unto Zachary , then when Prayers and Incense were offered by him ? Where could he more fitly appear then in the Temple ? in what part of the Temple more fitly then at the Altar of Incense ? and whereabouts rather then on the right side of the Altar ? Those glorious spirits as they are always with us , so most in our Devotions ; and as in all places , so most of all in God's House . They rejoyce to be with us , whilst we are with God ; as contrarily , they turn their faces from us , when we goe about our Sins .

He that had wont to live and serve in the presence of the Master , was now astonished at the presence of the Servant . So much difference there is betwixt our Faith , and our Senses , that the apprehension of the presence of the God of Spirits by faith goes down sweetly with us , whereas the sensible apprehension of an Angel dismays us . Holy Zachary , that had wont to live by Faith , thought he should die when his Sense began to be set on work . It was the weakness of him , that served at the Altar without horrour , to be daunted with the face of his Fellow-servant . In vain do we look for such Ministers of God as are without infirmities , when just Zachary was troubled in his Devotions with that wherewith he should have been comforted . It was partly the suddenness , and partly the glory of the Apparition that affrighted him . The good Angel was both apprehensive and compassionate of Zachary's weakness , and presently incourages him with a chearfull excitation ; Fear not , Zacharias . The blessed Spirits , though they do not often vocally express it , do pity our humane frailties , and secretly suggest comfort unto us , when we perceive it not . Good and evil Angels , as they are contrary in estate , so also in disposition : The good desire to take away Fear , the evil to bring it . It is a fruit of that deadly enmity which is betwixt Satan and us , that he would , if he might , kill us with terrour : whereas the good Spirits , affecting our relief and happiness , take no pleasure in terrifying us , but labour altogether for our tranquillity and chearfulness .

There was not more Fear in the face , then Comfort in the speech ; Thy prayer is heard . No Angel could have told him better news . Our desires are uttered in our Prayers : What can we wish but to have what we would ? Many good suits had Zachary made , and amongst the rest for a Son . Doubtless it was now some space of years since he made that request ; for he was now stricken in age , and had ceased to hope : yet had God laid it up all the while , and when he thinks not of it , brings it forth to effect . Thus doth the mercy of our God deal with his patient and faithfull Suppliants : In the fervour of their expectation he many times holds them off ; and when they least think of it , and have forgotten their own suits , he graciously condescends . Delay of effect may not discourage our Faith : It may be God hath long granted , e're we shall know of his grant . Many a Father repents him of his fruitfulness , and hath such Sons as he wishes unborn : but to have so gracious and happy a Son as the Angel foretold , could not be less comfort then honour to the age of Zachary . The proof of Children makes them either the Blessings or Crosses of their Parents . To hear what his Son should be before he was ; to hear that he should have such a Son , a Son whose birth should concern the joy of many , a Son that should be great in the sight of the Lord , a Son that should be sacred to God , filled with God , beneficiall to man , an Harbinger to him that was God and Man ; was news enough to prevent the Angel , and to take away that Tongue with Amazement , which was after lost with Incredulity .

The speech was so good , that it found not a sudden belief : This good news surprized Zachary . If the intelligence had taken leisure , that his thoughts might have had time to debate the matter , he had easily apprehended the infinite power of him that had promised ; the Pattern of Abraham and Sara ; and would soon have concluded the appearance of the Angel more miraculous then his prediction . Whereas now , like a man masked with the strangeness of that he saw and heard , he misdoubts the message , and asks , How shall I know ? Nature was on his side , and alledged the impossibility of the event , both from Age and Barrenness . Supernatural tidings at the first hearing astonish the heart , and are entertained with Doubts by those , who upon farther acquaintance give them the best Welcome .

The weak apprehensions of our imperfect Faith are not so much to be censured , as pitied . It is a sure way for the heart , to be prevented with the assurance of the omnipotent power of God , to whom nothing is impossible : so shall the hardest points of Faith goe down easily with us . If the Eye of our mind look upward , it shall meet with nothing to avert or interrupt it ; but if right forward , or downward , or round about , every thing is a block in our way .

