Matthew, Chap. ii. From the 1st to the 11th verse, inclusive.
1. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2. Saying, Where is he that was born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the prophet, 6. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out of thee shall come a Governour, that shall rule my people Israel.
7. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
We celebrate this day, concerning the appearing of our Lord Jesus; who appeared a special comfort to all who sought him with a strong faith. First, to the wise men who came from the East: Secondly, to John the Baptist; when being about thirty years of age, he was baptized of him in Jordan; when the Holy
Ghost, and voice of the Father, gave testimony of him, that he was the son of God: Thirdly, when he showed his glory and power in a miracle; where he turned water into wine at a marriage; by which he would procure reverence and estimation to matrimony; which now in a shameful manner is contemned and rejected by the pope and his adherents, as a miserable and wretched state.
The wise men, who undoubtedly were the governours of the country, when they had seen the star in the East, without delay made haste to Jerusalem, diligently seeking for the new born king of the Jews. They could neither seek nor find out this king, the Lord Christ, but by the star going before them, which led them to the place where he was to be found. So it is with us, we cannot find
Christ without the gospel: that must show him to us, and bring us where we may find him. This only is done when we receive the gospel by faith: otherwise, although we may have it, hear it, and know it, it profiteth us nothing; we shall be as the scribes, who had the scriptures, and showed the way to others, not coming into it themselves, for the subject did not touch their hearts.
It is not enough that we have the gospel, or that we hear it: but we must believe it, and lay it up in the secrets of our hearts, or we shall not find Christ.
God respecteth not the person; it matters not whether one be learned or unlearned; instructed in many places of scripture, or in few; unto whom God giveth grace, he it is that enjoys Christ. After the wise men had found the child
Christ, at Bethlehem, together with Joseph and Mary, by the help of the scripture and guiding of the star, they were not offended at the low condition of him, but being taught by the word, acknowledged him to be the Messiah, the king of the Jews; for whom they had looked so many years: they then opened their treasures, and offered him gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men do not disdain him because he is without pomp and splendour, neither do they turn back because they find him and his parents in poverty and misery; but undoubtedly acknowledge him as king, as they had learned concerning him out of the scripture. Moreover they give him the honour due to a king; they offer him most precious gifts, which they had brought out of their own country.
Now the world would have done none of these things; but according to the custom thereof, would have looked for garments of purple, and a retinue of servants and hand-maidens: Thus it bestows its gifts where there was great plenty and abundance before; yea, it deprives the poor and afflicted of those things they need, and takes bread from the mouth of the hungry. If we will honour Christ with those wise men, we must shut our eyes, and turn them from all which seems fair and goodly to the world. If any thing seem contemptible and ridiculous to the world, let us not be offended, or abhor it; but let this suffice us, that we know it pleaseth God who is in heaven. Let us take heed to ourselves concerning these things; that we may help the needy, comfort the afflicted, and count the calamity of our neighbour as our own.
Whatsoever God hath commanded concerning these things, should be observed; as to do good to our neighbour, to bear a friendly and willing mind toward him, and assist him in adversity. Christ saith, Mat v. "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Here we plainly see that God will not be served, unless we first become reconciled to our neighbour. For the same cause also God rejecteth the sacrifices of the Jews; as it is said in the prophecy of Isaiah, chap. i. "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of hegoats"
"When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with: it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new-moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes: cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgement; relieve the oppressed; judge the fatherless, plead for the widow," &c.
Thus we see what God requireth, and what he allows. When we neglect those works by which our neighbour is served, he will neglect us: for whatsoever benefit we bestow upon our neighbour, that we bestow upon God, and Christ himself; as he shall pronounce in the last judgement: Mat. xxv. 40. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." When this is heard, ye will not glory in the temples which have been built by you, or masses which ye have founded. For then he will say, what have I to do with thy temples and masses? what with thy altar and bells? Thinkest thou that I am delighted with stones and wood, with bells and banners? were not all things mine at first? heaven is my seat, and earth my footstool.
