THE

HISTORY OF CHRIST,

AS RECORDED BY THE

EVANGELIST S.

SECTION I.

Luke's preface to his history, dedicated to Theophilus, a Christian friend of considerable rank. LUKE i. ver. 1-4.

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HEREAS many* have undertaken to compose the history of those facts which have been confirmed among us with 2 the fullest evidencet, as they have transmitted them to us, who were from the beginning eye-witnesses, and ministers of the word; 3 I also having accurately traced‡ all these things from their first rise, have thought it proper to write an orderly account of them 4 to thee, O most noble Theophilus; that thou mayest know the certain truth of those things in which thou hast been instructed§.

*This must refer to some histories of the life of Christ which are now lost. I think the Greek word is rather to be understood as referring to the fulness of that evidence with which the facts were attended, than to the confidence with which were they believed.

The original plainly signifies that accuracy of investigation on which the perfect understanding of his subject was built.

The Greek word Kpariss was then, as Excellency among us is, a tittle of honour and respect usual in addressing noble personages (see Acts xxiii. 26; xxiv. 3.; xxvi. 25), and it might with some peculiar propriety be applied here, as Theophilus was so worthy the name he bore, which signifies a lover of God.

The word doth with great accurary express the instructions given to those who were training up for an admission to the Christian church, whose name of Catechumens was, as it is well known, derived from hence, and applied without any particular regard to the age of the persons. See Acts xviii. 25. Rom. ii. 18. The English word [catechised] most literally answers to the Greek, but it is now almost wholly appropriated to children.

REFLECTIONS.

Let us humbly adore the Divine Goodness, that facts of so great importance as these now to be laid before us were not left to the uncertainty of oral tradition, but delivered to the church in writing, by persons who had so many opportunities of learning the truth, and have given such full proof of their integrity in relating it.-Let us be thankful that we have not only one such history, but that several undertook this excellent and necessary work, by whose united testimony the whole is confirmed; while it is also illustrated by the variety of their narrations, each inserting some considerable circumstance which the rest have omitted. Let us rejoice in that providential care which hath preserved this invaluable treasure through so many succeeding ages, and some of them periods of the grossest darkness and the hottest persecution.

While we study this orderly series of sacred story, let us be concerned that our faith may be established by it, and our other graces proportionably advanced; maintaining a continual dependence on that blessed Spirit, by whose instruction it was written, to lead us into wise and pious reflections upon it.

From the care which this holy evangelist expresseth for the edification and comfort of his friend Theophilus, let us learn to regard it as one of the most important offices of friendship to labour for the spiritual advantage of each other; by endeavouring not only to awaken and instruct those that are entirely unacquainted or unaffected with divine things, but also, as we have opportunity, to confirm the faith and quicken the zeal of the most established Christians with whom we converse. Happy the men whose tongues and whose pens are employed in so good a work: may they never, in the remotest ages, fail of some excellent Theophilus to welcome and encourage their pious attempts!

SECTION II.

John begins his gospel with a very sublime and emphatical account of the deity and incarnation of Christ; and of those glorious and important purposes for which he condescended to appear among us in the human nature. JOHN i. 1-14.

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[N the beginning existed the [LoGoS or] Word. And the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This [Word] was in 3 the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without 4 him was not made so much as one single being. That which was 5 in him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not appréhend it. A man, whose name was John, was sent as a messenger from 7 God. He came for a witness, that he might testify concerning the 8 light, that all might by his means believe. He himself was not 9 that light, but [came] to bear witnesss concerning it. The truė light was that which, coming into the world, enlighteneth every 10 man. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, yet

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11 the world knew him not. He came into his own [territories,*] 12 yet his own [people] did not receive him. Nevertheless to as many as received him, and believed on his name, [even] to them, 13 he granted the privilege of becoming the sons of God; who were not born of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.

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And the Word was made flesh, and pitched his tabernaclet among us and we contemplated his glory: such a glory as became the Only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

REFLECTIONS.

Justly hath our Redeemer said, Blessed is the man that is not offended in me : and we may peculiarly apply the words to that great and glorious doctrine of the deity of Christ, which is here before us. A thousand high and curious thoughts will naturally arise in our corrupt hearts on this view of it; but may Divine grace subdue them all to the obedience of an humble faith; so that, with Thomas, we may each of us fall down at his feet, and cry out with sincere and unreserved devotion, My Lord and my God!