There is a difference betwixt Desire of assurance , and Unbelief . We cannot be too carefull to raise up our selves arguments to settle our Faith ; although it should be no Faith , if it had no feet to stand upon but discursive . In matters of Faith , if reasons may be brought for the conviction of the gainsayers , it is well ; if they be helps , they cannot be grounds of our Belief . In the most faithfull heart there are some sparks of infidelity : So to believe , that we should have no doubt at all , is scarce incident unto flesh and bloud . It is a great perfection , if we have attained to overcome our Doubts . What did mis-lead Zachary , but that which uses to guide others , Reason ? I am old , and my wife is of great age . As if years and dry loins could be any lett to him , who is able of very stones to raise up children unto Abraham . Faith and Reason have their limits ; where Reason ends , Faith begins : and if Reason will be encroaching upon the bounds of Faith , she is straight taken captive by Infidelity . We are not fit to follow Christ , if we have not denied our selves ; and the chief piece of our selves is our Reason . We must yield God able to doe that which we cannot comprehend ; and we must comprehend that by our Faith which is disclaimed by Reason . Hagar must be driven out of doors , that Sara may rule alone .

The authority of the Reporter makes way for belief in things which are otherwise hard to pass : although in the matters of God , we should not so much care who speaks , as what is spoken , and from whom . The Angel tells his name , place , office , unasked ; that Zachary might not think any news impossible that was brought him by an Heavenly Messenger . Even where there is no use of language , the Spirits are distinguished by names , and each knows his own appellation , and others . He that gave leave unto Man , his Image , to give names unto all his visible and inferiour creatures , did himself put names unto the spirituall : and as their name is , so are they mighty and glorious . But lest Zachary should no less doubt of the style of the Messenger , then of the Errand it self , he is at once both confirmed , and punished with Dumbness . That Tongue which moved the Doubt must be tied up : He shall ask no more questions for forty weeks , because he asked this one distrustfully .

Neither did Zachary lose onely his Tongue for the time , but his Ears also ; he was not onely mute , but deaf : For otherwise , when they came to ask his allowance for the name of his Son , they needed not to have demanded it by signs , but by words . God will not pass over slight offences , and those which may plead the most colourable pretences , in his best children , without a sensible check . It is not our holy entireness with God that can bear us out in the least sin ; yea rather , the more acquaintance we have with his Majesty , the more sure we are of correction when we offend . This may procure us more favour in our well-doing , not less justice in evill .

Zachary staied , and the people waited . Whether some longer discourse betwixt the Angel and him then needed to be recorded , or whether astonishment at the apparition and news withheld him , I inquire not . The multitude thought him long ; yet though they could but see afar off , they would not depart till he returned to bless them . Their patient attendence without shames us , that are hardly perswaded to attend within , whilst both our Senses are imployed in our Divine services , and we are admitted to be Co-agents with our Ministers .

At last Zachary comes out speechless , and more amazes them with his presence then with his delay . The eyes of the multitude , that were not worthy to see his Vision , yet see the signs of his Vision ; that the world might be put into the expectation of some extraordinary sequell . God makes way for his Voice by Silence : His Speech could not have said so much as his Dumbness . Zachary would fain have spoken , and could not : with us , too many are dumb , and need not . Negligence , Fear , Partiality stop the mouths of many , which shall once say , Woe to me , because I held my peace . His Hand speaks that which he cannot with his Tongue , and he makes them by signs to understand that which they might reade in his Face . Those powers we have we must use . But though he have ceased to speak , yet he ceased not to minister . He takes not this Dumbness for a Dismission , but stays out the eight days of his Course , as one that knew the Eyes and Hands and Heart would be accepted of that God which had bereaved him of his Tongue . We may not straight take occasions of withdrawing our selves from the publick Services of our God , much less under the Gospell . The Law , which stood much upon Bodily perfection , dispensed with Age for attendence : The Gospell , which is all for the Soul , regards those inward powers , which whilst they are vigorous , exclude all excuses of our ministration .

