to declare the glad tidings to Zion, to Jerufalem, and the cities of Judah. According to the text he addreffes himself, in a most noble Profopopoeia, to Zion, or Jerufalem itself, as the capital of Judea, and bids her publish, from her highest mountain, to all the cities of her territory, the glad approach of her Delivering GOD.

Taking the words as they ftand in the text, I fhall confider them in that twofold fenfe, which may be easily discovered by those who are the least conversant in the prophetic writings: by which I mean,

First, Their external accomplishment in the incarnation, nativity, perfonal appearance, and miniftration, of the SoN OF GOD, in Jerufalem and the cities of Judah :

And fecondly, Their internal accomplishment in the hearts of all those, who R 3 have

have spiritually received the Tidings of his Gospel.

I. With respect to the first or external sense of this prediction, we find it literally accomplished in the transaction of this memorable day. Zion, Jerufalem, and the cities of Judah, heard the joyful tidings. The voice of prophecy was fulfilled-the expectations of a Deliverer were anfwered-"The feed of "the woman" appeared to "bruise the

ferpent's head." The "Shiloh" of the patriarchs prefented himself to their offspring." The Prophet, like unto "Mofes," came to demand audience of his brethren"-" The Defire of na"tions" took poffeffion of his own Temple-The King MESSIAH established his Spiritual Throne in the house of Ifrael-"A Child was born-A Son

was given-His Name is called Won"derful, Counsellor, the Mighty GoD, "the Everlasting Father, the Prince of "Peace"

"Peace"-In David's city was this Son of David born-" A Virgin did con"ceive-A Virgin bare the Spotless "Babe-Emanuel, GOD with us"GOD and man perfonally united in one Univerfal Redeemer-CHRIST, the Anointed of the Father-" JESUS," the Common Saviour, delivering his people, not merely from a temporal bondage, but from the defpotic dominion of fin, vice, and error-refcuing the captive Ifraelites, not from the light burden of a Roman yoke, but from the more grievous tyranny of " powers and principa

66

lities, and the rulers of the darkness "of this world."

By his Bleffed Incarnation, this SON OF GOD became fo intimately united to human nature, as to be a "Second

Adam," a fecond Father, a regenerator of our lapsed race. He entered into that "" body, which was prepared for him," that, in it, he might perfonally

destroy the evil of our fallen nature, conduct it fafe through all the difficulties, fnares, and temptations, of an evil world, purify and exalt it, and at length, "feat it with Himself in his own Heavenly Places."

66

As GOD in Man, he was God to men. During his refidence in our form, his Heavenly Powers were exercifed in the relief of all their bodily, as well as fpiritual complaints. His miracles were all miracles of love. They were all fweet and falutary communications of those Heavenly Powers to our weak and helpless race. Well, therefore, might the Prophet call upon "Zion, to get up into the high mountain; and to

66

Jerufalem, to lift up her voice, to lift "it up with ftrength, and not to be "afraid" of any oppofition from her adverfaries, whilft fhe published the glad tidings of Peace and Deliverance to all

her

her inhabitants, and called upon them to "Behold their GOD."

They faw-they faw, indeed, their GOD AND SAVIOUR with their bodily eyes, walking in their streets, converfing with them in public and in private, inftructing them in the great mysteries of Divine Truth and Goodnefs; healing their fick, cleanfing their lepers, raifing their dead, comforting their afflicted, and administering pardon to their wounded confciences. They faw the unexampled Meeknefs and Humility of his deportment; the Univerfal Benevolence that breathed in every thing he said, and did. Their outward eyes were open to these Wonders of Love; but," the

"veil was not yet taken

from their "hearts. The Babe was born in Beth

lehem-The GOD appeared in the cities of Judah-But he was not yet born in their fouls-He had not yet appeared to perform