sented, were gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Thus a kind providence sent a very seasonable relief to Joseph and Mary, in their present poor condition. Our heavenly Father knoweth what his children need, and employs some as stewards to supply the wants of others; and can provide for them, even from the end of the earth. Above all, let us remember, that if we do not come to Christ with earnestness of heart, and honour and worship his holy name as our Lord and Saviour, now he is on his throne of glory, these wise men, who sought him while an infant in his mother's arms, will rise up against us in the day of judgment. make us wise unto salvation!

LORD,

Then rise and flee, to Egypt flee, with speed: The means by Heaven, as well as end decreed: There, till the tyrant's death, a refuge choose; Nor long before I bring the welcome news.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.

He rose, he fled, he bore his charge away,
And robb'd the murderous king of his expected prey

AFTER the wise men had seen the child and departed, "The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there unti I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. And when he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt." (Matthew ii. 13, 14.) God thus graciously prevented the mischief the wicked king Herod designed to the child Jesus, and the trouble it would have been to the wise men to have been accessary to it. They were warned of God not to return to Herod, nor

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to Jerusalem. They departed into their own country another way, to bring the good tidings to their countrymen, which would be a further preparation for preaching the Gospel in those regions. Joseph knew neither the danger the child was in, nor how to escape it; but the Almighty, by an angel, informs him, and directed him what to do. "Take the young child, and flee into Egypt." He that came to die for us, when his hour was not yet come fled for his own safety!

Egypt was infamous for idolatry, tyranny, and enmity to the people of God: it had been a house of bondage to Israel, and particularly cruel to the infants of Israel; yet it is appointed to be a place of refuge to the holy child Jesus! God, when he pleases, can make the worst of places serve the best of purposes. This may be considered as a