christian knoweth his infirmities, is sensible of his sins, is sorry for them, and doth lament over them. It grieveth him to the heart that he must bear the miserable burden of this flesh, and he crieth out in the language of Paul, Rom. vii. "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death." The kingdom of Christ therefore existeth among sins, and is established where he hath set it, that is, in the house of David. Yea, set David himself before you, and you will find him to have been a sinner; notwithstanding he is bold to glory, that he is a servant acceptable to his Lord.

Thus, ye perceive that a christian is both dead and yet alive that he is undefiled in the midst of sins; that although he is subject unto satan, still he hath dominion over him. For though sin, death, and hell assail, they do not overcome him, inasmuch as this kingdom triumphs over them all. It is therefore called a horn of salvation, because it is a strong and powerful kingdom; which, though frequently assailed, doth alway repel the assaults of its enemies.

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began. (verse 70.) Zacharias here signifieth that the time had arrived wherein God would fulfil the promise he had made by the mouth of his holy prophets; for all the prophets from the time of David did prophesy, that the seed of David should have a kingdom in the earth, and yet a spiritual kingdom. Isaiah and Jeremiah foretold that it should be such a kingdom, that the government thereof should consist in the influence of the spirit, and of the word; and to those prophecies doth Zacharias here refer. The other prophets do likewise speak of the same kingdom, but not so manifestly.

That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. (verse 71.) The evangelist hath hitherto spoken of this kingdom in gene

ral terms; but now he cometh to speak of it more particularly, and declareth what benefits we shall derive therefrom. First, we shall be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us. Ye may here perceive and understand, dearly beloved brethren, that this verse doth most plainly witness and declare, that we who are of this kingdom, do live in the midst of enemies, and that we must expect nothing else than to be hated of them; but it also affirmeth that this kingdom was raised up in order that we might be saved from them, and delivered out of their hands. This should give us comfort, and encourage us to serve under the Prince of this kingdom. But if we would secure his favour, we must not serve the world, neither seek to gain its favour, or strive to have no enemies therein; but we should look for nothing else than what is here set forth unto us for if we be hated of the world, it is an evidence that we belong to this kingdom.

Zacharias declareth in this verse, that this kingdom was established in order that we might be saved from our enemies. Now, if it delivereth from our enemies, and, as it were, wresteth us out of their hands, it cannot be a kingdom of peace; but it must needs abide the hatred and malice of the world. And we see even now, that the enemies thereof bear a deadly hatred and aversion to the light which we trust hath, through the blessing of God, shone forth in some degree in these days. No people are so persecuted, as the christians. Not only the pope and the furious bishops, with their false apostles, but also the princes of the earth, the self-righteous, and the wise of the world, are all in array against them. They are not even content with putting them to death, but they would totally extinguish their name, that no trace nor memorial might remain of them among

men.

But we are given to understand that Christ is our

king, and that he will deliver us out of the hands of our enemies. We shall not therefore be destroyed; for though they be many who do persecute, yet this kingdom is more powerful than the world, and Christ is stronger than the princes thereof; and as he hath promised us deliverance, he will not fail us, if we place our trust and our confidence in him.

To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; the oath which he sware to our father Abraham. (verses 72, 73.) The apostles often refer to the old Testament, to show that the events which were taking place in their days were foretold by the prophets; and thus doth Zacharias in this place. In Genesis xxii. 18. we read that God promised Abraham, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed; which promise he confirmed by an oath. This promise referred to Christ, that through him should come peace, blessings, and salvation to all nations. And though the fulfilment of this promise was deferred so long, that many supposed it was abolished, yet we see that it was in process of time most fully accomplished; and that God hath bountifully bestowed upon mankind all things whatsoever that he promised to Abraham and his posterity.

God is merciful and favourable, not because of our merits, as though he owed it to our righteensness, but of his mere grace and mercy. We cannot glory that we have delivered ourselves from sin, or that we have deserved his goodness, and the preaching of the gospel: no, it is not so; here is no place for boasting. But the text saith, that God promised our fathers that he would give us those things. Upon this promise the prophets stay themselves with boldness, and by it we attain unto true goodness; therefore he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord: for we live in his kingdom, and enjoy his goodness and

grace.

There is none at this day unto whom the gospel hath appeared, that can boast of having attained it by their own works; for those which are counted the best works, and most excellent studies, are disallowed and overthrown. This therefore is certain, that all we have, cometh by the mere grace and goodness of God. This is that which Zacharias saith was foretold by the prophets, and promised and confirmed by an oath to the fathers, that he would perform unto us the covenant made to Abraham. By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, that in blessing, I will bless thee, and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. xxii. And now the time is present, the hour is come, wherein he hath sworn that salvation should come unto us; as it is declared, Mark xvi. "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned."

Abraham died long before the fulfilment of the promise; but in spirit and in faith, he was partaker of it. The promise was made unto him, although he looked not for the accomplishment thereof in this life: that is, his life was not prolonged until the preaching of the gospel. The fulfilment of the promise was after his death; we therefore perceive that the promise was not made to Abraham because of his merit. God chasteneth, reproveth, rebuketh, stirreth, allureth, and doth whatsoever is to be done; but the worldlings rob him of his honour, and attribute it to themselves: that is, they will not acknowledge whatsoever they receive to come by his grace. When we glory of good things, and do not acknowledge God to be the author and giver of them, we make ourselves as God, and treat him as our servant: he being dishonoured, and the honour attributed to us.

Zacharias saith, moreover, That he would grant

unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. (verses 74 and 75.) He hath defined the nature and properties of this kingdom; that is, the covenant made with Abraham, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed, &c. These words of blessing, saith he, I will interpret to you: "That we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life."

This, to the world and flesh, savoureth not well : for the world murmureth, and saith, "We thought that he would have given us some precious thing; as a purse of gold, a rich wife, fair and beautiful children, goodly houses, and whatsoever things we are delighted in; but now we perceive it to be otherwise; we hear that we must serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, and thus endeavour to please him. We must have spiritual eyes and ears, that we may rightly consider and understand the word. It is said, he will deliver us from all our enemies by this we understand, that this kingdom is placed in the midst of enemies; and when we are delivered from them, we should always obey him that delivered us, without fear. For God hath bestowed this blessing upon us, that we might hereafter serve him alone.

The words without fear, inferreth that we shall quietly enjoy the good things of this present world, and of the world to come. For a christian is sure of the forgiveness of his sins, although he may yet be troubled with them. He is sensible that death hath no power over him; that Satan will not overcome him, and that the world cannot prevail against him. Such a heart is freed from fear. It must not be understood that we do not feel sin at all, but that we are greatly grieved and troubled with it. When we