II. The Annunciation of CHRIST .

THe Spirit of God was never so accurate in any description , as that which concerns the Incarnation of GOD. It was fit no circumstance should be omitted in that Story , whereon the Faith and Salvation of all the World dependeth . We cannot so much as doubt of this truth , and be saved . No , not the number of the Moneth , not the Name of the Angel is concealed . Every particle imports not more certainty , then excellence . The time is the sixth moneth after John's Conception , the prime of the Spring . Christ was conceived in the Spring , born in the Solstice . He in whom the World received a new Life , receives Life in the same season wherein the World received its first Life from him ; and he which stretches out the days of his Church , and lengthens them to Eternity , appears after all the short and dim light of the Law , and enlightens the World with his Glory . The Messenger is an Angel . A Man was too mean to carry the news of the Conception of God . Never any business was conceived in Heaven that did so much concern the Earth , as the Conception of the God of Heaven in the Womb of Earth . No less then an Arch-angel was worthy to bear these tidings ; never any Angel received a greater honour , then of this Embassage .

It was fit our Reparation should answer our Fall . An evill Angel was the first Motioner of the one to Eve , a Virgin , then espoused to Adam , in the Garden of Eden : A good Angel is the first Reporter of the other to Mary , a Virgin , espoused to Joseph , in that place which ( as the Garden of Galilee ) had a name from Flourishing . No good Angel could be the Authour of our Restauration , as that evill Angel was of our Ruine . But that which those glorious Spirits could not doe themselves , they are glad to report as done by the God of Spirits . Good news rejoyces the bearer . With what joy did this holy Angel bring the news of that Saviour , in whom we are redeemed to Life , himself established in Life and Glory ? The first Preacher of the Gospell was an Angel : that Office must needs be glorious that derives it self from such a Predecessour . God appointed his Angel to be the first Preacher , and hath since called his Preachers Angels . The Message is well suited . An Angel comes to a Virgin , Gabriel to Mary ; he that was by signification the strength of God , to her that was by signification exalted by God , to the conceiving of him that was the God of strength . To a Maid , but espoused : a Maid , for the honour of Virginity ; espoused , for the honour of Marriage . The Marriage was in a sort made , not consummate , through the instinct of him that meant to make her not an Example , but a Miracle of women . In this whole work God would have nothing ordinary . It was fit that she should be a married Virgin , which should be a Virgin-mother . He that meant to take Man's nature without man's corruption , would be the Son of man without man's seed , would be the Seed of the Woman without Man ; and amongst all Women , of a pure Virgin ; but amongst Virgins , of one espoused , that there might be at once a Witness and a Guardian of her fruitfull Virginity . If the same God had not been the authour of Virginity and Marriage , he had never countenanced Virginity by Marriage .

Whither doth this glorious Angel come to find the Mother of him that was God , but to obscure Galilee ? A part which even the Jews themselves despised , as forsaken of their privileges : Out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet . Behold , an Angel comes to that Galilee out of which no Prophet comes ; and the God of Prophets and Angels descends to be conceived in that Galilee out of which no Prophet ariseth . He that filleth all places makes no difference of places . It is the Person which gives honour and privilege to the place , not the Place to the person : as the Presence of God makes the Heaven , the Heaven doth not make the Owner glorious . No blind corner of Nazareth can hide the Blessed Virgin from the Angel . The Favours of God will find out his Children wheresoever they are withdrawn .

It is the fashion of God to seek out the most despised , on whom to bestow his Honours . We cannot run away , as from the Judgments , so from the Mercies of our God . The Cottages of Galilee are preferred by God to the famous Palaces of Jerusalem : he cares not how homely he converses with his own . Why should we be transported with the outward glory of Places , whilst our God regards it not ? We are not of the Angel's diet , if we had not rather be with the Blessed Virgin at Nazareth , then with the proud Dames in the Court of Jerusalem . It is a great vanity to respect any thing above Goodness , and to disesteem Goodness for any want . The Angel salutes the Virgin , he prays not to her : He salutes her as a Saint , he prays not to her as a Goddess . For us to salute her as he did , were gross Presumption : For neither are we as he was , neither is she as she was . If he that was a Spirit saluted her that was Flesh and bloud here on earth , it is not for us , that are Flesh and bloud , to salute her , which is a glorious Spirit in Heaven . For us to pray to her in the Angel's Salutation , were to abuse the Virgin , the Angel , the Salutation .

