Word signifies in the Greek) of our Saviour Jesus
Christ to the Gentiles.

Q. To what Gentiles was our Saviour this Day manifested?

Porphyr.

p. 290.

A. To the Wise Men of the East, called Magi in Mat. ii. 1. the Greek, who were famous for all Sorts of Learn- Mayo. ing, especially celebrated for their Knowledge and de Abst. Skill in Astronomy; and in the East their Priests! 4. §. 16. Plat. apud and Men of the best Quality dedicated themselves Apul. to these Studies. Though some Authors are of Apol Opinion, that the Greek Word we translate Wise Lightfoot, Men, is in the Scripture always taken in the worst Sense, for Men practising magical and unlawful Arts; and if it be so understood, it magnifieth the Power and Grace of Christ the more, that, among the Gentiles, Men of such a Profession should be the first Adorers of that blessed Jesus.

Q. What other Signification hath the Word Epiphany P

vol. 1,

P. 436.

A. It signifieth Christ's Appearance in the World, the Nativity of our Saviour; which, among the Ancients, is commonly styled the Appearing simply, or the Appearing of God. And the Feast of the Na- Dr. Ham. tivity being celebrated twelve Days, of which the Mat. ii. first and the last, according to the Custom of the Jews in their Feasts, were high or chief Days of Solemnity, each of these might fitly be called Epiphany in that Sense, and not only referring to the Star, though not excluding but containing it also, as a special Circumstance belonging to the Nativity. Besides, the Word hath been farther made Use of to express the glorious Manifestation of our Sa- Mat. iii. viour's Baptism, and his miraculous Power at the 16, 17. Marriage in Cana, by turning Water into Wine.

Q. How did God manifest the Birth of our Sa- John ii. 11.

viour to the wise Men?

A. By a luminous Appearance of a Star in the lower Region of the Air, observed by those wise Men to differ from the ordinary Stars of Heaven; which, as a new prodigious Sight, seemed to them

Just. de

37. c. 2.

to presage Something of great Moment and Consi deration. For new Stars among the Gentiles, were Mith. lib. sometimes looked upon as Omens, that Infants born Lucan. 1. 4. at the Time of their Appearance should arrive at Plin. Nat. great Power. The Appearance of the Star, and the Journey of the Chaldean wise Men, are menD. August. tioned by Chalcidius the Platonist. It seems not Ver. Relig. improbable, what some Authors have suggested, Christ. 1. 3. that this seeming Star, which appeared to the wise

Hist. 1. 2.

c. 25.

Grot. de

. 14.

Numb. xxiv. 17.

Men in the East, might be that glorious Light which shone upon the Bethlehem Shepherds, when the Angel came to impart to them the Tidings of our Saviour's Birth: which at a Distance might appear like a Star, or, at least, after it had thus shone upon the Shepherds, might be lifted up on high, and then formed into the Likeness of a Star.

Q. How could the wise Men guess at the Birth of our Saviour from the Appearance of this Star?

A. Some think they might receive Light in this Matter from the Prophecy of Balaam, or from some other Prophecies in Daniel; but as one seems too obscure for the determining any particular Time, so the others were probably not known to the Chaldeans. It is more likely they might be governed by that general Expectation the World was then in of an universal Monarch, and by the particular Expectation the Jews had of the Messias's coming in that Age, which might easily be promulged to the neighbouring Nations. Though besides this, some Way of divine Revelation may Mat. ii. 2. be supposed by their calling him King of the Jews. For when God gave an extraordinary Sign, we may well imagine he would take care to have it understood.

Q. How did they learn that our Saviour should be born in Bethlehem?

A. Upon their Arrival at Jerusalem they published the Cause and Design of their Journey, which gave great Uneasiness to Herod, who was jealous Mat. ii. 7. of any Competitor: Upon which Herod enquired

of those who had greatest Skill in the ancient
Prophecies, what Place was assigned for the Birth
of the expected Messias; when he understood that
Bethlehem was marked out for that Honour, he com-
municated to the wise Men the Determination of the
Chief Priests and Scribes, with a Design to destroy
this young Prince if they discovered him; strictly
charging them to bring him Word, pretending that
he would go and worship him; which Trouble and
Jealousy of Herod confirms the Expectation the
Jews had of a King to be born about that Time.
Q. How did the wise Men find the young Child
Jesus?

