SECTION XLIX.

The Eastern Sages.

Ar the birth of Jesus, certain philosophers or astrologers came from the East to worship him, being supernaturally directed by a star. "We have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." When it is remembered, that these sages formed a part of the Gentile and Pagan world, and that, as far as appears from Scripture, they were allowed to retain the manners, usages, and opinions of their native countries, and that even their errors and superstitions formed no bar to their acceptance, this embassy must be allowed to constitute an important ingredient in our argument; nor is it unimportant to consider, that if they came from Arabia, they came from a country which has never been permanently brought under the Christian faith. As such, I apprehend, they are to be viewed rather as the representatives of the unconverted nations, than

as the representatives of professed believers. But, at any rate, the inference is clear, and indubitable, that such nations must possess some interest in the Redeemer who allowed his advent to be adorned with the gold and frankincense and myrrh of these Heathen worshippers.

"God who is the universal Father of all men, at the nativity of the Messias, gave notice of it to all the world, as they were represented by the grand division of Jews and Gentiles. To the Jewish shepherds, by an angel; to the Eastern Magi, by a star. For the Gospel is of universal dissemination, not confined within the limits of a national prerogative, but catholic and diffused." Taylor's Life of Christ, vol. i̟ p. 81.

"These Sages were Gentiles, aliens by nature, like ourselves, from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenant of promise, representing, as it were, the whole heathen world." See Bp. Horne's Sermon on the Epiphany.

SECTION L.

St. John the Baptist.

THE ministry of St. John forms the connecting link between the Law and the Gospel. It admitted all on their repentance,-Gentiles, as well as Jews, were welcome to its benefits. It does not appear that John insisted on the rite of circumcision, nor is it probable that the publicans and soldiers who were baptised by him were Jewish proselytes. When they enquired of him their duties, he enforced on them those duties which were belonging to their respective stations. To the publicans, he enjoined moderation in their demands, because they were too generally guilty of extortion; to the soldiers, gentleness of behaviour and contentment with their pay, because they frequently committed acts of violence and were often turbulent. Upon these simple acknowledgments, "they were baptized in Jordan confessing their sins." Matt. iii.

It is impossible to peruse this account of

St. John's ministry, and not to perceive, that "every man shall be accepted according to that which he hath." The admission of publicans and soldiers whose faith must have been so very partial, and whose practice so imperfect, intimates, in no dubious manner, the truth of our general argument; whilst the rebukes which he gave to the rigid and sanctimonious Pharisee, show how little depends, in the sight of God, on the mere adherence to forms and ceremonies."Think not to say unto yourselves, we have Abraham for our father, for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Luke iii. 8.

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Whilst John was baptising, all men were musing in their hearts whether he were the Christ or not;" they had arrived at no fixed or definite belief; but they were treated according to their circumstances, and though ignorant of Christ, their repentance was available "to the remission of their sins."

SECTION LI.

The Object of Christ's Mission.

his

"God so loved the world, that he gave only begotten Son, to the end, 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." John iii. 16, 17.

In this declaration, whilst the general tendency of the passage leads to our conclusion for the salvability of Heathen nations, as well as others, it must be owned, that the specific condition appears to make against us. To reconcile this apparent contradiction, I would submit the following considerations.

First, then, it is clear, that the express object and design on the part of God, was the salvation of the world. This is stated, both positively, and negatively, and therefore there can be no doubt concerning it. But the limitation is made to the believers