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his divinity? I find many things ascribed to him, which cannot belong to him as God; and I find others ascribed to him, which cannot pertain to him as man and here is the solution of the difficulty"God was manifest in the flesh." A combination of grandeur and abasement. Whose birth could have been more obscure and degrading? What welcome was given him? What preparation was made for him? "The world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not." A poor young female was his mother; a stable his chamber, and a manger his cradle-because there was no room at the inn. But whose birth was ever so glorious? Ye gods of the earth, bring forth your first-bornbut no new star sparkles over where the young child is. No wise men come miraculously from the East to worship him. No angel comes down. No heavenly choir sing his birth. No command is given, Yea, and let all the angels of God worship him. No spirit of prophecy breathes inspiration. No Simeon waits for him as the consolation of Israel. No Anna speaks of him to all those who look for redemption.

We also see a prodigy of benevolence. Every thing says, Behold a love that passeth knowledge. His former condition-he was rich and became poor. His independence and choice: he was not constrained to enter such a state-Lo! I come, says he he gave his life a ransom for us. The principle that moved him-it was not our desert; but his own mercy. He came into the world to save sinners: he died for the ungodly in his love and pity he redeemed us. His not waiting for our application, arising from a sense of our need of Him-His engaging, in foresight of all the degree and extent of his sufferingsHis going through the whole, without repenting of the expensive undertaking-His accomplishing it with delight.

"Oh! for this love, let rocks and hills
"Their lasting silence break;
"And all harmonious human tongues
"The Saviour's praises speak!"

Here, also, we see an example for our imitation. Did he thus despise worldly distinctions? and shall we admire them? Shall we seek great things for ourselves? Such a Christian by the side of the manger! Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. Shall we find it difficult to condescend to men of low estate, and to exercise self-denial in doing good? "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." Did he not only stoop so low, but suffer so much, for us; and shall we not be willing to endure any privations, and incur any sacrifices, for our brethren? "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savour.'

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Great as this thing is which has come to pass, there are many who will refuse to take a step to see it. Even at the very festival, which is the commemoration of it, they will be found any where rather than at Bethlehem; and be attracted to every thing, rather than to that sight, which the shepherds left their flocks, and made haste to see; which the Eastern sages came such a vast distance to behold; and which drew all heaven down to earth. while they observe the day by a freedom from labour, not only neglect, but insult the subject of it; and, by intemperance and riot, revive the works of the Devil, which the Son of God was manifested to destroy.

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But let us call off our attention from the little, debasing, vexing, defiling things of the world, and

repair to the Infant of Bethlehem, the desire of all nations. Let us give him the glory which is due unto his holy Name; and say, "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Let us behold in him provision made for our recovery, the most suitable to our wants, and adequate to our relief; and placed entirely within our reach. Let us embrace him; and exclaim, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us this is the Lord; we have waited for him: we will be glad, and rejoice in his salvation."

And let our zeal and gratitude be equal to our joy. And let us follow the shepherds not only in our going, but in our return-" And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child"-" And they returned glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen."

DEC. 28.-" And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless." Luke i. 6.

THIS worthy couple are known as the father and mother of a very illustrious personage; of whom the Judge of all said, "Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." But while Zacharias and Elisabeth derive distinction from their son, they are worthy of attention, personally considered. Though not distinguished by worldly grandeur, they were great in the sight of the Lord; and, though their names are not recorded in the annals of national history,

their characters will be had in everlasting remembrance in the Scriptures of truth. Five things are here said of their piety.

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It was sincere They were righteous before God. Many are righteous before men, who only look on the outward appearance: but the Lord, who searcheth the heart, and sees actions in their motives, disowns them. A large assembly may be convened together, and be engaged in the same exercises; but they only worship Him, who worship him in Spirit and in truth. What are we in His estimation? He that judgeth us, is the Lord.

-It was practical-They walked in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. Divine truth is important; yet, if we know these things, happy are we only if we do them. Practice is nothing without principle: and what proof have we of the reality and excellency of principle, without practice? "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes; and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." We do not undervalue experience; but the Scripture requires something more than good feelings-"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." A good conscience will always be accompanied with a good conversation. He is a vain man, who says he has faith, and hath not works-Can such faith save him?

It was impartial-They walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. None are universally wicked. Vices are often inconsistent with each other-prodigality opposes avarice, and covetousness complains of extravagance. All do something-for conscience must be appeased; but they are determined in their selections, by the easiness of the thing, or its relation to some one of their interests-They have no regard to the will of Godfor if their observance sprang from a regard to his pleasure, this would lead them to avoid every thing

which he has forbidden, and to inquire after every thing he has enjoined. "Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments." "Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord, that walketh in his ways."

It was irreproachable-They walked in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. It is not said, they were sinless. The subjects of Divine grace will always have enough to bewail before God, instead of saying, I have attained, I am already perfect. But it is a mercy (and this is possible) to be preserved from those falls which injure our reputation and influence; and also from those imprudences which draw upon a man the reproach of folly or weakness, when he is not taxable with sin; and from those veerings of opinion, which are yet consistent with some degree of fixed principle in higher things. It is well when our good cannot be evil spoken of; and we are without offence till the day of Christ.

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It was mutual-They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless. This is not the case in every family. In some houses, there is no fear of God in either master or mistress, father or mother, husband or wife. In others, there is one of these relations godly-and only one. They are joined together by marriage, but not in the Lord. difference may be accounted for three ways. of the parties may have been called after their affinity-neither of them knowing God at the time of contracting it. Or one of the parties may have deceived the other-and some are guarded and craftyand those who are upright themselves, are generally free from suspicion. Or the religious individual was perhaps (how strange!) careless upon this subject; and did not feel religion, in his choice, the one thing needful; or was bribed, against his conviction, by other things. The two former cases deserve pity;

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