deur; but when they saw Jesus, they perceived no beauty, that they should desire him. Christians, enlightened from above, have very different views of Messiah. To them his birth, though in a stable, appears glorious. They receive the glad tidings of his birth with grateful hearts; and know, by certain experience, that he is a Saviour, and a GREAT ONE.-Many remarkable circumstances took place at his birth. Angels came down from heaven to worship at his feet. "When he (the Father) bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." It is said, though some have doubted it, that the temple of Janus, at Rome, was then shut, in token of universal peace; but even those who deny its being shut at that time, allow that the world was then more tranquil than it had been for a long time before, and that the period when Jesus descended upon earth may be called, The pacific age. A favourable time for the setting up of that kingdom which is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."-Some men are Scourges to mankind; but Jesus was born to be a Saviour. "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' Sinners are lost, and none can save but

Jesus; and he is as willing as he is able to save all that come unto God by him.

2. He was born in the city of David. Bethlehem was but little amongst the thousands of Judah; but it was rendered famous by being the birth-place both of David and Jesus. The prophet Micah foretold that Bethlehem, the city of David, should have the honour of Jesus's birth. "Thou Bethlehem Ephrata, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been of old, from everlasting." The import of the name is à singular circumstance. Bethlehem signifies, The house of bread; and there that glorious person was born who is called The bread of life.

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3. The person born was Christ the Lord. Christ in Greek has the same meaning as Messiah in Hebrew. Both words signify, The anointed. Christ was not anointed with oil, like the jewish priests and kings; but, by the Holy Spirit at his baptism, he was anointed Prophet, Priest, and King. As a Prophet, he was to teach; as a Priest, to atone and intercede; and as a King, to govern and judge. He is called Lord, as the master and governor of his people; and it is a certain mark of genuine chris

tianity, so to call him Lord as to depart from all iniquity. Jesus is Lord over the true church on earth; he is Lord over the glorified church in heaven; and he is Lord of angels.

II. THE PROCLAMATION OF HIS BIRTH, WAS GLAD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY TO ALL PEOPLE.

1. An angel proclaimed his birth. Angels are frequently employed in the affairs of men; and, no doubt, they deem it an honour to be employed, at the divine command, in the service of the meanest saint. But we may suppose, though his name is not mentioned, that this angel was one of the first order and dignity. amongst the angels of God, having had the honour, before any other, to announce the birth of Jesus. The word angel signifies a messenger. Fleming thought that this heavenly messenger was a glorified human spirit, and that the host of angels who sung glory to God, were other glorified human spirits; but it is far more probable, as Grotius and Doddridge think, that it was the angel Gabriel.

2. The proclamation contained good tidings. The birth of Jesus was the best news that ever reached the ears of man. Are we in bondage? He was born to set us free. Are we polluted? He was born

to make us clean. Are we miserable? He was born to make us happy. Are we in the way to hell? He was born to conduct us to heaven. Long had sin and Satan triumphed over the sons of men long had the serpent exercised his artful malice: but, lo, the Saviour now appearsthe friend of man is born!

3. Those tidings were matter of great joy. Inexpressible joy is felt by all who have a saving interest in Jesus. Every part of our salvation affords great joy. There was great joy amongst the angels when Jesus was born; there was great joy amongst the pious of that day who were waiting for his coming; and there was great joy amongst those happy spirits, in the heavenly world, who had been saved by him before he came in the flesh. There are different kinds of joy; carnal and spiritual. The great joy here mentioned is pure and spiritual, solid and permanent; and far exceeds that which this perishing world can afford.

4. This proclamation of good tidings was to all people. The Jews had been a peculiar people; but now the Gentiles were to be called. No future distinction was to be made between one nation and another. People of all nations, and all colours, were to hear the joyful sound of Jesus's birth. The Jews had been separated for the good

of other nations, just as God raises up great and good men for the good of others; but under the gospel dispensation "there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Seythian, bond nor free but Christ is all, and in all."

III. REMARKS UPON THE FESTIVAL OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY.

1. This festival is commonly called Christmas, which signifies the festival of Christ. Formerly the word mass signified a festival, and was used in this sense before the introduction of the sacrament of the mass in the Romish Church. By whatever name we call this festival, it seems right to observe it by way of a thankful commemoration of this great and glorious event. The best name is, The nativity of our Lord. Popish names and customs are generally both irrational and unscrip tural.

2. We should commemorate this event in the true spirit of christianity. To the shame and scandal of nations professing the religion of Christ, it is now observed, generally, as a carnal festival. Hell seems let loose, and devils triumph over the nations at this period. One who is temperate every other part of the year, thinks he may be allowed to indulge in gluttony at Christmas. Many never play