PART FIRST.*

MATTHEW I., II. LUKE I., II., III. 23-38.

ARRANGED IN THE ORDER OF TIME.

Comprehending the Space of 31 Years; viz.,-from the Prediction of the Birth of John the Baptist, B. C. 6, to the Commencement of his Public Ministry, A. D. 26.†

STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH

SECTION 1.-PREFACE OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. LUKE. THE BIRTH OF JOHN FORETOLD, AND HIS CONCEPTION. Luke i. 1-25.

1

(G. 1.) The Preface according to St. Luke. Luke i. 1-4. Jerusalem. ‡‡ FORASMUCH-as many have-taken-in-hand, to-set-forth-in-order avatakaobai a-declaration of those things which-are-most-surely-believed" podnevov among us, 2 even-as they-delivered them unto-us, which from the-beginning were eye-witnesses, and 3 ministers of-the word; it-seemed-good to-me also, having-had-perfect-understanding-of all-things from-the-very-first яарпкоλоνŮпкоTI avшUEV Tασiv aкpißws to-write unto-thee MARGINAL READINGS:-" Most fully borne (witness to).

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS. ||

2. eye-witnesses-appointed, Lu. xxiv. 48, § 98; Jno. xv. 27, § 87; Ac. x. 39-41 of the sufferings of Christ, I Pe. v. 1-His majesty, 2 Pe. i. 16-His resurrection, Ac. i. 3-8; 1 Jno. i. 1-3-their obligation to speak, Ac. iv. 19, 20-ours to hear, Heb. ii. 3. ministers-those who attend upon others for service:

Joshua, Ex. xxiv. 13-Elisha, 1 Ki. xix. 19-21-Christ the example, Mt. xx. 26-.8, §77-having washed the disciples' feet, Jno. xiii. 12-.5, § 87; Ep. v. 26, .7Paul a minister, Ac. xxvi. 16; Ro. xv. 15, .6-Christ a minister in heaven, He. viii. 6; the ministry on earth, Ep. iv. 11, .2; the twelve, Mk. iii. 14, § 27, p. 206.

NOTES.

1. Many. Matthew and Mark, the only Evangelists supposed to have written before Luke, cannot, with any propriety, be called many! And the gospel by John was not yet written. It is probable that Luke refers to verbal statements of our Lord's life and ministry, which were now to be embodied in writing. The lack of living witnesses required to be supplied by the written word -See Addenda, p. 6, Brangelists."

To set forth in order. Simply to give a narrative. 2. From the beginning. From the time John pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God.'

Eye-witnesses. One of these, Matthew, wrote for the use of the Jewish converts. St. Mark did the same under the direction of St. Peter. Still there were many important things not inserted, and Luke wrote this history under the advice, it is commonly believed, of St. Paul.

Ministers. Those who serve in the gospel.

PRACTICAL

1 ver. We should seek to obtain for ourselves and present to others, a clear, consistent, and orderly view of the matters connected with our religious belief; especially as to the incarnation, life, teaching, death, and resurrection of our blessed Redeemer. 2 ver. We are to be thankful to our God, who, in the testimony of those that, from the beginning, were eye-witnesses and ministers of the word, hath

3. Having had perf. Having accurately followed out every thing; having accurately traced all. From the very first. He not only searched diligently, but had divine guidance in his search into all things connected with our Lord's history, even from the first announcement of the birth of his forerunner John.

[It was by tracing up every account till he became satisfied of its truth." Here observe, 1st. That in religion God does not set aside our natural faculties. He calls us to look at evidence, to examine accounts, to make up our own minds. Nor will any man be convinced of the truth of religion who does not make investigation, and set himself seriously to the task. 2d. We see the nature of Luke's inspiration. It was consistent with his using his natural faculties; his own powers of mind, in investigating the truth. God, by his Holy Spirit, presided over his faculties; directed them; and kept them from error.]

REFLECTIONS.

provided abundant materials for our possessing this most profitable knowledge.

