of his fulness in grace and truth, fo we may be admitted in the life to come to partake of his fulness in happiness and glory ".

u In this difcourfe the Author muft acknowledge that he has fallen, not intentionally, but of neceffity, into some similarity of argument with that of Dr. John Scott on the fame text, at the clofe of his "Chriftian Life." He thinks it a point of juftice to mention this otherwise it would have been a point of prudence to suppress a remark, which may engage a comparison with fo refpectable a Divine.

13

SERMON V.

LUKE ii. 13, 14,

And fuddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly Hoft, praising God, and faying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.

THE Birth of a Redeemer is an event of the first importance in the spiritual history of Man. Agreeably to which importance it had often been prefignified in the long feries of ancient revelation: fo that at the time, when it actually came to pass, a general expectation of this welcome Visitant was entertained among the Jews; and had even extended to the nations of the Gentiles. In regard to the Jews, to whom these prophetic notices were more immediately given, they had fome general intimation of the time when he was to come, they were more directly inftructed in the lineage from which he was to fpring, and they were distinctly guided to

the very place that was to be honoured with his birth. But the manner of his coming did not correspond with the fentiments of those who expected him the moft. Accustomed to regard him as the Heir and Representative of David, they looked for his first appearance in some stately palace, meet as they fancied for his kingly character, and with enfigns of dignity, correspondent with his future greatnefs. How little were they prepared for the tidings to be given, when this mighty Prince was born, that they might find him wrapt in fwaddling clothes, and lying in a manger!

Yet humbled as he was in the fight of men, he still was glorified among the inhabitants of heaven. Although no courtiers of an earthly kingdom were prepared to receive the Son of David at his coming, yet the courtiers of the heavenly kingdom were ever ready to attend him and to minifter unto him. Men were filent, when this Defire of all eyes appeared among them, Angels were at hand to open their lips, to proclaim his arrival on an embaffy of grace, and to celebrate the bleffing fent with a fong of joyful praise.

If

The theme, that now required their fong, was well adapted to those bleffed Beings, who continually ftand before the throne of

God,

God, and tune their voices and their harps in adorations to that Almighty King, who dwells in light ineffable, and whose most engaging attribute is goodness.

The first time, that we read of their being fo employed, was at that eventful hour, when this fabric of the World was called into existence at the word of the Creator. When the foundations of the globe were fastened, and the corner-ftones were laid, then indeed, as the holy Scriptures intimate, the morning Stars fang together, and all the Sons of God fhouted for joy a. Are we folicitous to hear their fong on this occafion? In the vision of the Evangelift we find one appropriate for this mighty theme; Holy, holy, boly Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come! Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou haft created all things; and for thy pleasure they are, and were created.'

If there was any thing in this goodly work to demand a fuperior ftrain of gratitude and joy, it must have been the formation of man, the last and nobleft work of God, who, though the shell of his body was fashioned of the duft of the earth, yet in his fpiritual part

2

* Job xxxviii. 7.

Rev. iv. 8, 10.

was