Who commanded thee to build temples? I have set living temples before thee; these are to be edified, nourished, and relieved; but thou hast been occupied with other trifles, which I have not commanded. Ye ought to have put your trust in me only: but whatsoever I have commanded, that of you hath been neglected; and that which I have detested and abhorred, that ye have done. The wise men did not abhor the miserable appearance of this infant and his parents; neither should we detest the pitiful estate of our neighbours; but be persuaded that we find
Christ in them, and that whatsoever is bestowed upon them, Christ will acknowledge as being bestowed upon himself.
His kingdom consisteth of the poor, despised, and abject; yea, we must bear the cross; we must suffer contempt, persecution, affliction, and misery; as Paul saith out of the Psalm, xliv. 22. "For thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter." In another place he saith, 2 Cor. iv. "We are made as the filth of the world, the off-scouring of all things." Christ said to his disciples, when he sent them to preach in Judea, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves;" Mat. x. 16. The wise men found Christ, not in Herod's court, not among the princes and priests, nor at the famous city of Jerusalem; but at Bethlehem, in a stable.
We must now consider what these wise men signified by their gifts. They show by it that this child was a king; and not a king only, but also God and man.
In offering gold, they acknowledge him king; as if they should say, we bring thee gold, not that we would thereby enrich thee; for gold and silver, and whatsoever is, was thine before; but hereby we acknowledge thee to be a mighty king over all things; so we offer gold to Christ, when we acknowledge him for our king and Lord; but in this is required a strong faith. If I ought to acknowledge him for my king and Lord my will ought also to be extinguished, that Christ only might reign and rule in me; and that all things which pleaseth him might be done concerning me. The leper said unto Christ, Mat. "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
My will must be utterly extinguished, if I will have Christ to reign in me.
Christ suffered not his own will to rule, but always submitted himself to the will of his Father; as he saith, John vi. "I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." Yea, he obeyed his Father even unto death, and submitted himself wholly to his will. We should imitate this example, which is written for our consolation, and rest our hope confidently on him, who brings all things to pass after the counsel of his own will; as it is said in Psalm xxxvii. "Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass."
Blessed is he that believeth those things from his heart: such a man, whether he be burned, or drowned, or cast into prison, or otherwise grievously dealt with, taketh it all in good part; for he knoweth that these things shall turn to his benefit. After this sort we offer gold with the wise men, when we suffer not our own will to rule, but suffer Christ to work in us according to his will and pleasure. Wherefore those are hypocrites, who know not how to suffer the will of God, but always complain of his dealings with them. If things go not according to their wishes, they are angry; they do not patiently suffer persecution and contempt; they murmur and find fault. By resisting, they force the kingdom of Christ from themselves.
By frankincense the wise men represented divine honour, which we offer to Christ when we confess that whatsoever we have comes from God; and that we have it freely without any merit of our own. All things are to be ascribed to him as the true Lord; neither must we glory in the things received, but the glory of God is to be sought in them: and if he take them from us again, we ought to suffer it with quiet minds, and to bless him with the beloved Job in these words:
"Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Chap. i. 21. We ought to suffer misfortune and adversity, as if God himself cast them upon us; so that none may be able to offend us; for not so much as a hair of our heads shall perish; as Christ saith to his disciples, Luke xxi.
Whatsoever shall molest us, whatsoever adversity shall come upon us, we ought never to seek any other God, neither should we seek help and comfort from any but Christ alone. This is he which is made unto us of God the Father, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. We offer unto Christ frankincense of Arabia, when we fly to him in calamity, affliction, and anguish.
But those that seek comfort from other sources, as from sorcerers, witches, &c. they do not offer frankincense to Christ, but loathsome brimstone, wherein they shall be burned forever; for they have not believed and trusted in Christ.
By myrrh they signified mortal man: for with myrrh dead bodies were anointed which preserved them from putrefaction. Myrrh is a strong and bitter juice, distilled from trees which grow in Arabia; somewhat like the gum of the pine, or fir tree. We offer myrrh to Christ, when we firmly believe that he by his death hath overcome sin, satan, and hell. This is a special faith. If we believe from the heart that sin and death, the devil and hell, are swallowed up in and by the death of Christ, we shall not be afraid of them all: we shall be preserved from that rottenness which death bringeth, if we have this myrrh, this faith in the death of our Lord Christ in our bodies and souls; this will not suffer us to perish.
