Of the generations]

That is, of the Genealogies, as touching his Humanity (S ^t Matthews main drift:) for as touching his Divinity (S ^t Johns chief scope and subject,) who can declare his genera­tion? Isa. 53. 8. What is his name? and what is his sonnes name, if thou canst tell? Prov. 30. 4. He is without descent or pedegree, as Melchisedech, Heb. 7. 2.

Of Jesus Christ]

Jesus shews he was God (for besides me there is no Saviour, [...]. 45. 21.) Christ, that he was man, the An­ointed, for in respect of his manhood, chiefly, is this anointing with gifts and graces attributed to Christ. The name of Jesuits therefore favoureth of blasphemous arrogancy. One of their own Rem [...] e Christi [...], non [...]. gives the reason; because he hath communicated unto us the thing signified by the name Christ, but not by the name Jesus. And yet, it is notoriously known (saith D ^r Fulke, out of another of their own Writers) that the most honourable name of Christian, is in Italy and at Rome a name of reproach; and usually abused, to sig­nifie a Fool or a Dolt. [...]. on Act. 11. [...]. [...]. 4. cut [...] [...]. [...]. Col le [...]. in [...].

The sonne of David]

Gods darling, David ama­sius vel amabi­lis. [...], [...] Solomon dictus est [...]. one that observed all his willes, Acts 13 22. and faithfully served out his time, ver. 36.

The sonne of Abraham]

The friend of God, and father of the faithfull, reckon'd here (for honours sake) as the next im­mediate father of Christ; whose day indeed he saw and rejoyced, he laughed, yea leapt sor joy of this man-childe to be born into the world. Whose children we are, so long as we walk in the steps of his faith; that Christ, being formed in us, may see of the tra­vell of his soul, and be satisfied: he may see his seed, and prolong his daies upon earth. Such honour have all his Saints, Psal. 149. 9. Joh. 8. [...].

Isaac begat Iacob]

After twenty years expectance, and many an hearty prayer put up therewhile. So, Adam lived an hundred and twenty years ere he begat Seth; whom God set as another [...]. seed instead of Abel, Gen. 5. 3. with Gen. 4. 25. when Cains fa­mily Gen. 2 [...]. [...]1. The Hebrew word is, to fre­quent and multiply prayer. flourished, and grew great in the earth. God usually stayes so long, that he hardly findes faith, Luk. 18. 8. till men have done ex­pecting, and then he doeth things that they lookt not for, Isa. 64. 3. Wait therefore upon him who waits to be gracious; and know this, that he is a God of judgement, Isa. 30. 18. that is, a wise God, one that chuseth his times, and knows best when to deal forth his favours. See Isa. 49 8. with Psal. 69. 13. Every thing is Eccles [...]. 11. beautiful in its season, saith Solomon.

Iacob begat Iudah and his brethren]

Brethren in iniquity (the most of them) a part of their fathers punishment, for that Gen. 17 [...], &c. three-fold lye in a breath. Reuben was the beginning of his strength, excelling in dignity and power, Gen. 45. 3. that is (saith the [Page 3] Chaldee Paraphrast) in the Principality and the Priesthood. Both which he forfeited by his foul offence; the [...] to Iudah, the la­ter to Levi. Howbeit, upon his return to God (though disinherit­ed of the birth-right, yet) he had this honour of an elder-brother, that he was first provided for. But Iudah was he, whom his bre­thren Gen. [...]. 8. should praise (saith Iacob) in allusion to his name, and in re­ference to his priviledge; for it is evident, that our Lord sprang [...]. out of Iudah, Heb. 7 14. that branch from on high, Luk. 1. 78. [...]. that Shiloh, which some interpret, His sonne: Others, Tran­quillator, R David. Salvator, the Prosperer, Pacificatour, Safe-maker, &c. Tranquillator, [...], a the­mate Shalah, [...]. Others, the son of her secundines, which is the Tunicle that wrap­peth the childe in the wombe.

