with them, and confirming the word || powerful opposition which was raised with signs following. Amen. against the gospel, namely, the prejudices of education, the power of indwelling lusts, and also the powers of the world then in being, did strongly combine against it; yet did Christianity bear up against all this opposition, and made its way through all the resistance that the lusts and prejudices of men, armed with the power and authority of the whole world, could make against it. 4. The great discouragements that men were then under to embrace the gospel and the Christian profession; all the evils of this world threatened them, mockings and scourgings, banishments and imprisonments, reproach and ruin; death in all its fearful shapes was presented to them, to deter them from embracing this religion. Observe therefore, 2. The reason of this wonderful success: The Lord wrought with them, and confirmed the word with signs following. The Lord wrought with them: this points at the inward operation of the Holy Spirit upon the O it is sweet and prosperous working in fellowship with Christ and his Holy Spirit; he directs his ministers, he assists thim, he guides their lips, influ Observe here, first, The general publication of the gospel by the apostles: they went forth and preached every where. Secondly, The reason of the efficacy and success of it, namely, that divine and miraculous power which accompanied the preaching of it; The Lord wrought with them, and confirmed the word with signs following. Observe, 1. The general publication of the gospel by the apostles: They went forth, and preached every where. The industry of the holy apostles was incredibly great, yet was their success greater than their industry, even beyond all human expectation; which will evidently appear, if we consider, 1. The vast spreading of the gospel so far in so short a space of time; for in thirty years' time after Christ's death, it was spread through the greatest part of the Roman empire, and reached as far as Parthia and India. 2. The wonderful power and efficacy which the gospel had upon the lives and manners of men; the generality of those that entertained the gospel were obedient to it, both in word and deed, because Christianity, being an hated and persecuted profes-ences their minds, quickens their affec sion, no man could have any inducement to embrace it, that did not resolve to practise it, and lived up unto it. 3. The weakness and meanness of the instruments that were employed in propagating the gospel, shows the success of it to be very great and strange; a company of plain and illiterate men, most of them destitute of the advantages of education, and unassisted by the countenance of any authority whatsoever, yet did they in a short space draw the world after them. The minds of men. tions, sets home their instructions, and crowns all their endeavours with his blessing. And confirmed the word with signs: that is, confirmed their doctrines with miracles, such as healing diseases, raising the dead, casting out devils, inflicting corporal diseases on scandalous persons, and sometimes death itself. From the whole we gather the truth and divinity of the Christian religion, that it was and is certainly of God, and therefore never could, never can be overthrown. THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT LUKE. from the Spirit of God, whose errors and This gospel, together with the Acts of the Apostles, were written by St. Luke, the beloved physician, and companion of St. Paul, who wrote, as did the rest of the evangelists, by the special direction and inspiration of the Holy Ghost: where we may profitably remark the wonderful wisdom of God, who, in order to the confirming our faith in the truth of the gospel, raised up a sufficient number of witnesses to testify the verity and infallible certainty of all that the gospel delivers unto us. Now this evangelist, St. Luke, dedicates this gospel, together with the Acts of the Apostles, to Theophilus, who was, as some think, an honourable senator; or a renowned and eminent person in the church, as others suppose. But many take the word Theophilus, not for a proper name, but common name, signifying every one that loveth God; to whom St. Luke addresses his discourse. The first four In this and the following verses, the verses of this chapter are a preface to the Holy Ghost gives us a description of following history, and acquaint us with the John the Baptist, who was the harbinger reasons which induced St. Luke to write, and forerunner of our Saviour Christ; he namely, because divers persons in that age is described, first by his parentage, being had imprudently and inconsiderately set the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth. This upon writing Gospels, without direction | Zacharias was a priest, who had a course the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daugh ters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. in the temple, or a right to officiate there when it came to his turn; for we read in 1 Chron. xxiv. 10, that David appointed the priests, the Sons of Aaron, to minister by turns, and divided them into four and twenty courses, every one ministering in the temple by their weeks. Here note, That Zacharias a priest, and attending the service of the temple, was a married person, having one of the daughters of Aaron to wife, according to the command of God, Lev. xxi. 14, where the priest is required to marry one of his own people. Learn hence, That neither the priest under the law did, nor the ministers of Christ under the gospel ought, to abhor the marriagebed; nor judge themselves too pure for an institution of their Maker. The doctrine of the church of Rome, which forbids to marry, St. Paul calls a doctrine of devils. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Observe here, 1. The sweet harmony of this religious couple in the ways of God: they both walked in the commandments of God. It is an happy match when husband and wife are one, not only in themselves, but in the Lord. Observe, 2. The universality of their holiness and obedience: they walked, not in some, but in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord. Such as will approve themselves to be sincerely religious, must make conscience of every known duty, and endeavour to obey every precept and command of God. Observe, 3. The high commendation which the Holy Spirit of God gives of this their religious course of holiness and obedience: they are pronounced blameless. He that liveth without gross sin, in a gospel sense, liveth blameless, and without sin. To live without gross sin, is our holiness on earth; to live without any sin, will be our happiness in heaven. Many sins may be in him that has true grace; but he that has truth of grace, cannot allow himself in any sin. Such are the condescensions of the covenant of grace, that sincere obedience is called perfection. Truth of grace is our perfection on earth, but in heaven we shall have perfection as well as truth. Observe, lastly, A pattern for their imitation who wait at God's altar, and are employed in and about holy things: such ought all the ministers of the gospel and their wives to be, what Zacharias and Elisabeth are here said to be, namely, blameless; that is, very innocent and inoffensive in their daily conversation. 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. rias and Elisabeth, were fruitful in holy Observe here, 1. This holy pair, Zachaobedience, but barren in children: a fruit ful soul and a barren womb are consistreligious couple made no less progress in ent, and do oft-times meet together. This virtue than in age, and yet their virtue could not make their age fruitful. Observe, 2. Elisabeth was barren in the flower of her age, but much more so in old age. Here was a double obstacle, and consequently a double instance of divine power in the birth of John the Baptist, showing him to be a prophet very extraObserve, 3. That when Almighty God in ordinary, and miraculously sent by God. old times did long delay to give the blessing of children to holy women, he rewarded their expectation with the birth of some eminent and extraordinary person. Thus Sarah, after long barrenness, brought forth an Isaac; Rebecca, a Jacob; Rachael, a Joseph; Hannah, a Samuel; and Elisabeth, St. John the Baptist. When God makes his people wait long for a particular mercy, if he sees it good for them, he gives it in at last with a double reward for their expectation. 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Here note, 1. That none but a son of Aaron might offer incense to God in the temple; and not every son of Aaron neither; nay, not any of them at all seasons. God is a God of order, and hates confusion no less than irreligion. And as under the law of old, so under the gospel of this day, no man ought to take this honour upon him, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. Observe, 2. That there were courses of ministration in the legal services, in which the priests did relieve one another weekly. God never purposed to burden any of his servants with devotion, nor is he pleased when his service is made burdensome, either to or by his ministers. Many of the sons of Aaron served together in the temple, according to the variety of their employments, which were assigned them by lot. And accordingly it fell out at this time, that Zachary was chosen by lot to burn incense. Observe, 3. That morning and evening, twice a day, the priests offered up their incense to God, that both parts of the day might be consecrated to him, who was the maker and giver of their time. This incense offered under the law, represents our prayers offered to God under the gospel. These Almighty God expects that we should, all his church over, send up to him morning and evening. The ejaculatory elevations of our hearts should be perpetual: but if twice a day we do not present God with our solemn invocation, we make the gospel less officious than the law; and can we reasonably think that Almighty God will accept of less now than would content him then? 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. Their assumed shapes do not make them more present, but only more visible. Observe, 2. The place, as well as the time, when the angel appeared in the temple, and at the altar, and on the right side of the altar of incense. As the holy angels are always present with us in our devotions, so especially in religious assemblies; as in all places, so most of all in God's house; they rejoice to be with us whilst we are with God, but they turn their faces from us when we go about our sins. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. men. It was partly the suddenness, partly the unexpectedness, and partly the glory, of the apparition, that affrighted this good man. Glorious and sudden apparitions, do affright even the holiest and best of We cannot bear the sight and presence of an angel without consternation and fear, in our frail and sinful state. O happy hour, when, mortality and sin being taken out of our natures, we shall not only behold the glorified angels without fear, but the glorious God with delight and love! Lord! let me now see thee by faith, hereafter by sight: Sit in alio seculo, Visio tua, merces mea. Gernon in hoc! son. 13 But the angel said unto him, fear not Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. Observe here, 1. While the incense was burning, the people were praying: while the priest sends up his incense in the temple within, the people send up their prayers in the court without. The incense of the priest and the prayers of the people meet, and go up to heaven together. Hence learn, That it is a blessed thing, when both minister and people jointly offer up their prayers for each other at the same throne of grace, and mutually strive || together in their supplications, one with, and one for, another. Observe, 2. How both priest and people keep their place and station: the priest burns incense in the holy place, and the people offer up their prayers in the outward court. The people might no more go into the holy place to