[Vers. 9] §. 1. VERS. 9. When they had heard the king, they departed, and loe, the starre which they saw in the East, went before them, till it came, and stood over, where the young child was.
[Sect. 1] Wee may observe here how many im∣pediments and lets these Wise men meet withall, and yet how constant they are in their resolution of finding out Christ. First, the starre failes them, and appeares not, which was their principall guide. Secondly, they come then unto Jerusalem, but there they finde not the babe. Thirdly, the Jewes unto whom they came, were offended with their tidings. Herod and all the people being troubled, vers. 3. Fourthly, no man accompanies them, when they prosecute the quest and search of Christ: yet all these doe no whit discourage or dis-hearten them from their former intent and purpose: [Observ.] Teaching us thus much, that wee are not to bee hindered by any obstacles from the course of pietie and religion; but constantly to proceed on in the wayes of God, notwithstāding all hindrānces whatsoever.
[Quest.] Here it may be asked, what lets are there, in the way of Religion, and how may we arme our selves against them?
[Answ.] I answer, First many are dismayed by reason of the greatnesse of the labour, and difficultie of the worke of the Lord; but let us remember, that Labor omnia vincit; be not weary, but be in∣dustrious, and thou shalt prevaile; for conanti a∣derit Deus; God hath promised to be graciously assistant to every one, that in sinceritie of heart desires, and endevours to serve him.
Secondly, many are discouraged, because the way of Religion is not liked by the world, nei∣ther the professors thereof loved, but rather de∣spised and scorned: neither this should hinder us from the service of the Lord, although others be offended with thee, because thou seemest by thy puritie and splendor, to eclipse their credit & estimation, yet be not discouraged, but remem∣ber, Christians must bee principally carefull to please God, not mena 1.1, both because wee are the servants of the Lord, not the servants of men; and also, because wee shall be judged by God, and not by man at the last day.
Thirdly, some are with-held from the zea∣lous profession of Religion, by reason of the paucitie of companions, that trace that path; there are but few truly religious, and therefore they dislike the practise of it: but we should bee here most resolute, saying, as Peter sayd, Al∣though all men should forsake Christ, yet we will ne∣ver forsake himb 1.2, though none should accompa∣ny, or associate us in the worke of Religion, yet this should not dismay us; but with resolute Io∣shua, we should resolve, let others doe as they will, we will serve the Lordc 1.3, calling to minde these two things, I. vivimus legibus, non exem∣plis, God doth not command us to follow Pre∣sidents, but to follow precepts. II. If thou desirest, presidents as well as precepts, remember then, that thou hast many examples in this kinde to imi∣tate both in the Old, and New Testament, yea, Even compassed about with a cloud of witnessesd 1.4; and therefore follow not a multitude unto evill, but a multitude of good men unto good. Thus let us be like these Wise men, constant in the labour of the Lord, and in the course of holinesse all the dayes wee have to live, not being either hindred, or turned backe, or diverted, by any impedi∣ments whatsoever.
§. 2. The starre which they saw in the East, went [Sect. 2] before them. [Observ.]
This star may be considered, either tropologi∣cally, [unspec 1] or Allegorically, or historically.
Somee 1.5 expound this starre tropologically thus: Herod is the divell, and the starre is the grace of God: and therefore when the Wise men goe unto Herod, and while they are with Herod, the starre forsakes them: teaching us, [Observ.] that the grace of God flies those, that follow the divell, or run after sinne: because the pure Spirit of God, will not come unto a polluted soule.
This starre may be considered of Allegorically; the starre signifies the light of faith in the heart: and therefore although the Wise men have the word of God delivere•• unto them by the Chiefe Priests, which teacheth them, where Christ is to be borne, yet they cannot finde him, nor come unto him, untill the starre of faith doth arise in their heartef 1.6: Teaching us, that the knowledge of the Scriptures, without the light of faith is in∣sufficient to bring us to Christ: as the Apostle saith, the word profits not, when it is not mixed with faithg 1.7.
Historically this starre may also be interpreted; [Obser. 2] even now the starre was not seene, when they were in Jerusalem; but as soone as they are up∣on their journey, and want a guide, it appeares unto them: Teaching us, that the Lord will [Observ. 3]