(26) And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee named Nazareth, (27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and
the virgin's name was Mary. (28)And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. (30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not Mary; for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33)And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall
this be, seeing I know not a man? (35) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (36) And, behold, thy cousin Elizabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. (37) For with God nothing shall be impossible. (38) And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word: and the angel departed from her.
As the miraculous conception forms so grand and momentous a doctrine of our most holy faith, in the firm assurance of which is involved everything that is important in the Gospel; I persuade myself that I shall have the free indulgence of my Reader t o enter upon it very fully, and on true spiritual grounds to look into the whole relation of it, while looking up to God the Holy Ghost to be the teacher both of myself and Reader, in examining the several interesting particulars contained in it. Could it be supposed but for a moment, that the human nature of Christ had been produced in the ordinary way of generation among men, though it were admitted at the same time, that the mission of Christ as far exceeded all other Prophets, as the heavens are higher than the earth; still this were nothing. For then, after all, the dignity of Christ's person would have been no greater than that of any other Prophet; and his communications from God would have been in no other way than theirs. The office indeed, might have been greater, and his communications from God greater, and his usefulness more extensive. But, as to nature and person, Christ would have been upon a level with all that went before. Whereas, between Christ and Moses, the greatest of all Prophets under the Old Testament; and Christ, and John the Baptist, declared to be the greatest of all born among women, under the New; the former is said to be but as a servant to Christ, the Son, in the house of God: and the latter declares himself not worthy to unloose the latchet of the shoes of Christ. See Hebrews 3:1-6; John 1:15-34. Reader, ponder over these things by the way. See Commentary on Matthew 3:1-4. Poor: Matthew 3:4
I have, in my Poor Man's Commentary, on the first chapter of Matthew, ver. 18. stated, somewhat largely, my views, according to scripture testimony, on the miraculous conception. But, as the subject is infinitely important, and the Church of God cannot be too clearly, nor fully established, in the most perfect conviction of this fundamental truth of our most holy faith; I would very earnestly beg the Reader's indulgence, taking advantage, from the long contents concerning it, in this chapter, to consider it yet a little more particularly. And I am free to confess, that an anxiety, for the rising generation in this kingdom, on the momentous doctrines of the Gospel, prompt me the more earnestly to this service. Never, in my view, was there a day since the Reformation, when the only principles, which make the glorious Gospel of the ever blessed God truly blessed, were in equal danger to be frittered away, by the carelessness of some, and the artfulness of others, who affect to call themselves rational Christians. I humbly beg to bear my testimony to the truth, as it is in Jesus, to this fundamental article of the real Christian's creed, in the evidences of the miraculous conception. And when I have stated in order, the scriptural account of this momentous doctrine, I shall leave the whole to the Reader's own mind, that he may compare spiritual things with spiritual: and that, under the teaching of God the Holy Ghost, his faith may be found, not to rest in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God.
And first: I beg him to observe with me, that with the Promise, which came in with the Fall; it was said, the seed of the Woman should bruise the Serpent's head. And in conformity to this, when, in the after age of the Church, the Lord entered into covenant with Abraham; the tenor of this covenant was conveyed in terms agreeably to this promise; that in his seed should all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:3. Now, saith the Holy Ghost by Paul, when explaining both those Scriptures, and shewing their connection; now to Abraham, and his seed were the promises made: he saith not, and to seeds, as of many, but as of One, and to thy seed which is Christ. Galatians 3:16. Words, as plain these, as language can furnish, in proof that the human nature, which the Son of God should take into union with him, thereby forming one Person, even Christ, should be the seed of the woman. Peter, in his sermon, on the day of Pentecost, quotes a passage from one of the prophetical Psalms of David, in confirmation. He first shews that David king of Israel could not possibly mean himself; and then saith, that David being a prophet, knew that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his body according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit upon his throne. Acts 2:30. compared with Psalms 132:11. and Luke 1:31-32. And these scriptures most plainly shew, that Christ, after the flesh, should be of the seed of the woman.