Of [...]]

A [...], but probably, a proselyte. The Jews, say, she was Melchisedechs daughter the High-Priest, and was [...] to be burned, Lev. 21. 8. But this may well passe for a Jewish fable: Howbeit, that Melchisedech was a Canaanite, but a most righteous King and Priest of the most high God, and was therefore not molested or medled with by Kidar-laomer and his complices, I judge, not unlikely. This [...], out of desire, part­ly of revenge, and partly of issue, fell into the sin of [...]. Rahab was an harlot, Bathsheba an [...]; yet all these, grandmo­thers to our Saviour: Who as he needed not to be ennobled by his [Page 4] stock, so neither was disparaged by his Progenitours; but took flesh of these greatest sinners, to shew that we cannot commit more then he can [...]: and that by his purity he washeth off all our spots; like as the Sun wasteth and wipeth away all the ill vapours of the earth and aire.

And Phares begat Esrom,]

When he was but 14 years of age, Pareus in [...]. the year before they went down to Egypt, say some: Others assoil [...] in [...]. Com. Anno [...]. it otherwise. Let him that readeth understand as he can. Christ (the Arch-Prophet) when he comes again, shall teach us all things.

Esrom begat Aram]

While they sojourned in the Land of E­gypt; a miserable home, where was nothing but bondage and tyranny. And yet, in reference to it, Moses (who was likewise born there) calls his son, Gershom, or a stranger there, because born in Midian. The sons of Ephraim, about the birth of Moses, sought to break prison before Gods goal-delivery: but this [...] a great mischief to themselves, and no small heart-break to their aged father, 1 Chron. 7. 21, 22. Psal. 78. 9. Besides that, it gave occasion, likely, to that cruell edict of Pharaoh; Let us deal wisely (S ^t Stephen saith, sophistically, subtilly) lest they multiply [...]. and join also to [...] enemies, and fight against us (as now they Acts 7. 19. have fought against the Gittites, their own enemies, who detain­ed from them the promised Land, till their sins were full) and so get them up out of the Land, as lately they had assayed to do. Therefore they d d set over them taskmasters, to [...] them with their burdens, and to keep them from spawning so fast, after the Exod. [...]. manner of fishes (as the word imports) which multiply beyond measure. But God turned their wisedom into folly; they took a wrong course. For who knows not that your labouring men have the most and the strongest children? And notwithstanding this [...] Pharaohs craft and cruelty.

And Naasson begat Salmon]

Called 1 Chron. 2. Salmah. There was also a Mount of this name (as touching the sound, though with difference of one letter in the Originall) whither A­bimelech and his host resorted, Iudg. 9. 48. And [...] the Psalm­ist speaketh; When the Almighty scattered Kings, they shall be white as snow in Salmon. Now it is storied of Andronicus, the old Emperour of Constantinople, that, all things going crosse with him, he took a Psalter into his hand, to resolve his doubtfull minde: And opening the same, as if it were of that heavenly oracle to aske Turk. Histo. fol. 164. counsell, he lighted upon this verse, and was thereby comforted and directed what to do for his greatest safety. To be white as snow Psal. 68. 14. explained. in Salmon, is to have joy in affliction, light in darknesse. Salmon sig­nifieth shady and darke: so this mount was with dens and glimnes; but made lightsome by snow. Hoe [...] obitèr.

And Boos begat Obed of Ruth]

Whiles Orphah wants bread in her own Countrey, Ruth is grown a great Lady in Bethlehem; and advanced to be great grandmother to the King of kings. [...]. There's nothing lost by Gods service.

And Obed begat Iesse]

A good old man, but not very famous. Retired it seems he was, and drawn much up into himself; neither thinking great things of himself, nor seeking great things for him­self; [...], Vive tibi, quan­tum (que), potes, [...] vi­ta but living among his own people; much of his son Davids disposition, who loves his hook the better since he saw the Court, and sings,

Hee's not the least happy that is least observed. [...].