3 ver. The same help from above being offered unto us in the study of this history, which was granted unto the Evangelists in the writing thereof, we do well earnestly to look up for the divine teaching, at the same time that we use all diligence in the use of all the ordinary means with which we are favoured.

* The division of the Harmony into PARTS is according to Greswell's Harmonia Evangelica.' + See Chronological Table.

Luke,' see Addenda, Evangelists,' p. 6.

The Geography of the History may be introduced by a few leading particulars from the Introductory Sketch of a Journey from London to Jerusalem,' pp. v.-vii. For Geog. Notice of JERUSALEM, see Sect. v.

The Sections are continuous, and agree with the numbers as Geographically delineated in the Gospel Chart. The Section referred to, as, 'eye-witnesses,' Lu. xxiv. 48, § 98; Jno. xv. 27. § 87, will afford an agreeable opportunity to test the pupil's knowledge in the Chronology, or Order of Events.

PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOOD.-1 Thess. v. 21.

[1

NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.-2 Tim. ii. 15.

MY SON, HEAR THE INSTRUCTION OF THY FATHER, AND

4 in-order, ka@ens most-excellent Theophilus, that thou-mightest-know the certainty a aopaλetav of those-things, wherein thou-hast-been-instructed.

5

(G. 2.) John's Birth foretold. Luke i. 5-23. Jerusalem.

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a-certain priest named Zacharias, of the-course of-Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of-Aaron, and her That hath the dominion,-see Ge. xxvii. 40. f Praise. g Memorial or remembrance of the Lord. h My Father is the Lord. Mountainous; teaching.

MARGINAL READINGS:- According to succession. d Stability.

27

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

3. most excellent-title of office, Ac.xxiii.26; xxvi.25. -those to whom it truly belongs, Ps.xvi.3; Pr.xii.26. Theophilus-lover of God,' Ac. i. 1: appropriate name to a keeper of Christ's words, Jno. xiv. 23, .4, § 87; 1 Jno. v. 3.

4. certainty-should know the truth of what is commended to our religious belief, Pr. iv. 4, 5; viii. 6-12; Is. xxxiii. 6; Jno. xx. 31, § 100-Bereans, Ac. xvii. 11. 5. Herod-the king of Judea, Mt. ii. 1-15, 6, § 5-to be distinguished from Herod the tetrarch, Lu. iii. 1, 19, § 7-to whom Pilate sent Jesus, xxiii. 7-12, § 90.

Zacharias- memorial of the Lord.' to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant,' Lu. i. 72, §3-the Lord's memorial, Ex.iii. 15-He will remember his covenant, his people, and the land, Le. xxvi. 42, .5-would be put in remembrance, Is. xliii. 26; lxii. 6, 7.

course of Abia-or Abijah, as 1 Ch. xxiv. 7, 10, .9; 2 Ch. viii. 14; xxxi. 2; Ezr. vi. 18. Aaron-teacher,' to be taught of God, what he should teach the peopie, Ex. iv. 14-.6; De. xxxiii. 10; Mal. ii. 6, 7.

NOTES.

In order. Chronologically; as the events occurred. -See Addenda, In order,' p. 7. Most excellent Theophilus. Theophilus,' friend or lover of God. Most excellent,' in Acts xxiii. 26; xxvi. 25, is given to men in office. Certain it is, that those who love God are the truly excellent in the

earth. See above.

[Mr. Greswell says:-It appears to me a probable conjecture that Theophilus was one of the freedmen of Nero, or some other personage about the court of that Emperor, to whom, among others, St. Paul alludes in the Epistle to the Philippians, first, when he speaks of his bonds having become manifest, v ὅλῳ τῷ πραιτωρίῳ, as well as τοῖς λοιποῖς πᾶσι, Phil. i. 13," So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;" which proves that some converts had been made in the imperial palace, as well as among the other inhabitants of Rome. This is corroborated by what he again says in ch. iv. 22,"All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of

Caesar's household."