So strong and valiant a thing is faith, that by it all things are possible. Christ saith in Mark, we must learn daily with our Lord Christ to bring under our old
Adam, and mortify the deeds of the body by the cross; not that cross which we choose, but that which Christ layeth upon us; let us bear it with a patient and willing mind, that our bodies may be subdued and made subject to the spirit; that being buried with Christ in baptism, we may be raised with him, and he alone may reign and live in us.
This baptism signifies no other thing than that the old Adam be mortified and buried; which we ought always to bear in mind, seeing that sin remains in us as long as we live in this world. Wherefore St. Paul treats in very good words, which ought to be diligently considered by us; Rom. vi. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin."
"Now, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Thus much concerning the first appearance.
Now we will speak somewhat of the second; that is, of the baptism of Christ.
In the baptism of Christ, three things are to be considered: the first, the heavens were opened when he was baptized; the second, the Holy Ghost was seen in the likeness of a dove; and the third, the voice of the Father was heard, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Christ vouchsafed to be baptized with water, by which he hath hallowed baptism, and made the water thereof holy, that he which is baptized in his name, might likewise become holy and cleansed from sin.
Christ was not baptized for himself, for he was not infected with the least spot of sin. He acted like a good physician, who first drinks of the bitter portion, and then offers it to the sick, that they may the more gladly and boldly drink of it afterwards: for we in baptism drink a bitter portion; namely, the mortification of the old Adam: for dipping into the water, or sprinkling with it, signifies nothing else, than that the old Adam should perish and die. This is greatly furthered by the cross, which God by his divine will layeth upon us; which we ought not to cast off, but bear willingly with a patient mind.
But that this might be easier for us to do, Christ hath taken it upon himself; he suffered himself to be baptized, he took his cross and carried it without resistance or gainsaying, and was obedient to his Father unto death, even the death of the cross: as Paul saith, Phil. ii. that he might deliver us from our sins, and might appease his heavenly Father, which surely he did of his mere grace without any desert of ours; whereof baptism is a sign and pledge; as Paul saith to Titus: "But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
Secondly, when Christ was baptized, the Holy Ghost appeared in the likeness of a dove, whereby is signified that we also receive the Holy Ghost in baptism, which ruleth and guideth us according to the will of God; which is present with us, and helpeth us in bearing the burden of the holy cross, which exhorteth us, enforceth us, and when we yield to the burden of the cross, it is present and helpeth us; if we fall it raiseth us up again, and is always a faithful companion in our journey. He maketh the burden of the cross light, which we should otherwise be unable to bear. If we fall into sin, we must remember to go back to baptism, for this is the ship wherein we pass over the sea of sin; for baptism is the beginning of repentance. After such a renewing of the life, followeth the praise of God, and thanksgiving unto him for the grace received. Then the person behaveth himself friendly towards his neighbour, and doth good to him in all things. This is signified by the Holy Ghost appearing upon Christ in the likeness of a dove. The dove hath no gall: such they also become which receive the Holy
Ghost in baptism; to wit, they are gentle and without bitterness toward all men.
Thirdly, the voice of the Father is heard in the baptism of Christ, which saith, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." This is that Saviour which delivereth us from the tyranny of sin, death, satan, and hell. Here we may learn how we must come to God: he that desireth to become a child of God the Father, must attain to it through Christ, and through him alone, the beloved Son, who sitteth in the bosom of the Father; unto whom alone the Father looketh; without whom be alloweth nothing; but whatsoever pleaseth the Father, it pleaseth him with respect to the Son: therefore he that desireth to go to the Father, must cleave to this his beloved Son: nothing is of value or estimation with the Father, except his beloved Son.
He that desireth to be in favour with the Father, and to be beloved by him, let him flee to the bosom of the Son, by whom he findeth access to the Father; as Paul saith, Eph. "Through Christ we are adopted;" and, "Without Christ we are the enemies of God." Therefore, whosoever cleaveth to Christ through faith, abideth in the favour of God; he also shall be made beloved and acceptable, as Christ is; and shall have fellowship with the Father and Son. This is a mighty and excellent voice! This is my beloved Son, in whom all things consist and are comprehended, which are extant in the whole scripture.