A. By the Help of the same Star which appear-Mat. ii. 9. ed to them in their own Country; which was now visible to them again, and conducted them in their Search of our Saviour, by going before them, and standing still, where the young Child was; which was Matter of great Joy and Satisfaction to them. Q. How did the wise Men behave themselves upon their finding our Saviour?

A. They fell down and worshipped him, and opened their Treasures, and presented unto him Gifts, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh; the most va-Ver. 11. luable Product of their own Country. Thereby also acknowledging his Majesty, according to the Custom all over the East, where they were wont to approach Kings with Presents. And by the Quality of their Gifts they seemed to describe the Object Iren. lib. of their Adoration; for they offered Myrrh as to 3. c. a Man that was to be delivered to Death and the Grave for our Salvation; Gold, as to a King, whose Kingdom shall have no End; Incense, as to God, who was made known to them that sought him not.

Q. Why did God manifest his Son to the Gentiles? A. That his Grace might appear to all Men. For as the Jews had Notice of our Saviour's Birth by the Appearance of Angels to the Shepherds, so the Gentiles received it now by the Appearance of a

10.

Star; thereby shewing that the Time was come wherein the Wall of Partition should be broken down, and that all Nations should be one Sheepfold under one Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Q. Wherein appears the Zeal and Courage of these wise Men?

A. That upon the Appearance of an extraordinary Star, they undertook so long and tedious a Journey; neither regarding the Discourses of the World, which might charge them with Folly and Rashness, nor considering the Dangers of going to proclaim a new-born King at the Court of a jealous Prince.

Q. What may we learn from the Observation of

this Festival?

A. That true Wisdom doth not so much consist in a great Understanding, furnished with a large Stock of universal Learning, as in the Use of such Advantages to the noblest Purposes of serving God and doing Good. That no Man is too great to be religious, because Piety and Virtue are the only Qualities that ennoble the Mind, without which Birth and Title will never give a Man a solid and lasting Character. Readily to obey all divine Inspirations; for though God prevents us with his Grace, yet he expects we should make a right Use of it. Not to be discouraged with any Difficulty that lieth in the Way of our Duty; and notwithstanding the Censures of the World, which will be apt to condemn us, when we depart from the common Road of its loose Maxims, yet cheerfully to obey when Obligations call. To quit our Country, and all the Advantages of Life, when Obedience to God's Command makes it necessary. To take care to testify the Sincerity of our Faith by not being barren or unfruitful in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. To make the outward Acts of our Adoration, and the doing Homage to the Deity, real Expressions of the Sense of our Minds and in

ward Affections. To offer to him the Treasure of our Hearts, which is the chief Sacrifice he requires. Q. What Virtues do the Offerings of the wise Men represent unto us as an acceptable Sacrifice to our blessed Saviour?

A. Gold, which is the common Standard of those good Things we enjoy, and wherewith we may relieve the Wants of the Poor, is a fit Emblem for Charity and Works of Mercy, an Odour of a sweet Phil. iv. Smell, a Sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. And 18. David's desiring his Prayer might be set before God Ps. cxli. 2. as Incense, and the Prayers of the Saints ascending after the same Manner in the Revelations, shews us Rev. viii. 4. how fitly our Addresses to Heaven are represented by Frankincense. And the chief Use of Myrrh being to preserve dead Bodies from Putrefaction, is a lively Image of Mortification, that we should present our Bodies a living Sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. So Rom. xiii. 1. that the Offerings of a true Christian should be out of a pure Heart, Charity, Prayer, and Mortification. Q: How may we make our Riches an acceptable Sacrifice to our blessed Saviour?

4. By making Use of them to those Ends and Purposes for which they were bestowed in supplying the Exigencies of our Families, and in making such decent Provision for our Children, as becomes the Station we are placed in: By satisfying all our just Debts, and not oppressing our poor Neighbours by delaying the Payment of them; and particularly by taking Care that the Necessitous, and those that want Relief, always have their due Proportion, which Justice, as well as Charity, giveth them a Right to. Q. When may our Prayers be said to ascend before God as Incense?

A. When they are offered with such Constancy and Fercour, as shew we are earnestly solicitous of those Things we ask. And yet with such Modesty and Humility as loudly proclaim our own Unworthiness, and magnify that wonderful Condescension whereby we are admitted to approach God's Presence. When