Imatges de pàgina
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THE historical part of the New Testament is contained in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and, in a very particular manner, claims the most serious attention of every person, as it conveys to us the blessed tidings of our recovering that happy state which our first parents forfeited in paradise. Indeed, the New Testament is the best commentary on the Old. By a diligent comparison of both together, with all the parallel passages marked only in the margin of our common Bibles, an infinitely greater knowledge of Scripture will generally be acquired than is commonly either thought of or believed. The truth is, there is so great a unity in all the parts of the Bible such an intimate connection in its matter, phraseology, doctrines, facts, and the like so many allusions made from one passage to another, that there is scarcely a question connected with biblical interpretation that may not, by this means only, be very safely and satisfactorily determined.

ENTERS ON HIS MINISTRY.

bered with heathen altars, to pursue the open path marked out by the reforming hand of the SON OF GOD.

From an early period after the fall of man, a gracious intimation had been given of God's intention to visit the world by a Divine Person, who should restore sinners from their ruined condition, destroy the power of death and hell, and lead his followers to eternal felicity. Promises to this effect were, from season to season, given to God's chosen people; this great object held a place in all the predictions of the prophets, and was shadowed forth in all the types and ceremonies of the Jewish law. The character of this sacred Messenger was drawn with sufficient clearness, to render him desirable with all the truly pious, and to distinguish him, when come, to the view of every humble and earnest inquirer.

It was about four thousand years after the creation of the world, and when the Roman empire having gained the ascendancy over all nations, a universal peace had In passing from the contemplation of taken place; while Augustus Cæsar was Jewish affairs to the glorious objects pre- emperor at Rome, and Herod, by Cæsar's sented to our notice in the New Testament, authority, had been made king of Judæa we seem to emerge from dreary and uncom- that the period arrived for the fulfilment of fortable shades, into the cheerful light of these gracious promises, in the birth of day; and leave, without regret, a road ren-"the Prince of Peace.' A general expecdered tedious by Jewish ceremonies, tation seems to have prevailed among the crowded with human traditions, and encum- Jews, that about this time the great Deliv

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erer was to make his appearance; nor are there wanting evidences, that such an event was looked for, even in the gentile or heathen world.

But though the train of divine providence had all along tended to this object, the appearance of the expected Redeemer, as we shall see, was not to be marked by earthly pomp. On the contrary, as if God would show his utter disregard of what poor depraved mortals so highly esteem, "the King of glory" was to be ushered into the world in the most obscure condition; while divine honor and heavenly attention were to supply the place of vain and empty worldly grandeur: the carnal and the highminded were to be disappointed in their calculations, while humble, pious souls were to rejoice in his salvation.

time, the angel Gabriel was sent to a virgin of the house of David, whose name was Mary; a poor young woman, promised in marriage to Joseph, a carpenter, who was likewise of the house of David; that royal family being, at this time, reduced to a low condition. Saluting the highly-favored virgin, the angel made known to her that she should bear a son, whose name should be called JESUS; that God would give him the throne of David, and a kingdom without end; and that this holy child should be produced by the power of the Divine Spirit; on account of which he should be called "the Son of God."

Shortly after this wonderful occurrence, Elisabeth was honored by a visit from Mary, who was her near relation, and both of them, in a divine rapture, rejoiced and As an introduction to the event about to praised God, on account of the approaching take place, an angel appeared to a priest visitation of mercy and grace toward his named Zacharias (while offering incense in people. Nor was it long before Zacharias the temple), informing him that he should witnessed, in the birth of John, the fulfilhave a son, who was to be called John: ment of the angel's prediction; and having that this child should be filled with the his tongue loosed, he straightway employed Holy Ghost from his birth; and that heit in divine praises, and in prophesying the should be the forerunner of the Lord from dawn of the gospel-day. heaven, in order to prepare his way. Zacharias, though a righteous man, being, with his wife Elisabeth, far advanced in years, seemed to hesitate through unbelief; whereupon the angel, declaring his name to be Gabriel, assured the priest that he should be "dumb, and not able to speak," till the fulfilment of this prediction; thus at once confirming the truth of the message, and chastising the unbelief of Zacharias.

In the sixth month from this period of

* The Gospel of St. Luke mentions the fact, that, about the time of the birth of Christ, an edict was issued by the Roman emperor to have an enrolment or census taken in Palestine. This is stated to have been done when Cyrenius (Quirinius) was governor of Syria. A chronological difficulty is found in connection with the statement of Luke, arising from the time when it is alleged that Cyrenius was governor, who, according to Josephus, entered upon his presidency some eight or ten years subsequently to the birth of Christ.

Several hypotheses have been offered for the solution of the difficulty referred to, i. e., the apparent discrepancy between the account of Josephus and that of Luke. But without giving these various solutions, some of which are very plausible, if not entirely satisfactory, it will answer the purpose of this note to refer to one approved by Dr. P. Schaff in the words following; viz., "the assumption that Cyrenius (Quirinius)

In the mean time, the angel of the Lord, appearing to Joseph in a dream, removed from his mind all suspicion with respect to the character of Mary his espoused wife; shortly after which, in shortly after which, in consequence of a decree from the Roman emperor, for the taxing (or enrolling) of all his subjects, in the several cities of their respective_families,* Joseph and Mary repaired together to Bethlehem,† the city of David, to whose family they both belonged. The inn at this

was twice governor of Syria, once three years before Christ down to the birth of Christ (A.U. 750-753), and about six to eleven years after the birth of Christ (760). A double legation of Quirinius in Syria has recently been made almost certain by purely antiquarian researches from two independent testimonies, viz., from a passage in Tacitus (Annales iii. 48), as interpreted by A. W. Zumpt, and from an old monumental inscription discovered between the Villa Hadriani and the Via Tiburtina, which, according to the celebrated antiquarians Mommsen and Bergman, must be referred to Quirinius, and which teaches his second governorship." - Lange's Commentary on Luke, p. 32.

