The Evangelist tells us that the Holy Ghost was upon him. This is not to be understood merely of his sharing of the grace of the Spirit, but it hath a reference to his extraordinary influence as the Spirit of prophecy. The gift of prophecy had not been vouchsafed since the days of Malachi; and after a suspension of four hundred years, it was now imparted to signalize the birth of Christ. The knowledge of the future is the object of eager curiosity to man; and no study hath been deemed too severe and no sacrifice too great to attain it; but the insight arising from the Spirit of prophecy comes from the noblest source; is an intelligence which could have been obtained by no other means; and is marked by a certainty to which the most sagacious speculations of human foresight have no pretensions.

There were prophetic intimations which were afflicting to those to whom they were given, from the calamities and the judgments which they made known as approaching; but these made to Simeon related to the happiest event that ever took place on earth, and from which blessings should flow, extensive as its wide population and lasting as eternity.

You have no reason to expect any supernatural revelations. The idea, that some aged persons have power to predict what is future, is a gross conceit of superstition; and this peculiar penetration of theirs has been supposed to arise from the disclosures made to them by the devil: but to show the things which are to come hereafter is not his prerogative; and all the pretences made to it by oracles and divinations, by astrologers and fortune-tellers, have been the im

pudent quackery of imposture. It is enough for you that the Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you; that ye are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise; and that He is the earnest of your future and unfading inheritance.

But we are also informed, that it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. It might be suggested to Simeon by others, and the idea might arise in his own mind, that he was too far advanced in years to have any rational hope of seeing the Messiah in the flesh. Every feeling of infirmity, and every token of decay, would have increased his-anxiety; but this was precluded by this gracious intimation of Heaven, which was given as the reward of his faith and patience. This intimation was not the dream of dotage, or the assurance of flattery, but proceeded from the Spirit of wisdom. In this intimation he might feel confident amidst all the infirmities of age, all the delay so trying to nature, and all the instances of mortality around him.

You may feel solicitous to live till events have happened which have long been the object of your anxious expectation. Many an aged parent has wished to live till he saw a long-absent son return to him in safety, and thinks that if he were near him to lay his hand on his eyes he would cheerfully depart. Many an aged saint has desired to live till he saw institutions formed and plans accomplished for the promotion of wisdom and godliness, and feels that with the expectations which they warrant he could leave the world without regret. Providence may not protract

your life till this is the case; but if you in your last hour see the Saviour coming to receive you to himself, you need not repine at your not beholding aught which this earthly scene can present to the view.

But let us attend to the happy fulfilment of this intimation. As it became our Lord to fulfil all righteousness, in his infancy and childhood there was an exact compliance, on the part of his parents, with the requirements of the law; and at the appointed time they brought the babe to the temple, that they might present him to the Lord, and pay the redemptionmoney for him. At this very period Simeon was led to the temple, and there received the end of his faith. It is easy to see why this place was selected for his meeting with the infant Redeemer. As a devout man the temple had been the scene of his favourite resort; in its services he had felt the highest delight; even in old age he was glad when it was said to him, "Go ye up to the house of the Lord;" and often had he poured forth there the ardent wish of his soul,"Oh! that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion ;" and with the utmost propriety was he in this place blessed with the sight for which he had so long waited.

To aged Christians I may say, it is in the sanctuary of God that you have your best discoveries of the Divine glory. It is there where the promise shall be accomplished to you, "Thine eye shall see the King in his beauty, and behold the land that is afar off;" and in the dedication of the young there to the Lord shall feel the assurance, that all things are yours, because ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

you

pudent quackery of imposture. It is enough for you that the Spirit of God and of glory resteth upon you; that ye are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise; and that He is the earnest of your future and unfading inheritance.

But we are also informed, that it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. It might be suggested to Simeon by others, and the idea might arise in his own mind, that he was too far advanced in years to have any rational hope of seeing the Messiah in the flesh. Every feeling of infirmity, and every token of decay, would have increased his-anxiety; but this was precluded by this gracious intimation of Heaven, which was given as the reward of his faith and patience. This intimation was not the dream of dotage, or the assurance of flattery, but proceeded from the Spirit of wisdom. In this intimation he might feel confident amidst all the infirmities of age, all the delay so trying to nature, and all the instances of mortality around him.

You may feel solicitous to live till events have happened which have long been the object of your anxious expectation. Many an aged parent has wished to live till he saw a long-absent son return to him in safety, and thinks that if he were near him to lay his hand on his eyes he would cheerfully depart. Many an aged saint has desired to live till he saw institutions formed and plans accomplished for the promotion of wisdom and godliness, and feels that with the expectations which they warrant he could leave the world without regret. Providence may not protract

your life till this is the case; but if you in your last hour see the Saviour coming to receive you to himself, you need not repine at your not beholding aught which this earthly scene can present to the view.

But let us attend to the happy fulfilment of this intimation. As it became our Lord to fulfil all righteousness, in his infancy and childhood there was an exact compliance, on the part of his parents, with the requirements of the law; and at the appointed time they brought the babe to the temple, that they might present him to the Lord, and pay the redemptionmoney for him. At this very period Simeon was led to the temple, and there received the end of his faith. It is easy to see why this place was selected for his meeting with the infant Redeemer. As a devout man the temple had been the scene of his favourite resort; in its services he had felt the highest delight; even in old age he was glad when it was said to him, "Go ye up to the house of the Lord;" and often had he poured forth there the ardent wish of his soul,"Oh! that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion ;" and with the utmost propriety was he in this place blessed with the sight for which he had so long waited.

To aged Christians I may say, it is in the sanctuary of God that you have your best discoveries of the Divine glory. It is there where the promise shall be accomplished to you, "Thine eye shall see the King in his beauty, and behold the land that is afar off ;" and in the dedication of the young there to the Lord you shall feel the assurance, that all things are yours, because ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.