Let us adore him as the Creator and Preserver of all, the overflowing Fountain of light and life. Let us with unutterable pleasure hail this Sun of righteousness, whose rays, by the tender mercies of the Father, have visited our benighted world to guide our feet into the way of peace: and while we lament that the darkness hath not apprehended and received him, let us earnestly pray that he may ere long penetrate every clould of ignorance and mist of error, and may diffuse among all the nations knowledge and grace, purity and joy. Let us especially pray that he may penetrate our beclouded souls; and that they may, in holy correspondence to the purposes of his appearing, be turned as clay to the seal. The world knew him not; but may we know him, and give him that honourable and grateful reception which so great a favour may justly demand!-Yet what returns can be proportionable to his condescension in becoming flesh for us, and pitching his tabernacle among miserable and sinful mortals ?-Happy apostles that beheld his glory! And surely there are in his word such reflections of it as we may also behold, and as will oblige us to acknowledge it to be a glory that became the Only-begotten of the Father. Let us cordially receive him as full of grace and truth, that we also may stand entitled to the privileges of God's children. And if we are already of that happy number, let us not arrogate the glory of it to ourselves, or ascribe it entirely to those who have been the instruments of this important change; but remember that of his own will God hath begotten us by the word of his power, and that of him we are in Christ Jesus: to him then let us refer the ultimate praise, if that divine and almighty Saviour be made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. i. 30.

* Such is the manifest difference between the terms in the Greek, ίδια and ίδιοι.

† A visible reference to the dwelling of the Schechinah in the tabernacle of Motes.

SECTION III.

An angel appears to Zacharias to give him notice of the birth of John the Baptist; and his mother on her conception retires. LUKE i. 5 -25.

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N the days of Herod, king of Judea*, there was a priest named

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wife was one of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Eli6 zabeth. And they were both righteous in the sight of God, walking in all the commands and institutions of the Lord, blameless. 7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.

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And it came to pass, that when he was performing the priest's 9 office before God, in the order of his course, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot was to burn incense when he 10 went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of 11 the people were praying without at the time of incense. And

there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, standing at the right 12 hand of the altar of incense. And Zacharias, seeing [him] was 13 greatly discomposed, and terror fell upon him. But the angel

said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias; for thy prayer is heard: and Elizabeth thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his 14 name Johnt. And thou shalt have joy and transport, and many 15 shall rejoice on occasion of his birth. For he shall be great in

the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink neither wine|| nor intoxicating liquor; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even 16 from his mother's womb. And he shall turn many of the children 17 of Israel to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him, in the spirit and power of Elijah§, to convert the hearts of the fathers with the children, and those who have been disobedient to the wisdom of the just shall he make ready, a people prepared for

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the Lord.

And Zacharias said to the angel, By what shall I know this? 19 for I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years. And the angel, answering, said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God, and I am sent to speak to thee, and to tell thee 20 these joyful tidings. And behold, thou shalt be silent, and unable to speak, till the day in which these things shall be accomplished, because thou hast not believed my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.

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And the people were waiting for Zacharias to dismiss them; 22 and they wondered that he continued so long in the temple. But

* i. e. Herod, who was called the great, appointed by the Romans, to whom Juden was subject.

† Abiah, or Abijah, was the head of one of the 24 courses into which David distributed the priests. See 1 Chron. xxiii. 6. xxiv. 10.

Which signifies the grace or favour of God.

Like the ancient Nazarites. Numb. vi. 3.

$ Mal. iv. 6.

With his blessing. See Numb. vi. 33. Lev. ix. 22, 23.

when he came out he was not able to speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he himself, by signs, intimated [it] to them: and he continued deaf and dumb. 23 And it came to pass that, when the days of his ministration were fulfilled, he departed to his own house.

24 And after these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and conceal25 ed herself five months, saying, The Lord hath thus done for me, in the days in which he hath looked upon me, to take away my reproach of barrenness among men.

REFLECTIONS.

How amiable is the character of this pious pair, who were found walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless! May our behaviour be thus unblamable, and our obedience thus sincere and universal! And let those, whose office leads them nearer to God than others, remember their peculiar obligation to imitate such an example.

Let us observe, with pleasure, that the prayers which such worshippers offer come up with acceptance before God; to whom no cost. ly perfume is so sweet as the fragrancy of a character like this.—An answer of peace was here returned when the case seemed to be most helpless. Let us learn to wait patiently for the Lord, and leave it to his own infinite wisdom to choose the time and manner in which he shall appear for us.

Zacharias, accustomed as he was to coverse with the God of heaven, was nevertheless, as we see, thrown into great consternation at the appearance of his angelic messenger. And may we not regard it, therefore, as an instance of the goodness as well as wisdom of God, that he determines that the services which these heavenly spirits render us should be generally invisible?—It is delightful to observe that amiable condescension with which Gabriel, the courtier of heaven, behaved on this occasion. Let it teach us with pleasure to pursue the humblest offices of duty and love which God may assign us towards any of our fellow-servants, even in the lowest stations.

Happy was the holy Baptist in being employed in this blessed work of preparing men's hearts to receive a Saviour, and reducing the disobedient to the wisdom of the just. May we be inspired with some degree of zeal like his, in our proper sphere, to pursue so noble a design!

We see, in the instance of Zacharias, that some remainders of unbelief may be found even in a faithful heart: let us guard against them, as remembering they will be displeasing to God, and hurtful to ourselves. And, to conclude, when Providence favours us with any peculiarly gracious interpositions, let us attentively remark the hand of God in them; and let religious retirement leave room for serious recollection and devout acknowledgments.