Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

appointment of the angel, John alluding, John alluding, in the Hebrew tongue, to the gracious display of the of the wisdom and wisdom and goodness God was about to manifest to the world, by the spreading of the gospel of his Son, of whom this John was the appointed forerunner.

This promise being thus fulfilled, the aged priest was restored to his speech, and immediately broke out into praise and rapture at the marvellous works of God, in strains which which astonished all around him.

wor

This surprising event greatly alarmed the people of the adjacent country, who were divided in their opinions concerning a child, whose birth was attended with so many extraordinary circumstances. Indeed, these incidents were thy of general admiration; that he who was to be the forerunner of the mighty Saviour of Israel, should not make his entrance on life in an obscure and common manner, but with particular tokens of the favour of heaven, in order to attract the observation of his countrymen, and excite their attention to that ministry which he was called to by God, even the preparation of the people for the reception of the Messiah, who was shortly to appear.

It is observable, that the Baptist, from his infancy, displayed great qualities, both of mind and body; for such was his strength of constitution, through the blessing of the God of Nature, that he lived till near the thirtieth year of his age, when his public ministry began, in the mountains and desart country of Judea, bereft of almost all the comforts of life. But at length the prophecy of the good old Zacharias, relating to his future elevation, was literally fulfilled : "Thou, O child, shall be called the Pro

phet of the Highest; for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people, by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercies of our God, whereby the day spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace."

As Joseph had abstained from all matrimonial intercourse with his wife, he was not a little alarmed, when shortly after her return to Nazareth, she discovered evident signs of pregnancy; nay, so far was be wrought on by circumstances, that be absolutely resolved on a dissolution of the marriage; but previous to such a rigorous procedure, questioning her concerning the same, she, to wipe off so foul an aspersion, minutely related to him the particulars of the vision from the angel, and the extraordinary event that had befallen Zacharias and Elizabeth.

Notwithstanding this ingenuous declaration, Joseph's suspicions continued, and suggested to him that this might be a device, concerted by the friends of Mary, to exempt her from that disgrace, which must attend a divorce on such pretence; however, he resolved to execute his purpose as privately as possible, without assigning a cause for the same, which, under their constitution, would have subjected her to the penalty of death.

But, on cooler reflection, he called to mind the sovereign power of Omnipotence; for which reason, however opposite her case might be to the nature of things in general, her vindication might be well grounded. He now thought himself bound by every tie of justice and duty, to preserve her character inviolable; though, as he was a just man, and a

[blocks in formation]

While he was thus ruminating on this particular event, he was overtaken with a pleasing slumber, and received a communication from above, which fully revealed the cause and manner of Mary's pregnancy, dispelled his doubts, and encouraged him to take home his falsely suspected spouse; "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

The aged Joseph complied with the voice of heaven most chearfully; for no sooner did the morning dawn appear, than he arose from his couch, and obeyed than he arose from his couch, and obeyed the commands of the Most High, by relating to his wife his being assured of her innocence, and immediately restored her

to former favour.

[blocks in formation]

CHAP. II.

General Decree for Taxation published. Birth of Christ. Declaration of the same to the Shepherds. Circumcision and Presentation of Christ in the Temple. The Wise Men of the East worship the holy Child. Flight of Joseph into Egypt. Massacre of Infants at Bethlehem. Death of Herod. Return of Joseph out of Egypt.

UGUSTUS Cæsar, the Roman em

peror, having, at this time, issued an edict for a general taxation on all the nations, cities, and towns, subject to the empire, king Herod, in consequence of

that decree, commanded all under his government, to muster in the city of his people, or places of his descent, that an estimate might be taken of their persons

and effects. Pursuant to this order, Joseph and Mary, as descendants from the line of David, departed from Nazareth, where they then resided, and came to Bethlehem, a city of Judea, the place of the nativity of David, and his ancestors.

So numerous were the people that repaired to this place, on account of the general decree, that every dwelling was occupied; and Joseph and Mary, though they could not depart thence till after the taxation, were forced to take up their residence in an humble stable, the spot in which it pleased the Divine Wisdom should be born the Lord of Life and Glory, who, as a perfect example of humility to all his followers, was to make his entrance into, and his exit out of, the lower world, in the same mean and humble manner.

In this lowly tenement the blessed Virgin brought forth her first born Godlike Son, wrapped him in swaddling-clothes, and laid him (having no better place) in

a manger.

It is remarkable, that all the generations of the intervening spaces, between three of the most remarkable periods, relative to the house of David, and the birth of our blessed Saviour, are exactly the same; for the Evangelist Matthew informs us, that all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations; and from David unto the Babylonish captivity, are fourteen generations; and from the Babylonish captivity unto the birth of Christ, are also fourteen generations. The same evangelist also traces his genealogy from Abraham, and proves his lineal descent from that father of the faithful, through the line of David, from race to race, to that of the humble Virgin, and the aged Joseph.-But to return to the immediate subject of our history.

The humble manner in which the blessed Jesus made his appearance in the world, did not long eclipse the glory of his descent; a heavenly messenger being dispatched from above to apprize mankind of their Saviour's incarnation. It pleased the wise Disposer of all things, by this holy angel, first to make known to some honest shepherds, who watching their flocks by night, in the neighbouring fields, the birth of the longpromised, long-expected Messiah. The radiance which shone around them terrified the astonished peasants: but to dissipate their fears, and confirm their joys, the divine messenger interposed,

were

and

thus addressed them; "Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born, this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, lying in a manger."

The glorious news was no sooner proclaimed, than a number of the celestial

choir were heard to resound the praises of the Almighty for this transcendant dise play of his goodness to sinful men: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men." Transported with the happy tidings of the birth of the Redeemer of Israel, the angel no sooner departed, than the shepherds hastened to Bethlehem, in quest of the babe, whom, according to the information of the sacred missionary, they found wrap. ped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. This event, so exactly conformable to the angel's prediction, equally delighted and amazed them; nor could they conceal the purport of his mission, but published abroad all they had seen and heard.

Having viewed with praise and wonder their long-expected Saviour, and offered their grateful praises to God, for the manifestation of his goodness to mankind, they departed with hearts filled with love and gratitude, still glorifying the Almighty Parent of universal nature.

After the expiration of eight days, from the birth of the holy Infant, he was circumcised, according to the Mosaic institution, and his name was called Jesus; that appellation being given him by the angel, who appeared to the Virgin, before her conception. It was requisite he should conform to this custom; a ceremony which characterized the Jewish nation, and was one of the principal injunctions of the Mosaic law under which he was made, in order to fulfil all that is spoken of him in the scriptures.

Besides, as all the promises made to Abraham were to be fulfilled in the Messiah, it was necessary he should receive the seal of circumcision, in order to prove his descent from the patriarch, concerning whom it was foretold," In

ST.ELA

[graphic][merged small][merged small]
« EdellinenJatka »