That Theophilus was a recent convert, or had been only just instructed in the facts and doctrines of Christianity, when the gospel was written, appears, I think, plainly from the language of the preface —ἵνα ἐπιγνῶς περὶ ὧν κατηχήθης λόγων τὴν ἀσφάλειαν: That thou mayest be assured of the certainty of the things, concerning which thou hast received the first instruction.'-Diss. ii. vol. I. pp. 182, .3.] 4. Been instructed. In the early times of the Christian church, young believers were catechized upon the facts contained in the gospel history, and were called catechumens. Theophilus was here presented with that which was calculated to secure in his mind what he had already received as a catechumen. 5. Herod. Was commonly called the Great. He was the first king of Judea of that name; the son of Antipater, by extraction and birth an Idumean, but a Jewish proselyte. When a young man Antipater gave him the government of Galilee. With great prudence and valour he cleared the country of thievish banditti, who swarmed there. He was appointed king of Judea by the Romans. He was cruel and ambitious. To ingratiate himself with the Jews he rebuilt their temple, and rendered it exceedingly stately and glorious. He ornamented, likewise, with great magnificence, the cities of his kingdom. He had reigned 36 years at the time of Jesus' birth.-See Sect. v. pp. 31, .2. .5, .9.

relates to civil things, it denotes such as are chief and intimate rulers under a king, 1 Ch. xvii. 18. When it relates to religion, Cohen signifies priest, or one who, by virtue of a divine appointment, offered sacrifices, and interceded for guilty men. Addenda, Aaron,' p. 8.

See

[Before the consecration of Aaron, fathers, elder brothers, princes, or every man for himself, offered his sacrifice, as is clear in the case of Abel, Cain, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, & Job. When God at Sinai ratified his covenant with the Hebrews, young men, perhaps the eldest sons of their princes, offciated as priests, when Moses came down from the mount,-see Ex. xxiv. 5, 6. The whole Hebrew nation are called priests, because they were devoted to God, and much employed in his service. Ex. xix. 6, And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.' In the consecration of Aaron and of the tabernacle, Moses acted as priest, Ex. xl.; Lev. viii. After which, the priesthood, in ordinary cases, pertained solely to the family of Aaron; and Korah, interfering with their work.] Uzza, and king Azariah, were severely punished for

Zacharias. Every word of God is good. The very names of Scripture are most significant. Thus, Zacharias means memorial of the Lord, and Elisa beth, oath of my God.'-See Addenda, Zacharias,' p. 7.

Of the course of Abia. When the priests became so numerous that they could not all at once minister at the altar, David divided the priests into 24 classes or courses, each one of which officiated for a week, 1 Ch. xxiv. These courses began each successively on the sabbath.-See 2 Ki. xi. 7; 3 Ch. xxiii. 4; and above.

Aaron. Of the tribe of Levi; which, under the law, was accepted for the first-born of all the tribes of Israel. Out of all the families of Levi, that of Aaron was taken to exercise the priesthood, until the coming of the Holy One of Israel, with regard to whom it was spoken by Moses, the brother of Aaron, Deut. xxxiii. 8. And of Levi he said, Let thy Thum mim and thy Urim be with thy Holy One, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah.' It was with the Lord that the children of Israel there strove. Jesus is the Holy One, whose assumption of the priesthood the Levitical priesthood.-Perfection or Thummim was thus contemplated even from the beginning of was not by the law, but Christ hath brought life aud Priest. The word Cohen, signifies one that inter-immortality to light, Urim,' by the gospel.-See cedes, or deals familiarly with a sovereign. When it Addenda, Aaron,' p. 8.

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

4 ver. It is not enough that we are instructed in the general, as to those things which God has been pleased to make known to us in his word: we should shew our gratitude for his kindness and condescension in instructing us, by diligently inquiring into

the particulars of what he does reveal, that we may know the certainty of them.-Those who truly love God will prize the knowledge of Him, and will value that word whereby He is made known in his saving power and grace.

BE NOT IDLE IN THE MEANS, NOR MAKE AN IDOL OF THE MEANS.

FORSAKE NOT THE LAW OF THY MOTHER.-Prov. i. 8.

shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his ene18 mies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed: because thou hast obeyed my voice. 19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.

