Ch. r. Mary's Thanksgiving. St the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath fent empty away. 55, 52, 53. He hath (hewed that it is he that is Almighty, by fcattering the proud in their own vain imaginations; And by exiting down the high, and exalting the low ; and by fatisfying the needy, and bringing the profpe- rcus to diftrefs, cg. He hath holpen his fervant Ifrael in remembrance of his mercy, 55. As he fpake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his feed for ever. 54. 55 The promifes, which he rnade to .Abraham and his Seed, he is now performing in their proper fence, for the faring of all the believing feed : The mercy which promifed it, is now performing it. 56. And Mary abode with her about three months , and returned to her ownhoufe. 56. Note, It was many months between Manes e(poufal to 7 feph,and their Marriage. 57. Now Elifabeth's full time came, that the fhould be delivered; and the brought forth a fon. 58. And her neighbours, and her coufins heard how the Lord had (hewed great mercy upon her ; and they re- joyced with her. 57, 58. In giving a fon to one foold. 59. And it came to pafs, that on the eighth day they came tocircum- cife the child ; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his fa- ther. 6o. And his mother anfwe- red and Paid, Not fò; but he íhall be called John. 6r. And they Paid unto her, There is none of thy kin- dred that is called by this name. 62. And they made figns to his father, how he wouldhave him called. 63. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote , faying , His name is John. And they marvelled all. 59,6o, 61, 64. Note, They would have the name keep the memorial of Anceltors. 63. By figns. 64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loofed, and he fpake, and praifed God. 65. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them : and all thefe fayings were noifed abroad through- out all the hill-countrey of Judea. . Luke. John theBaptift. Ch. r, 66. And all they thathad heard them laid them up in their hearts, faying What manner ofchild íhall this be ? And the hand of the Lord was with him. 64, 65, 66. It railed in all the Countrey great expe&ations , what this child would prove: And God did extraordinarily biefs him. 67. And his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghoft, and pro- phefied, faying, 68. Bleffed be the Lord God of Ifrael, for he hath vi' filed and redeemed his people , 69. Andbath raifed upan hornof falva- tion for us, in the houle of his fer- vant David ; 7o. As he fpake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been fince the world began ; 7 r. Thatwe fhould be fa-. ved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate.üs. 67, 68, 69, 70, 71. Spake by infpiration), Note, Chrift was prophefied of from the be- ginning of the World, after .Adam's Fall: N. Tho God's Spirit in him underftood loft what . manner of Saviour Chrift would be, and what fortof deliverance from enemies he would bring (by the deltru&ion of the yews and calling the Gentiles;) we know not that Zachary, Elizabeth and Mary underftood this while they thus prophefied. 72. To perform the mercy prams'. fed to our fathers, and to remem- ber his holy covenant:. rya. The oath which he fware to our father Abraham, 74. That he would grant unto us, that we being delive- red out of the hands of our enemies, might ferve him without fear. 75, In holinefs and righteoufnefs before him, all the days of our life. 72, 73, 74, 75. That the Mefah delivering us from all our enemies, fpiritual and corporal. we may ferve hin in fafety, not terrified by them. Note, Holinefs, and I{ighteoufnefs are the rum ofGod's acceptable fervice. Note, Thechief benefit of deliverance from cruel enemies, is, that we freely and peace- ably ferve God. 76. And thou child fhall be cal- led the prophet of the Highef'r : for thou thalt go before the face of the Lord, to prepare his ways; 77. To give
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=