offer up their prayers, than Za- Observe here, 1. How apprehensive chary might go into the holy of holies to this good angel was of Zachary's surprisburn incense. Whilst the partition-wall ing fear, and encourages him against it. stood betwixt Jew and Gentile, there was The holy angels, though they do not also a partition betwixt the Jews them- express it in words, yet they pity our selves. But now, under the gospel, every || frailties, and suggest comfort to us. man is a priest to God, and may enter the evil angels, if they might, would kill us holy of holies by the blood of Jesus. But, with terror; the good angels labour togeLord! what are we the better for this ther for our tranquillity and cheerfulness: great and gracious freedom of access to The angel said unto him, Fear not. Obthee, if we want hearts to prize and serve 2. The comfortable words spoken improve our privilege from thee! by the angel to Zacharias; Thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear beth had often prayed for a child, and now thee a son. No doubt, Zachary and Elisa 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Whilst Zachary was praying to God, an angel appears to Zachary. When we are nearest God, the good angels are nighest us: they are most with us, when we are most with him. The presence of angels with us is no novelty, but their apparition to us is so. They are always with us, but rarely seen by us. Let our faith see them, whom our senses cannot discern. The God sends them one when they least expected it. Learn hence, That sometimes God gives in a mercy to us when we least expect it; yea when we have given over looking for it. No doubt it was the case here, Zachary and Elisabeth being both well stricken in age. Observe, 3. The name which the angel directed Zachary to give his son: Thou shalt call his name John, which signifies gracious: because he was to open the kingdom of grace, and to || under the law to drink either wine or preach the grace of the gospel through strong drink, upon pain of death, during Jesus Christ. The giving of significant the time of their ministration, Lev. x. 9. names to children, has been an ancient and And the ministers of Christ under the pious practice; names which either car-gospel are forbidden to be lovers of wine, ried a remembrance of duty or of mercy 1 Tim. iii. 3. (4.) He shall be filled with in them. the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb; that is, he shall be furnished abundantly with the extraordinary gifts and sanctifying graces of the Holy Spirit, which shall very early appear to be in him, and upon him. (5.) His high and honourable office is declared: that he should go be fore the Messiah, as his harbinger and forerunner, with the same spirit and zeal and courage against sin, which was did so nearly resemble. (6.) The great found in the old prophet Elias, whom he success of his ministry is foretold; namely, That he should turn the hearts of the fa 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their chil-thers to the children, and the disobedient to dren, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. the wisdom of the just; that is, the hearts of the Jews to the Gentiles, say some; that he should bring men, say others, even the most disobedient and rebellious Pharisees and Sadducees, publicans and sinners, unto repentance, and unto the minding of justice and righteousness, and all moral duties; and thus he made ready a people for the Lord, by fitting men to receive Christ upon his own terms and conditions; namely, faith and repentance. From the whole note, That those whom Almighty God designs for eminent usefulness in his church, he furnishes with endowments suitable to their employment; and when he calls to extraordinary service, comes in with more than ordinary assistance. Here was the holy Baptist extraordinarily called, and as extraordinarily furnished for his office and ministry. Here the angel declares to Zachary, what kind of son should be born unto him, even one of eminent endowments, and designed for extraordinary services. The proof of children makes them either the blessings or crosses of their parents. What greater comfort could Zachary desire in a child, than is here promised to him? (1.) He hears of a son that should bring joy to himself, and many others: even to all that did expect the coming of the Messias, whose forerunner the Baptist was. (2.) That he should be great in the sight of the Lord: that is, a person of great eminency, and great usefulness in the church. A person of great riches and reputation is great in the sight of men; but the man of great ability and useful18 And Zacharias said unto the ness, the man of great integrity and ser- angel, Whereby shall I know this? viceableness, he is truly great in the for I am an old man, and my wife sight of the Lord. They are little men in well stricken in years. 19 And the the sight of the Lord, that live in the world to little purposes; who do little angel answering, said unto him, I am service to God, and bring little honour and Gabriel, that stand in the presence glory to him. But the man that does all of God; and am sent to speak unto the possible service he can for God, and thee, and to shew thee these glad the utmost good that he is capable of tidings. 20 And, behold, thou shalt doing to all mankind; he is a person be dumb, and not able to speak, until great in the sight of the Lord, and such was the holy Baptist. (3.) It is foretold the day that these things shall be perthat he should drink neither wine nor formed, because thou believest not my strong drink: that is, that he should be a words, which shall be fulfilled in their very temperate and abstemious person, season. 21 And the people waited living after the manner of the Nazarites, for Zacharias, and marvelled that he though he was not separated by any vow of his own, or his parents, but by the tarried so long in the temple. 22 special designation and appointment of And when he came out, he could not God only. It was forbidden the priests || speak unto them: and they per |