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A twofold act of obedience doth the Holy Virgin here perform to two ceremonial laws, the one concerning the purification of women after child-birth, the other concerning the presenting the male-child before the Lord.
The law concerning the purification of women we have recorded. Leviticus 12 Where the time mentioned for the woman's purification is set down; namely, after a male-child forty days; after a female, four score days:after which time she was to bring a lamb of a year oldfor a burnt-offering, in case she was a person of ability; or a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons, in case of extreme poverty.
Now as to the Virgin's purification, observe, 1. That no sooner was she able and allowed to walk, but she travels to the temple.
Where note, that she visited God's house at Jerusalem, before her own house at Nazareth.
Learn thence, that such women whom God has blessed with safety of deliverance, if they make not their first visit to the temple of God to offer up their praises and thanksgivings there, they are strangers to the Virgin's piety and devotion.
Observe, 2. Another act of Mary's obedience to the ceremonial law: she presented her child at Jerusalem to the Lord.
But how durst the blessed Virgin carry her holy babe to Jerusalem into Herod's mouth? It was but a little before that Herod sought the young child's life to destroy it; yet the Virgin sticks not, in obedience to the commands of God, to carry him to Jerusalem.
Learn hence, that no apprehension of dangers, either imminent or approaching, either at hand or afar off, ought to hinder us from performing our duty to Almighty God. We ought not to neglect a certain duty, to escape an uncertain danger.
Observe farther, as the obedience, so the humility, of the Holy Virgin, in submitting to the law for purifying of uncleanness: for thus she might have pleaded, "What need have I of purging, who did not conceive in sin? Other births are from men, but mine is from the Holy Ghost, who is purity itself. Other women's children are under the law, mine is above the law." But, like the mother of him whom it beloved to fulfil all righteousness, she dutifully fulfils the law of God without quarreling or disputing.
Observe, lastly, as the exemplary humility, so the great poverty, of the Holy Virgin; she has not a lamb, but comes with her two doves to God. Her offering declares her penury. The best are sometimes the poorest, seldom the wealthiest: Yet none are so poor, but God expects an offering from them: he looks for some what from every one, not from every one alike.
The providence of God it is that makes difference in person's abilities, but his pleasure will make no difference in the acceptation; Where there is a willing mind, it shall be accepted according to what a person hath. 2Co_8:12