David the King begat Salomon]

Whom Bellarmine reckoneth for a reprobate: but (besides that he was Gods Corculum, and by him called Iedidiah,) he calleth himself in his sacred Retractations, Coheleth: which being interpreted, The Preacher, is a word of the [Page 6] foeminine termination, and by some rendered Aggregata, where understanding the substantive Anima, they conclude here-hence, that he was renewed by repentance, and reunited to the Church.

Of her that had been the wife of Uriah.]

His best children he [...], [...] in [...]. Aug. had by this wife: [...] fruit of his humiliation doubtlesse. The bar­ren womens children are observed to have been the best, as Isaac, Samuel, Iohn Baptist, &c. for like reason.

And Roboam begat Abiah]

A man not right, yet better then his father: and for this to be commended, that he held and plead­ed the true worship and service of God as the beauty and bul­wark of his Kingdom: relying also upon God, he discomfited Je­roboam; Deo confisi, nunquam confusi.

And Abia begat Asa.]

A better son, sprung of the seed of bad Abia, of the soil of [...] Maachah, whom S ^t. Jerome makes to be a worshipper of that abominable idol Priapus, otherwise called Baal-peor. For thus he translates that, 1 King. 15. Insuper & Numb. 25. 5. Maachan matrem [...] amovit, ne esset princeps in sacris Pri­api, In 4 [...]. & in luco [...]. Nos, pudore pulso, stamus sub Iove, coleis apertis, said the worshippers of Priapus. The people that [...] D. [...] Apolog. thereto (the sacrifice being ended) all stepped into a thicket, which was alwaies planted neer the altar of this God; and there, like brute beasts, [...] satisfied their lusts: thereby, as they conceived, best pleasing their God. This villany Maachah may seem to have been guilty of, and was therefore worthily re­moved by her son Asa, from [...] Queen. Sedes prima, & [...] ima, suit not well together. Dignitas in indigno est ornamen­tum in luto, saith Salvian. Honour in a [...] man, is as a jew­ell [...] Gold in a swines snout. [...]

And Jehosaphat begat Joram]

That lived undesired, and died un­lamented. While he lived, there was no use of him, and when he died, no misse of him: no more then of the paring of the nails, or [...] sweeping of the house. He lived wickedly, and died wishedly, as Dan [...]. of Eng. 14. it is said of King Edwin.

And Joram begat Ozias]

Here Ahaziah, Joash and Amaziah Gen. 17. are written in the earth, not once set down in the roll: perhaps it was, because they were imped in the wicked family of Ahab. This Uzzias, though a King, yet he loved husbandry, 2 Chron. 26. Thrift is the fuell of magnificence. He was at length a leper, yet still remained a King. Infirmities may deform us, they cannot de­throne us. The English laws (saith Camden) pronounce, that Camdens Eli­zabeth, fol. 8. the crown once worne, quite taketh away all defects whatsoever: Sure it is, that when God once crowns a man with his grace and favour, that man is out of harms-way for ever.

And Joatham begat Ahaz]

A sturdy stigmatick, a branded re­bell. The more he was distressed, the more he trespassed. This Humiliantar, & humiles non sunt, [...]. in [...] 34. is that Ahaz, 2 Chron. 28. 22. How many (now adaies) are hum­bled, yet not humble? Low, but not lowly? Qui nec fractis cervicibus inclinantur, as Hieron complaineth: quos multo fa­cilius In Epist. fregeris, quam flexeris, as another hath it. These are like [...], capi non [...]. Plin. the [...] called Monoceros, who may be kild, but not caught. Plectimur a Deo, saith Salvian, nec flectimur tamen: corripimur, sed non corrigimur. But if men harden their hearts against cor­rection: God will harden his hand, and hasten their destru­ction.

