difpofed to receive this divine Perfonage in whatever form he came.

And perhaps they

might estimate the bleffing more, as it was brought the nearer on a level to their stations and capacities.

This declaration of the Angel was immediately followed by a fong of praise from the full chorus of celeftial Beings: "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 toward men.'

"

To glorify God is the constant, as it is the most delightful task of those high orders of Beings, who have the fupreme beatitude of standing in the prefence and beholding the face of God. They glorify him, as we have the countenance of revelation for believing, by celebrating all thofe attributes, in which confifts the excellence of his nature, that is to fay, his power, by which he created, his wisdom, by which he guides, and his justice, by which he controls the world: above all other characters his goodness, by which he dif penfes far and wide his benefits. They glorify him for the happiness, which they fo copiously enjoy themselves, and which he diffufes freely, according to the nature of things and the ef tablished order of his government, on the vast

multitude of created Beings.

This, as far as we can collect from the book of Revelations, is the general subject of their song in heaven. But when they fing on earth, and gladden human ears with fong, they chufe a theme, in which the fons of men have a clofer and more immediate intereft. The glory of God, as it fills their hearts, ftill animates their fong: but they fing his glory, as it operates to the good of this inferior world: and accordingly the fubject of their fong on this extraordinary occafion was, peace on earth, and good will to men; that is, They afcribe glory to God for peace restored between Heaven and Earth, for good will reestablished between God and Man, by the Mediation of that Perfon, who is called in prophetic language, The Prince of Peace. Full of gratitude for the happiness they enjoy themselves, they feel an interest in seeing this happiness diffused among their fellowfervants upon earth; and they gladly undertake to impart the tidings of this divine grace.

to men.

And still animated by a zeal for their welfare and happiness, they continue to forward that great scheme of redemption, which this Prince of Peace has fo effectually accomplished,

K 3

plished. Even while they behold their heavenly Father's face, they continually watch over those who are babes in fpiritual things: they keep the righteous in all their ways: they minifter to them who fhall be heirs of salvation. And as they strenuously labour to subdue that evil Spirit, who has ufurped so much power in the heart of man, fo they have fatisfaction in their conqueft; they rejoice even in the presence of God over one finner that repenteth. Thus by affifting in the military conflict against their spiritual enemies they promote the interefts of the Kingdom of God among the Sons of men. And by inftilling into their hearts good difpofitions and defires they apply their endeavour, that his will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; being animated with the welcome hope, that they, whom they have once affifted in the feverer task of difcipline, will be for ever affociated with them in the blissful exercise of gratitude and praise.

It remains for me now to make fome practical inferences from this engaging theme.

If Angels take delight in finging to the glory of God for those great things which he has done for men, it certainly behoves us to follow

follow their example in a matter, in which we have a much more immediate interest than they, to take their fong of praise, and to fing it for ourselves.

In this offering of gratitude it is a pleafing contemplation to us, that through the mediation of his beloved Son the ears of God are again open to our devotions. The all-prevailing interceffion of our great high Priest has procured acceptance to all our offerings, to the facrifice of our prayers and to the incense of our praises: and now we are privileged to address him every where and at every time, in glad affurance that he is disposed to yield a favourable ear.

Yet let us not forget, that though we have a powerful Advocate at the throne of heavenly grace, our prayers and praises will ascend in vain, unless they proceed from hearts conformed to the will and character of God. In vain fhall we attempt to glorify God in our fongs, if we do not alfo glorify him in the temper of our minds and in the tenour of our lives.

That we may fing with advantage to the glory of God, for the bleffings that ensue to us from the nativity of his Son, it is expedient, first, that we make our peace with God by a fincere repentance of all our fins, and a lively

K 4

lively faith in all his revelations; and fecondly, that we strive to maintain his favour by a steady cultivation of all those Christian graces, which are the fruits of a fincere repentance and a lively faith: for inftance, in our perfonal deportment, of purity of heart and holiness of life; in our duty towards men, of justice, charity, and peace; in our duty towards God, of humility, patience, content, and gratitude. On the whole, that we may be qualified to fing with Angels to the glory of God, it is incumbent on us to apply our endeavours according to the purport of our daily prayers, that his will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

But by no other means can we more effectually glorify God, than by copying his example in the most glorious of his attributes, in doing and diffufing good to men. This we may do in feveral ways; more efpecially, as we may gather from the text, by labouring according to our stations and capacities to promote and establish peace on earth, and to maintain or to restore among mankind a fpirit of good will and benevolence one towards another. For fo, as our Lord affirms, "fhall we be the children of our heavenly Father, who maketh his fun to rife on the evil and on the good, and fendeth rain on the just

and