Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people. (verse 68.) These words require but little exposition: for I think it is well known to every one what is meant by this visitation and redemption. The word of God which is preached unto us, is indeed a glorious visitation; it bringeth us glad tidings of redemption: it delivereth from sin, death, and hell, and filleth us with joy and sweet consolation. This redemption was not accomplished by the sword, or by violence, but by the word alone; and in this it consisteth more than in the death of Christ; for it was on account of the word that our Saviour shed his blood on the cross. It was this word that John preached; and to them that first hear the gospel, it is the same as if John did preach it now; for it saith unto them, as John also did cry in the wilderness of Judea, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Although Zacharias speaketh here of things that are to come, yet he speaketh of them as if they had already happened; because he knew by the revelation of God, that these things would assuredly come to pass. In the child that was born unto him, he beheld a messenger sent from God, to declare his word, and to make known his will to mankind; and who should be the herald of the long expected Mes-. siah.

Although Zacharias undoubtedly conceived great joy because a son was born unto him in his old age, whereby whatever ignominy and contempt he and his wife Elisabeth had suffered, on account of their being without children, was taken away; yet this was not the chief cause of his rejoicing. His greatest joy was, that this son was to be a preacher of the word of God, and a prophet of the Most High. He rejoiced, moreover, that he should himself be, as it were, trans"med from an old to a young man, and should beme a pupil of his infant, then in the cradle; who,

he foresaw, would become a far greater prophet than himself.

Thus we see what great blessings God conferreth upon those that fear him, and patiently await his own time. We also learn that we should never distrust the promises of God, as he is abundantly able to do all things that seem good to him, however impossible they may appear to us.

And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. (verse 69.) These words are not spoken of John, for he was not of the house of David, but of the tribe of Levi. But Zacharias here prophesieth of Christ, who was of the house and royal line of David. Among the Hebrews, the word horn was often used metaphorically, to express power, strength, dominion, or any thing wherein one might trust. Sometimes it also signified, figuratively, kings, emperors, principalities, or dominions: thus, in Daniel, chap. vii. the prophet saw, among other beasts, one which had ten horns; and when the interpretation thereof was given him, these horns were made to signify kingdoms: and such application of this term is frequent in, and peculiar to the Hebrew language.

It is

We must therefore understand by the horn of salvation, Jesus Christ and his kingdom; and it is said to be raised up in the house of David, because Christ was of the stock and lineage of David. called a horn of salvation, or blessedness. Some kingdoms are distinguished for their extent; others for the number of their inhabitants, the abundance of their treasures, or their prowess in war. Some kings are renowned for their military achievements; others for their riches, power, and opulence. But the kingdom of Christ differeth from all other kingdoms, inasmuch as it is a kingdom of grace, of life, of righteousness, of truth, and of every thing that pertaineth to salvation. Christ likewise is distin

guished from all other kings, because he is able to confer life and eternal happiness upon his subjects. Other kings may indeed bestow upon their subjects temporal benefits, or may deprive them of existence, but they cannot confer upon them life or immortal felicity for earthly kings are, like other men, subject to death; they must at last fall and perish, and leave their power, their riches, and their honours, behind them. But Christ is immortal and eternal, and his kingdom is without end.

This kingdom is said to be raised up-by whom is it raised up? Even by the Holy Ghost. It is raised up in the house of David.-It is therefore a kingdom in the earth, yet nevertheless, a kingdom of salvation. It is not a kingdom in heaven among the angels, but a spiritual kingdom on the earth, among men clothed with flesh and blood, and subject unto death.

But how cometh it to pass, that in this kingdom which exists among mortals, men are delivered from the power of death? those who were before miserable are made happy, and those who were the subjects of Satan, become the children of God. I think that ye are all sufficiently well acquainted with the reason hereof; yea, that ye understand it as well as I do myself; nevertheless, these things should be frequently repeated. A christian cannot die, because Christ hath suffered death for him. He overcame death, that we might be delivered therefrom; and he took our sins upon himself, that we might be freed from them. Those therefore who belong to this kingdom, can never die : neither can they be subject to sin or Satan; otherwise, this would not be a kingdom of salvation or blessedness.

But although a christian is thus exempt from these things, yet God suffereth the appearance of them to remain; so that our consciences are still troubled on account of sin, the judgement of God terrifieth us,

death assaileth us, and seemeth ready to devour us; Satan is at hand, and seeketh to overcome us. It is necessary that this appearance of evil continue, that we may not be exalted, but may perceive and feel that we are nothing but miserable and wretched sinners. A christian is therefore defiled, and at the same time without sin; for under this appearance of sin, lie hid innocence, righteousness, and victory over death, hell, and Satan.

The world esteemeth that a good kingdom, where all things are quiet, peaceable, and prosperous; where there is no fear from enemies without, or seditions within, but all things go forward safely and well. It is, however, not so in the kingdom of Christ; for in this kingdom, the flesh warreth with the spirit, and life and death, sin and righteousness, Christ and Satan, do fight against each other; but the spirit, life, righteousness, and Christ, will at last prevail, and overcome their enemies.

Christ said unto Peter, Mat. xvi. "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." He doth not say they shall not assail it, or fight against it; for the life of a christian is a continual warfare against temptations. While he is here, he must sometimes feel the remorse of sin, the fear of punishment, the horrour of death, yea, and even death itself. But nevertheless, this is only to outward appearance, for at the same time, the word and the spirit are strengthening, encouraging, and assuring him that God is not angry with him, that his sins are forgiven, and that he shall never die, nor be forsaken.

Concerning sin, I have never known or heard of any in whom it was not. Set whomsoever thou wilt before thee, provided he be a mortal man, and in him thou wilt discover sin. Paul, a very great apostle, affirmeth that he felt sin in his members: for he

saith, Rom. vii. 18, 19. "To will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not: for the good that I would, I do not; but the evil which I would not, that I do." He wished indeed to be free from sins, but nevertheless he was obliged to live in them. And so every christian is likewise desirous to be exempted from sin, but this cannot be brought to pass in this life. As long as we are clothed with this flesh, and bear the burden thereof about with us, so long sin will remain in us. We may indeed strive against our carnal propensities, and keep them in some degree under subjection, but we cannot entirely subdue them. The old Adam, which is flesh and blood, still remaineth with us, and as long as these continue, sin cannot be wholly extinguished.

It therefore appeareth, that in Christ's kingdom on the earth, some appearance of sin still remaineth; so that every one may with propriety pray, as Christ taught his disciples, "Our father, &c. forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. It is not given to any on earth, to say, they are subject to no sin; and if any go thus far, it is Satan that deceiveth them: they are false, and not true christians.

I know that some persons imagine, that in the kingdom of Christ there is no unrighteousness; that all things therein are free from sin and uncleanness; and that a christian should be as pure and as holy as Christ himself. They often say, that if christians commit all the sins whereof they accuse themselves, they are certainly worse than those who do not profess christianity. But these know nothing of the nature of this kingdom; and the difference between them and christians is, that a christian is sensible of his sins, whereas their consciences are, as it were; seared with a hot iron. He is not a christian who thinketh he hath no sin, neither feeleth any; for a