Ahaz begat Hezekiah]

Who stands betwixt his father Ahaz, and his sonne Manasseh, as a lily between two thornes, or as a Fuller between two [...]: or, as that wretched Cardinall of Toledo in his preface before the Bible, printed at Complutum in Spain, said; that he set the Vulgar Latine betwixt the Hebrew and Greek, as Christ was set betwixt two theeves. Here observe (by the way) that Judah had some enterchange of good Princes; Israel, none: and that, under religious Princes the people were ever religious: as under wicked Princes, wicked. Most people will [...]. be of the Kings religion, be it what it will be, as the Melchites were of old, and the Papists still, if M. Rogers (our Protomartyr in Q. Maries daies) may be beleeved. The Papists, saith he, ap­ply themselves to the present state: yea, if the state should change ten times in the year, they would ever be ready at hand to change with it, and so follow the cry, and rather utterly forsake God, and be of no Religion, then that they would forgoe lust or living, [...]. and Mon. for God or Religion.

And Manasses begat Amon]

Who followed his father in sin, but not in repentance. And thou his son, ô Belshazzar, hast not Ban. 5. 22. humbled thine heart, though thou [...] all this: But hast lifted up thy self against the Lord, &c. It is a just presage and desert of ruine, not to be warned. This was a bloody Prince, therefore lived not out half his daies. Q. Maries raign was the shortest of any since the Conquest, Richard the third onely excepted: Yet she was non natur â, sed [...] arte ferox, say some.

And Amon begat Iosias]

Of whom that is true, that S. [...] writes of another, In brevi vitae [...] virtutum multa replevit: Or as M. Hooker speaketh of K. Edward 6. He departed soon, but lived long: for life consists in action: In all these is the life of my spirit, saith Hezekiah, Isa. 38. 15, 16. but the wan­ton [Page 9] widow is dead while she liveth, 1 Tim. 5 6. That good King [...] se unius [...] rei paenitere dixit. lived apace, and died betime, being [...] Orbis, as Titus was called: and Mirabilia mundi, as Otho: having at his death (as it is said of Titus) one thing onely to repent of, and that was his rash [...] autem quid [...] non [...], nec [...] certó no­vit. Dio in Tito. engaging himself in a needlesse quarrell, to the losse of his life, and the ruine of that state. [...] Epaminondas was once slain, his countreymen were no longer famous for their valour and victories, but for their cowardise and calamities. When Augustine departed this world, we feared, saith one, the worlds ruine, and were ready Nec [...] sed cladibus infig­nes Nea [...]. to wish that either he had never been borne, or never died. When God took away Theodosius, he took away with him almost all the peace of that Church and State: So he did of this, with Josiah, Orbis [...] timueramus. that heavenly spark, that plant of renown, that precious Prince,

as Cardanus sang of our English Iofiah, K. Edward the sixth.

Iechonias begat Salathiel]

Neri begat him, naturally, Iechonias, [...]. legally; adopting him for his childe, that was his nephew, 1 Chro. 3. Prefat. [...] Centur. 5. 17.

And Salathiel begat Zorobabel]

Who brought forth the head [...]. [...]. 8. 9. stone of the second Temple with shoutings, crying Grace, Grace, unto it. He was a Chieftain in the first year of Cyrus, Ezra 2. 2. and he lived to see the building of the Temple, about the sixth year of Darius Nothus, which is a [...] of a hundred years be­tween. [...] of the [...] Mo­narchy. So he had a longer life then ordinary, which God grant­eth to some, because he hath something to be done by them. A short life in some cases is a blessing, 1 King. 13, 14. as grapes ga­thered afore they be ripe, are freed from the violence of the wine­presse: as lambs slain before they be grown, escape many storms and sharp showres that others live to taste of. Some wicked live long, that they may aggravate their judgement; others die sooner, that they may hasten it. But they are blessed, that whether they live they live unto the Lord, or whether they die they die un­to Rom. 14. 8. the Lord, and in the Lord, their works following them. [...]. [...]. 13.

And Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor, &c.]

These lived in [...] calamitous times of the people of God after the captivity: and were not Kings and Captains, as being held under by other Nations: but Law-givers they were, as Iacob pro­phesied, and principall men among that people, till Shiloh came, Gen. 49. 10.

The husband of Mary, of whom was born Iesus]

This is the summe of all the good news in the world, such as surpasseth the joy of conquest, or of harvest, Isa. 9 3, 5, 6. and should therefore swal­low up all discontents whatsoever.

Who is called Christ]

The name of Jesus is mel in ore, melos in Bern. aure, jubilum in cord: as it was to S ^t Paul, who therefore names it nine severall times in the ten first verses of his first Epistle to the Corinthians, as loth to come off it. Yet is not the name Je­sus alone half so sweet, as when Christ is added to it, as here. For Iesus Christ betokeneth such a Saviour as is anointed and ap­pointed thereunto by God, consecrated to the office, according to his Godhead, and [...] for it, according to his manhood: In both [...] a Saviour, and that ex professo (as you would say) and by [...] of all three persons: The Son being anointed by the Father, [...] the Holy Ghost: And as Sampson when clothed with the spirit, saved the people: so Christ much more.

Whenas his mother Mary was espoused]

An ancient and com­mendable custom. Adam took his wife the first day of their crea­tion, (she was espoused to him) but knew her not, till after the fall: Lots daughters were espoused, yet had not known man, Gen. 19, 8, 14. See Deut. 22. 22. Yea, the very Heathens had their [...], Iudg. 14. 1, &c. Placuit, despondi: [...] hic dictus est dies, saith [...] in Terence. We agreed, were contracted, and the wedding-day appointed.

To Ioseph, before they came together,]

Espoused they were by a speciall providence. 1. That Mary might not be held an harlot. 2. That being big, and needing [...] help, she might be pro­vided for. 3. That the mystery of Christ might be made known by degrees.

She was found with childe of the holy Ghost.]

This wonder­full Mirari [...], [...] non licet. conception of our Saviour is a mystery, not much to be pryed into, and is therefore called an overshadowing, Luk. 1. 35. Where also, [...] any should mistake this (Of) in the text, for the materiall cause: as if the holy Ghost had begotten him of his own substance (as fathers do their children,) the whole order and manner of this conception, so far as concerneth us to know, is declared by the Angel.

And not willing to make her a publike example]

That is, to Note: [...]. wrong her, as the same word is used and expounded by the Au­thour to the Hebrews of the Son of God, as here of the mother of [...] ipse e­am [...] paenis, nec [...], [...] risui exponere. Aret. in loc. God. Heb. 6. 6. with Heb. 10. 29.

Was minded to put her away privily]

Which yet he could hardly have done, without blame to [...], and blemish to her. So farre out we are (the best of us) when destitute of divine dire­ction. How shamefully was that good Josiah miscarried by his passions to his cost, when he went up against Pharaoh Necho, without once advising with Ieremiah, Zephany, Huldah, or [Page 13] any other prophet of God then living by him?

Behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him]

As of old [...] in [...] (ait Rab. Solo­mon ex Talmud. he had done to Daniel, being caused to flee swiftly or with [...] of flight (as the Hebrew hath it) with so good a will he did it, as thinking he could never come soon enough. Hierosol.) i e. in rebus in qui­bus es slultus, aderit tamen tibi Dominus.

Joseph, thou sonne of David]

Albeit a poore Carpenter. A man may be as high in Gods favour, and as happy in russet, as in Tissue. I know thy poverty (saith Christ to that Church,) but, [...] nothing, thou art rich. [...]. 9. 21.

Feare not to take unto thee) viz. From the hands of her pa­rents, Rev. 2. 9. who have, by all right, the dispose of their children, as a cheif part of their goods: Therefore when Satan obtained leave to vex Job, and to touch him in his possessions, he dealt with his Job. 1. children also.