3. MOST EXCELLENT.

title of office :-Ac. xxiii. 26, Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.'-xxvi. 25, But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness."

those to whom it truly belongs:-Ps. xvi. 3, But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.'-Pr. xii. 26, The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.'

THEOPHILUS.

lover of God:-Ac. i. 1, The former,' &c.-see p. (1). appropriate name to a keeper of Christ's words: Jno. xiv. 23,.4, § 87. 23, If a man love me,' &c.-1 Jno. v. 3, For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.' 4. CERTAINTY.

should know the truth of what is commended to our religious belief:-Pr. iv. 4, 5. 4, He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5, Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.'-viii. 6-12. 6, Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. 7, For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. 9, They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge. 10, Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. 11, For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. 12, I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.'-Is. xxxiii. 6, And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.'Jno. xx. 31, § 100, These are written,' &c.-' Bereans,' Ac. xvii. 11, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word,' &c.

5. HEROD.

the king of Judæa-Mt. ii. 1-15, .6, § 5. pp. 31, .4. to be distinguished from Herod the tetrarch-Lu. iii. 1, 19, 20, § 7, pp. 49, 55. 1, Now in the fifteenth year,' &c.See Mt. xiv. 1-12, § 40. He beheaded John the Baptist.

to whom Pilate sent Jesus:-Lu. xxiii. 7-12, § 90. 7,

offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise
in the gates of the tents of the LORD.- Ezr. vi. 18, And
they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in
their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusa
salem; as it is written in the book of Moses.'
AARON, teacher."

to be taught of God what he should teach the people:Ex. iv. 14-.6. 14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 15, And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 16, And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.'-De. xxxiii. 10. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.'-Mal. ii. 6, 7. 6, The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. 7. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.'

[Scripture Illustrations, page 3.]

5. ELISABETA.

Oath of my God: '-Lu. i. 73, § 3, p. 17.

to Abraham:-Ge. xxii. 16-9-see p. (1).-Mi. vii. 20, Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.'-He. vi. 13-20-see ch. vi. p. (7). 6. RIGHTEOUS.

examples:- Noah,' Ge. vi. 9, These are the genera tions of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.'-vii. 1, And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.'- Job,' Job i. 1-8. 1, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2, And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. 3, His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 4, And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5, And it was so, when the days of their

And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto,' &c. feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified
And see Scripture Illustrations,' p. 31, Sect. v.
ZACHARIAS.

memorial of the Lord:'-Lu. i. 72, § 3, p. 17.
the Lord's memorial:-Ex. iii. 15, And God said more-
over unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children
of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath
sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is
my memorial unto all generations.'

He will remember his covenant, his people, and the land:-Le. xxvi. 42, .5. 42, Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.' 45, But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.' would be put in remembrance:-Is. xliii. 26, Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.'-lxii. 6, I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, 7, and give him no rest, till,' &c. COURSE OF ABIA.

(or Abijah:)-1 Ch. xxiv. 7, 10, .9. 7, Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,' 10, the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah.' 19, These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.'-2 Ch. viii. 14, And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.'-xxxi. 2, And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace

them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually. 6, Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7, And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From down in it. 8, And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?'-Simeon,' Lu. ii. 25, § 4, p. 24.

how made righteous:-Rom. iii. 24-.6. 24, Being jusin Christ Jesus: 25, whom God hath set forth to be a tified freely by his grace through the redemption that is propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his through the forbearance of God; 26, to declare, I say, righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.'-viii. 3, 4. 3, For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.'-2 Co. v. 21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the f righteousness of God in him.'-1 Jno. ii. 1, 2. 1, My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2, and he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.'

actually so:-1 Jno. iii. 7, Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.'

their prayers acceptable:-Pr. xv. 29, The LORD s far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.'-Ja. v. 16-8-see p. (8).

as to the law:-Ph. iii. 6, Concerning zeal, persecut-see 'Note.' ing the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless."

according to the gospel:-Ph. ii. 15, That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.'- Th. ii. 10, Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves among you that believe.'

in the judgment:-Col. i. 21, .2. 21, And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22, in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight.'