But how gladly do we second the Angel in the praise of her , who was more ours then his ? How justly do we bless her , whom the Angel pronounceth blessed ? How worthily is she honoured of men , whom the Angel proclaimeth beloved of God ? O Blessed Mary , he cannot bless thee , he cannot honour thee too much , that deifies thee not . That which the Angel said of thee , thou hast prophesied of thy self ; we believe the Angel , and thee : All Generations shall call thee blessed , by the fruit of whose womb all Generations are blessed . If Zachary were amazed with the sight of this Angel , much more the Virgin . That very Sex had more disadvantage of Fear . If it had been but a Man that had come to her in that secrecy and suddenness , she could not but have been troubled ; how much more when the shining Glory of the Person doubled the Astonishment ?

The Troubles of Holy minds end ever in Comfort . Joy was the errand of the Angel , and not Terrour . Fear ( as all Passions ) disquiets the heart , and makes it for the time unfit to receive the messages of God . Soon hath the Angel cleared these troublesome mists of Passions , and sent out the beams of heavenly Consolation into the remotest corner of her Soul by the glad news of her Saviour . How can Joy but enter into her heart , out of whose womb shall come Salvation ? What room can Fear find in that breast that is assured of Favour ? Fear not , Mary ; for thou hast found favour with God . Let those fear who know they are in displeasure , or know not they are gracious : Thine happy estate calls for Confidence , and that Confidence for Joy . What should , what can they fear , who are favoured of him at whom the Devils tremble ? Not the Presence of the good Angels , but the Temptations of the evill strike many terrours into our weakness : we could not be dismaied with them , if we did not forget our condition . We have not received the spirit of bondage to fear again , but the spirit of Adoption , whereby we cry , Abba , Father . If that Spirit ( O God ) witness with our spirits that we are thine , how can we fear any of those spirituall wickednesses ? Give us assurance of thy Favour , and let the powers of Hell doe their worst .

It was no ordinary favour that the Virgin found in Heaven . No mortall Creature was ever thus graced , that he should take part of her nature that was the God of Nature ; that he , who made all things , should make his humane Body of hers ; that her Womb should yield that Flesh which was personally united to the Godhead ; that she should bear him that upholds the World . Loe , thou shalt conceive and bear a Son , and shalt call his name JESVS . It is a question , whether there be more wonder in the Conception , or in the Fruit ; the Conception of the Virgin , or Jesus conceived : Both are marvellous ; but the former doth not more exceed all other Wonders , then the latter exceedeth it . For the child of a Virgin is the improvement of that power which created the world : but that God should be incarnate of a Virgin , was an abasement of his Majesty , and an exaltation of the Creature beyond all example . Well was that Child worthy to make the Mother blessed . Here was a double Conception ; one in the womb of her Body , the other of the Soul . If that were more miraculous , this was more beneficiall : that was her Privilege , this was her Happiness . If that were singular to her , this is common to all his chosen : There is no renewed Heart wherein thou , O Saviour , art not formed again . Blessed be thou that hast herein made us blessed . For what womb can conceive thee , and not partake of thee ? who can partake of thee , and not be happy ?

Doubtless the Virgin understood the Angel as he meant , of a present Conception , which made her so much more inquisitive into the manner and means of this event : How shall this be , since I know not a man ? That she should conceive a Son by the knowledge of Man after her Marriage consummate , could have been no wonder : But how then should that Son of hers be the Son of God ? This demand was higher . How her present Virginity should be instantly fruitfull , might be well worthy of admiration , of inquiry . Here was desire of information , not doubts of infidelity : yea rather , this question argues Faith ; it takes for granted that which an unbelieving heart would have stuck at . She says not , Who and whence art thou ? what Kingdome is this ? where and when shall it be erected ? but smoothly supposing all those strange things would be done , she insists onely in that which did necessarily require a farther intimation , and doth not distrust , but demand : neither doth she say , This cannot be , nor , How can this be ? but , How shall this be ? So doth the Angel answer , as one that knew he needed not to satisfie Curiosity , but to inform Judgment , and uphold Faith . He doth not therefore tell her of the manner , but of the Authour of this act ; The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee , and the power of the Most high shall over-shadow thee . It is enough to know who is the Undertaker , and what he will doe . O God , what do we seek a clear Light , where thou wilt have a Shadow ? No Mother knows the manner of her naturall Conception : what presumption shall it be for flesh and bloud , to search how the Son of God took flesh and bloud of his Creature ? It is for none but the Almighty to know those works which he doeth immediately concerning himself : those that concern us he hath revealed . Secrets to God , things revealed to us .