For that which is conceived in her]

That holy thing, Luk. 1. 35. that Holy of Holies wherein the Godhead dwelleth bodily, that is, personally; and is called the Sonne of God, saith the Angel there. Yet not in respect of his humane nature, for then there should be in the person of Christ two sonnes, viz. one of the Fa­ther, and another of the holy Ghost. Besides, Heb. 7. 3. he is with­out father, as Man, and without mother, as God. All that can be gathered out of that place in Luke, is, that he, that was so concei­ved of the holy Ghost, [...] the naturall Son of God. The union of three Persons into one nature, and of two natures into one Per­son, [...]. these are the great mysteries of Godlines. The well is deep, Joh. 4. [...]. as she said, and we want wherewith to draw.

Is of the Holy Ghost.]

As the Efficient, not as the Materiall cause. The virtus formatrix, the formative faculty which the Vir­gin had not, is ascribed to the power of the Holy Ghost, framing and fashioning Christ of the substance of the Virgin sanctified mi­raculously, [Page 14] and without mans help. But if no mother knows the manner of her naturall Conception; what presumption shall it be for flesh and bloud, to search how the Sonne of God took flesh of his creature? It is enough for us to know, that he was conceived of the holy Ghost, not spermatically, but [...], yet secretly and mystically, the Virgin her selfe knew not how. Fearfully and wonderfully he was made, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psal. 139. 14, 15. with Ephes. 4. 9.

And thou shalt call his name Iesus]

Not of [...] to heale, as some Hellenists would have it: Although it be true that he is Ie­hovah Rophe, the Lord the Physician, by whose [...] we are heal­ed: Exod. 15. 26. But of Iashang, whence [...], Iesus. Two in the old Te­stament had this name. The first when he was sent as a spy into Canaan, [...]. 13. 16. had his name changed from Oshea, Let God save, to [...], God shall save. Under the Law (which brings us as it were into the wildernes of SIN) we may wish there were a Saviour: but under the Gospel we are sure of salva­tion, [...] our Iehoshuah hath bound himself to fulfill all righteouf­nes, and had therefore this name imposed upon him at his circum­cision. For he assumed it not to himself (though knowing the end of his coming, and the fullnesse of his sufficiency, he might have done it) nor received it from men, but from God; and that with great [...], by the ministery of an Angel, who talked with a woman about our salvation, as Satan sometime bad done about our destruction.

For he shall save his people from their sinnes]

This is the no­tation and Etymon, or reason of his name, Jesus, A name above all names, Phil 2. 9. [...], saith the Heathen Oratour, is a word so [...]. [...]. [...] [...]. emphaticall, that other tongues can hardly finde a word fit to ex­presse it. Salvation properly notes the negative part of a Chri­stians happinesse: viz. preservation from evil; chiefly from the evil of sin, (which is the mother of all our misery:) from the dam­ning and [...] power thereof, by his merit and Spirit, by [Page 15] his value and vertue. Jesus therefore is a short Gospel, and should worke in us strongest affections, and egressions of soul after him, who hath saved us from the wrath to come. The [...] being 1 Thes. 1 10. [...]. set free but from bodily servitude, called their deliverer a Saviour [...] in vita Flamin. to them: and rang it out, Saviour, Saviour, so that the fowls in the aire fell down dead with the cry. Yea they so pressed to come neer him, and touch his hand, that, if he had not timely withdrawn himself, he might have beseemed to have lost his life. The Egyp­tians preserved by Joseph, called him Abrech, or Tender-Father. [...] in his Annotat. The daughters of Ierusalem met David returning from the slaugh­ter of the Philistims with singing and dancing. When the Lord turned again the captivity of his people, they were like them that dream, Psal. 126 1. And Peter enlarged, could scarce beleeve his own eyes; with such an extasie of admiration was he rapt, upon that deliverance. Oh then how should our hearts rejoice, and our tongues be glad, Act. 2. 26? and how should we be vext at the vile dullnesse and deadnesse of our naughty natures, that can be no more affected with these indelible ravishments? Iacob wept for joy at the good news, that Ioseph was yet alive. Ioannes Mollius, when­soever Fox [...] f. 855. he [...] of the Name of Jesus, his eyes dropt. And another Reverend Divine amongst us, being in a deep muse, after some dis­course M. Welse. that passed of Jesus, and tears trickling abundantly from his eyes, before he was aware, being urged for the cause thereof, con­fessed [...], it was because he could not draw his dull heart to prize Christ aright. M ^r Fox never denied begger that asked in Wards Serm. that Name: And good Bucer never disregarded any (though dif­ferent in opinion from him) in whom he could discern aliquid Christi: None but Christ, said that blessed Martyr at the stake. [...] Lambert. And another in the flames, when judg'd already dead, suddenly, as [...] Palmer. waked out of sleep, moved his tongue and jaws, and was heard to Act. and Mon. [...]. [...]. pronounce this word, Jesus.

