§. Enquired diligently of them the time when the Star appeared.
Had they taken their journy instantly upon the Stars appearing, Herod could easily have computed the time by the length of their journy: but by this his enquiry, it is ap∣parent that they had told him of its appearance at some good space before, which in ver. 16. is plainly resolved to be two years, by the Wisemens own acknowledgment and re∣solution.
Vers. 11. Gold, and Frankincense, and Myrrhe.
The mysterious application of these presents, as Myrrham homini, uncto aurum, &c. be left to them that delight and content themselves in such things: the plain and easie inter∣pretation of the matter is, that they tendred to Christ, the chiefest and choicest commodi∣ties that their Country could afford: which they carried in their treasures, as the Text calleth it, that is, in and among those commodities that the men of those Nations used to carry with them when they travailed, especially when they meant to present any one to whom they went, as Gen. 24. 53. 1 King. 10. 2.
Vers. 15. Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
The two allegations produced here out of the Old Testament, this and that out of Jeremy, in Rama was a voice heard, are of that fulness that they speak of two things a piece, and may very fitly be applied unto them both, and shew that the one did resemble or prefigure the other: as this Text of Hosea, aimeth both at the bringing of the Church of Israel, in old time, and of the head of that Church at this time out of Egypt. Then a Joseph nourished his father; now a Joseph doth so to his redeemer: then was Egypt dead∣ly to every male child that was born, now is it a place of refuge and preservation to this child.
Ver. 18. In Ramah was there a voice heard, &c.
Ramah stood not far from Bethlehem, though they were in two Tribes: and the cry that the poor Parents and children made in Bethlehem, when this matchless butchery was in hand, reach't to Ramah, and was plainly heard thither. Now observe the fulness of this Scripture as it is uttered by the Prophet, and as it is applied by the Evangelist. It was fulfilled in one kind, in the time of Jeremy himself, and then was the lamentation and weeping in Ramah it self; for hither did Nebuzaradan bring his Prisoners, after he had destroyed Jerusalem, and there did he dispose of them, to the Sword, or to Captivi∣ty, as seemed good unto himself, Jer. 40. 1. And imagine what lamentation and crying was then in that City, when so many were doomed there, either to be slain in that place, or to go to Babel, never to see their own Land again. Then was the cry in Ramah, and it was heard no doubt to Bethlehem. But now the Prophesie is fulfilled in another kind, when Herod destroyeth so many Children in Bethlehem, and in the Suburbs and Borders belonging to it: And now the cry is in Bethlehem, and it is heard to Ramah.