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fered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." The subject teach

es us,

and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." Amen and amen.

Augustus, in the pride of his heart, and ar abject world in flattery to him, prefixed his name to the age in which he lived-and let this piece of vanity have its scope. With the classical, philosophic scholar, let the Augustan age boast of a Cicero, a Virgil, a Livy, a Macenas; the humble Christian will rather glory in its having produced light from hea ven, which eclipsed all human eloquence and wisdom in their highest splendour, and, resigning to the schools their favourite historians, orators, and poets, will rejoice in revolving in their place the hallowed page of Luke, the beloved physician, and in listening to the fervid, native, inartificial eloquence of Paul of Tarsus, and above all, in attending to the dignified wisdom which flowed from the lips of Him who "spake as never man spake."

1. How incompetent judges we are of the ways and works of God. Few events if any, correspond to our preconceived opinions of thein. From the glimmering that we have, without any light at all save the sparks of our own kindling, we take upon us to arrange and decide, and to limit the holy one of Israel. Like Naaman the Syrian, we have settled the mode of cure in our own mind, dressed it in proper parade and ceremony, and fall out with the prophet because the simplicity of the process confounds the airy vision with which our imagination had amused itself. Not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God, the carnal Jews had dressed out, for Messiah the prince, a throne like Solomon's, of ivory overlaid with gold, had placed him at the head of armies, had surrounded him with guards, had crowned him with laurels. When the event belied their groundless expectations, with Naaman they turned away in a rage, saying, "Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?" "Away with this man, crucify him, not this man but Barab-eminence? Who but a Simeon could discer bas."

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3. Finally, this wonderful child born teaches us the value and importance of little chil dren. What human sagacity could penetrate the thick cloud which shrouded his nativity! What but the spirit of prophecy could draw aside the veil which concealed his future

in him the salvation of God, and foretell that "this child was set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which should be spoken against?" And who but He who "declareth the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; who but He knows what the infant, now drawing its first breath, is one day to become?

What dormant powers may there lie hid! What a germ of wisdom ready to expand! What godlike faculties, which are at length to astonish, to delight, to bless mankind! Watch over the expansion. The precious seed is sown by the hand of the Creator. Mark its springing: mark its progress. God has done his part, parent, master, minister, see that thou dost thine. "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

2. Observe here in how many instances God writeth vanity on all the glory of man. In the pride of their hearts, the princes and potentates here mentioned, vainly imagined a prostrate world to be all their own. Every 'will must bend to theirs; to their pleasure every power and possession must minister; all the while they are the mere attendants on the royal state of the real Prince. Their names are indeed some of them still had in remembrance but their power is annihilated, their consequence is swallowed up, or if any remain, it is derived from the relation which it bears to the superior, the commanding, the undiminished importance of Him to whom they gave witness, and whose state, in spite of themselves, they continue to support. The empire of Augustus speedily fell under its own weight, and the downfal of Rome quickly followed that of Jerusalem, and both approved the truth, and power, and justice of God: while that child born, that Saviour The next Lecture will have for its subject given, holds undivided empire, and exercises the history of the infancy and childhood of unbounded sway. Eighteen centuries have Jesus Christ. May he who condescended to confirmed, not shaken his authority, and time become a little child for our sakes; who, as has discovered another hemisphere, far more He "went about doing good," encouraged extensive than the former, and added it to the approach of little children, saying, "sufhis dominion. Let us again sing, "His name fer them and forbid them not to come unto shall endure for ever. His name shall be me: for of such is the kingdom of God:" may continued as long as the sun and men shall he bless us with the spirit of adoption, and be blessed in him; all nations shall call him endow us with the lovely simplicity, the doblessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the Godcility, the submissiveness of little children, of Israel, who only doth wondrous things; that we may enter into the kingdom of heaand blessed be his glorious name for ever, ven. Amen.

HISTORY OF JESUS CHRIST.

LECTURE CXIV.

And the child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him LUKE ii. 40.

rent's heart is overwhelmed with joy. Now he can distinguish the face of her that suckles him from that of a stranger, at least she flatters herself he can, while the soft murmur of infantine satisfaction expresses his gratitude. The figure by degrees becomes erect, every limb is in motion, the uncertain tongue attempts to imitate the sounds which strike