Here also we have an excellent argument of our Saviours divi­nity [...]. and omnipotency; forasmuch as the Angel ascribeth unto C hristus au­tem non Pater, [...] est [...]. him, that which the Psalmist affirmeth of Jehovah, that he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities, Psal. 130. 8. with Hos. 13. 4.

And shall bring forth a Son]

Who in the birth opened the womb, Luk. 2. and so put her to pain, likely, as other women. He hid the glory of his eternall nativity under a mean and temporary birth, to purchase for us an heavenly and eternall birth. Whether the blessed Virgin were Deipara, the Mother of God, raised great storms in the [...] of Ephesus, and came to commotions in the secular part, and excommunications among the Bishops; inso­much as the Emperour declared both sides Hereticks. But foras­much as she brought forth a Son that was God, we doubt not to stile her the Mother of God; not Mall Gods maid, as one hath late­ly The female Glory. slandered some of us in print. At Rome (it is said) was seen, at the same time, about the Sun, the likenesse of a woman carrying a childe in her armes: And a voice heard, Pan the great God is now [...] on the Creed. about to be born, &c.

And they shall call his name Immanuel, &c.]

By a wonderfull and unsearchable Union; the manner [...] is to be beleeved, not [...]; admired, not pried into: personall it is, yet not of persons: of natures, and yet not naturall. As soul and body are one man; so God and man are one person, saith Athanasius, And as every beleever that is born of God, [...] another, remains the same intire person that he was before, receiving neverthelesse into him a di­vine nature, which before he had not: So Emmanuel, continuing [Page 17] the same perfect person, which he had been from eternity, assumeth neverthelesse a humane nature, which before he had not, to be born within his person for ever. This is so much the more wonderfull, because the very Angels (which are far greater in glory then man) are not able to abide the presence of God, Isa. 6. 2. But this is our ladder of ascension to God, Ioh. 3. 12. Faith first layes hold upon Christ as a man; and thereby, [...] by a mean, makes way to God, and embraceth the Godhead, which is of it self a consuming fire. And whereas sin is a partition wall of our own making, denying us [...], God is now with us: and in Christ, we have boldnesse and ac­cesse Ephes. 2. 12. with confidence by the faith of him. Christs humanity serves as a skreen to save us, from those everlasting burnings; and as a con­duit, to derive upon us from the Godhead, all spirituall blessings in Ephes. 1. 3. heavenly places. If any [...] invade us, we may cry as they Isa. 8. 8. of old, The stretching out of his wings doth fill thy Land, O Imma­nuel; and we shall have help.

