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were to be effected in the latter days, SECT. I. when, according to St. Paul, the prophetical injunction of Ifaiah was obeyed, "Sing, O barren, thou that didft not "bear; break forth into finging, and "cry aloud, thou that didft not travel "with child!".

He who is employed in discharging with fidelity the duties of his calling, takes the surest way to obtain the continuation and increase of his heavenly Master's favours. A fon was promised to Zacharias, "While he executed the "prieft's office before God," as the ritual of the church enjoined, "In the "order of his courfe, and according to "the cuftom." The reflection of a pious writer upon this circumstance is no less just than beautiful. "One priest "alone," fays he, "intent on his duty, "who diffufes the sweet favour of "Chrift, and is conftant in prayer, "draws down on the people more bleffings than a great number of negligent "priefts. A man ought," continues he, "to discharge all the ecclefiaftical func

a Ifai. liv. 1. Gal. iv. 27.

Luke i. 8, 9.

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SECT. I. tions with the spirit of the facred miw" niftry, as before Gad, and under his "immediate infpection; to perform "them in order, in his proper ftation, without ambitiously feeking an high"er; to do nothing merely of his own "will, but to obferve" the well efta"blifhed customs, as being the neceffary "fecurities of peace. This is the truth "which these fhadows prefigured, and "these the difpofitions worthy a mini"ster of the true temple, which is the "church."

THE annuntiation of the Baptift's conception happened at the time of incenfe, when his father, having put on the robe of honour, and being clothed, like the great Mediator whom he perfonated, with the garments of glory and beauty, entered into the temple, while the whole congregation of the people, affembled without, fent up their united prayers to be accepted at the throne of grace, through the interceffion which was then making for them by the levitical prieft, acting in the name of him who was to "arife after the order of "Melchifedek, and not to be called

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"after the order of Aaron" While SECT. I. the joint prayers of priest and people were thus offered up with the blood of fprinkling, and the fweet-fmelling favour of the holy incenfe, an angel fuddenly appeared to Zacharias, as he was executing his office in the temple; that being the place to which those blessed fpirits, when they vifit these lower regions, ever delight to refort, as bearing the nearest refemblance to the happy mansions from which they defcend.

BUT whether it be, that the glory of celestial spirits overpowers the faculties of human nature, or that man, confcious of having finned againft heaven, naturally trembles at the fight of a meffenger from thence, we find, the appearance of an angel had the fame effect upon Zacharias, the bleffed virgin, and the thepherds: they were all “ fore "afraid." Their minds must be first composed, and put into a capacity of receiving the heavenly tidings brought them by the good angels, who, like good men, manifeft themselves by the gracious and encouraging manner of

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a Heb. vii. II.

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SECT. I. their address, and having removed all misconceived apprehenfions, proceed to inftruct and comfort thofe to whom they are fent. Fear not, Zacharias, for "thy prayer is heard, and thy wife "Elizabeth fhall bear thee a fon "." Zacharias had prayed for the redemption of Ifrael by Meffiah, and therefore was honoured by being made, in a wonderful manner, the father of his illuftrious forerunner. The priest was anxious for the welfare of the church, and the man was bleffed in his own private concerns. He fought "first the king"dom of God, and his righteoufnefs," and the bleffing of a fon was "added " unto him." 66 -14 Thy wife Elizabeth "fhall bear thee a fon, and thou fhalt "call his name JoHN," that is, being interpreted, the grace, or gift; " and 66 many fhall rejoice at his birth :" not only thou shalt rejoice, and Elizabeth with thee, at the birth of a fon fo long defpaired of, and fuch a fon too, but it fhall be matter of joy, at the time, to all who look for redemption; and afterwards, thoufands and millions fhall re

a Luke i, 13.

joice at the remembrance of it; the day SECT. I. fhall be kept as a feftival throughout all generations; with joy and gladness shall it be kept, thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Encouraged by the example of Zacharias, let the priests, the minifters of the Lord, be never weary of waiting for his loving kindness in the midft of his temple. Let it be the delight of their lives to execute their office, every one in that order and station in which he is placed. So will God make them to hear of joy and gladness, and grant them to behold the fuccess of their labours for the converfion of finners, and the edification of his people. The church, like Elizabeth, fhall bring forth fruit in her old age, and her friends shall rejoice greatly, when they hear that the Lord hath fhewed mercy on her *.

DISTRUST of Providence, and the accomplishment of it's defigns, when appearances are on the other fide, will fometimes invade the hearts of the best of men; and Zacharias himself fo far partook of the incredulous spirit which at that period had poffeffed the fynaa Luke i. 58.

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