A. B.

† A city of Judah, situated on an eminence overlooking Tekoah, at the distance of nine miles south, and about six miles south-west, of Jerusa lem. It was also called Ephrath (Gen. xxxv. 16-19) and Ephratah (Ruth iv. 11). Though a city of no great note, it was celebrated as the

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Such were the lowly circumstances under which the divine Saviour made his appearance in our world. But though disregarded by men, his birth passed not unnoticed nor unsung by angels. The event was made known to a company of shepherds, by one he passed over the ruins of houses and fields that had just then been demolished, and parks of olive and fig trees which had been cut down by order of the pacha, for the alleged rebellion and flight. It is now called Beet-la-hm, and contains about 3,000 professing Christians.

There has been not a little discussion among critics and commentators as to the meaning of the

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words inn and manger, referred to in the account of Christ's nativity. It is generally conceded that by inn is to be understood a caravansary or kahn in which travellers are simply lodged.

In respect to the meaning of the word manger, greater diversity of opinion has prevailed. Many think it was an enclosed space either in front or behind the house, which agrees with the primary sense of the word. Others adopt the signification stable, which is thought to be confirmed by the authority of many of the early fathers, who call the place of Christ's nativity a cave. They, however, make a distinction between cave and manger, understanding by the latter a crib. Dr. Bloomfield thinks that manger means a hovel or shed covered over head, but open on one side, which, in a climate like that of Judæa, would be no bad

shelter.

Dr. W. M. Thomson, in the account of his visit to Bethlehem, contained in "The Land and the Book," referring to the prevailing tradition that the place of the nativity of the Saviour was a cave, says, "It is not impossible, to say the least, but that the apartment in which our Saviour was born was in fact a cave. It is my impression that the birth actually took place in an ordinary house of some common peasant, and that the babe was laid in one of the mangers, such as are still found in the dwellings of the farmers of this region.

It is common to find two sides of the one room, where the native farmer resides with his cattle, fitted up with these mangers, which are made of small stones and mortar, in the shape of a box. When cleaned up, as they often are in summer, they do very well to lay little babes in. Our own children have slept in them." — A. B.

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of these celestial messengers, who was sud-received timely notice by an angel, and the denly joined by a multitude of the heavenly heaven-protected infant was now in Egypt. hosts, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. This intelligence, thus wonderfully communicated, carried the shepherds in haste to view the infant, and produced a report which struck with astonishment all who heard it.

In conformity with the Jewish law, the child Jesus was circumcised, at eight days old, and, some time afterward, presented before the Lord, in the temple at Jerusalem. On this occasion, two memorable testimonies were borne to his character, as the Messiah. Old Simeon, a devout man, who waited for the consolation of Israel, took the holy infant in his arms, and blessing God, said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation ! ” while Anna, an aged widow of great piety, coming into the temple at the same time, gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

In the mean time a new and uncommon star had appeared in the heavens, which served as a signal that the star of Jacob had arisen upon the world, and as a guide to certain persons called "wise men," who came from the East to Jerusalem, to inquire after him who was born king of the Jews." When Herod the king had received information of these things, he determined, if possible, to crush at once the child whom he considered as the rival of his family. Accordingly, he requested of the wise men, that when they had found the object of their search, they should bring him word, that he also might join in paying him adoration.

On leaving Jerusalem, the Eastern sages found, to their joy, that the star which they had seen before they set out on their journey, had again appeared! It now became their guide to Bethlehem, and stood over the house where the holy family at this time resided. Having worshipped the wonderful babe, and, according to the Eastern custom, made an offering of gold, frankincense, and myrrh; and being warned in a dream of Herod's bloody intention, "they departed into their own country another way." The tyrant, thus baffled in his purpose, caused all the children to be destroyed in Bethlehem and the neighboring country, from two years old and under;" but Joseph had

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The death of Herod (who was succeeded by his son Archelaus) being made known to Joseph, by an angel he returned with Mary and the young child, and dwelt in Nazareth, a city of Galilee, where "the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him.' From this place Joseph, the supposed father, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, went yearly to Jerusalem, to the feast of the passover. On one of these occasions, when he was twelve years old, having accompanied them to the feast, he was left behind, on the return of his parents, who travelled a day's journey under the supposition that Jesus was in company with some of their relations.

When, however, after discovering their mistake, they returned to the city to make inquiry, he was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions," while the uncommon wisdom of his youthful mind astonished all who heard him. Wist ye not," said he to his parents, when they had thus found him, "that I must be about my Father's business?" He then went down with them to Nazareth, and was subject to them; "increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

While thus the early part of the life of Jesus was spent at Nazareth in Galilee, John, who was designed as his forerunner in the ministry, was raised to maturity in that part of Judæa which was called the desert, or the wilderness. In this retired situation, in the reign of Tiberius Cæsar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judæa, Herod, tetrarch of Galilee, and Annas and Caiaphas being high-priests, John received a divine commission; in consequence of which, he went forth into the country about Jordan, preaching the necessity of repentance for the remission of sins; exhorting the people to the practice of righteousness; directing their attention to the Messiah, who was shortly to follow him; and baptizing all who gave evidence of the power of his doctrine on their hearts; hence he was called John the Baptist."

The appearance of this preacher, who was clothed in raiment of camel's hair, with a leathern girdle about his loins; the doctrines which he so earnestly inculcated; and the strict sanctity and self-denial of his life, ex

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