The Gofpel ofthe Fea4 of Tabernacles. 427 2. From the (pace of Time that our Saviour did converfe amongfl of here upon Earth. As to his private Life, we find, Lu.&e 3. 23, that he was baptized, and entred upon his Miniftry as he began to be about thirty Tears Old. His publick Miniftry was about threeYears and an half ; for we read of four Paflbvers in the Gofpels at which he was prefent, at the laft whereof he fuffered. And the Angel faith to Daniel, that it the midit of the Week the Meffiah /hall be cut off, Dan. 9. 27. which is meant of a prophetical Week containing feven Years, the half where- of is three Years and an half. Moreover, we read in all the Evangelifts, that the Death of Chrift was at the Paffover, in the firft Month. Now if we reckon three Years and an half from thence it will carry us to the Month of Sep- tember for his Baptifm : So as the whole fpace and time of his Conver- fing here below was about three and thirty Years and an half : His private Life about thirty Years, his publick Miniftry about three Years and an half ; whereas the common Account, inftead of half a Year, makes but a quarter of a Year between the Feaft of his Nativity and Eafier. From all which it appears, that the time of his Birth was indeed in the feventh Month at the Feaft of Tabernacles : And for the further Confirmation thereof, there be fundry Paffages and Circumftances in the facred Hiftory ofhis Birth, by which it is evident that it could not be in the tenth Month, as is commonly fuppofed. i. Auguftus's taxing all the World, and ordering them to repair to their own Cities for that end, Luke 2. I. It is not likely that the Emperor would enjoyn all his Subjefts to travel in the depth of Win- ter to their own Cities. An obfervable Providence, and the rather for its falling out in this Juncture of time. The Scepter was gone from yudab, when they werecompelled by a foreign Power to negleft the Feaft of Tabernacles, and to travel to other Places inftead of going up to7erufalem. And therefore now it was full time for Shilo to ap- pear, according to that Prophefy of old Yacob, Gen. 49. tO. 2. The Shepherds were abroad watching and keeping their Flocks by Night, Luke 2. 8. but it is not probable they were fo in the depth of Winter. 3. yohn was baptizing in 7ordan at that time of the Year thirty Years after, Luke 3. 23. but it is not likely that he would choofe out the coldeft part of the Year for that Work; though thofe Climates were hotter in the Summer then this ; yet they were alto cold in the Winter. The Winter even in thofe Climates was but a hard time to travel in, or to watch in, Matth. 24.2o. pray thatyour flight benot i/1
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