more sensible of the evil of sin; the loving child gives his heart more freely and entirely to God, till his "love is made perfect, that he may have boldness in the day of judgment." The faithful increase in faith, and are "kept by the power of God unto salvation:" the holy "seed" remaineth in him "who is born of God," so that "he cannot commit sin:" he who formerly, in all lowliness of mind, feared and strove, "lest he should be a castaway," at length speaks exultingly of "the crown of glory, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give him in that day:" "the path of the just shineth more and more unto the perfect day;" while "the ungodly will not see nor understand, but walk on still in darkness"-" groping as if they had no eyes, and stumbling at noon-day as in the night."

We must leave it to the heart and conscience of each individual to apply this subject to himself; and the right application will form a test of each one's state. Let me recommend it to your meditations when you are reading the word of God, and especially to be borne in mind at the hour of prayer, at any more solemn moments which are set apart for searching your heart and ways, of "judging yourselves, that you may not be condemned with the world." And may the God of truth give us a right understanding in all things!

SERMON XIV.

THE BIRTH-PLACE OF JESUS CHRIST A SIGN TO RICH AND POOR.

LUKE, ii. 11, 12. Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

"WHAT think ye of Christ? Whose son is he?" was a question put to the Pharisees by our Lord. And it proved a snare to them. For upon their answering readily, "The son of David," he confounded them by demanding again how this could be, when "David, himself speaking by the Spirit, calls him Lord ?" They could not see, or were backward to acknowledge that marvellous union of the divine with the human nature, by which Christ was Lord of David and of all men, as God; while, as man, he was lineally descended from that great monarch. Perhaps the mean appearance of the blessed Jesus was a stumbling-stone to them, and blinded their eyes, in this, as in other instances. And when we read of "Christ the Lord" being born in a stable and laid in a manger, may we not

ask of our congregations, "What think ye of him"- the son of David, and Son of God? This were but an unseemly birth-place for a descendant of one so renowned in story, and so beloved of God, as David was ; but how should the Son of God be brought so low? Doth not this offend you? It was an occasion of grievous offence to the Jews, and to some heretics of old. And such signs of a low condition have been a stumbling-block in the way of unbelievers in every age; who have fulfilled the prophecy in themselves" they have stumbled at that stumbling. stone." But, to speak as our Lord spake once to the Jews" Doth this offend you?" What and if ye shall see the Son of man despised and rejected by those among whom he went about doing good, cast out of Jerusalem, as he was now at Bethlehem, and given up into the hands of wicked men, to be mocked, and scourged, and crucified! If God vouchsafe to show us wonderful things in our salvation, it becomes us to admire in silence; say rather, to adore with thankfulness, like those who witnessed the marvel, and glorified God on account of it. It did not offend the thousands and tens of thousands that stand about the throne; for no sooner had the words in the text been spoken, but "suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host

praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest." It did not offend the poor simple shepherds; for they went straight to Bethlehem, and saw the strange sight, and returned “ 'glorifying and praising God." And let us, I beseech you, accept the sign with thankfulness, and rejoice in the blessing of which it assures us, as good tidings of great joy to us and to all people.

A preceding discourse was intended to show that the Gospel, as revealed from heaven by Jesus Christ, is a trial of the faith and love of those to whom it is brought; that He the Saviour of the world-is" a sign that shall be spoken against," that so "the thoughts of men's hearts may be revealed." We have, in the passage before us, a sign given to the Jewish shepherds, and in them to all whom the tidings may reach; and with this may be joined that other circumstance of shame which marked the childhood of Jesus, that he was bred up at Nazareth. These are signs to all in every age, both rich and poor, for "putting down the mighty from their seat, and exalting them of low degree;" whereby "they that exalt themselves shall be abased, and they that humble themselves shall be exalted." This, which is declared by our Lord to be the effect of his Gospel in the world, was shown at his birth by the meanness

of his condition, and the place where he lay. Herein "this child was a sign which would be much spoken against," by those who looked for a temporal deliverer of Israel, and by the proud and mighty and wise in this world's wisdom, wherever they may be. It is a severe trial of faith, "a stone of stumbling, and rock of offence." But "it is the power of God unto salvation, to them that believe;" who humble their hearts before him; and thereby are enabled to see that "the power of God is stronger than men, and the wisdom of God is wiser than men." Oh may we be of the number of those who are thus made wise unto salvation!-Let us then, like the shepherds, "go even to Bethlehem, and see this great sight which the Lord hath made known to us," and learn the lesson which he would teach us herein. The token whereby we may find our Lord and Saviour at his birth is both instructive and of sovereign efficacy; manifesting the riches of divine grace in the work of salvation, and furthering that work in the hearts and lives of believers.

"The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." Fallen from their original uprightness ("from how great height fallen!") they will still encourage proud and lofty thoughts concerning themselves; and must be brought as