Christ, the divine perfections are peculiarly displayed; that the happiness of angels and men consists in beholding the glory of God; and hence the divine perfections must be a delightful object of contemplation to all holy beings. It is so to saints on earth, and much more so to angels in heaven; for the more holy, any being is, the greater is his delight in beholding the perfections of God. This display in the incarnation of Christ, must be exceedingly delightful to angels. It constitutes their happiness. Hence we have this representation in the revelation, " And I beheld and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blossing." These ascriptions were made to Christ, by the angels, because he became incarnate and died on the cross. Though in one respect, the incarnation of Christ was particularly designed and adapted to the advantage of fallen creatures; yet angels share in the benefits resulting from this display of the divine perfections.

and of redeemed sinners.

Further to show why the incarnation of Christ is a joyful event, I would observe, that by this act he became the head of angels Said an inspired Apostle, Ye are complete in him,” that is Christ, "who is the head of all principality and power." This is greatly to the interest both of saints and angels, because they are laid under advantages for a more intimate intercourse and communion with

God, through Jesus Christ. The divine nature is in finitely distant from all created natures; and it is there. fore for the advantage of angels as well as men, that God should come down to them in a created nature, and become, in this nature, their head. By the incarnation of Christ, saints and angels are gathered into one society, "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Angels rejoice to see this family enlarged; even the addition of one sinner, by repentance, to this family gives joy to the angels of God. The heavenly society is rendered more complete by the accession of saints, and they will mutually contribute to each other's happiness.

Another reason why the incarnation of Christ is a joyful event is, that Satan will be wholly disappointed of his end in tempting man to sin. By procuring the fall of man, Satan designed to disappoint God of the glory he intended in the creation of man; and at the same time to gratify his envy in the total destruction of the human race. But by the incarnation of Christ, he is disappointed in both these ends. God will be greatly glorified in man. His wisdom, his justice, and his mercy have been, and will be wonderfully displayed; and an innumerable company of sinful creatures are restored to the divine favour here, and will be brought to his presence hereafter. And though many of mankind are left to suffer the just demerit of sin, yet this does not answer Satan's design, for even by this, God will be glorified. That there should be opportunity for God to exhibit all his glorious perfections in the brightest manner to the intelligent creation;

that all creatures must have the best advantages to see what being God is, and have the best advantages to love, admire and praise him, is peculiarly desirable. That sinners might be redeemed from sin and misery and brought to a state of perfect holiness, in a way, which serves above all others to display the perfections of God, and completely to frustrate all the malicious devices of Satan, are events greatly to be desired; and both will be obtained by the incarnation of Christ. But had he not appeared in our nature, all the wisdom, goodness, and grace which now appear, must, for what we can conceive, have been concealed from all intelligent creatures forever; and all the human race have been the victims of total and eternal despair. From all which it appears, that the incarnation of Christ is the most glorious event that ever took place. The observations which have been made will, we hope, show why it is so. Well therefore might the Angel address the shepherds saying, "Behold I bring you good tidings of great joy."

IMPROVEMENT.

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1. From this subject, it appears that the work of redemption is the most glorious of all God's works. This is the work, by which all that glory is brought to God, and all that good to the intelligent system, of which we have spoken. In this work, God has displayed more of himself than in any other work. The work of creation is great and glorious, full of indications of wisdom, power and goodness. But this work was designed only to aid the work of redemption.

Creation will last, comparatively, but a few years; while the work of redemption is "a building of God eternal in the heavens." In redemption the moral perfections of God are peculiarly displayed; and angels are exalted in knowledge and happiness, far beyond what they would otherwise have been;, and great, yea vast numbers of the human race, are actually delivered from the dominion of Satan, and the power of a wicked heart, and disposed to love and praise God, both on earth and in heaven. Now the excellency of every work consists in the wisdom and goodness displayed in it, and in the good resulting from it to creatures. That is evidently the most excellent work, from which result the most glory to God, and the most good to the created system. Does it not appear from our subject, that by the work of Redemption, glory in the highest redounds to God, and the greatest good to his intelligent creatures? This great work is built on Christ, as the chief corner stone, and all the glory of redemption is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. He is the medium, and the brightest, through which creatures can see God; and here God is seen in a much clearer manner than he is, or can be in any other. Indeed Christ is the only medium through which redeeming love is, or could be displayed. As this work opens a way for clearer views of God; a way for God to exhibit himself in all his perfections ; a way to communicate of his fulness to creatures, and by communicating, to raise them to the highest degree of happiness of which they are capable; such a work must above all others be important. To give

being to things, even to creatures is not so great and glorious a work, as to make them happy in a way which reflects the highest honour on their Maker. As redemption does this, it is a greater work than

creation,

2. If the incarnation of Christ is a most joyful event, then it follows, that the gospel contains the best tidings. For the gospel is a history of redemption. It informs us that "God was manifest in the flesh." That" He was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil." That unto us "A Saviour is born, who is Christ the Lord." Is. not this good news? Indeed the very name, Gospel, signifies good news. News to be good, must be true; and this gospel is a "faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." News to be good must bring us information of something to our advantage. The gospel is good news from a far country; from heaven. It is good news, as it reveals a way in which "God can be just and justify him that believeth in Jesus ;"—as it opens to view the divine perfections in the recovery of sinful, and hell deserving creatures. If the provision of a Saviour is a joyful event, then the gospel, which brings us the news, is glad tidings. The gospel assures us of the important fact, that Jesus Christ became incarnate, and informs us of his design, to open a way for the honourable exercise of grace to sinners. The gospel is therefore the best news which was ever heard in our world. For this reason the feet of them, are said to be beautiful, "who bring these