Abram's case:-Ge. xv. 2, 3-see p. (5).- Manoah's,' king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem: 9, and he burnt the Ju. xiii. 2, 3- Hannah's,' 1 Sa. i. 10, .1.

THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM: A GOOD

6 name was Elisabeth.* And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the 7 commandments and ordinances dikaiwaσt of-the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because-that Elisabeth was barren, and they- both -were now well-stricken in years.

8

And it-came-to-pass, that while he executed-the-priest's-office before God in the order 9 of his course, according-to the custom of-the priest's-office, his-lot-was to-burn-incense 10 when-he-went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of-the people were praying without at-the time of incense.

11 And there-appeared unto-him an-angel of-the-Lord standing on the-right-side of-the MARGINAL READINGS:-k Oath of my God. Righteousnesses; judgments.

SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

Elisabeth- oath of my God,' Lu. i. 73, § 3-to Abra- | 7, 8, 34-8-represents the prayers of saints, Ps. ham, Ge. xxii. 16-.9; Mi. vii. 20; He. vi. 13-20. cxli. 2; Re. v. 8; viii. 3.

6. righteous-examples: Noah, Ge. vi. 9; vii. 1; Job i. 1-8-Simeon, Lu. ii. 25, § 4-how made righteous, Ro. iii. 24-.6; viii. 3, 4; 2 Co. v. 21; 1 Jno. ii. 1, 2-actually so, 1 Jno. iii. 7-their prayers acceptable, Pr. xv. 29; Ja. v. 16-.8; 1 Pe. iii. 12.

walking-before God: Enoch, Ge. v. 24-Solomon called to do so, 1 Ki. ix. 4, 5; Paul, Ac. xxiv. 16; 2 Co. i. 12-contrasts, Ph. iii. 17, .8; 2 Pe. iii. 2-4.

blameless-as to the law, Ph. iii. 6-according to the gospel, Ph. ii. 15; 1 Th. ii. 10-in the judgment,

Col. i. 21, .2.

7. no child-Abram's case, Ge. xv. 2, 3-Manoah's, Ju. xiii. 2, 3-Hannah's, 1 Sa. i. 10, .1.

well-stricken in years-so Abraham, Ge. xvii. 17. 8. Priest's office-Aaron and sons chosen thereto, Ex. xxviii. 1-transferring of the office to Christ anticipated, De. xxxiii. 8-confirmation, He. vii. 21; x. 19-22-his people, xiii. 15, 6-a royal priesthood, 1 Pe. ii. 9; Re. i. 6; v. 9, 10; xx. 6.

temple-built by Solomon, 1 Ki. vi.-ark received into it, 1 Ki. viii. 1-11-destroyed, 2 Ki. xxv. 8, 9-rebuilding foretold, Is. xliv. 28-rebuilding ordered, Ezr. i. 1-4; iii. 5-13-Messiah to come to this latter house, Hag. ii. 9; Mal. iii. 1-Jesus entered the temple as his own house, Jno. ii. 13-.7, § 12, (when he drove out the money-changers, &c., at the first passover,)-Mt. xxi. 12, .3, § 83, (when he cast out the departed therefrom, and foretold its destruction, Mt. buyers and sellers at the last passorer,)-He, the glory, xxiii. 37-.9, § 85; xxiv. 1, 2, §86. The temple was destroyed by the Romans under Titus, about forty years after.-See Addenda, Temple,' p. 8.

10. praying-the rule, Le. xvi. 17-belonged to the high priest in particular, but seems to have had a more general application, as well as that with regard to blessing, Nu. vi. 22-.6.

heirs of salvation: Lot, Ge. xix. 1-Jacob, xxviii. 1211. angel-the ministry of angels in behalf of the Gideon, Ju. vi. 11-21-Elisha, 2 Ki. vi. 17-Daniel, vi. Ps. xxxiv. 7; He. i. 14; Ac. xii. 7-10-messengers of God's mercy: to Mary, Lu. i. 26-38, § 2-to the shepherds, ii. 8-15, § 4-testified of his second coming, Ac. i. 10, .1, § 96.