The Answer was not so full , but that a thousand difficulties might arise out of the particularities of so strange a Message : yet after the Angel's Solution , we hear of no more Objections , no more Interrogations . The faithfull Heart , when it once understands the good pleasure of God , argues no more , but sweetly rests it self in a quiet expectation . Behold the Servant of the Lord , be it to me according to thy Word . There is not a more noble proof of our Faith , then to captivate all the powers of our Understanding and Will to our Creatour , and without all sciscitations to goe blindfold whither he will lead us . All Disputations with God ( after his will known ) arise from Infidelity . Great is the Mystery of Godliness ; and if we will give Nature leave to cavill , we cannot be Christians . O God , thou art faithfull , thou art powerfull : It is enough that thou hast said it ; in the humility of our obedience we resign our selves over to thee . Behold the Servants of the Lord , be it unto us according to thy word .

How fit was her Womb to conceive the Flesh of the Son of God by the power of the Spirit of God , whose Breast had so soon by the power of the same Spirit conceived an assent to the will of God ? And now of an Handmaid of God , she is advanced to the Mother of God . No sooner hath she said , Be it done , then it is done ; the Holy Ghost overshadows her , and forms her Saviour in her own Body . This very Angel , that talks with the Blessed Virgin , could scarce have been able to express the Joy of her heart in the sense of this Divine Burthen . Never any mortal creature had so much cause of Exultation . How could she , that was full of God , be other then full of Joy in that God ? Grief grows greater by concealing , Joy by expression . The Holy Virgin had understood by the Angel , how her Cousin Elizabeth was no less of kin to her in condition ; the fruitfulness of whose Age did somewhat suit the fruitfulness of her Virginity . Happiness communicated doubles it self . Here is no straining of courtesie : The Blessed Maid , whom vigour of Age had more fitted for the way , hastens her journey into the Hill-country , to visit that gracious Matron , whom God had made a sign of her miraculous Conception . Onely the meeting of Saints in Heaven can parallel the meeting of these two Cousins : the two Wonders of the World are met under one roof , and congratulate their mutuall Happiness . When we have Christ spiritually conceived in us , we cannot be quiet till we have imparted our Joy . Elizabeth , that holy Matron , did no sooner welcome her Blessed Cousin , then her Babe welcomes his Saviour : Both in the retired Closets of their Mother's Womb are sensible of each other's presence ; the one by his Omniscience , the other by Instinct . He did not more forerun Christ , then over-run Nature . How should our hearts leap within us , when the Son of God vouchsafes to come into the secret of our Souls , not to visit us , but to dwell with us , to dwell in us ?

III. The Birth of CHRIST .

AS all the actions of men , so especially the publick actions of publick men are ordered by God to other ends then their own . This Edict went not so much out from Augustus , as from the Court of Heaven . What did Caesar know Joseph and Mary ? His charge was universal , to a world of Subjects , through all the Roman Empire : God intended this Cension onely for the Blessed Virgin and her Son , that Christ might be born where he should . Caesar meant to fill his Coffers , God meant to fulfill his Prophecies ; and so to fulfill them , that those whom it concerned might not feel the Accomplishment . If God had directly commanded the Virgin to goe up to Bethlehem , she had seen the intention , and expected the issue : But that wise Moderatour of all things , that works his will in us , loves so to doe it , as may be least with our fore-sight and acquaintance , and would have us fall under his Decrees unawares , that we may so much the more adore the depths of his Providence . Every Creature walks blindfold ; onely He that dwells in light sees whither they goe .

