as the small dust of the balance, and which ought to be esteemed, even now, at no higher value, by those who look for the appearing of the Lord.

Let, then, our faith have its perfect work; let us learn to form the due estimate of earth and heaven it will furnish that peace which the world can neither give nor take away; and amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life, it will enable us to persevere stedfast unto the end, secure in the love of him who died for us, and rose again, and who will shortly come to receive us to himself, and to welcome us to that kingdom which hath been prepared for those that love him, from the foundation of the world.

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SERMON XVIII.

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.

(Christmas Day.)

LUKE ii. 14.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

SUCH were the triumphant strains, in which the heavenly host celebrated that wonderful event, which their angelic leader had announced to the shepherds of Bethlehem. The Son so long foretold was now given; the child so long promised was now born; and these were the sounds of holy congratulation and of joyful praise, which his attendant angels poured forth, as they contemplated this glorious accomplishment of the counsels of Jehovah. The mystery which they had desired to look into, the mystery that had for ages been hid with God, was now revealed. God was now manifest in the flesh ; the eternal word had become incarnate, and had

stooped from the throne of heaven, to take upon him the seed of Abraham. To him was committed the ministry of reconciliation. He came to join together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad; to restore the sons of Adam to the favour of God, and to raise them to that inheritance which sin had forfeited.

In these purposes of love towards mankind, the holy angels rejoiced. They had lamented, doubtless, the defection of man from his allegiance to his almighty Creator; but now the prospect of his pardon was opened. They had wandered, perhaps, in the deserted bowers of Eden's happiness, or wielded that flaming sword which guarded the way of the tree of life; but now they hoped that man would be admitted to a brighter paradise, and that he might, with joyful confidence, put forth his hand to that heavenly fruit, and eat and live for ever. Oh, if the love of God displayed to sinful man, can thus cause joy among the angels of heaven, what ought to be the feeling of gratitude with which our every pulse should throb, and what the song of praise which our grateful lips should utter? He that never suffered from parching thirst, cannot so feelingly appreciate the refreshment of the cooling stream; he that never knew the misery of darkness, cannot equally rejoice in the blessing of the light. If, then, the angels can rejoice over one sinner that repenteth, what

ought to be the joy of him who is brought from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God! "Sing, Oye heavens, for the Lord hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel."

In contemplating the grand subject which the church this day presents to us, we cannot but be deeply sensible of the inability of our weak and finite understandings, fully to comprehend its magnificent details, or its mighty consequences. We celebrate this day an event which is, without question, the most momentous that is recorded in the annals of time; an event which most nearly concerns ourselves, and with the awful consequences of which, our own happiness stands inseparably connected. God has now spoken to us for the last time by his Son; and as we regard or disregard this message, as we accept or refuse the offers he has now made to us; so will our portion be allotted in the world which is to come. "See, then, that ye refuse not him that speaketh." Consider well the message, and the messenger, and turn not away from him that speaketh from heaven. Eternity is at stake: the blessings of heaven are within our reach. Let this conviction influence our hearts, and if the blessings of eternal happiness have any charms for us, let us give to the truths of Christianity

the solemn and the deliberate assent of our un derstanding and our hearts, and to its precepts the full and unreserved obedience of a lively faith.

The text is a solemn song of praise, founded upon the results of the events which it celebrates: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

The incarnation of Jesus Christ tends to exalt the glory of God. This was a manifestation of the greatest love, and of the greatest power: of love, that God should stoop to manhood, for the benefit of his rebellious creatures; of power, that he should accomplish his purposes, by those very means which seemed least of all likely to be effectual, and which baffled completely the wisdom of men.

It appears utterly inconceivable to the mind of man, that the eternal Son of the eternal God should take upon himself the form of a servant ; that he, who established the world and fixed the mountains, should clothe himself in the weakness of a mortal body; that he, whom the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain, should be cradled in the manger of Bethlehem. Yet this fact, strange as it may appear, and inconsistent with the dignity of the Son of God, is celebrated by the angels, as contributing to his highest glory. These angels came, with the astonished shepherds, to gaze on the veiled majesty