The next point to be attended to, in forming suitable and becoming apprehensions of this great mystery, is, to examine into what the holy scriptures taught, concerning the Incarnation of the Son of God. And here we discover the Prophets, commissioned by the Holy Ghost, informing the Church, that the event should be altogether new, and mysterious; such as never had taken place in the annals of the world. One of them cried aloud to the Church, saying: that the Lord himself would give them a sign. Behold, (said he), a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Which (saith an Evangelist in after days, under the same authority) being interpreted, is God with us. Compare Isaiah 7:14. with Matthew 1:23. Another Prophet, in allusion to the same blessed promise, declared, that the Lord hath created a new thing in the earth; A woman shall compass a man. Jeremiah 31:22. And the Lord Jesus himself by the spirit of prophecy, confirms them both, in what he had long before delivered to the Church; when in that precious Psalm, which principally means himself, he had said; For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought, in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalms 139:13-15. Fearfully and wonderfully made indeed, when considered with an eye to Christ, by the sovereign agency of God, in the womb of the Virgin; here called, in prophetical language, the lowest parts of the earth. But the terms are by no means applicable to the universal generation of mankind. Great as the Lord's power is, in all his works of creation; yet the stated order of the Lord, in those acts of his appointment, do away the expressions of fear and wonder. Now, these scriptures taught the Church to expect the birth of Him, whom they refer to, as coming out of the ordinary course of nature; and in a way, such as the Incarnation of the Son of God, by the miraculous conception only, can explain.
From hence we go on to what the Evangelist hath recorded in this chapter. An angel is sent to the virgin Mary, to announce the wonderful event. His salutation implied somewhat of infinite moment. H ail thou that art highly favored! Highly favored indeed! And not simply, in the grace imparted to her, of God's everlasting love; personally considered in redeeming mercy, as distinguished in calling her, with an holy calling, from the Adam state of nature, in which she was born; for this blessing she had in common with all the children of God; but highly favored, in this singular instance of grace, which never could be enjoyed by any other; in being chosen, as the woman, whose seed should bruise the serpent's head. Concerning the chastity of Mary, in respect to her virgin state, none but unblushing infidels could for a moment question. For unless it could be supposed, that God the Holy Ghost, for more than seven hundred years before the event was to take place, should have caused such a prophecy to be made, as that of the conception of a virgin; and then, be regardless of the accomplishment: unless this could be supposed, which is impossible, we cannot but suppose, that the Lord watched over his own promise, and made all due arrangement, that it should come to pass.
Assuming this point also granted, and still prosecuting the mysterious subject, we next have to consider another branch, requiring explanation. The Virgin Mary, though in herself in perfect chastity, yet certainly derived from the Adam-nature, in which she was born, taints of the same corruption from that race of fallen man, of whom it is said, by the testimony of the Holy Ghost himself, there is none holy, no not one. It therefore becomes necessary to enquire, how He, who was conceived in the Virgin's womb, by the miraculous power of God, was preserved free from that contagion; so as to be, as he is blessedly described, holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens? Hebrews 7:26. This question becomes exceedingly momentous. And blessed be God we have, in scripture, the most satisfying answer to it.
The word of God teacheth, that all the persons of the Godhead were engaged in the formation of the human nature of Christ. Concerning God the Father, it was said by Christ, under the spirit of prophecy, ages before his incarnation: A body hast thou prepared me. Compare Psalms 40:6. with Hebrews 10:5. And that God the Son had a hand in it is evident, for the Holy Ghost by Paul saith; that He took not on him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham. And again, He took of flesh and blood. Hebrews 2:16; Hebrews 2:16. And in this Chapter we have the wonderful relation of the part which God the Holy Ghost had in the work, in his overshadowing power.