Doubtless , Blessed Mary meant to have been delivered of her Divine burthen at home , and little thought of changing the place of Conception for another of her Birth . That house was honoured by the Angel , yea , by the over-shadowing of the Holy Ghost : none could equally satisfie her hopes or desires . It was fit that He , who made choice of the Womb wherein his Son should be conceived , should make choice of the place where his Son should be born . As the Work is all his , so will he alone contrive all the Circumstances to his own ends . O the infinite Wisedome of God in casting all his designs ! There needs no other proof of Christ , then Caesar and Bethlehem ; and of Caesars , then Augustus : his Government , his Edict pleads the truth of the Messias . His Government : Now was the deep Peace of all the world under that quiet Scepter , which made way for him who was the Prince of Peace . If Wars be a sign of the time of his second Coming , Peace was a sign of his first . His Edict : Now was the Scepter departed from Juda ; it was the time for Shilo to come : no power was left in the Jews , but to obey . Augustus is the Emperour of the World ; under him Herod is the King of Judaea ; Cyrenius is President of Syria : Jewrie hath nothing of her own . For Herod , if he were a King , yet he was no Jew ; and if he had been a Jew , yet he was no otherwise a King then tributary and titular . The Edict came out from Augustus , was executed by Cyrenius ; Herod is no actour in this service . Gain and glory are the ends of this Taxation : each man profest himself a Subject , and paid for the privilege of his Servitude . Now their very Heads were not their own , but must be payed for to the Head of a forrein State : They which before stood upon the terms of their Immunity , stoop at the last . The proud suggestions of Judas the Galilaean might shed their bloud , and swell their stomacks , but could not ease their yoak : neither was it the meaning of God , that Holiness ( if they had been as they pretended ) should shelter them from Subjection . A Tribute is imposed upon God's free people . This act of Bondage brings them Liberty : Now when they seemed most neglected of God , they are blessed with a Redeemer ; when they are most pressed with forrein Sovereignty , God sends them a King of their own , to whom Caesar himself must be a Subject . The goodness of our God picks out the most needfull times for our relief and comfort : Our extremities give him the most glory . Whither must Joseph and Mary come to be taxed , but unto Bethlehem , David's City ? The very Place proves their Descent . He that succeeded David in his Throne , must succeed him in the place of his Birth . So clearly was Bethlehem designed to this honour by the Prophets , that even the Priests and the Scribes could point Herod unto it , and assured him , the King of the Jews could be no-where else born . Bethlehem justly the House of Bread ; the Bread that came down from Heaven is there given to the world . Whence should we have the Bread of life , but from the House of bread ? O holy David , was this the Well of Bethlehem whereof thou didst so thirst to drink of old , when thou saidst , Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the Well of Bethlehem ? Surely that other Water , when it was brought thee by thy Worthies , thou pouredst it on the ground , and wouldst not drink of it : This was that living Water for which thy soul longed , whereof thou saidst elsewhere , As the Hart brayeth after the water-brooks , so longeth my soul after thee , O God : My soul thirsteth for God , for the living God .

It was no less then four days journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem : How just an excuse might the Blessed Virgin have pleaded for her absence ? What woman did ever undertake such a journey so near her delivery ? And doubtless Joseph , who was now taught of God to love and honour her , was loth to draw forth a dear Wife , in so unwieldy a case , into so manifest hazard . But the Charge was peremptory , the Obedience exemplary : The desire of an inoffensive observance even of Heathenish authority digests all difficulties . We may not take easie occasions to withdraw our Obedience to supreme commands . Yea , how didst thou , ( O Saviour ) by whom Augustus reigned , in the womb of thy Mother yield this Homage to Augustus ? The first Lesson that ever thy Example taught us was Obedience .