As all things are delivered into the hands of Christ, and gathered into one, that they may obey him, God saith, "this is my beloved Son by shewing Christ only, and naming no other, he maketh it plain that none is his beloved Son beside him.
If others are not his beloved sons, it is certain that they are the children of wrath and indignation. If there were more beloved sons, he would not have used this saying; neither would he turn his eyes to him only as though he knew no other.
Paul saith in his epistle to the Hebrews, "Unto which of the angels said he at any time, thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?" and again, "I will be his
Father, and he shall be my Son."
It is most certain that Christ, in these words, is declared to be the true and only Son of God; seeing that these words were never said to any other creature.
Howbeit, he was as much the Son of God, and would have remained so forever, even as he hath been from everlasting, if this had not been spoken to us from heaven: neither is any thing added or taken away from him by this name; but we must think that this praise and honour of Christ was spoken for our sakes; as it is said in John xii. 30. "Jesus answered and said, this voice came not because of me, but for your sakes." He hath no need that it should be said unto him, that he is the Son of God; for he knew this before; and hath had from everlasting by his nature, that which he heareth.
This word teacheth us to know Christ, in which knowledge our salvation consisteth, as witnessed by Isaiah, Paul, and Peter. But how does it teach us to know him? it teacheth us to know him as the Son of God, who pleaseth the Father; by which the Father cheereth the hearts of all the faithful, and greatly delighteth them with comfort and heavenly love. When Christ speaketh, or doth any thing for me, I remember these words of the Father, that he is the beloved
Son; then I am forced to think, that all which Christ speaketh and suffereth for my sake, doth well please the Father. How can God show himself more liberal and loving, than by being pleased that Christ his Son doth deal so kindly and tenderly with us; that he looks upon us with so much affection, and with such unusual love, as to suffer and die for our sakes.
But we are cold, and sluggish, and unthankful wretches; we pass over such precious words as things of no importance; as if uttered by man; as being contained in a book, or written on paper, as things utterly decayed; as if grown out of use by long custom; as if they pertained to Christ, and not to us. Being dull and senseless, we do not perceive that they belong not to Christ, but were committed to writing and are extant for our sakes only. Christ being in so great favour with God in all things, and at the same time serving us, as he himself witnesseth, we are without doubt in the same favour with God, as Christ himself.
"If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John xiv. 23. Also, xii. 26.
"Where I am, there shall also my servant be." Again; I pray that they may be one, even as we are one; I in thee, and thou in me, and they in me.
But where is Christ? In the favour of God; in the depth of his heart: there also are we, if we know and love Christ; there our refuge is placed, where no evil can come. But in this, faith is required; the works of the law, and our own merits will not prevail. Christ is here declared the only Son of God; which at once overthrows whatsoever maketh itself God. Men and satan, who please themselves, and love themselves only, seek not after God, but strive to become gods themselves: but God will say unto these very different things from what he said unto Christ. Christ is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, seeing that he glorifieth not himself, although he be God: but ye are wretches, in whom
I allow nothing, seeing that ye glorify yourselves, being but creatures and men.
This sentence given of Christ, humbleth the world, and showeth them all to be void of divinity; and ascribeth it to Christ, all for our benefit, if we believe and admit this sentence; or to our condemnation, if we contemn it. Then we may say at once, without Christ there is no favour, nor any beloved Son; but the wrath and sore displeasure of God.
We shall now quote certain sentences out of the scripture concerning Christ, whereby is declared that through him we are loved by the Father, and without him are refused. Thus it is said, John i. 16, 17. "Of his fulness, (to wit, Christ's,) have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ" John iii. 13. "No man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." John iii. 16,17, 18. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John iii. 35, 36. "The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John vi. 40.
"This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." John vii. 37, 38. "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." Titus iii. 4, 5, 6, 7. "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus
Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Many other such sentences occur, particularly in the epistles of Paul, which any one may gather for himself.