Or all the wonders presented to us in the world of nature, man is the greatest wonder to himself. His body dust of the ground, and mouldering back to dust; reduced to the level of the beasts of the field; but that dust animated with the breath of life, a living soul, exalted to the rank of angels, an emanation from God himself. In him are blended, in a most wonderful manner, three distinct the opening ear, and the feet press downkinds of life, forming one glorious individual formed "after the image of Him who created him." As the tree in the forest imperceptibly rises, increases from lowness and feebleness to stateliness and strength, and having attained full maturity imperceptibly decays, so the feeble infant gradually increases in stature, changes the grovelling into the erect form, rears his head to the vault of heaven, exulting in the greatness of his strength; he begins to verge towards decay, he bends to the ground from whence he was taken, and at length sinks into it again. But he is not like the plant rivetted to one spot, unconscious of existence, incapable of self-motion. With the other animals around him he feels himself among his fellows, he rejoices in society, he possesses consciousness, he is directed by motives, he aims at a determinate end. But he is not, like the beasts that perish, impelled by instinct merely, the slave of appetite and sense. To the animal, the goodness of the Creator has superadded the rational life, the faculty of contemplating that great universe of which he constitutes a part so essential, the capacity of rising from the effect to the cause, from the work to the Author: Man enjoys the gift of speech, whereby he is rendered capable of communicating his reflections and reasonings, of forming combinations of power which awe, control, and direct the subject world.

ward to the supporting earth; tremblingly he totters into walking, and stammers into speech. The powers of recollection and comparing appear, the symptoms of passion become visible, love and aversion, desire and gratitude. The moral sense at length begins to dawn, and the man in miniature finds himself a limited, dependent, subject, accountable being; hence hope and fear, selfcomplacency and remorse.

To mark the progress of a human being is an interesting and delightful employment; to observe how the limbs acquire firmness and strength, how the mental powers unfold themselves, and all the passions of the man, in succession, stand confessed. See the fond mother bending with delight over her infant, at first a little pliant lump of animated clay, every power lying dormant save one, that of drawing its nourishment from her breast. By and by the eye begins to feel and follow the light, the slender neck strengthens and sustains the eclining head; the babe smiles, and the pa

We are this evening to contemplate infancy and childhood in their loveliest and most attractive form, and in their most interesting and affecting circumstances. Look yet again to Bethlehem of Judea, and behold the nothingness of human greatness; the offspring of kings a stranger in his paternal city, the heir of David without a place where to lay his head, a Sovereign destitute of all things. When God, at the fulness of time, sent forth his own Son, as he was made of a woman, so was he "made under the law," subjected to all its rites and restraints however painful and humiliating, and the Saviour of mankind, that he might fulfil all righteousness, and become a perfect pattern of obedience, first passively submitted to every ordinance of religion, and then by an active and exact conformity, magnified the law and made it honourable.

The minuter circumstances of this period of our blessed Lord's life are not left on record; those excepted which relate to his public character and divine mission, for as to these Scripture is most exact and particular. Of the progress of his infant mind no traces remain; not a word is said even of the beauty of his person; though the general terms which the evangelists employ warrant us in thinking, that never in child born of a woman did such early dawnings of superior wisdom appear, that never was human form so perfect. The modest reserve of the historians of Jesus Christ, in this respect, seems to minister a severe reproof of the ridiculous details to be found, in modern biography, of infantine

actions and sayings, the supposed prognostics | eyes to heaven, blesses God, saying, "Lord, of future eminence and distinction. We can now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, forgive a fond mother, nay love her the more according to thy word: for mine eyes have for the amiable weakness, when we hear her seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared repeat the pretty sayings, interpret the sig- before the face of all people; a light to lighten nificant looks, and describe the wonderful the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Isdeeds of her soul's darling; but it excites pity, rael." He then points him out to the byif not an ungentler feeling, to be told gravely, standers as the person spoken of by ancient from the press, of the insipid nothings which prophecy, "who should be set for the fall and a great man said and did, when he was an rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign ignorant and silly, perhaps a pert and petu- which should be spoken against;" a prediclant boy, who probably merited correction tion descriptive of the reception the Messiah where he obtained praise. should meet with from that world which he came to redeem. The same important truth is immediately confirmed by an ancient prophetess, who, coming in the instant Simeon had done speaking, gave public thanks likewise unto the Lord, and "spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."

Of our divine Master we are told what was done to him, not what he did; what was said by others concerning him, not what he said concerning either himself or others. And thus was he early an instructer of parents to abstain from partial and excessive admiration of their children; and to little children to cultivate that modesty, docility, and humbleness of mind, which are the real ornament and honour of their tender age. Behold in him then, parents, children, a helpless infant at the disposal of others. It is of importance to the world to know that, at the appointed period, the terms of the Abrahamic covenant were complied with; that the name of JESUS was given him, according to the direction of the angel; that as the first-born of his mother, being sacred to God, he was solemnly presented to the Lord in the temple at Jerusalem; for these things admonish us of the divine truth and faithfulness in keeping covenant and promise with his people, and of the right which he has to expect and require faithfulness and obedience on their part; of the character and offices annexed to that sacred, precious, and venerable name, and of the self-dedication which not the first-born only, but even all owe unto God. On the eighth day, then, he was circumcised, and named, according to the commandment, and on the fortieth day he was presented with the accustomed offering in the temple.

