to provoke their Children to Wrath": probably because it might be likely to give an early wrong Turn to their tender Minds. Now, if it be unlawful to excite a short-lived Anger in these, who are many of them incapable of doing Hurt, be they ever so angry; how great a Crime is it to stir up Rage, where the Confequence may be unknown Mischief of various Sorts: and how excellent a Duty, to take every Opportunity, (and we have all of us frequently fuch) for difpofing the Hearts of those about us to that Spirit of Meekness and universal Goodwill, which is the Qualification for Happiness here and hereafter! The Fruit of Righteousness is fown in Peace of them that make Peace". Sow to yourselves in Righteousness, and reap in Mercy *.

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Eph. vi. 4. Col. iii. 21. ▼ James iii. 18.

* Hof. x. 12.

Then Herod, when he saw, that he was mocked of the wife Men, was exceeding wroth; and Sent forth, and flew all the Children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the Coasts thereof, from two Years old and under; according to the Time, which he had diligently enquired of the wife Men.

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HE piteous History, contained in these Words, is the Sequel of that, immediately preceding, which informs us, that, on the Birth of our Saviour in Judea, some Gentiles of Learning and Distinction came from the East to Jerufalem, by divine Direction, to pay him Homage: on which, Herod the King, understanding that the Meffiah was to be born at Bethlehem, sent them thither to find him; with a Charge to bring him Notice of the Place Place where the Child was, that he also might do him the same Honour; designing really to destroy him, instead of paying him Respect : but that, being warned of God, not to return to Herod, they departed into their own Country another Way.

The fad Consequences which followed their Departure, are mentioned in the Words of the Text; and present to us a Transaction of fo remarkable a Nature as well deserves a particular Examination into it, and an Explanation of the several Circumstances attending it. This is what I mean to give you in the following Discourse: and if, in doing it, I should be led to spend more Time, in Proportion, than usual, on Points not immediately belonging to the great Articles of Christian Faith or Practice; you will remember, that we ought to understand, not only the Doctrines and Precepts, but the History of the Gospel: efpecially as in the present unbelieving Age, Objections are too frequently made against the several Parts of it, in their Turns; and as a due Confideration of every Part, will not only confirm us in the Truth of it, but furnish abundantly more Matter of pious and moral

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Reflection, than at the first View it may feem

to afford.

The Text begins with acquainting us, that Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wife Men, was exceeding wroth. Not that they had any Design of provoking him, or expofing him to Contempt. That is not the Behaviour of good Perfons to the very worst. He had commanded them indeed to bring him Word again, where the Child was: but probably had too haughtily prefumed on their Compliance, though not his Subjects, to think of asking a Promise of them. Or, had they made one, as they naturally enough might, with a full Purpose of keeping it; the Warning, received from God, must entirely have superseded that Obligation : of which, other Things alfo might have hindered the Performance. But unreasonable and vehement Spirits hardly ever stay to inquire into fuch Matters: whatever difappoints them, appears to them an Indignity. And accordingly Herod was not only forry, that his Intention was frustrated, but exceeding wroth: imagined it no Sin at all to contrive the Murder of the harmless Child whose Birth had been notified to him; but an intolerable Offence, that the wife Men should, whatever VOL. V. their

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