example it represented the same nature with a distinction of persons. In both cases its explanation and illustration are beyond mortal ken, as far as relates to what is comprehended by and in the essence of the Deity. But though in this sense the term, with reference to Christ, has insuperable difficulties, still with one, i. e. the human nature of our Saviour, we are so far familiar, as to bring the subject on a level with our comprehension, practically, though not philosophically. Bishop Burnet thus judiciously expresses himself. "What a person is that results from a close conjunction of two natures we can only judge of by considering man, in whom there is a material and a spiritual nature joined together. They are two natures as different as any we can apprehend among all created beings; yet these make but one being. The matter of which the body is composed does not subsist by itself, is not under all those laws of motion to which it would be subject, if it were mere in

out conversion or transmutation of one nature into another. Thirdly, The natures were also joined adiaperws, undividedly, i. e. so that they have not distinct subsistences, or do not constitute two persons. Fourthly, We must also understand the natures to be united axwptorws, inseparably; so that they never are severed; the union is never dissolved; the same person never ceasing to be both God and man. Vol. ii. serm. xxiii. p. 338.

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animated matter; but by the indwelling and actuation of the soul it has another spring within it, and has another course of operations. According to this then, to subsist by another, is when a being is acting according to its natural properties, but yet in a constant dependence upon another being; so our bodies subsist by the subsistence of our souls. This may help us to apprehend how that, as the body is still a body, and operates as a body, though it subsists by the indvelling and actuation of the soul; so in the person of Jesus Christ the human nature was entire, and still acted according to its own character, yet there was such an union and inhabitation of the eternal word in it, that there did arise out of that a communication of names and characters as we find in the Scriptures." The learned Bishop adds, "the ideas that we have of what is material, and what is spiritual, lead us to distinguish in a man those descriptions that belong to his body, from those that belong to his mind: so the different apprehensions that we have of what is created and uncreated, must be our thread to guide us into the resolution of those various expressions that occur in the Scriptures concerning Christ "."

Burnet on the XXXIX Articles. Art. ii. p. 67.

Q. What benefits do we derive from a consideration of our blessed Lord's incarnation?

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d

A. We become sensible of the wonderful goodness and mercy of God. In this, beyond all things else, "the love of God was manifested, that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live by him." Now that, through the tender mercy of our God, the day-spring from on High hath visited us"," we are freed from the curse which our first parents' transgression entailed in their posterity. We are raised to a capacity of salvation. We are admitted to the privilege of the sons of God, The same Holy Spirit, which, overshadowing the blessed Virgin, caused the generation of our Redeemer, causeth also our regeneration through him.

Let us then show ourselves worthy of this gift of grace, this adoption to be the children of God. Let us strive to elevate our desires to a level with the exaltation of our nature, which it hath derived from the Son of God becoming partaker of it with us. as he was pure; holy, as he was holy. Then indeed will the coming of Christ be to us the door of salvation, which leadeth unto everlasting life.

Let us strive to be pure

SECTION II.

Born of the Virgin Mary,

Q. What account is given in the New Testament of the nativity of our Saviour?

A. There is a very interesting description of the event in the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, where it is stated, that the Virgin Mary was with her espoused husband Joseph at Bethlehem in Judea, (whither they had gone to be taxed according to a decree from Cæsar Augustus) when" the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born Son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

Q. Were any famous prophecies fulfilled by the time, and place, and manner of our Saviour's birth?

A. Yes. Daniel had foretold the time; Micah the place; and Isaiah the manner of his birth.

First, The fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy we have already noticed.

Secondly, The words of Micah are," But

• Daniel ix. 25. Vide p. 96, Art. ii. of this work.

thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that is to be the Ruler of Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." Which prophecy is thus alluded to in St. Matthew. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the East, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief Priests and Scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him in Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet (Micah); and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah, for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel "." Allusion is also made to the same prophecy by St. John, "Hath not the Scripture said, that Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was "?" Thirdly, Isaiah says, "Therefore the Lord

f Micah v. 2.

8 Matt. ii. 1-6.

John vii. 42.