For He

message was to be communicated! the one a being, selected from the highest order of angels who stand in the presence of God; the other a poor, though pious woman, a humble descendant of Abraham, the father of the faithful. Yet it is the purpose of God hereafter to make his redeemed and sanctified people "equal to the angels;" and here we have a type of what will then take place. For the distinction between the exalted angel and the humble believer seems, in this case, to be almost levelled. who is the Lord of Gabriel and of all the angels, and who is to "take upon himself the form of a servant," purposes to make Mary his mother, according to the flesh. The archangel therefore descends, and Mary rises. He who is the Creator and Father of all rational beings can, at his pleasure, level all distinctions between them. The exalted messenger addressed Mary- Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: Blessed art thou among women. not, Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David; and he shall reign over the house of David for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." It is here predicted that Christ, the Son of God, shall exercise unlimited authority, and possess everlasting dominion. On Mary's questioning how this thing could be, seeing it

'

Fear

was impossible, according to the established course of human events, the angel informed her that glorious personage was to be introduced into the world by the special intervention of almighty power. "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." The circumstances of the case, with respect to Joseph, are noticed in the passage that immediately follows the words of the text. "When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph, her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Here then we contemplate the Son of God, "made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." This is the seed of the woman, who was appointed to bruise the serpent's head. This is the seed of Abraham, in whom all the nations and families of the earth are to be blessed. This is the illustrious offspring of David, of whom it is declared that the throne of his kingdom shall be

in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and

Amen."

SERMON VI.

CONTENTMENT.

HEBREWS xiii. 5.

BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE.

MANY duties enjoined on us in the scripture may be denominated personal. Such are those which refer to the tempers and dispositions of the mind. The reality of our religion is to be proved by its effects upon our heart, as well as by its influence on our conduct. As candidates for a blessed immortality, we are required to “ put off the old man, and to be renewed in the spirit of our mind." Unless our religion produce these effects, where is the evidence of our possessing that faith, which is so essentially connected with salvation? the principle that "worketh by love, purifieth the heart, and overcometh the world."

The subject on which your attention is requested, at present, is Contentment. This is a virtue excellent in itself, acceptable to God, and beneficial to its possessor. It is a Christian grace, the experience and exercise of which will, even in the present

people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.— And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." The birth of Christ brought glad tidings of joy to all people; shall not we then participate in it? Shall we refuse our songs of gratitude and praise in commemoration of the birth of Him from whom we expect salvation? Who is there among us that does not need an interest in the blessings procured by the Saviour's birth? Who is there that does not need the merit of his atonement? Who is there to whom the efficacy of his grace is not necessary? No human being can be saved without an interest in the Redeemer's merits. For there is salvation in no other: neither is there any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. Jesus is the only Saviour, and he is the universal Saviour: for there is no one who may not, by a believing application to him, be interested in the blessings of his incarnation. Let those then refuse their songs of praise who despise and reject the offers of reconciliation and peace with heaven.

Let us consider fourthly,

IV. The character of Jesus as Emmanuel, God with us.

66

'And behold, a virgin shall be with child, and