After many steps are Joseph and Mary come to Bethlehem . The plight wherein she was would not allow any speed , and the forced leisure of the journey causeth disappointment : the end was worse then the way ; there was no rest in the way , there was no room in the Inne . It could not be , but that there were many of the kindred of Joseph and Mary at that time in Bethlehem ; for both there were their Ancestours born , if not themselves ; and thither came up all the Cousins of their bloud : yet there and then doth the Holy Virgin want room to lay either her head , or her burthen . If the House of David had not lost all mercy and good nature , a Daughter of David could not so near the time of her travail have been destitute of lodging in the City of David . Little did the Bethlehemites think what a Guest they refused ; else they would gladly have opened their doors to him , who was able to open the gates of Heaven to them . Now their Inhospitality is punishment enough to it self : They have lost the honour and happiness of being Host to their God . Even still , O Blessed Saviour , thou standest at our doors and knockest ; every motion of thy good Spirit tells us thou art there : Now thou comest in thine own name , and there thou standest , whilst thy head is full of dew , and thy locks wet with the drops of the night . If we suffer carnal desires and worldly thoughts to take up the lodging of our Heart , and revell within us , whilst thou waitest upon our admission , surely our judgement shall be so much the greater , by how much better we know whom we have excluded . What do we cry shame on the Bethlehemites , whilst we are wilfully more churlish , more unthankfull ? There is no room in my heart for the wonder at this Humility . He , for whom Heaven is too streight , whom the Heaven of heavens cannot contain , lies in the streight cabbin of the womb , and when he would inlarge himself for the world , is not allowed the room of an Inne . The many mansions of Heaven were at his disposing ; the Earth was his , and the fulness of it : yet he suffers himself to be refused of a base Cottage , and complaineth not . What measure should discontent us wretched men , when thou ( O God ) farest thus from thy creatures ? How should we learn both to want and abound , from thee , who , abounding with the glory and riches of Heaven , wouldst want a lodging in thy first welcome to the earth ? Thou camest to thine own , and thy own received thee not . How can it trouble us to be rejected of the world , which is not ours ? What wonder is it if thy servants wandred abroad in sheep-skins and goat-skins , destitute and afflicted , when their Lord is denied harbour ? How should all the world blush at this indignity of Bethlehem ? He that came to save Men , is sent for his first lodging to the Beasts : The Stable is become his Inne , the Cratch his Bed . O strange Cradle of that great King , which Heaven it self may envy ! O Saviour , thou that wert both the Maker and Owner of Heaven , of Earth , couldst have made thee a Palace without hands , couldst have commanded thee an empty room in those houses which thy creatures had made . When thou didst but bid the Angels avoid their first place , they fell down from Heaven like lightning ; and when in thy humbled estate thou didst but say , I am he , who was able to stand before thee ? How easie had it been for thee , to have made place for thy self in the throngs of the stateliest Courts ? Why wouldst thou be thus homely , but that , by contemning worldly Glories , thou mightest teach us to contemn them ? that thou mightest-sanctify Poverty to them whom thou calledst unto want ? that since thou , who hadst the choice of all earthly conditions , wouldst be born poor and despised , those which must want out of necessity might not think their Poverty grievous . Here was neither friend to entertain , nor servant to attend , nor place wherein to be attended ; onely the poor Beasts gave way to the God of all the world . It is the great mystery of godliness , that God was manifested in the flesh , and seen of Angels : but here , which was the top of all wonders , the very Beasts might see their Maker . For those Spirits to see God in the flesh , it was not so strange , as for the brute creatures to see him who was the God of spirits . He , that would be led into the wilderness amongst wild beasts to be tempted , would come into the house of beasts to be born , that from the height of his Divine Glory his Humiliation might be the greater . How can we be abased low enough for thee , ( O Saviour ) that hast thus neglected thy self for us ? That the visitation might be answerable to the homeliness of the place , attendents , provision , who shall come to congratulate his birth but poor Shepherds ? The Kings of the earth rest at home , and have no summons to attend him by whom they reign : God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the mighty . In an obscure time ( the night ) unto obscure men ( Shepherds ) doth God manifest the light of his Son by glorious Angels . It is not our meanness ( O God ) that can exclude us from the best of thy mercies : yea , thus far dost thou respect persons , that thou hast put down the mighty , and exalted them of low degree . If these Shepherds had been snorting in their beds , they had no more seen Angels , nor heard news of their Saviour , then their neighbours : Their vigilancy is honoured with this heavenly Vision . Those who are industrious in any calling are capable of farther Blessings ; whereas the Idle are fit for nothing but Temptation . No less then a whole Chore of Angels are worthy to sing the Hymn of Glory to God , for the Incarnation of his Son . What joy is enough for us , whose nature he took , and whom he came to restore by his Incarnation ? If we had the tongues of Angels , we could not raise this note high enough to the praise of our glorious Redeemer . No sooner do the Shepherds hear the news of a Saviour , then they run to Bethlehem to seek him : Those that left their beds to tend their flocks , leave their flocks to enquire after their Saviour . No earthly thing is too dear to be forsaken for Christ . If we suffer any worldly occasion to stay us from Bethlehem , we care more for our sheep then our souls . It is not possible that a faithfull heart should hear where Christ is , and not labour to the sight , to the fruition of him . Where art thou , O Saviour , but at home in thine own house , in the assembly of thy Saints ? Where art thou to be found but in thy Word and Sacraments ? Yea , there thou seekest for us : if there we haste not to seek for thee , we are worthy to want thee , worthy that our want of thee here should make us want the presence of thy face for ever .