Observe here, 1. This holy pair, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were fruitful in holy obedience, but barren in children;. fruitful soul and. barren womb are consistent, and do oft-times meet together. This religious couple made no less progress in virtue than in age, and yet their virtue could not make their age fruitful.

Observe, 2. Elizabeth was barren in the flower of her age, but much more so in old age. Here was. double obstacle, and consequently. double instance of the divine power in the birth of John the Baptist, shewing him to be. prophet very extraordinary, and miraculously sent by God.

Observe, 3. That when Almighty God in old times did long delay to give the blessing of children to holy women, he rewarded their expectaiton with the birth of some eminent and extraordinary person; thus Sarah after long barrenness, brought forth an Isaac; Rebecca,. Jacob; Rachel,. Joseph; Hannah,. Samuel; and Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist. When God makes his people wait long for. particular mercy, he gives it in at last with. double reward of their expectation.

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Old Testament