and consequently admits of nothing as true, which it does not comprehend. The first article of her creed is to extend her belief no further than her senses. Nay, the same principles on which she exploded whatever comes not under their inspection, are, by our modern refiners in sophistry, sometimes fatal to themselves. Before the phantom, which epidemical scepticism thus conjures up to rid her votaries of their fears, and extend the pride of opinion, the whole material system often shrinks into nothing.

Yet there is not an axiom in geometry more self evident and decisive, than that whatever proves too much, proves nothing; and who knows not that this primary article in our holy religion, has the honour to be reprobated with the whole scale of being. For Heaven and Earth, and all, that we see, or hear, or feel, are disclaimed by the same arguments which have been urged against the reality of this wonderful doctrine.

Another circumstance which accompanied this event, and which on that account merits our attention, is, that the æra of Christ's nativity, interesting as it was to the children of men, was not announced by any of those fulsome forms of ostentatious splendour which mark the birth of the great. His kingdom was not of this world, and he designed not to borrow its rites. But his insignia are stamped in the Heavens. The star which accompanied his assumption of humanity proclaimed to surrounding worlds, that as he was the Maker, he would also be the Saviour of all. And is not our meeting together on this joyful occasion a grateful memorial, that the beams of this propitious and benignant luminary were not confined to the hemisphere of Judea? The wonderous phænomenon was recognised in the groves of solitude and science: its indications of divi

nity were too palpable to be mistaken. 66 We have seen (said the wise men) his star, and are come to adore him."* It is always thus that true wisdom, under the greatest disadvantages, modestly perseveres in the acquisitton of useful knowledge. Ye fanatics who would separate religion and learning, behold in this instance their early junction, and be silent! Ye sceptics who compliment philosophy at the expense of the gospel, come hither, see her more distinguished votaries and adepts doing homage at the feet of Jesus, and blush!

But what could be the meaning of a notification, at once so conspicuous and singular? did it not presage the nature, dignity and extent of that religion, which the Son of God was about to establish in the world? Yes! it was the beauteous emblem of that light, which enlightened the Gentiles. For the spectres of idolatry fled, as the Sun of Righteousness arose. It is chronicled among other Jewish antiquities, when the ark of the Covenant fell into the hands of the enemy, and was placed in an heathen temple, that all the images and gods fell down before it. Like the stars, when the sun ascends the meridian, and bursts on the world with a flood of glory, the dæmons of paganism thus lost their lustre in the heavenly effulgence of Christianity.. Illustrious births are generally accompanied with conspicuous signals and demonstrations of joy. Yet, the most memorable babe that ever was born, came into the world as it were by stealth. That night which can never be forgotten, was as little no. ticed by the bulk of mankind, as others.

Was this astonishing occurrence, then, wholly inglorious and obscure? Were angels as mute

* Mat. ii. 2.

and unconcerned at the birth of a Saviour, as those whom he came to save? While the earth remained unconscious of the matchless obligation, how were the heavens affected? Go to the adjacent fields of Bethlem, where innocence and simplicity, in sweetest union, and far from the delicacies of luxury, participated the purest joys, and indulged the finest insensilities: there the homely and harmless peasants, whose hearts were not employed with projects of ambition-whose heads were not intoxicated with the pride of philosophy, witness the first and most affecting celebration of this sublime mystery; for while they watched their flocks by night, they were suddenly surrounded and surprized by celestial splendour! What charming melody is that, breaking the silence of the night, and tasting strong of heaven? It is a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God in strains of highest rapture. Shepherds! blessed were the eyes which beheld the benignant vision, and the ears which heard the joyful news! Though your heads were wet with dew, and your locks with the drops of the night, to none of the princes of this world were the glad tidings of. salvation thus early and explicitly announced.

It is impossible not to observe with equal astonishment and surprize, that the world was so little affected by an event thus essential to its welfare. This, perhaps, is the most extraordinary circumstance of all, that dignified and distinguished that occasion. Those already specified were evidently adapted by Providence to assert the importance, and attest the truth of his character. But what shall we say of the meanness, the ignominy, the contempt to which the Son of God condescended in taking upon him the form of a man!

The gospel accounts sufficiently for this mys terious particular in the history of its Author. It is intended to suppress the arrogant, and elevate all the milder sensibilities of the heart. Christ came to inculcate the principles of virtue and religious wisdom; not to swell the passions, or stimulate the wishes of ambition, but to refine fallen and degraded human nature; not to pamper the appetites of men, but to wean them from the sensual and temporary enjoyments of this life, by those of a rational, spiritual, and immortal kind. It was, indeed, one capital object of this divine embassy, to set the insignificance of those things which dazzle our senses, and mislead our hearts, in the strongest and most affecting point of view. And how could he do it more effectually, than by the poverty and abjection in which he made his appearance and progress through life?

The most likely means of detaching his disciples from the world, was giving them in this manner, an example of living above it. Nor can they consistently be covetous of distinctions, which are so uniformly despised by their master. However, therefore, the children of avarice and ambition should call themselves by his name, they have not his signature, they belong not to him.

O then Christians, if you sincerely desire to be his subjects, if you ardently wish to have the dispositions which are necessary to the worthily cebrating the festival of his nativity, enter into the designs of your Saviour, who by elevating your desires above the world, desires to elevate you to his glory. Come, behold your Messiah, your King, born in a stable, lodging in a manger. Hear him saying to his disciples, "the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests, but the

son of man hath not where to lay his head."* Learn from this example, not to place your happiness in the possession of earthly goods. Die to the world, die to its pleasures, die to its pomps. Aspire after other ends and nobler joys, than those of the children of this world, and then worldly happiness cannot fascinate you. Then the Lord who came into the world, to open to you the gates of glory, after death will comfort you under its fears. This consolation, the King, the Messiah, will afford.. When thou Christian art confined to thy dying bed, he will approach thee with all the attractive charms of his power and grace he will say to thee, "Fear not thou worm of Jacob:"+ he will whisper these comfortable words in thine ear; "This day thou thou shalt be with me in Paradise. '+

These my brethren, are the dispositions with which you are to celebrate the birth of your King and Messiah. Do not imagine that this festival requires no preparation of you.

Do

not imagine that you shall celebrate it as you ought, if you content yourselves with attending. at a few discourses, during which, perhaps, while present in body, you may be absent in spirit: or with laying aside your temporal cares, and your most turbulent passions, at the door of the house of God, in order to take them up again as soon as you leave it. The King Messiah is about to make his triumphal entry among you. With what pomp do the children of this world celebrate the entries of their princes? they strew the roads with flowers, they raise triumphal arches, they express their joy in shouts and songs of praise; Come then my brethren, let us this day