a grand development of covenant love in the person of their incarnate Saviour. "Then shone Almighty power and love, In all their glorious forms; To dwell with mortal worms.' Secondly-They saw the riches of his grace displayed. The term grace, signifies free and unmerited favour. It was grace that provided this glorious Saviour-that placed the church under his caree-that brought him into this world; for the apostle says, "he loved me, and gave himself for me." It was grace supported him through all his sufferings, and sustained his soul in death, when he was called to grapple with the wrath of God, and all the angry powers of hell. Thus, by the grace of God, he tasted death for his children. No doubt but when the shepherds saw him in the manger, they had a faith's view of him on the cross, and saw the riches of grace displayed in the forgiveness of their sins through his all-atoning sacrifice. Thirdly-They saw a fulfilment of prophecy. The incarnation of Christ was one great subject of prophecy. Jacob foretold that "the sceptre should not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until the coming of Shiloh." The word Shiloh, signifies peace, or abundance; and Christ being the Prince of Peace, it is evident that this prophecy referred to him. Besides, the sceptre, or form of government, did depart from Judah when the divine Shiloh came. The Jews not only ceased to exist as a body politic, but have been a scattered people ever since, see Gen. xlix. 10. Another prophecy of the incarnation of Christ, we have in Isa. vii. 14; the prophet says, " Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name Immanuel, which signifies, God with Another prophecy on the same subject, we have in the ninth chapter of Isaiah, and sixth verse: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given; the government shall be upon his shoulders: his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." The reason why this is spoken in the past tense, is to shew that it is the sovereign will and immutable purpose of God; and such is the unalterable nature of his will, and such his faithfulness, that what he purposes to do, is the same as though already done. These and other prophecies were fulfilled when the Saviour was born; therefore, the shepherds saw a fulfilment of prophecy, and saw the faithfulness of God shine. superbly bright! us." Fourthly-They saw God's salvation. That Christ whom they saw, is God's salvation. "I," says Jehovah," will give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the ends of the earth," Isa. xlix. 6. In him its wondrous plan was unfolded, its blessings brought to light, and its riches made known to the sons of men, as they were to Simeon, when he clasped Bethlehem's babe in his arms, and cried, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." It is by Christ sinners are saved from everlasting woe; therefore, in him its glories shine with beams divinely bright. Hence the excellent Kent has observed : "Jesus, the sum and substance is, Of all the gospel scheme; In him salvation all of grace, Shines with refulgent beam." Fifthly-They saw him bruise the serpent's head. According to that glorious declaration, "the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head." As the head is the seat of mischief, so Christ's bruising Satan's head may imply the final overthrow of his kingdom, nonplussing his designs, and bringing his stratagems to nought. Although our illustrious hero died in the field, yet dying he shook the foundations of hell, wounded its infernal prince, and brought life and immortality to light. "I sing my Saviour's wondrous death, He conquer'd when he fell; ""Tis finish'd!" said his dying breath, Thus our glorious Captain obtained the victory for every soldier of the cross; therefore, brethren, the victory is yours through him. Hence, every believer may aid the triumphs of the apostle, and say, "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord," 1 Cor. xv. 52. While the shepherds saw him dash the rising powers of hell, they saw him work out an everlasting salvation for all the chosen seed. Sixthly-They saw God glorified in the grand achievements of Calvary's cross. His law was magnified, and made honourable; yea, more so than it ever could have been by all the obedience of men or angels; his justice was perfectly satisfied-mercy reveredwhile sovereign power maintained its rights, and the blazing glories of the celestial throne appear in all their unsullied lustre. Thus all Jehovah's attributes harmonize in the salvation of sinners; hence David says, "mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other," Ps. lxxxv. 10. and all through Jesus, by whom and by whose work God is for ever glorified; so that he can be just, and yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus. Hence, the Saviour says to his Father, "I have glorified thee on earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." These are the glorious truths which they saw by faith, and seeing rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory, while they saw him rising from the dead and taking his seat in glory. Nov. 23, 1831. A COUNTRY MINISTER. ORIGINAL ESSAYS. LXXIX. THE SAINTS PRESERVED IN A STATE OF HOLINESS BY THE WISDOM AND POWER OF GOD. DURING the time that the saints sojourn on earth they are often exposed to numerous difficulties, nor is it possible that they can evade the lot that has been assigned to them by infinite Wisdom. When the Holy Ghost separated them by his creating power, according to the will of God from this present evil world, a distinction was formed that is to continue for ever in existence. God loved them in the person of his Son before the world was made, and adopted them to be his family. By the same gracious act he gave himself to them as an everlasting portion; and the holy principle of life which they have received from Christ, the head of the election of grace, is preserved by the indwelling of the sacred agent who has communicated it to them. This life is immortal in its nature, and everlasting in its duration: yet there are many in the household of faith who are fearful that they will not continue in the blessed state of being into which they have been supernaturally introduced; and there are others who question the reality of their spiritual birth. It has been admitted by the ancient philosophers, that the providence of God extends generally to all creatures; yet they have absurdly said, that man is so insignificant a creature that he is beneath the notice of God, and his personal concerns are not worthy of his regard. But the word of God is the lamp by which heavenly light is shed upon the path of every traveller to the kingdom of heaven. In it we read, that "the Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom ruleth over all." So minute is the knowledge of God, that persons and things are alike preserved by him: "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father? But the very hairs of your head are all numbered: fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." Since therefore the provident protection of Almighty God reaches to all his creatures, and they are preserved by him for his own glory, the saints who are his peculiar treasure are constantly under his paternal care; they are led and guided by him only where they may best honor his name and government. The faithful Redeemer never promised his followers a state of uninterrupted peace in this world; but he honestly told them that they would be hated by it. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." In this kind expression of the tender-hearted Jesus we perceive that he is accurately acquainted with the state and circumstances of all his feeble followers; and he knows the extent of his love and the procurement of his invaluable life, blood, and sacrificial death at the hands of justice for them. True sanctification is the separation of the church from things hateful and injurious in the sight of God to the possession of spiritual and eternal life. From the moment that this change is effected, a warfare commences that will never terminate until death will dissolve our connexion with this evil world. Yet we are not left without defence; for God has graciously provided for us armour that will never fail to be serviceable in the hour of conflict. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places: wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand: stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked: and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying always with all-prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Jehovah chose his people in the person of his Son to be holy; and the Eternal Spirit is given to them to make them so. It is certain that the production of divine power can never be destroyed, yet the fearful saint often questions whether he shail be preserved in hope of eternal life unto the end of his days. There are many things involved in the preservation of the household of faith, which it will be our interest and happiness to know while we are sojourning in this vale of tears. The wisdom of God is manifested toward his people in the centre where they are united, sanctified, redeemed, and perfected. The union of our nature to one of the persons in the essence of God is the greatest act of sovereignty that we read of in the scriptures; and the provision that was made for the church in the person of the Son of God is an expression of his love and goodness towards his people. In him there is a fulness of grace that is conveyable to his offspring. Divine wisdom, that directs the counsel of God, is evident in the choice of the means by which it is communicated to the poor and needy. By regeneration the love and mercy of God are efficiently made known to the heirs of grace: the qualities and graces which are imparted to them through Christ are the means by which an important distinction is created; and the true believer is placed in a state of conformity to the image and will of God. From that hour the perception, taste, and choice of the mind are radically changed, and desire for heavenly things exists. Divine decision is evident in the election made by a good man; for he resigns the perishable things of time, and he lays hold by faith of the permanent realities of eternity. Before the world began God anticipated the wants of his children, and he provided for them all things pertaining to life and godliness, and settled them upon them in Christ, who is Lord of all. The fulness of the great Redeemer is the source of all sanctity; and the Spirit is engaged to impart it to his seed. The light and influence which are shed through Christ by the Holy Ghost upon the mind discover and attest the native wickedness of the human heart; the rights of God are asserted and vindicated, and the conscience is enlightened to see and feel the weakness and poverty which are the consequence of apostacy from God. Under such conviction the manifestation of the love of God to the heart cheers and emboldens the humbled sinner to look to the fountain that was opened on Calvary to take away the filth and guilt of sin. The graces of the Spirit are invigorated by the revelation of Christ as a substitute acting according to covenant under the commandment of his Father, "to make an end of iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." Nothing will render the mind of man truly happy which does not satisfy God, and maintain his claims as a lawgiver therefore the work of the Spirit on the sanctified mind principally consists in taking of the things of Christ, and revealing them to it, so as to give evidence of their reality and sanctifying nature; by which means a true christian is supplied with heavenly bread suited to support the divine nature that he received from Christ on the day when he was made a new creature. In this order of things we perceive every attribute in the nature of God is unfolded in the person and work of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the church; and the testimony of the Spirit to the validity of the redemption of Christ preserves the devout man in the state of spiritual being unto which he was predestinated. Indeed every nature must be supplied with food suitable to perpetuate it in existence. The numerous tribes of creatures are placed by the great Creator in such states of being as are designed to prolong their existence. It is natural for the bird to soar aloft in the air, the finny tribes can alone subsist in water, while the ox seeks the pasture to obtain his daily food but the intelligent creature, man, requires something for his mind, and he can never be contented with what he acquires so long as he is ignorant of God in Christ as a gracious Father, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them. Every devout desire of the man of God terminates in this centre of bliss and purity. Here is perfection, and that alone can render a heavenborn soul happy and free. Now the vital union existing between Christ and his seed is the principle on which they by the Spirit partake of his fulness. "I am the vine, ye are the branches," said Christ he that abideth in me, and I in him, bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." : |