do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." Such persons are not restless, because enough has not been revealed; and though placed, perhaps, under circumstances peculiarly favourable for the acquisition of scriptural knowledge, they regard its attainment as requisite for those only who minister in holy things, forgetting that though there may be theological points which are not of essential moment, yet there are others of the very last importance, for that "this is life eternal, to know God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent ;" and that he who is ignorant of the mode of salvation revealed in the gospel, however splendid his other attainments, is an object of the very deepest commiseration, and that no education can be complete, which does not include acquaintance with divine truth. It is astonishing, indeed, to reflect on the fearful apathy which exists on subjects of vital consequence to the soul's truest interests. The confession of such ignorance is not only made without a blush, but even with the language of boasting; and this by persons who would be

ashamed to plead ignorance on common subjects. Should any now before me be in this state of ignorance, let me beseech them to use every method for their spiritual instruction and improvement; no longer to rest contented with vague notions on points of eternal moment. Let it be their aim to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Saviour; let them pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto them the "Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; that the eyes of their understanding being enlightened they may know what is the hope of their calling, and what the riches of the glory of their inheritance among the saints," that they may both perceive, and know what things they ought to do, and may have grace and power given them faithfully to perform the same. them pray, in full assurance of faith, that they will realize the gracious promise, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Let

SERMON XIV.

HEROD THE GREAT.

MATT. ii. 1-3.

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him."

AMONG the characters whose history is recorded in the Scriptures, as affording melancholy proofs of the fearful state of wickedness at which it is possible for man to arrive, when uninfluenced by the restraints of religion, there are few whose enormities are so prominent, as the members of

the family of Herod, of whom several held high stations under the Roman government in the East.

The first on record is the Herod referred to in the text, and who is generally distinguished by the name of "the Great ;" and though the evangelist's account of him be but brief, it is sufficient to attest the fearful excess to which an individual may be led on, when he becomes the prey of unbridled passion.

Let us, in the first place, shortly advert to the circumstances in his history narrated in the text. In the second, consider the most prominent vices which disgraced his character; and in the third, the important inferences which naturally suggest themselves from meditation on the subject.

I. Herod the Great was an Idumean by birth, and at the period referred to in the text was a kind of deputy of the Roman emperor, appointed to the government of Judea, which had lost much of its former independence, and had become tributary to Rome.

Whilst in the enjoyment of this dignity, and giving full scope to his ambitious desires, wise men came from the East to Jerusalem, inquiring where he was to be found, who was born King of the Jews, whose birth had been announced to them by a star, or luminous meteor, of unusual

appearance. Until their arrival little notice had been excited by the incarnation of the holy child Jesus; by that long anticipated event which had been announced by a heavenly messenger, and celebrated by the angelic choir.

Commentators are not agreed as to the country from whence these wise men came, as to their precise rank or occupation, nor as to the means by which they were led to the knowledge of the fact, that the star which they followed indicated the birth of the Messiah. Some have supposed that they were Jewish proselytes; the fact is indisputable, however, that they had been supernaturally instructed as to the purpose for which this star had appeared. Their arrival in Jerusalem, and the inquiry which they made, attracted, as was to be supposed, no small attention. When Herod heard of it he was moved, and all Jerusalem with him. The excitement of Herod doubtless proceeded from the dread lest an adversary should arise to deprive him of his sovereignty; and he was fully acquainted with the general expectation of the speedy appearance of a deliverer, who should restore Judea to its former splendour, and occupy the throne of David. The excitement of the people arose in a great measure from a dread lest on hearing of the birth of this deliverer, the tyrant should imbrue his hands in fresh acts of cruelty; for we