us when we return, but he gives us the wish to return. He not only offers us the provision of his own house, but he gives us that distaste for the husks of this world's goods, without which we might linger on in the land of famine, nor put forth our hands to that bread of life, of which he that eateth shall live for ever. And when the affections are indeed allured, and the heart turned towards the lovingkindness of God, like the father who permitted not his repentant son to offer himself as a servant, but restored him at once to his former place in his affections, and his former station in his house; even so are we made sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. And what does this privilege involve? What but the obedience of sons?-the submission of children to paternal authority?—the dependence of child-like humility upon the wisdom, the goodness, the love of a forgiving father? Every mark of affectionate reception; every token of honour and esteem; every means of supporting the dignity, and of continuing in the society to which he had been restored, was given to the prodigal, only that he might remain under the paternal roof, nor attempt again to seek an uncertain happiness beyond the precincts of domestic tranquillity and holiness.

And so it is with ourselves: the promise of pardon and reconciliation, the means of grace, the aid of the Spirit to remain in that grace

wherein we stand, the claim of affection and gratitude to Christ our Saviour; the earnest anxiety to escape the danger of sin, and to walk in the ways of godliness;--all these are given to us, and are wrought in us, to keep us still in that Father's house to which we have in repentance returned, and to guide us to the more complete enjoyment of his dwelling-place above, where we shall find that they who are now acknowledged as his sons, shall be even like him, for they shall see him as he is.

Merciful Father, give us thy grace, that we may acknowledge thee in this endearing character! Teach us to seek the plenty of thy house, and to flee from the famine of ungodliness and sin! Teach us each to come to thee with the confession,-" I have sinned in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son;" and of thy mercy receive us graciously, and love us freely!

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SERMON VI.

THE INCARNATION OF JESUS CHRIST.

PREACHED ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

HEBREWS ii. 14-16.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

THAT the ways of God are not as our ways, is perhaps the first conviction which would be impressed upon the mind, by even a cursory view of God's dealings with mankind; and the sense of the utter impossibility of finding out the Almighty to perfection, would be gradually increasing, as we advanced in the contemplation of his character. Yet, while thoughts like these

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must be thus suggested in our researches after divine truth, we are not to imagine that the difficulties which surround us, are intended to repress the eager desire after the knowledge of God, or the humble wish to become acquainted with his will. " Acquaint thyself with God, and be at peace. They shall no more teach every man his neighbour, saying, Know the Lord; but all shall know me, from the least to the greatest." This command, and this encouragement, may serve to stimulate our desires, and to enlarge our hopes; because it must be clear, that he who thus commands us to seek the knowledge of himself, as the source of our happiness, will assuredly afford us the means of its acquisition. Our difficulties must rather teach us humility, than cause us to despond. The character of God must be contemplated, not with speculative research, but with godly awe, and pious reverence; not with the spirit of barren curiosity, but with the feeling of holy adoration. And thus to seek God, will be to find him. Thus to seek the knowledge of his ways, will be to understand his wisdom and the meek and humble spirit which thus examines the counsels of his truth, will find them to be, indeed, converting the soul, and making wise the simple, enlightening the eyes, and rejoicing also the heart.

One of the most mysterious of the dealings of God, is offered to our contemplation at this time

by our church, namely, the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Great indeed is the mystery of godliness, God was manifest in the flesh." To attempt to explain this mystery; to dream of ever making clear to human comprehension, the union of the Godhead with the nature of man; to speculate upon the deep and secret meaning of the passage of our text, "He took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him the seed of Abraham;" would be the extreme of folly and of presumption. But to consider the reasons for which this assumption of our human nature became necessary; to examine the objects which divine mercy may appear to have contemplated, in thus making the Word become flesh, and dwell among us; to search with due humility, and with reverential feelings, into those mysteries which the angels themselves desire to look into, may be at once our highest privilege, and our bounden duty. We need not fear that we shall fail to acquaint ourselves with God, if we seek the knowledge of him with the earnest desire to be at peace; we need not despair of his blessing upon our study of his will, if we rely upon the guidance of his holy Spirit. Standing upon holy ground, like Moses before the burning bush, we must not tread with unhallowed feet the sacred precincts: we must not turn our too curious gaze upon that brightness, before which the angels veil their countenances;