ASTROLOGT was an important element of all ancient astronomy. The scientific observation of the positions and movements of the heavenly bodies was closely associated with the belief in their Divine character, and their influence upon the destinies of men, and formed the basis of cal- culations and predictions of future events. Baby- lonia was the earliest home of this study, which continued to be prosecuted in that part of the world \vith special diligence, so that in later times the word ' Chaldtean ' was equivalent to ' Eastern astrologer.' It is to this class that we must refer the Magi or Wise Men from the East, who are men- tioned in Mt 2'"^- They had seen in their own home the rising (for so perhaps we should understand the words ^i' tj aparoKij, rendered 'in the east,' in V.'-) of a star or constellation, which they connected with the expectation, already dill'used in the East, of the birth of a great ruler among the Jews. Travelling to Palestine, they ascertained at Jeru- salem that the Messiah was expected to be born in Bethlehem, and directing their steps thither they saw the ' star ' in front of them all the way, till they came to the house where the infant Jesus was found. (This appears to be the only sense in which the popular and picturesque language of v." can be understood).
The first two chapters of the First Gospel are recognized as being taken from another source than the rest of the book, and different views have been held as to their historic value. But so far as the astrological references in ch. 2 are concerned, no difficulty need be felt about the narrative. The Evangelist, it is true, does not raise any question a-s to the reality of the connexion between the 'star' and the birtli of Jesus. On the possibility of such a connexion, no doubt he shared the common beliefs of his time. But we may accept his state-
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ment of the facts without being compelled to admit that there is any truth in astrological tlieoriea. The famous calculation of Kepler shows that an unusual conjunction of Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn took place about B.C. 7, and it is quite conceivable that this or some .similar phenomenon may in God's providence have led the Wise Men, even through the mistaken principles of their science, actually to visit Palestine about the time when Jesus was born. See further, artt. i\Iac:i and Star. James Patrick.
ASSURANCE.— This term stands for the fact and the doctrine of personal fellowship with God in Jesus Christ, made certain to the consciousness of the believer by the direct witness of the Holy Spirit. The prophetic ideal appears in the promise of a peaceful work of righteousness, the efi'ect of which is quietness and confidence for ever (Is 32"). In Mt 11" Jesus declares that ' no one knoweth the Father save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.' Such a personal revela- tion of God to the believer in Christ would seem to be necessarily obvious and assuring to him who receives it. The immediate context also gives assurance of rest and comfort to the souls of all who labour and are heavy laden, and who come to Christ for help. This teaching is conhrmed and enhanced by the doctrine of the Gospel of St. John concerning the Comforter. This heavenly Com- forter, the Holy Spirit of truth, bears witness of Christ, and makes known the things of Christ, unto those who receive and love Hira (Jn lo-"" 16'^). The world cannot receive this Spirit of truth, for He is an invisible presence, known only to the be- liever with whom and in whom He abides (14"). Those disciples in whom the Spirit thus dwells are loved by the Father and realize the manifestation of Christ, so that Father, Son, and Spirit come unto them and make their abode with them (14='- ^). The doctrine also finds noteworthy confirmation in the First Epistle of St. John (.3's-»' 4'^), where it is said that the Spirit of God and of Christ abides in the believer, and assures Ijjersuades) his heart with the Divine conviction of His immediate presence, so that he has great ' boldness toward God ' (Trop- fyi)fflav TTpbs rbv 6ebv).
That the Holy Spirit bears immediate and direct witness within the human spirit to the fact of one's being a child of God, is the explicit teaching o{ St. Paul (Ro »% In Col 2^ we note tlie remark- able expression about Christian hearts being com- forted and ' knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance {vXripoipopla, ' fulness ') of under- standing' in knowing the mystery of God. The same truth appears in the phrases ' full assurance of hope ' and ' full assurance of faith ' (He 6" 10=^). The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews declares faith itself to be 'assurance of things hoped for, conviction of things not seen' (11')-
This Biblical doctrine of Assurance presents one of the most precious truths of the gospel oi Christ. It presupposes, as a matter of course, the believer's personal acquaintance with the saving truths of Christianity and the facts of Divine revelation ; but it has been needlessly complicated with the dogmas of Election and the final Perseverance of the Saints. It should not be construed to involve a present assurance of final salvation, but it sliould be defined and guarded against the various de- lusions of mere subjective feeling. A spiritual conviction, however deep and assuring, needs the constant test of verification in a pure and upright life. It must have the 'testimony of our con- science, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace or God, we be- haved ourselves in the world' (2 Co 1"). The fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5---') must supplement and