SERMON I.' LUKE, ii. 13, 14. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitudeof the heavenly host, praising God, and saying; Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. Sr. Paul, having said, “Without controversy, "great is the mystery of godliness; God was ma"nifest in the flesh," adds among other things, that he "was seen of angels." These heavenly worshippers saw the Lord of glory, their Creator and Sovereign, clothed with human flesh, and laid as an infant in a manger; they saw him tempted by the devil in the wilderness, and ministered to him when he had overcome the enemy; they were spectators of his transfiguration on the mount, and of his agony in the garden; they beheld him expire on the cross; they attended his glorious resurrection ! Preached on Christmas Day, 1795. and ascension; and when he was exalted in human nature to the mediatorial throne, they did him homage, and joined the redeemed in singing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, "and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." For when the Father "bringeth in the First begotten into the "world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. Finally they will be attendant and ministering servants, when Christ shall come to raise the dead and judge the world In taking occasion from the present festival to discourse on a subject, with which we should be conversant at every season of the year, 1 shall, I. Make some remarks on the event celebrated by the heavenly host. II. Explain their song of exalted praise and adoration. III. Endeavour to bring the matter home to ourselves by some practical deductions. And may the Lord himself direct and bless our meditations; that we may be animated and assisted, in "keeping a day unto the Lord," after a holy aud heavenly manner; and not in conformity Rev. v. 9-14. * Heb. i. 6. SIGNS and DUTIES of the TIMES, &c. The Doctrines of ELECTION and FINAL PERSEVER- sent me. All that the Father and him that cometh unto For I came down from but the will of him that SERMON.-John vi. 37-40. PAGE 517 569 |