the great defign, which had been in fome measure made known from the beginning. Salvation was published to Adam immediately after the fall, and in every fucceeding age intimations were given, that redemption fhould be accomplished. Yet much obfcurity rested on all the various difpenfations, till it pleafed God to difperfe the darkness by the full manifeftation of his grace through Jefus Chrift, and to "bring life and immortality to light through the Gospel *." In the New Teftament, also, we perceive the fame mode of instruction adopted as in the Old. Our faith, indeed, is fixed by an exprefs and authoritative declaration of the truth: but it is not taught in the fame fyftematical way as in the generality of human writings. A confiderable portion of this little volume is historical; and accordingly, to explain or inculcate the principles of our religion, it refers us to facts and examples. Thefe we fhall endeavour fairly to reprefent; pointing out at the fame time the practical improvement of each circumftance as it occurs. Though we fhall neceffarily be led to infift on evangelical doctrines, for they will offer themselves to our notice, and furely they are too important to be overlooked, yet we fhall not lofe fight of the original intention, of deducing profitable leffons for the regulation of our conduct from the principal lives and characters which are recorded. We are now paffing from the comparative obfcurity of all the preceding ages, to behold the splendour of a perfect day breaking forth in the gofpel. Do we not exult, while we hear a heavenly voice addreffing us," Arife, fhine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is rifen upon thee +?" But the Chriftian difpenfation, fo bright and excellent, as ushered in by one of an inferior luftre, which 2 Tim. i. 10. + Ifa. lx. 1. prepared prepared the way for it. The revelations of God have gradually increafed in their clearness from the beginning. As, in the natural world, we are not furprised by the fudden burft of day, for we have notices of its approach; fo the Sun of Righteousness did not arife, till an illustrious harbinger, like the morning ftar, had announced his appearing. Our But who fhall be appointed" to go before the face of the Lord?" We might conclude, it must be One of distinguished excellence; and accordingly we find the highest character given of JOHN THE BAPTIST, for whom this honour was referved. Lord ftyles him "a burning and a fhining light *," and declares," among them that are born of women, there hath not rifen a greater than John the Baptift +." Many very eminent perfons are exhibited in the Old Teftament; but, upon the opening of the new difpenfation, the grace of God was more abundantly difplayed. John the Baptift ftood before all the ancient patriarchs and prophets, as to the dignity of his office, and his fpiritual difcernment. Many of them had defired to fee and hear thofe things, of which he was witnefs; but they were not permitted. They fpake and wrote much concerning the Saviour, and had large discoveries of his worth and excellence: but John was favoured with more exprefs revelations, understood and defcribed more clearly the nature and benefits of his redemption, and himself beheld his glory. They pointed to him, as to a diftant object, the "Mefiah that was to come;" John not only proclaimed his immediate approach, but referred the people to him, as already present before them, laying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the fin of the world !" Yet the commendation of the Lord, is given with some limitation. Baptift by our Though John * John v. 35. + Mat. xi. II. ‡ John i. 29. was was advanced above all, who preceded him, many are placed in a higher point of elevation." He that is leaft in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” For as the great mystery of godlinefs was foon afterwards more fully opened, one of the least abilities and meanest office in the church of Christ (which is often fignified by " the kingdom of heaven") might understand more of the plan of falvation, than even this eminent faint. If we extend our views to "the kingdom of heaven" in its most exalted sense, it is ftill more obvious, that he, who obtains the lowest diftinction in the fociety of the bleffed above, will there difcover more of the rich and fovereign grace of our God, and poffefs a larger measure of knowledge, holiness, and glory, than ever John could have done, with all his gifts and attainments, upon earth. From the confideration of this character, then, we fhall fee reafon to adore the divine mercy toward ourselves, inasmuch as we enjoy a clearer revelation of the Son of God; and, though our place in this world be obfcure, and our abilities contemptible, yet, dying in the faith of Chrift, we shall foon be admitted to a ftate of purity, happiness, and honour, of which the most excellent men are not even capable in their present state. The fourth year before the .common count ac Anno Domini. Many remarkable circumftances attended the coming of the Baptift, which fixed the eyes of the public upon him, called and excited a general expectation of fome great events to be accomplished him. He was introduced by a train of miracles. parents were too far advanced in years to look any children in the common courfe of nature *. angel from heaven announced his birth, ated the father Zacharias, with the chaOffice which his intended fon fhould fuf Luke i. 5, &c. tain. tain. His very name was determined; and it was foretold by the divine meffenger, that he fhould be a perfon of peculiar holinefs and abftinence," filled with the Holy Ghoft even from his mother's womb," and, as the promised forerunner of the Meffiah, be the favoured inftrument of " turning many of the children of Ifrael to the Lord their God."' Declarations fo wonderful Zacharias was back ard to credit; and therefore, for a punishment of his unbelief, and a confirmation of the prediction, he was inftantly ftruck speechlefs. At the appointed time the child was born; and on the eighth day, when the rite of circumcifion was performed, Zacharias directed, in obedience to the angel, that he fhould be called JOHN, which fignifies, "The gift, or mercy of the Lord." Immediately the tongue of the pious father was loofed, and, under the abundant and powerful influence of the Holy Ghost," He fpake and praised God." The fpirit of prophecy had ceafed from the days of Malachi, that is, about four hundred years; but it was revived in Zacharias, who broke forth upon this event into an inspired fong, expreffing the most ardent gratitude to God for remembering his holy covenant and fending redemption to his people. The venerable prieft enlarged upon the nature and excellence of the falvation about to be effeRed; and then looking on his infant fon, he exclaimed, "Thou, child, fhalt be called the prophet of the Higheft; for thou fhalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of falvation unto his people by the remiffion of their fins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the day-fpring from on high hath vifited us, to give light to them that fit in darkness, and in the fhadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Thefe furprifing circumftances could not fail to a tract the notice of the neighbourhood. "All the that heard them laid them up in their hearts, faying What B 3 What manner of child fhall this be?" and probably they were the more difpofed to receive him, when he entered on his public miniftry. His education, alo, and deportment from his infancy, were to fingular, as to excite general regard. "The hand of the Lord was with him," not only according to the common courfe of providence to fupport, invigorate, and protext him, but to endue him with an extraordinary meafure of wiflom, holiness, and zeal, and other special ifts for his minifterial fervice." The child grew, and waxed ftrong in fpirit." Shall not we alfo perceive and admire the merciful interpofition of our God, in behalf of his church? He hath been ever mindful of his promife; and at the proper feafon he hath not delayed to raife up fuitable infruments for the execution of his purposes. “Out of the mouth of babes and fucklings he hath perfected praife." And this confideration furnishes encouragement, both to parents and children. Shall we not be concerned, and emboldened to pray for them, that they alfo, like John, may be fanctified from the womb? If we fee that they poffefs, not only a vigo1ous conftitution, but wifdom and fervour in the fervice of God, and that early habits of goodness are formed in them, let us afcribe it to the divine grace, and devoutly acknowledge, "The hand of the Lord is with them." John was an eminent pattern of religion even from bis infancy. Ah! how different are the generality of young perfons among ourfelves; feeking happiness from al gratifications and the pride of life! But behold * Mat. xxi. 16. Spirit, |