'·· LOOKING U N · T 0 JE· s·us ' In his Birth. The Fourth Book CHAP. I. Luke 2. 15. Let us now go even to Bethlehem, and fee this thing. sECT. I. Of the Ti_dings 'Of Chrift. N tllis Period, as in the former , we /hall firft lay down the Objed: : and fecondly,dired: youbow to look_ tm(o it. The Object is Jefm, carrying on the work of mans Salvation in his lirll:coming in the flelh, until his coming again . But becaufe in this Jong period we havemany tranfactions, which we cannot with conveni– ency difpatch together; we n ..n therefore break it into fmaller pieces; and prefent this Object, JefusChrift. I. · In his Birth. 2 . In his Life. 3 . In his Death. 4 · In his Refurrection. 5. In his Afcemion, Seffion at Gods'right hand, and million of his holy Spirit. 6. In his Interce/Hon for his Saints, in whichbu– linefs he now is, and will be employed till his feco.nd coming to Judgment. r. Firll:, For. the Tranfactions of 'jefus in his Birth; fome things we muft propound before, and fome things after his Birth; fo that we ll111l continue this period till the time of [ohn's Baptifm, or the exercife of his Miniflry upon earth. Now in all tbe :rranfactions of this time we !hall efpecia!Jy handle thefe : I . The Tidings of Chrill:. 2. The Conception of Chrill:. 3. The duplicity of Natures in Chrill:. 4· The real diftinClion in that Duty. 5. The wonderful union notwitbflanding that dill:inction. 6. The Birth of Chrift. 7· Some Confequents after his Birth, whilft yet a Child of twelve yearsold. 117 The firfi Paflage in relation to his Birth, is, theTiding sof Chrift: this appears, Luk§ .. I . 26, 27, 28, e:;-c. A nd in thejixth Moneththe Angel Gilbricl wasfent from God, &c. I Lul<u,,6,Jr ll~all a little in!i!1: on fome of thefe words. I : The Me!fenger is an Angel. Man was too mean to carry the News of the Con– ~epuon of God: Never any bu!inefs wasconceived in Heaven, that did fo muchconcem the Earth, as the Conception of the God of Heaven in a womb of Earth; no lefs there– fore than anAngel was worthy to bearthefe tidings; and ne~er Angel received agreater honour ri1an of this Emba!fage. Angels have been fent todJvers; as to Gideon, Mano– ·""· David, Daniel, Eli. h, Zcch•riah,&c. And then the Apgel honoured th; meffage; but
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