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3. The third subject joyfully announced is salvation." To the people of Judah this might perhaps be interpreted of deliverance from their worldly enemies, though even to them the mention of salvation by this prophet has always a spiritual signification connected with it. To us the salvation promised is almost wholly spiritual— deliverance from the enemies of our souls, safety in time of temptation. The Son of God, our Head, is eminently our Saviour, and Captain of our salvation; our Deliverer from evil, He who makes us more than conquerors in our combats with those who strive against us, and within us. The life of a Christian is represented in Scripture as a state of warfare. The temptations of evil spirits continually beset him; the example, the scoffs, the enticements of wicked men are arrayed against him; his own passions seduce him; his own weakness betrays him. Sometimes he is overcome and taken captive, and the power of sin is upon him like chains and fetters to bind down his good desires, and hold him in subjection to evil principles and evil habits. His own strength, struggle as he may, is unequal to break the yoke and burst the bands. But the peace of God can enable his servants to resist the devil, to overcome evil, to escape from temptation, or subdue it. He who cast out devils by his word

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can now deliver his servants from their power. And this deliverance, or salvation, is a free gift of God. "Ye have sold yourselves for nought," saith the Lord by the prophet, "and ye shall be redeemed without money." The slavery of sin is worthless — nothing to be had for it — it yields no profit; they who sell themselves to it sell themselves for nought. But God, who is rich in mercy, saves them freely, of his own mere bounty, of his free grace. He has given his Son, and having spared not even his Son, will he not freely give all things? How glad now were the tidings of deliverance to the captive Israelites! How much more welcome the "tidings of great joy," which announced that a Saviour was born! And how cheering to every humble disciple to know that the promise is unto him and to his children, to all that are nigh and that are far off! "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth salvation!"

4. There is one more subject of good tidings mentioned in the text "That saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." It was the peculiar privilege of the people of Israel, that "the Lord their God was their King." This privilege they rashly and impiously threw away. And what followed? Disunion and division, the abominations of ido

latry and wickedness, desolation and captivity. Their state, while they were settled in the promised land under Jehovah their King, was an emblem of the Christian Church under the Son of God, often called the kingdom of heaven, or of God. Jesus Christ, ascended to the right hand of power, governs his people by the laws which he has given them, leading them by his Spirit, and protecting them from the enemies of their souls; watching over them with an eye that never sleeps; and training them with holy discipline for that blissful period when he shall reign over the faithful in his kingdom of glory. "Happy are the people that are in such a case!" Happy were the people of Judah, though, alas! they knew not their happiness, when the prophet announced the joyful message, which said unto Zion, "Thy God reigneth." Happier far the servants and subjects of Christ, who hear from time to time his messengers, the ministers of the Church, repeating the blessed tidings which angels were sent to carry to the world, proclaiming the birth of " a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." And yet happiest they who in the better age of the Church, yet to come, shall be permitted to witness the triumphs of their divine Head, and hear that "voice of great multitudes, like the voice of mighty thun

derings, Alleluia, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

I have gone hastily through the several subjects suggested by the text, when each deserves and demands the length of a separate discourse. But this may serve to point out an instance of the spiritual interpretation of prophecy — which is worthy of your consideration; and to suggest matter for your private reflection on the greatness of the promises made to the people of God, the abundant mercy of Him who has provided so great salvation, and the duty of warm thankfulness, exalted faith, and steady obedience, which lies upon those who enjoy such high privileges. Let these be your thoughts, my Christian brethren, as often as the minister of Christ appears bringing the good tidings which every Lord's day sound in your ears, tidings of peace and reconciliation, of grace and blessing, of salvation and the kingdom of God. And though Judah be ignorant of his Lord, and Israel acknowledge him not, let him be precious in your eyes, and dear to your hearts, as "the Prince of Peace and Giver of all good;" your Saviour and Deliverer; your Lord and your God.

JOHN, i. 17. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

A DILIGENT observation of the ways of God in the moral government of the world will discover every where the union of those high attributes, benevolence and justice; the former employed in promoting the happiness of his creatures; the latter, in manifesting his regard to holiness and virtue, and vindicating his character as Judge of the world. Simple, unmixed benevolence, that is, benevolence exercised without respect to moral conduct, is no where to be found in his dealings with mankind; it is not to be found in that providential direction of all things, which is sometimes called the course of nature: for a blessing is promised to the diligent, the sober, the honest, and the man who fears God; and it were easy to prove, from daily experience, the truth of that saying of the excellent son of

* Preached in 1820, at a Visitation by the Venerable John Law, Archdeacon of Rochester; and published at that time at the request of the Clergy.