Thus He, whose birthplace was determined many ages before, by prophetic illumination, whose natal hour was announced by one angel, and celebrated by a multitude of the heavenly host: to whose feet a company of shepherds is led, with their simple offering, by a voice from heaven, and to whom eastern sages are conducted by an extraordinary star, is in the most public place of resort in the Jewish metropolis, declared aloud, a few weeks after his birth, at a public religious service, by testimony on testimony, the accomplishment of God's great purpose of mercy to mankind.

While so many illustrious personages were producing their concurring evidence to the truth as it is in Jesus, exalting him to endless honours and universal dominion, one is cruelly plotting his destruction. Agitated by jealousy as groundless, as it was barbarously pursued, Herod determines to crush at once this pretender to a throne, whom so many signal and splendid appearances in heaven and earth were striving to display in superior glory. To make sure of his blow, his dark remorseProvidence lays hold of this latter occasion less mind enlarges the circle of suspicion to procure a noble testimony to the high rank from a few days to two years, and from a and character of the Son of God. The spirit single feared, hated individual, to all the male of prophecy had lately revived, and many in children of a great city. Humanity sickens Jerusalem were "waiting for the consolation at the thought of the dreadful tragedy of of Israel," and considered it as near at that day, when "in Rama a voice was heard, hand. Of this number was a just and de- lamentation and weeping, and great mournvout man named Simeon, to whom it was ing, Rachel weeping for her children, and communicated by a special revelation, that, refusing to be comforted, because they are old as he was, his eyes should not be closed not." By aiming at too much, the tyrant in death, till he had seen the Lord's Christ. misses his aim altogether. The vigour of Heaven-directed he goes up to the temple, his pursuit exerted in one direction, confined probably to entreat the speedy accomplish- to one object, might have overtaken it; but ment of this gracious promise at the very in- extending the sphere, dividing the pursuit, stant when the ceremony of the law was "the captive of the mighty is taken away, and performing, and the spirit that was upon him the prey of the terrible is delivered, for thus Instantly points to Jesus as the fulfilling of saith the Lord, I will contend with him that the word in which God had caused him to contendeth with thee." And how was this hope. Filled with holy joy he takes the ex-deliverance effected? Providence employs pected child into his arms, and lifting up his not extraordinary means, to fulfil its designs,

nary instruments to produce mighty events. The bloody intention of Herod is hardly conceived in the gloomy hell of his own breast, than it is seen of that eye which nothing can escape, and no sooner is it seen than prevented. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men Joseph is admonished of the danger which threatened the child's life, and warned to shun it, by fleeing into Egypt. Thus at every stage of his life was the Saviour of mankind hated and persecuted of men; thus the all-wise Ruler of the universe knows how to deliver, and finds a way to escape; thus He "confounds the wisdom of the wise, and brings to nought the understanding of the prudent."

wantonly and unnecessarily, but makes ordi- | not indeed by any particular text that ap pears in the sacred code, but by its whole spirit and tenor, which represent him as voluntarily submitting to every species of reproach and indignity; the carpenter's son, a Galilean, a Nazarene, can any good come out of Nazareth! It was in this obscure village, of a region of a conquered country, proverbially contemptible, that the childhood of Christ passed unseen, unnoticed of the great world; but carefully observed of an attentive mother, who, to the tender solicitudes of that relation, was inspired with hopes, and animated with prospects, and torn with anxieties which no mother before or since ever could know; there this wonderful "child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom," exhibiting unequivocal signs of a superior nature, without courting the public notice, or attracting premature homage; and thus humility, from the beginning and throughout, marked the character of the condescending friend of mankind, who became of no reputation, sought not glory of man, took on him the form of a servant; he "strives not, nor cries, neither doth he lift up his voice in the streets;” and from the return out of Egypt, which was probably not beyond his second year, up to the twelfth, history is entirely silent as to the particulars-but Ó how much is conveyed in the strong general terms employed by inspiration, to impress on our hearts the discovery and progress of these vailed ten years. May not the history of them be one of the precious arcana which "the Father hath kept in his own power," and reserved for the information, wonder, and joy of an improved state of existence, when things hard to be understood shall be fully explained; and things known in part shall be unfolded in all their connexions and dependencies; and infinite intelligence shall supply all the deficiencies of human understanding.

By a strange, perhaps unaccountable direction of the supreme will, the land of Egypt frequently serves as an asylum to persecuted goodness, protects and cherishes the precious seed of the church. Thither Abraham flees from the pressure of famine, and is thence dismissed with riches and honour. Here Joseph finds refuge from the malice of jealous and cruel brothers; from hence Jacob and his starving family are repeatedly fed. Here sprung up Moses, in times of extreme danger and distress; here he was miraculously preserved, and reared to unexampled eminence and usefulness. Here srael miraculously increases into a great nation, and from hence triumphantly departs; and here, finally, He whom all the rest prefigured, and in whom their several glory united as in their centre, sought and found protection from the rage of an incensed king. This too was ordered of Him who seeth the end from the beginning. He went down into Egypt that in his return the Scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, "out of Egypt have I called my Son." Surely, O Lord, the wrath of man shall praise thee, and the remainder of wrath thou shalt restrain."