In the daies of Herod the King]

When the Scepter was depart­ed from Judah, and the times were grown deplored and desperate­ly wicked. Josoph found his brethren in Dothan. 1. in defection: so did Christ, when he came: Scarce were there four, or fewer found, that waited for the consolation of Israel. Then also, when among the poor Gentiles, a plentifull harvest, a very great number of elect were ready ripe. Mat. 9. 37. Luk. 10. 2. Joh. 4. 35. Then, when cuncta [...] continua totius generis humani aut pax fuit, [...] Plot. [...] lib. [...]. pactio, then came the Prince of peace into the world, when all was at peace thorowout the world.

Behold there came wise-men]

Neither Kings nor cunning men, but sages of the East, [...], contemplative persons, Philoso­phers, [...] interpreters of the Laws of God and men. The tale of the [...] three Kings of [...] is long since exploded.

To Jerusalem]

So misreckoning of a point, they mist the ha­ven, and had like to have run upon the rocks. Had they met with the Shepherds of Bethlehem, they had received better intelligence, 1 Cor 1. 27, [...]. then they could from the learned Scribes of Jerusalem. God hath August. con­fess lib. 8. cap. 8. [...] the weak of the world to confound the wise. Surgunt [Page 19] indocti & rapiunt coelum, & nos, cum doctrin is noctris, [...] in Gehennam. None are so far from Christ, many times, as know­ing men. Some of the Scribes and Pharisees were very Atheists, for they knew neither the Father nor the Son. Uspian the chief Law­yer, Galen the chief Physician, Porphyry the chief Aristotelean, Plotinus the chief Platonist, Libanius and Lucian the chief Ora­tours of that age, were all profest enemies to Christ. No Church [...] was founded at Athens, Acts 17. which yet Demosthenes calls the soul, sun and eye of Greece, Euripides, the Greece of Greece, Thucydides and Diodorus, the common school of all men, the Mart of good learning, &c. The greatest Clerks are not alwaies the wisest men in the affairs of God. Howbeit, learned Nathanael, Ioseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, masters in Israel, were Di­sciples to our Saviour: lest if he had called simple men only, it might have been thought, quòd fuissent ex simplicitate decepti, that they Joannes de [...]. were deceived out of [...] simplicity, saith one.

For we have seen his starre in the East]

Some rumour of the [...] of Iacob they had heard and received, [...], either from [...] prophecy, Numb. 24. 17. who was an East Countrey-man: Hugo Postill. fol. 15. Or from the Chaldean Sibyl, or from the Iews in the B. by lonish captivity, and now they make their use of it. But the Scripture gi­veth more grace, Ium. 4 6. Onely take heed, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain, 2 Cor. 6. 1.

And are come to worship him]

With a religious worship: to kisse at his mouth, as the word signifieth: and as Pharaoh said to [...]. Ioseph, they shall all kisse at thy mouth. Wo worth to us, if we kisse not the Son with a kisse of faith and love: sith he is now so Psal. 3. clearly revealed unto us, not by the sight of one star only, as to these, but by a whole Heaven bespangled with stars, though not in every part, yet in every zone and quarter of it, as one saith of our Church. We have a word of Prophecy (how much more is this true of the holy Gospel?) more sure [...] the [...] that came from Heaven [...]. 1. 15. in the holy mount (saith S ^t Peter,) whereunto we shall do well [Page 20] to take heed, as unto a light shining in a darke place. Besides the works of God, those Regij professores, as one calleth them, those Catholike Preachers, Psal. 19. 2, 3. those reall Postilles of the Di­vinity; Christ is purposely compared to sensible objects, as to the Sun, Stars, Rose, Rock, &c. that through the creatures, as so many Optick glasses, we might see him that is invisible, having the eyes of our minde turned toward Christ, as the face of the Cherubims were toward the Mercy-seat.

And all Ierusalem with him]

Perhaps to comply and [...] with the tyrant (as the Arabians, if their King be sick or lame, they all feign themselves so,) Or, as homines ad servitutem Tacitus. [...]: so Tiberius called the Romanes, who gave publike thankes for all, even the wicked acts of their Emperours: or as fearing some new stirs in the state, as the burnt childe dreads the fire.