terms, such as might have been applied to any "other person; but in plain and express words, "and such as could not have been mistaken."* The Magians, then, were the great mathematicians, philosophers and divines of the ages in which they lived; on which account a learned man and a Magian became equivalent terms. † Now, "though not many wise men after the "flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called," yet we find that some of these have received the testimony of Jesus. It was insultingly asked by the Jews, "Have any of the pharisees "or of the rulers believed on Him?" The question implied that none but an ignorant mob paid any attention to Him. But we see, that some of His very first disciples were men of superior erudition; to whom the proud pharisee and conceited scribe were more inferior in scientific knowledge than the lowest of the Jewish populace were to them. The evidences of Christianity will bear the strictest scrutiny which the deepest thinker can institute. The religion of the Son of God does not indeed covet the suffrage and support of the philosopher, for it needs no such prop. But it doth not shun his eye, nor seek concealment for doctrines which are indefensible. Its mysteries are indeed out of the reach of human reason; but they are in no case contrary to its dictates. The journey which these learned sages undertook, for the purpose of worshipping the newborn king of the Jews, must have been very expensive, hazardous, and laborious, even if they See Parkhurst's Greek Lexicon, and the testimonies there referred to. VOL. I. + Prideaux's Connection, vol. i. 2 F* came only, as some have supposed, from the neighbouring country of Arabia Felix; for they must have traversed deserts, lying under a scorching sun, destitute of all conveniences and even necessaries, and infamous for robbers, and murderers. But if they came from Persia, or the more distant kingdom of Parthia, their expedition affords still higher proofs of their earnestness and perseverance in the pursuit of their object. This consideration greatly illustrates the strength of their faith and the ardour of their piety. Faith is an operative grace. It worketh by love. Its nature and effects are in all ages the same. We shall do well therefore to inquire, before we quit this branch of our subject, what effects the faith which we profess has produced. That of the eastern sages was active and energetic. What sacrifices of personal ease, comfort and emolument have we made under the influence of this Divine principle? Have we renounced the world in the pursuit of Christ and of salvation? Have we "forsaken all to follow Him in the regenera"tion?" Do we "count all things but loss for "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord?" Have we diligently inquired into the path of duty, and do we vigorously walk in it, however painful and arduous it proves to flesh and blood? But it may be asked, How should these eastern sages know any thing of the Messiah?" It seems "a groundless conjecture to suppose that the Magii knew the signification of the star," which, in the pursuit of their astronomical researches, they discovered, "by some tradition of Balaam's prophecy. Num. xxiv. 17." Bishop Chandler * The New Age. Syriac Version. has observed, * that "it was the common belief of all sorts of people in all nations at that time, that the rise of unusual stars, comets, and of the different shapes of blazing lights in the heavens, did foretell great changes upon earth, the birth of some extraordinary person, and the erection of new empires: that the Magii being constant in the same belief, and being acquainted with the tradition or report that about this time a great prince was to be born in Judea, to whom all the east should one day be subject, they might justly conclude from the rise of this bright appearance which went under the character of a star, that HE was then born, and that His birth was in this manner notified to the world: and that, though their principle was wrong, yet, admitting them to be possessed therewith, they acted very consistently in their inference from it." But, whatever faint gleams of light these persons might have received from tradition, it seems most probable that an immediate revelation from God accompanied the appearance of the star. Such revelations had before been made to some favoured Gentiles, such as Abimelech, Job, and others. And it is certain that their return from Bethlehem was directed by a warning from God communicated in a dream. Math. ii. 12. We may therefore suppose that their journey thither was suggested in the same way. How far this revelation went, we cannot ascertain; but it afforded a sufficient foundation for the obedience of faith. A belief in revelation, and a correspondent conduct, if marks of Divinity attend the former, are not only consistent with reason, but peremptorily required by it. These sages would * Vindication of Defence of Christianity, book ii. p. 419. have acted irrationally, had they disobeyed the heavenly calling. How brutish and guilty then must their infidelity be, who either reject or mutilate the Bible; or, pretending to believe its facts, are uninfluenced by its doctrines and precepts! The evidence which the Magii received, must have been as inferior to that which attends our Scriptures, as the grey twilight of the morning is to the full blaze of the meridian sun. Should we be found infidels in theory or practice, these men of the East will rise up in the judgment and condemn us. The avowed object of the journey which these wise men undertook was to worship the infantking; and therein "wisdom was justified in her children." It doth not indeed appear, whether, on their setting out, they meant to pay to Him civil reverence or religious adoration; since the greek word which is used means both. But it is clear that, either at Jerusalem from the priests whom they consulted, or afterwards from Joseph and Mary at Bethlehem, they learned the true character of the holy child Jesus. For it is not likely that God, all whose ways are the result of infinite wisdom, would send them on such an expedition for the mere purpose of paying a transient compliment to the infant-Saviour of the world. Nor can we reasonably suppose that their delight would have been so great as it is said to have been, when, after their departure from Jerusalem, they found themselves again under the guidance of Divine Providence; for we are informed that "when they saw the star, they re joiced with exceeding great joy." God never leaves the humble and inquiring mind without means of information and ultimate satisfaction on the subject of salvation; for our Lord told the Jews, that if any man be determined to do the will of Cod, he shall know of the doctrine which is proposed, whether it be of God or not. And as these Magii afforded by their conduct full evidence of their wish to comply with the Divine will, we cannot hesitate in deciding that they were favoured, by some means or other, with a saving knowledge of Christ. It is promised that in the way that leads to Christ and heaven, a wayfaring man, though a fool, shall "not err." The honest bosom shall be replenished with "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, as it shines in the face of "Jesus Christ." We shall pass over the particulars of what occurred on the arrival of the Magii at Jerusalem; because we have noticed them in a review of the collect for "the Innocents' day." We therefore proceed to observe that on their departure from Jerusalem, they were again favoured with the direction of their supernatural guide; for the star which they saw in the east "went before them, till it came and stood over "where the young child was." Whether the star preceded them in their journey from their own country to Judea; or whether they were led thither by its fixed position in the heavens above the region of Palestine; or whether the primary direction of their journey was the result of the Divine dream which we suppose them to have received, is not recorded. If the star preceded them in their way, previous to their arrival at Jerusalem, we may conjecture that in going thither they followed the dictates of carnal reason rather than those of Divine guidance, as they lost sight of their index while they were at Herod's court. Whether this conjecture be |