not told me *." But, from the little which we now understand, may we be excited to love him with our warmest affections, and serve him with unwearied vigour and delight, till we be admitted into his beatific prefence, to reign with him in glory, as kings and priests, for ever and ever! Amen.

* 1 Kings x-7

1

HALLELUJAH!

THE

Mary, defcended from David-espoused to Joseph-informed of her miraculous conception-vifited Elizabeth -brought forth Jefus at Bethlehem-attended at the temple for ber purification went into Egypt-met with a rebuke from Jesus-accompanied him in his ministry-stood by his cross.

AFTER

FTER confidering the life of the Redeemer, we may be difpofed to treat with indifference every other hiftory, as being, comparatively, of little importance. But, as in the natural world, though we look not immediately to the fun, we behold the effects of his light in the brightnefs of every object around us; fo we may difcover the grace and glory of Jefus in thofe, whom he illuminates, and, from the view of their excellencies, may be led to regard him with the greater admiration.

We now direct our meditations to the character of the person, to whom he stood most nearly related in the flesh. We contemplate his virgin mother, who was not only" bleffed among women," but honoured above all the crowned heads, which were ever diftinguished on the earth. We cannot, indeed, in speaking concerning her, accommodate ourselves to the fuperftition of Romifh devotees. They dare to addrefs her in foolish and idolatrous language, as if fhe had the difpofal of all fpiritual bleffings, and even in heaven could command her Son, upon the throne of his glory, to answer their petitions. It is faid, that they offer as many prayers, if such they may be called,

to

to the holy virgin, as to the Lord God Almighty. Abhorred be this worship of a creature!

Nor do we attend to any abfurd traditionary legends, but enquire merely, what we may learn from her example, as recorded in the fcriptures. A very fhort account is given us: perhaps, this circumftance was defigned to check our vain curiofity, which might lead us to propofe many unprofitable questions. We know nothing of her parentage, except that the proceeded in a direct line from David: otherwise the could not have been the mother of the promised Meffiah. It appears, however, by numerous proofs, that her fituation in life was obfcure, though the obtained the high honour of introducing the Saviour inte the world, that peculiar honour, to which the holy women of old moft eagerly afpired.

It had been foretold, that the Redeemer fhould not only affume our nature, and fpring from the royal family of David, in fome of its reduced branches, but be born of a pure virgin *.

Thefe predictions were exactly fulfilled. The genealogy of Mary is carefully preferved, in order to fhew her regular descent from David: and fo low had that illuftrious house then funk, that fhe was in a very mean condition, being espoused to Jofeph, a poor carpenter, who was himself alfo of the fame extraction. She still remained immaculate, though betrothed; the marriage not being confummated, when he was acquainted with the gracious defigns of heaven.

The Angel Gabriel carried her the information, that the Lord God looked upon her with a special regard, and defigned to diftinguifh her above her fext. An appearance and falutation fo extraordinary could not but excite aftonifhment and confufion in her mind. He difperfed her fears, and encouraged her

I

Gen. iii. 15. Pfal. cxxxii. 11. Ifa. xi. 1. vii. 14. + Luke i. 26-38.

faith, while he proceeded to affure her, that she should be favoured of God in conceiving and bringing forth a Son, who fhould prove no other than the divine Redeemer, and establish the promised kingdom of grace in the world. Mary expreffed a holy admiration at the meffage delivered, and yet objected her own virginity, which in her view feemed likely to defeat the intention. The Angel then declared explicitly, that the conception should be effected, not in a natural way, but by the immediate operation of the Holy Ghost. He obferved further, that her coufin Elizabeth was in a state of pregnancy at that very time, through a miraculous influence, and referred her to the Almighty power of God, which can inftantly remove every difficulty, and accomplish those purposes, which we may conclude to be impoffible. Mary prefumed not to dispute with the heavenly vifitant, and replied only by teftifying her humble and devout acquiefcence in the Lord's appointment. She refigned herself to the disposal of God, defiring that she might be fubfervient to his will.

What an amiable pattern of meeknefs, faith, and fubmiffion, is here exhibited! She credited the divine meffage, and expected the completion of the promise, in this confidence, that God can do every thing, and will furely perform what he has faid. Have we learned, in like manner, to cease from our vain objections, and depend upon his declarations with unfeigned fimplicity? With what reluctance do we reft upon the word, which he has spoken; and with what petulance do we demand an explanation! The many curious queftions we propofe, and foolish cavils we raife, prove to our fhame, that we are "flow of heart to believe."

Though the honour, conferred upon the pious virgin was great, fhe was called by the miraculous conception to a peculiar measure of patience and refignation. According to human probabilities, it feemed

likely to expofe her to severe trials and dangers. What could the expect, when her pregnancy appeared, but to be feparated from the man, to whom the was efpoused? What, but to be reproached, perhaps condemned to die, as a base adulterefs*? Yet the cheerfully fubmitted the event to God, and trufted him with the care of her character and life. Ah! how few poffefs fuch a difpofition! How few are willing to acquiefce in those difpenfations, or engage in those fervices, which may bring them into difficulties? Let us enquire, whether we can fay fincerely, and without referve, in whatever way God is pleased to intimate his pleasure," Be it unto me, according to thy word."

Soon after the conception, Mary vifited her coufin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptift, whose case had been mentioned by Gabrielt. This long journey was undertaken, with the view, probably, of receiving a confirmation of her faith, by a free communication with her devout relatives. Here we are admitted to a delightful interview between two affectionate and pious women, whose conversation will fuggest some profitable inftructions. They were both filled with the Holy Ghoft, and spake in the most rapturous and elevated manner, praifing God and comforting one another. Elizabeth received her with joy, congratulated her as favoured above her fex, and accounted herself highly honoured in entertaining such a guest.

Mary feemed to be overpowered with admiration of the divine goodness, and broke forth into expreffions of livelieft gratitude, and adoration. Her fong, evidently dictated by infpiration, bears a ftriking refemblance to that of Hannah in the Old Teftament; many parts of which were exactly adapted to her case. Let us endeavour to ftudy this animated paffage, till

*Deut. xxii. 23, 24. † Luke i. 39–56.

we