given, than it was for Zacharias to think that he should Let us set the word of God against all our

have a son.

fears.

21. And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.

22. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

23. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.

The Lord will not allow his servants to doubt of his faithfulness in fulfilling the promises which he has made, without resenting the affront which it offers to his attributes of power and faithfulness. May the Lord ever keep us mindful of his word, wherein he hath caused us to hope. -Edit.

SECTION III.

Chap. i. ver. 24-38.

THE ANGEL'S VISIT TO MARY.

24. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

25. Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

That she might be at leisure to think of the mercy which had been vouchsafed unto her, improve it, and praise God for it, as appears by the next verse. Have we ever betaken ourselves to solitude, to consider what God has done for us, and what we are doing in the world?

26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among

women.

Mary was highly-favoured indeed to be the mother of God! But carrying him in her womb was not her salvation. He must be born in her heart. He will in our's; all was written to bring us to this birth.

29. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

This name Jesus is a sweet name! Fear not, repenting sinner thy Jesus; thy Saviour; whenever thou comest unto God by him.

32. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

Christ shall have the temporal throne, before the end of the world; and a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of men, immediately.

33. And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever: and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

All belong to the house of Jacob, who take Christ for their Lord and king to rule over them.

34. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

She believed it would be, only she did not know the manner in which it would be accomplished. It is however the property of faith to trust Christ in the dark.

35. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God.

As being in his birth pure from all spot of sin. What is it then which makes any the children of God, but freedom from sin? He accounts none to be such, while he has sin to lay to their charge. And we can only be freed from this charge by Christ, as washed in his blood, sanctified by his Spirit, and accepted in his perfect righteousness.

36. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

This was said to encourage Mary in believing. Zacharias did not believe, and therefore was struck dumb: Mary believed, and had her faith strengthened still more by a fresh instance of God's power.

37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

And all things are also possible to him that believeth. Mark ix. 23. Think of this, awakened sinner, when thy fears would hide Christ from thee. But till we are awakened, let us never talk of believing.

38. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

We do not readily think how great an act of faith and resignation this was in Mary. Her reputation was at stake with the man to whom she was espoused, and with all the world, and yet she gave up all to God. We may depend upon it that faith can never be without its trials. The world will put us hardly to it in some respect or other; but if we commit ourselves to God, we may defy it. May he enable us to say, Behold thy servant, be it unto me even as thou wilt.

SECTION IV.

Chap. i. ver. 39-55.

MARY'S VISIT TO ELISABETH.

39. And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda :

Mary had probably heard of Elisabeth's miraculous conception, and she hasted also to tell her what had happened to herself. This was true spiritual love and friendship.

40. And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

This was a joyful meeting of two pious women, who desired to communicate what God had done for them.

41. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42. And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

The heart of every Christian can testify that Jesus has bestowed upon him infinite mercy, through his incarnation. 43. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Those who are holy are always humble. Well may we say, what are we, that God should do such great things for us?

44. For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leapt in my womb for joy.

What are our feelings and affections toward the Lord, when we hear of these things, and consider that all was for our sakes.

45. And blessed is she that believed for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Let true Christians apply this to themselves. Blessed is believer. God cannot deceive him. As sure as every ever a man believes, Christ is his with all his benefits.

46. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

This is joy indeed. Can we say this? Do we long to say it? Let us consider what is the great wish of our hearts, and how we can possibly be Christians, if our hearts are not for Christ and his salvation.

48. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Some of us make lowness of condition a pretence for neglecting the soul, and say, it is a hard world with us; and thus we keep our souls chained down to it. Mary, on the contrary, declares it to be the very reason of God's looking upon her. She was perhaps as poor as any of us; and we see in this instance, that God does not look the less kindly upon any for being in a low condition. The great want in all is poverty of spirit. Whenever we have that, let us be what we will in the world, we are in a way of being high and rich in God's favour. Let us think what we mean, when we take up this excuse ;-Lord, I am poor, and therefore I resolve that my soul shall fare no better than my body.

49. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

God hath indeed done great things for us; even things for which the angels admire and praise God, and we, alas! overlook and despise for the little things which this world affords. Blessed is that man who can say, The Lord hath done to me great things; he hath given Christ for me, and he hath given me a heart to believe in him!

50. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

God's mercy is towards them that fear him, even to the