A vail is drawn over the sojourn in Egypt, It was in that fameless village, and in and it were presumption to attempt to draw those trackless years that the foundation was it aside: neither is it possible exactly to as-laid of a greatness which should eclipse all certain its duration. The infamous Herod meanwhile paid the debt of Nature, leaving behind him a name loaded with the execrations of the age in which he lived, and with the detestation of every future generation to The next Lecture will, if God permit, take which the history of his enormities shall de-up the next recorded period of our Saviour's scend. His death was the signal of return to the land of Israel; but prudence suggested the retirement of the poor and despised town of Nazareth, as a residence more suitable to the circumstances of the times than the noise and hurry of a metropolis, the seat of faction and intrigue, or the suspiciously observed city of David, to which the jealous eyes of successive tyrants had been attracted by well known prophecies and by recent portents.

created glory; of a kingdom that should swallow up every other; of an enterprise which should extend its influence to the remotest ages of eternity.

As the place of Christ's birth, so that of his up-bringing was prophetically marked,

history, his assuming for a moment a public character at the age of twelve years, and his sliding away from it again into silence and retirement, till his thirtieth year, the time of his final manifestation unto Israel, as the great "Prophet that should come into the world."

Shall I degrade my subject, by saying it suggests to parents many useful hints reIspecting the early treatment of their chil dren? Be as tender and attentive as you will; listen to the voice of nature and learn

of the artificial heat that hurried it forward; the tree is wasted and fades before the time; and at the proper season, when nature is clothing the vigorous plant with its golden harvest, the languid child of art stands lifeless and leafless, expiring before its time. There is always danger from a premature spring, though it be in the course of nature. Happy is the man who can hit the temperate mean betwixt indecent haste and indolent delay. I would address a few words, to the same effect, to advanced childhood and early youth. But childhood and youth are not disposed to attend serious Lectures, or do not understand, or disbelieve, and therefore do

your duty; but dream not of making a stranger bend the knee to your idol, perhaps he has an idol of his own, weak, silly, and ridiculous as yours; perhaps he sees nothing but impertinence and imperfection, where you behold only grace and loveliness, and the more you force your Dagon upon his attention, the more hideousness and deformity he will discover in it. Be not eager to bring forward the accomplishments of your child. If they are worthy of being seen, your reserve and the child's modesty will give a glow to the colouring which will strike every eye and please every heart. If they be trivial, why will you force a good-natured looker-on, to flatter your vanity at the ex-not attend to them. They must be left to the pense of his own judgment; or provoke a stern and severe one, to approve his sincerity and truth at the expense of your feeling and of your idol's fancied importance? In private let the person most dear to you, be most dear to you; in society, the darling object, the first in consideration and affection, ought to be the last in respect of attention.

Be not over anxious about an carly crop from your offspring. You may have the fruit, it is true, by means of vehement cultivation, a little earlier in the season, but it savours

forcible, the irresistible lessons of experience. I earnestly recommend them to the teaching of God's good spirit. May the Son of God, who vouchsafed for our sake to pass through infancy and childhood poor, neglected, unknown, guard our helpless infants, direct our thoughtless, wayward children, counsel and instruct manly, matured reason, and smile with complacency on the hoary head, and make it a crown of righteousness. And to God in Christ be ascribed immortal praise. Amen.

HISTORY OF JESUS CHRIST.

LECTURE CXV.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem, after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turn ed back again to Jerusalem seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.-LUKE ii. 41–52.

UNIVERSAL Nature is progress, succession, eye, and I am íncapable of catching a single and change. We observe. it in every thing step of the progress. Shade melts imperaround us, we feel it in every particle of ceptibly into shade; the transition is made, our own frame. But obvious as this progres- but we were not aware of it; whether we sion is, in its larger portions, the minuter de- be asleep or awake, careless or attentive, the tails defy the closest attention of the acutest great complex machine keeps in motion, pereye. Darkness has evidently given place to forms its revolution, produces its effect.light; but what vigilance of inspection could The progress of man, the most perfect of ascertain the precise instant when night all creatures that we are acquainted with, is ceased and light began to dawn? That plant the most interesting of all objects to man. is palpably increased in strength and size, If it be delightful to behold the trees of the but let me hang over it the livelong day, forest burst into verdure, and those of the with the unremitting penetration of an eagle's garden putting on their beautiful garments,

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