When the Reader hath duly pondered these sublime considerations, I would beg of him to be very attentive to what the Evangelist hath recorded in this Chapter. The angel answered the modest enquiry of Mary, how the thing he spoke of should be; by saying, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee: and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. By which we plainly learn, that this overshadowing power became the sole act of generation. And this is in exact correspondence to what was said by the angel to Joseph. For that (said he) which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 1:20. Here then, the whole is explained. The act of conception from the Holy Ghost must be holy; because it is solely from, and wrought by, the Lord himself, who is holy. Had there been the intervention of an human father, no doubt, that in this case, defilement must have followed; for it is by this corruption is derived in all generations, from father to son. But in this instance, God the Holy Ghost is the agent; and therefore, as the angel said, that holy thing which shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God. This then was the tabernacle which God pitched, and not man. Hebrews 8:2. This the stone cut out without hands: that is, without human hands. Daniel 2:45
And I beg the Reader to observe with me, yet further, in confirmation of this most blessed, and wonderful truth; how the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to word the mysterious subject. A virgin shall conceive. Yes! But not by man! She shall bring forth a son. Yes! But not by human begetting. The Holy Ghost shall overshadow her. Therefore, (that is, his Almighty agency being the sole cause) that holy Thing (not that holy person, for then there would have been two persons in one Christ; but that holy thing) shall be called the Son of God. Oh! how precious is this discovery! And further: When God sends forth his Son, he is said to be made of a woman; not begotten, but made: and which, though made of the substance of the seed of the woman; yet being made by the Holy Ghost, cannot but be holy. So that as nothing is derived by generation, from the impurity of our nature, the sole agency being of God; that holy thing is in nature holy, and of consequence the Son of God.
Now Reader, pause over the wonderful subject! Put the whole together in one collected point of view. Behold, how very full and clear the several terms made use of, in representing this great truth, are; that the Church might have all suitable, and becoming apprehensions (as far as our capacities at present are capable in apprehending) of so great a mystery. Call to mind the vast preparations made for this one purpose: the union of God and man in one person, through a long succession of generations, from the fall of man to the coming of Christ. Yea, before the earth was formed, or Jehovah, in his threefold character of person, went forth in acts of creation. Then Christ was set up, as the head of his body the Church, from everlasting. Proverbs 8:22-23. And from the first promise in the Bible, concerning the seed of the woman, until we behold it fulfilled in the uncreated word being made flesh, and dwelling among us; we trace the whole scope of scripture, pointing and directing, like so many rays of light, converging to this one centre. Had the human nature of Christ been formed out of nothing, or from the dust of the earth, as Adam was; where would have been his relationship to his people? Or, had the human nature of Christ been taken from any part of man, as Eve was, from the rib of Adam; this would have been a relationship no doubt, but nothing more mysterious than the former instance. But, to form the Human Nature of Christ from the seed of the woman, by conception, without man, and wholly by the power of God; this was a sign indeed, from God: this was a new thing in the earth; and a mystery, surpassing all human foresight and contrivance. Well might the Apostle, in the contemplation, exclaim: Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh. 1 Timothy 3:16. Largely as I have trespassed, I must not dismiss the vast subject before that I have first called the Reader to remark with me, and to remark it in terms suited to its infinite importance, the very blessed doctrine connected with it, of the atonement. For, the miraculous conception, once confirmed, brings up after it, the evident intention from it, of Christ's sacrifice. The Son of God becoming incarnate, implied the design, of making his soul an offering for sin. This one act preached more fully than ten thousand sacrifices on Jewish altars; that without shedding of blood, there was no remission. Surely, all the branches of revelation, concerning God, might have been accomplished, (as far as revelation was necessary), without such an event as the miraculous conception. But if Christ, and Christ only, can do away sin, by the sacrifice of himself, a body must be given him. Psalms 40:6-8. Blessedly doth God the Holy Ghost bear testimony to this, by his servant the Apostle: In all things (said he) it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful, and faithful High Priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation, for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17. See the Commentary there. Poor: Hebrews 2:16