![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Now there is nowhere a more evident manifestation of Christ than in that which induced this text, Lord, 1101c lettest thou thy servant, 8fc. Every manifestation of Christ to the world, to the church, to a particular soul, is an Epiphany, a Christmas-day. And as even his birth is his death, so every action and passage that manifests Christ to us, is his birth, for Epiphany is manifestation and therefore, though the church do now call Twelfth-day Epiphany, because upon that day Christ was manifested to the Gentiles in those wise men who came then to worship him, yet the ancient church called this day (the day of Christ's birth) the Epiphany, because this day Christ was manifested to the world, by being born this day. His birth and his death were but one continual act, and his Christmas-day and his Good Friday are but the evening and morning of one and the same day. He found a Golgotha (where he was crucified) even in Bethlehem, where he was born for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy at first as his cross at last. The whole life of Christ was a continual passion others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation.
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