The harmony of the Gospels in the holy history of the humiliation and sufferings…

Herod knew himself to be an usurper of the crown of David, and Kingdom of Judah: He knew that the Jews waited for a Redeemer, a king, a branch of the stock of David; and now he was eminently informed by the wise men of the east, that the king of Judah, the right heir of the Kingdom of David was born, and that he was born at Bethlehem, therefore his politic wicked heart doth presently plot and contrive how he may lay his bloody hands upon him. He could not tell, nor could they inform him how long he had been born: therefore to make sure of that, he craftily and privily called the wise men, and asked them how long it was since the star first appeared to them? supposing he might be born at the first appearance of that star. Therefore Math. 2.7. he privily called the Wise men and enquired of them di igently what time the Star appeared? who answered, that it had appeared to them two years. Math. 2.16. Thus hath he digged deep, and laid his plot so, that he would be sure (as he thought) to find him out: Which being done, Mat. 2.8. he sent them to Bethlehem with this Order and appointment, Go search diligently for the young child, and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. What worship he intended to do unto him, ⟨p. 14⟩may justly be interpreted by his after acting in that matter. he meant to have worshipped him with the sword. Thus was this bloody Persecution plotted and contrived in the jealous and bloody heart of Herod. He made no doubt, but that as these wise Men came first to him to enquire after the child, so they would in good manners have taken their leave of him at their departure, especially he having ordered them so to do. It is not said that they did make a promise so to do, or that he required such a promise of them, in policy he would not so do, lest they should have smelt something thereby. But they, when they had found the Child, worshipped him, and made their offerings to him, Mat. 2.12. being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, (they being under no engagement so to do) they departed to their own Country another wa•. How easily might Herod have found out both the Parents and the child, by searching Davids Genealogy, which Caesar's Taxation had caused to be searched and made public at Bethlehem.