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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. For He 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.

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He who is the Creator and Father of all rational beings can, at his pleasure, level all distinctions between them. The exalted mes66 Hail, thou that art senger addressed Maryhighly 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. Mary's questioning how this thing could be, seeing it

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of God in the soul. If a man depart from God and his ways, and at the same time console himself with the doctrine of perseverance, he is deceiving himself and practically demonstrating the unsoundness of his heart. And, surely, such a man has no reason to suppose anything of himself; but that he is destitute of true godliness, without Christ, and without hope. Real religion, therefore, must be demonstrated by our continuance in it to the end. The seed sown in the stony ground continued for a while, and so did that among the thorns: but it was only for a while. At length both withered and came to nought. The seed in the good ground was that alone which struck a deep and lasting root, and brought forth fruit unto perfection. Many things may occasion a temporary profession of religion; but it is only the grace of God changing the heart that will enable man to continue unto the end in vital godliness, and lead him to the possession of glory, honour, and immortality.

4. Finally, from this subject we may learn the importance of self-examination respecting the reality of our religion.

It is not enough, dear brethren, to manifest our possession of true godliness, merely by having our understandings enlightened with respect to the leading doctrines of the gospel. Light in the understanding will not save us without grace in the heart. Let us then exemplify the apostolic precept, and "examine ourselves whether we be in the faith." Let us ask ourselves, individually, what evidence

established for ever. Peculiar care is taken by the evangelists to prove that in this, as well as in all other respects, the predictions of the holy scriptures were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Accordingly St. Matthew records his genealogy from David and Abraham by the side of Joseph, his reputed father; and St. Luke traces his origin from David, Abraham, and Adam, in the line of Mary, his real mother. We pass on to consider

III. The nativity of Jesus Christ.

One of the prophecies respecting the birth of Christ, had foretold, that he should be born in Bethlehem. But Mary dwelt at Nazareth, a place at a considerable distance from Bethlehem, not much less than fourscore miles. How then must this scripture be fulfilled? Every thing is easy to the providence of God. The Roman emperor Augustus is now to be made the instrument of the divine counsels. He determines that a census shall be made of the population of his immense empire, and therefore publishes a decree, that all the persons in his dominions shall be enrolled for the purpose of a general taxation. In consequence of this decree, the inhabitants of Judea, which was now a Roman province the sceptre, according to prophecy, having departed from Judah before Shiloh came obliged to repair to the place, where the original inheritance of their families lay. Accordingly, "Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, (because he was of the

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exalted Redeemer. You will be owned and confessed by him before angels and men, and be graciously addressed by him in the words of the promise, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Glorified in body and soul, you will then enter the state and the place from which all the painful consequences and effects of sin will be everlastingly banished; you will for ever dwell in the city of God, where "there shall be no more curse : but the throne of God, and the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever." Amen.

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NOW THE BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST WAS ON THIS WISE.

EVERYTHING in nature and in providence is full of mystery. Every leaf of the tree, every flower of the field, and every pebble in the brook, possesses qualities which a child is capable of observing and comprehending; while at the same time it contains hidden properties, which the wisest philosopher cannot find out to perfection. In all the ways and works of God, there is a simplicity level to the meanest understanding; and at the same time a depth and complexness, which confound the most enlarged mind. But if all the operations both of nature and providence present this combination, it is peculiarly displayed in the amazing scheme of redemption, the dawn of which shone forth in the incarnation of our blessed Saviour. "Great is the mystery of godliness! God manifest in the flesh." So exclaimed the inspired apostle; and should not the wondrous theme excite our admiration and

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