9. lot-how used, Pr. xvi. 33-purpose, xviii. 18-22; viii. 16, &c.-serve those that truly serve the Lord, nsed in religious service, Le. xvi. 8-10; 1 Ch. xxiv. 5-as to possessions, Nu. xxxiii. 54; Jos. xiii. 6; Eze. xlvii. 22; xlviii. 29.

incense-compounded of four ingredients, Ex. XXX.

6. Righteous. Doing what is right.

NOTES.

[Just or holy, it means more than outward conformity to the law. No man, by the deeds of the law given by Moses, can be justified before God, but only as possessing the faith of Abraham.]

Walking in all the commandm. The ten commandments, or moral precepts of the law, directing as to the general exercise of love to God and love to mau. Blameless. Speaking after the manner of men; 'blameless' in their public deportment; blameless as far as man has a right to judge. Unreserved and universal obedience to every known duty, and unfeigned belief in every known truth of divine revelation.'

9. His lot. [Zacharias was not high priest: he was chosen by lot to burn incense; the high priest did it by right of succession, and burned it in the holy of holies, into which Zacharias entered not. Zacharias was priest of the course of Abia, whereas the high priest was of no course at all.] It was customary for the priests to divide their daily task by lot.

Incense. That which is ordinarily so called, is a precious and fragrant gum, issuing from the frankincense tree. The incense used in the Jewish offerings, at least that which was burnt on the altar of incense and before the ark, was a precious mixture of sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense, beaten very small. None but priests were to burn it, nor was any, under pain of death, to make any like to it. This incense was burnt twice a day on the golden altar, Ex. xxx. 7, 8, 34-.8. Among the various offices distributed by lot, the most honourable was this of burning incense; so much so, that no priest was allowed to burn it more than once.

[There is something beautiful and poetical in that part of the Jewish ceremonial, which supposes the prayers of devout worshippers to be wafted to heaven in odoriferous wreaths of incense. David adopts the idea in Ps. exli. 2, Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."]

10. Praying without. That is in the courts around. When the priest, whose lot it was to burn incense, entered the holy place, a small bell was rung to notify that the time of prayer was come. When this was heard, those priests and Levites who had not taken their stations, hastened to do so; the space between the altar and the sanctuary was cleared; and the whole multitude, in all the courts of the temple, commenced their prayers.

[These prayers were perfectly silent; and it is probably to the deep silence which prevailed throughout the temple during the time of offering incense and of prayers, that there is an allusion in Rev. viii. 1-3, There was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. When the priest came forth from the holy place, the sacrifice was laid upon the altar, and then the Levites commenced their psalmody, and their sounding of trumpets; to which, also, there seems to be an allusion in the sequel of the above cited passage from the Revelations.]

11. An angel of the Lord. The word 'angel' literally means a messenger-See 'Angel,' Sect. ii. This vision appeared to Zacharias about 400 years from the time of Malachi, the last of the prophets; during which period there is no divinely recorded prophecy nor angelic ministry.

Right side, &c. The altar of incense stood close by the vail which divided the holy place fr. the most holy. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

6 ver. Let us, like Zacharias and Elisabeth, seek to be righteous before God, which can only be through the priesthood of Him whom John declared unto the people. Let us not be contented with performing a part of our duty, either as to the commandments or the ordinances of the Lord; let us walk in all the appointments of the Lord, and that blameless.

7 ver. The Lord's deferring a favour until the

time he sees most fit to grant it, may rather be cause of thankfulness than of regret.

9 ver. Let us rejoice that we have a Priest on high, through whose intercession our prayers ascend up as the incense of the morning and evening sacrifice.We are not out of the way of obtaining blessing for ourselves, when engaged in public service for others, as in the sight of God.

HE THAT WALKETH UPRIGHTLY WALKETH SURELY.--Prov. x. 9.

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Psalm exi. 10.

UNDERSTANDING HAVE ALL THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS.