I Have heretofore rerelated the Iournall , & Gestes of the Progresse , which the Magi made to Ierusalem , taking my Rise at the first verse , as at the first stage of their setting forth . Now quite to leave them there , and upon no opportunity to reflect on the Motive , and End of their Journey ; what were it but with the Foxe in the Fable to lick the outside of the Glasse , and not to tast the sweetes that are within it , Naz . Orat . 11. or in the words of Nazianzen {αβγδ} , to commend a goodly Statue from the shadow it casts , and to passe by {αβγδ} , those perfections , which deserve our chiefe commendations . The Tuesday Course then being almost contiguous to their Solemne Festivall seasonably reverted me to a survay of this second verse , since therein we may discover the maine drift of their travell , & expence . Our Dialect renders them Wise men , and significantly too : For at their first arrivall they did not weare away the Spanne of their time in descrying the Gaudes and Glories of the Citty , in trifling about impertinent , & frivolous Questions , but like Wise men indeed they forthwith propound a religious demand , saying , Where is He , which is borne King of the Iews ? And yet I feare the worldly wise will take them for none of the wisest in regard of that forme of Jntergatory . The method of humane Policy prescribes Travellers to set a watch before their mouthes , to bee thrifty of their language when they converse with forreine Nations , because a {αβγδ} , or freedome of speech in such betrayes levity , and hazards safety . These then may seeme to be nicknam'd Wisemen , onely in an Jrony , for who would not esteeme it rather an insolent presumption then well weigh'd discretion to dispute the Rights , and Proprieties of a Crowne ; to raise a bruit of a Naturall King newly borne when another is elected , and established in the Throne ? Such an affront as this is able to strike fire out of the dullest Prince , much more out of Herod , who as he was a Foxe in subtlety , so he shew'd himselfe a Lion in Cruelty . For when their Errand was presented to his Eares his enraged jealousie burn'd so fiercely that it suck'd up the bloud of all the Male Infants within the Coasts of Bethlē . And had not an heavenly inspiration diverted these Nuncios from the intended way of their Returne , their bloud also should have runn'd among the Ingredients , and made up the dose to allay his fury .

But the Babe-slayer needed not thus to rave , Christ's susception of our Nature was no way ominous to his usurped Title . Hee came , saith S. Mathew , to minister , and not to be ministr'd unto . T is true , He was a King , Pilate an Infidell to the preiudice of Caesar , his Emperour , & with hazard of his owne life stilld him so at his death , as those strangers did at his Birth . Yea himselfe confess'd it , Mark 14. & his Father confirm'd it . Ps. 2. At Rex fuit in Saecula , non de saeculo : yet he was no Temporary Monarch of this Earth , but the King Eternal who hath all power in heaven , and in Earth , and so he was not to succeed any , nor any other him . Indeed his Royall Descent , & proximity of succession to the Crown might have claim'd the Throne of his Father David , See this fully prov'd in Speeds . Cloud of witnesses . the externall Monarchy of all Iewry . For both by Ioseph his Legall Father , and Mary his Naturall Mother , himselfe was the onely immediate , next Heire to Abiud , & Rhesa sonnes of Zerubbabel , in whose Line the Crowne by Right , should have been invested after Jechoniah .

But he would not hold by that tenure : if he had , his Birth should not have bin so vile , and contemptible , nor his life so toilesome , and miserable . He would not have begunne his State in a Manger , nor should a Cratch have been his Cradle ; and brutish attendants his neerest Courtiers . A scandall so great in the fastuous conceit of the Priests , and Scribes , that they would not be brought to acknowledge him to be the Messias , to whom they were to doe their homage , and sweare allegeance , although their forefather Iacob directly left it in his Testament , that when Shiloh came , all the shew , and outward pompe of the earthly Scepter should depart from Iudah , and Zachary in expresse tearmes proclaimed it to Jerusalem , Behold thy King cometh to thee poore and lowly . For the Iewes , who have been more diligent in the custody and portage of the old Testament , then in the true Exposition of it , were notable to discerne through so thick a vaile as lay over their eyes , plaine Prophesies from obscure Aenigmaes , & therefore being desirous to brave it in the flesh , phantastically supposed that He who was to be borne King in their Quarters should trample on the necks , and Crownes of Princes , loosen the chaines wherewith they were manacl'd by the Romanes , and make them all great , and powerfull Potentates .

But the Lord raignes , be the Earth never so impatient : Non brachio saeculari , not by outward force over our goods and bodies , so terrestriall Rulers exercise dominion . The weapons of his Kingdome , are of an heavenly nature , his two edged sword cutts beyond the marrow , pierceth the deepest secrets , and retir'd cogitations of the inward Cabinet . The most obdurate sinner that sets up cavills , and raiseth as it were bullwarks against the Lord , and his Anointed , feeles at one time or other , the power of his Spirit , ready to beat downe those strong holds of sinfull imaginations . So that the breast of every carnall man hath that , which will speak for subjection to Christs dominion . I will not wander beyond the pale of the Church , nor touch those bad humors in the mysticall Body , which want nerves , and sinewes of faith to unite them to the Head . Our Saviour's entire Regiment is among his true members , who receive sense , motion , and quickning spirits out of his Fulnesse . The Assemblies of the Faithfull are his immediat subjects , with whom his Word goes for a Law , and the guidance of his Spirit , for the sway of his Scepter . In them he Lordes it as a King in his Kingdome , when their understandings desire to know nothing but him , and what may stand with his truth ; when their wills , and affections resigne , and yeeld up all in obedience , and conformity to his will . He manifests the might of his Supremacy in their rescue from the thraldome of sinne , the sorcery of the flesh , and from the vigour of the Curse . And that the world may know he is {αβγδ} the great Monarch of the universe , King of Kings , and raigning over all that raignes , he makes all things serviceable to their good . Sometimes permitting the rage of Tyrants to grow on high , that thereby he may be glorified in the Courage , and constancy of his Servants amidst the pangs and torments of death . Otherwhiles he restraines the tyranny of their Persecutors , causing them on a sudden to become his Peoples humble Oratours .

The Magi guided by the holy Ghost , entitle him King of the Iewes transcendently , because his Kingdome of Grace , the Standard of the Gospell , was first advanc'd in their Coasts . They were his Primogeniti ; and 't is the Prerogative of the first begotten , to have a more honourable mention then others , which are Aliens . Yet his affection was not so wedded to that Nation , that he wholy put the Gentiles out of his protection . The Pale of Palestine was too restrain'd , too narrow for his bounds . His dominion was to be extended so farre as the Sunne darts his beames : the Heathen were given as his Inheritance , and the ends of the Earth for his Possession . The promise of the seed of the woman , which should break the Serpent's head , was made to Adam in Paradise as he represented the whole Posterity of Man-kinde , and so no Nation , no Condition can shut out a good heart from God . Why was the Stranger which sojourn'd among the Hebrewes capable of Circumcision , the pledge and seale of God's favour , but to signifie that saving health was to be deriv'd from their Tribes to all the Kinreds of the Earth . Neither is it without a mystery that in old Simeon's Anthem the light of the Gentiles is placed before the glory of Israell . Tert ul . lib . adv . Iudae . Tertullian is so farre from giving preeminence to the Iews that he proves it was prefigur'd by the Birth of Esau , and Iacob , that the elder people of the Jewes should serve the younger of the Gentiles . Others will have their rejection to be shadow'd forth in Gedeon's dry fleece , and the vocation of the Gentiles in the wet floore . So that the Jewes were no more to be compar'd to the encrease of the Gentills , then the litle peece of Wooll to the whole Floore . Indeed the Jewes may truly be said to be like Gedeon's fleece ; for as it was water'd with the raine of heaven when all the Land else was dry , so God did let fall the dew of his mercies on their territories , when he left all other places barren , and dryed up through want of the influence of his graces . But after their rebellion they became like Gedeon's fleece , which afterwards was only dry , when there was dew on all the Earth besides . They were at first to God as Reuben to Iacob , the strength , and glory of his age ; but by ingratitude with Reuben they lost their dignitie , and with Esau their birth-right . S. Ambros . Ep. 73. l. 9. Nam quomodo dicent Pater cùm verum Dei Filium negant per quem adoptio acquiritur ? For with what comfort can they call God Father , who beleeve not in his onely Sonne , without whom they cannot bee adopted his children ? Quomodò Testamentum nuncupant , qui mortem Testatoris negant . What right can they have in the Covenant , who undervalue the death of the Testator by which 't is ratified ? Quomodò libertatem usurpant , qui negant sanguinem , quo redempti sunt ? How can they challenge the glorious liberty of the chosen , when they trample under their feet the bloud of their Redemption ? In vaine doe they boast they are descended from Abraham , since he is not a Jew who is one outward in the flesh , but inward in the Spirit . The Commonwealth of Israel is as well Mysticall , as Literall , and they are right heires to Christ's Kingdome , who reverence him as their Lord , & King . So that wee are the seed of Israel , having prevailed to be adopted God's people . For wheresoever true beleevers keep their residence , there the Land becomes Israel , & the Church Sion . Quousque ergo Iudaee durissime ? S. Maxim . How long therefore ô thou carnall , stiffeneck'd Iew , wilt thou stop thy Eares against the Dictates of the Patriark's , and Testimonies of the Prophets ? What a deadly obstinacy hath possess'd thy heart above all others ? Thou canst not be perswaded to thy salvation by the tongues of Angels , & yet the Wisemen were confirm'd , and brought to thy Christ by the sight of one starre , which is the motive of their Journey , vidimus stellam Ejus . Where is He that is borne King of the Jewes ? for we have seen his Starre .

Tully was of opinion that the world was fram'd in such an order at the first beginning , Cicero de Divinat . ut certis rebus quaedam signa praecurrerent , that certain signes , or tokens should alwaies runne before certaine effects to give a glimpse , or light of their approaching . But this rule cannot be extended unto all , for as it is false Logick to maintain an argument affirmatively from the part to the whole , so were it likewise a grosse Errour in Divinity to presse God , as it were perforce , to reveale his pleasure touching future events because he hath given warning by expresse signes of some particulars . Yet the fruitlesse Plodders , and Prolers in Nativities thought no matter of importance could fall out , without the same were signified before hand by the Starres . Cardan was so sawcy as to erect a Figure of our Saviour's Birth : Earle of North ●ampton in his desensative p. 108 so cites him . Christ saith he was borne Primâfacie virginis ascendente , the first face of the Virgin ascending , whose proper image is a Virgin nourishing a Child , and thereupon , grounds an assurance that the Starres , and Planets wrought in his Nativity . Tertul . de Idololat . Credo hoc nomine Christum sibi obligaverunt . J think , as Tertullian speaks scoffingly , such Figure-flingers as these , bound Christ to their profession , by this courtesy of making the starres to keep an Audit of his comming . But 't is both impious , and ridiculous to suppose the influence of the Planets doe inspire , and force effects , which are ordained by God . The Father is round with them . Non est regnum caelorum sperare , Tertul . ut supra . cujus radius , aut digitus abutitur caelo . He cannot hope for the Kingdome of Heaven , who thus abuseth heaven either with his finger , or his Compasse . These execrable illusions ipsam propemodûm dei majestatem pulsant , doe almost strike at the Almighties soveraigne Majesty , and make it as it were a vassall to the works of his owne hands . There is no doubt but the very minute wherein all the miracles , and mercies should be wrought by Christ was fix'd in the Divine providence before the world was made . The fulnesse of time in which God sent his sonne was no other time then that which his Prophets , and not the Horoscope foretold . Chrysol . Vidimus stellam ejus ( as 't is in the Text ) ( i . ) Eum , qui habet stellam , non habetur à stella : Cujus ortum tenebat Autor , non quae ortum tenebat Autoris . Wee have seen his starre ( (i) ) we have seen him , who govern'd the starre , and not the starre him . Very well doe they call it his starre , because although all the starres being created by him are his , yet this was Christ's more peculiarly . The rest of the starres were made that they might distinguish the times , and seasons , this was commanded to appeare that it might declare the Lord of the world , and the time of his heavenly Kingdome was at hand . Stella erat non legifera , Chrysol . sed signifera , non apparuit caeli climate , sed virtute nascentis . Christ's nativity depended not upon the starre , but the starre on his Nativity , in respect whereof it was first created .

It cannot be that this starre could be any of those glorious lights either fix'd or planetary , which in the creation were made for the ornament of heaven , and to enlighten sublunary creatures . Betwixt them and this there are many differences , both in respect of its motion , splendor , situation , and the manner of appearing . All other starres move ad motum primi mobilis , circularly , from the East towards the West , whereas this starre proceeded in a straight line from the East towards the South . Othe starres appeare not in the day time , their light is obscur'd by the light of the Sunne : this starre appeard , and directed one Wise-men at high noone . Other starres are placed in the heaven , this was not in the firmament , but the Aire , otherwise it could not have pointed out the way to the Wise-men , nor the house where the Infant lay . Lastly this Starre did differ from other stars in the manner of appearing , for sometimes it appeard , and sometimes it did not ; sometimes it appear'd moving , and sometimes standing , so that it must needs follow it was no common starre , remaining in the heaven from the beginning , but a new light deputed only to the honour of our Saviour's birth , and the service of these Magi .

Now if you would know how they understood the office of this starre was to be a Conduct to Christ , first we lay it as an undoubted truth they could not discover it by skill of the Astrolabe , that light was but a slight ground for a supernaturall beliefe . Some hold they had often heard from the Oracles of the Sibils , and their own Prophet Balam had spread it over all their Country , that there should rise a Starre out of Iacob , and together with it a Scepter to Israel , as 't is recorded in the Book of Numbers . This they learn'd , and this ranne in their mindes , this they made use of , and so comparing the Prophecies with the Event , they fell upon the right that this starre did portend {αβγδ} , the scepterd King was borne to the Iewes .

J will not affirme , as some doe , Vid . Maldonat . super Math . c . 1. that the holy Spirit himselfe assum'd the figure , and forme of this starre , but J may safely say that by vertue of his spirit , who is the Morning Starre of the East , which guides Arcturus , and his Sonnes , as Job speakes , they attain'd the knowledge how this starre did fore-tell the birth of the Messiah , which should smite the corners of Moab , and destroy all the children of Seth . The Eternall word , {αβγδ} , that light of truth did illuminate their soules to understand what Balam their Countreyman had divulged . The starre was a spark of Christ's owne kindling ; A torch which himselfe lighted to direct these Wisemens footsteps . For they say not wee have seen a new starre in the ayre , strange , and miraculous , but they adde the particle {αβγδ} , the starre , thereby intimating they had seene a starre expected , and formerly reveal'd . D. Leo . Dedit aspicientibus intellectum , qui praestitit signum . Certainly , saith Leo the great , he , which guided their Eye outwardly inspir'd their heart inwardly .

And here from bringing the Magi to a new Sunne on Earth by a new starre in heaven we may observe how sweetly , and favourably the Lord dealts in that hee wins men by those meanes , which are suteable , and correspondent to their dispositions . These Astrologers were studious , and diligent to seeke after God in his coelestiall works , & therefore he teacheth them out of their own book , a starre from heaven shall lead them to the place where divine knowledge is to be had . God is never deficient to him that is not so to himselfe . Indeed our inbred corruption infects whatsoever is infus'd into us , and so no goodnesse in us of it selfe is a fit mover of the good graces of God , yet his voluntary favour , his frank , & free affection regards the small sparkes , and beginnings of light , which himselfe hath set up in our soules , and though it burnes dimme , yet if we let it not goe out , but doe our best to cleare that obscure , faint light , he will make us capable of a greater light . The weake , waxen wings of nature are not sufficient to raise us to our {αβγδ} of eternall happinesse , yet if her faculties , by grace enabled , be well husbanded , rightly managed , they will not hinder an ascending a degree , or two towards it . They cannot save us , they may some way profit us , if wee doe not sit downe in the beginnings of knowledge , but with a willing minde goe on , and travell for more .

J suppose none will conceave the liberall intentions , & bountifull actions of Morall honest men to be evill formally , in the very Essence , though they are so , being taken circumstantially , in respect they ayme not at the right end , Christ's glory , which makes them ineffectuall . For as trueth is truth wheresoever we finde it , so good ceaseth not to be good in whomsoever it resideth . Jf the subject shall alter the very nature of a quality , then the misplacing of a vertue will prove its losse , & destruction ; vertue shall degenerate into vice , and so two opposites may not onely agree , but grow into an inseparable union , and be entirely one . The Scripture is so farre from crying downe morall preparations , that it presseth particulars of that kinde , which God hath so accepted that upon their right imployment he hath graciously pleas'd to infuse a more ample measure of holinesse , a further meanes of salvation . The Eunuch in the Acts was well affected to Religion in undertaking so long a journey as from Aethiopia to Jerusalem for devotion sake . The Lord registers his religious steps , and the Spirit convaies Philip to his Chariot to give him better instruction . Cornelius was a just man , and , which was strange in a Captaine , made up of almes , and good works , he was one that fear'd God , and this was the utmost period of his explicit Creed before he met with S. Peter for ought appeares in the text . The Lord takes notice of this devout disposition , and in a vision directs him how to send for Peter to be inform'd in the Knowledge of the Gospell . The Ancients then who hop'd well of morall honest men are not too uncharitably to be censurd , for , as they urge , though God tyes us to the ordinary means , yet he hath not tyed himselfe . {αβγδ} , or {αβγδ} , ingenuity of nature , and other morall excellencies are not opposite , but subordinate to grace : Grace destroyes not , nor abolisheth them , but heales , and perfects them . The Wisemen desir'd to improve their piety , and God sublimates it , sending his starre as a Harbinger to draw them closer to him , & that out of the East , which is the place of the starre's first appearing . Where is he which is borne King of the Iewes ? We have seen his starre in the East .