But hath not he said, "Suppose ye that I am come "to give peace on earth? I tell you nay, but ra"ther division: for from henceforth there shall be "five in one house divided, three against two, and "two against three. *" To this it may be answered, that predictions of future events must be distinguished from commands, exhortations, and doctrines: and the latter, not the former, shew the real nature and tendency of the gospel. When a few persons are converted, and feel their obligations to love Christ more than father or mother, and to obey God rather than man; and yet many remain under the influence of " that spirit who worketh in the children of disobedience:" divisions will necessarily be the consequence. And when the mad passions of ungodly men take occasion, from Christianity, to vent themselves; and the distinction, between real believers, and nominal Christians, is overlooked: the tendency of the gospel must be mistaken. The opposition which the religion of Jesus has met with from the world; the wickedness that men have committed, under the guise of Christianity; and the inconsistencies and indiscretions of many pious persons, have produced lamentable effects. Hence persecutions and religious wars have been exeited, by the professed disciples of the Prince of peace! Pious, or rather impious, frauds have been practised to subserve the cause of superstition or hypocrisy! Acrimonious controversies and divisions among professed Christians have been multiplied; and even serious persons have been prejudiced against each other by a narrov and absurd bigotry. "Woe be to the world because "of offences! it must needs be that offences come "but woe be to that man by whom they come !" We must not, however, ascribe these things to Christianity, but to the want of it. If men were rea Christians most of these evils would cease, and all of them would be mitigated: if men were consistent and judicious Christians, they would totally vanish. Even disciples too often "know not what spirit they are of;" and contend for the truths and ordinances of Christ, in a manner contrary to his precepts and example. But it may also be observed, that all these effects spring from the depravity of the human heart as their native source; and if men had not this occasion of discord and selfishness, they would find some other. After all, the world has seldom been more wicked, in the worst ages and places distinguished by the Christian name, than at other times and in other countries: though unbelievers have bestowed more pains in exhibiting its wickedness. In general, the state of human society has been greatly meliorated by the gospel: for where have Christians habitually diverted themselves by such bloody spectacles, as the gladiatorial shows of the Romans? Where have pagans manifested such humanity to the poor, sick, and destitute; as is displayed in the expensive institutions common in Christian countries? Vices, branded with deepest infamy even in this licentious age, were patronized and avowed among the politest heathens. War itself has assumed a milder aspect since the es tablishment of Christianity: and even Deists have learned from the sacred oracles, to denounce ambitious warriors; and to give the palm of glory to those who save men's lives, instead of those that destroy them. These effects have evidently been produced by the gospel, even on the minds of multitudes, who never believed it with a living and obedient faith. Taking, however, our standard of Christianity from the scriptures; we are confident, that in proportion, as it prevails, it will produce peace on earth,” in all senses and in all places. We are also assured, that ere long the Prince of peace will possess the dominion over all nations as his willing subjects: and then they will beat their swords into plow-shares, and learn war no more. Well, therefore, might angels sing at the Redeemer's nativity, "Peace on earth!" A blessing inestimable in itself, long unknown, or scarcely known, among men: but now about to be vouchsafed by a gradual progress to all the nations of the globe. For such blessings virtually communicated to sinful men in the person of Emmanuel, angels also ascribed "Glory to God in the highest."-The perfections of God are his essential glory, which is incapable of increase or diminution: but in his works he manifests this glory to his rational creatures, that they may contemplate, admire, and adore it; and he is glorified by them, when they delight to celebrate his praises. "The heavens declare the glory of God:" and his eternal power and Deity are clearly seen in all the works which he made. His providential care of the universe manifests his wisdom, good ness, and bounty: his awful justice and holiness are displayed in his perfect law and righteous judgments, and his patience and kindness, even to sinners, may be learned from his dealings with our fallen race in general. These glories the heavenly host had witnessed and celebrated for four thousand years. But the birth of the infant in the stable, viewed in its causes and consequences, discovered to them glories so resplendent, that in some respects they eclipsed all former displays; and with rapturous joy and admiration they sang "Glory to God in the highest :" in the highest heavens among all its exalted inhabitants, and in the loftiest strains, which they can possibly reach. Here the glories of the divine justice, holiness, truth, wisdom, knowledge, power, love, and mercy, which they had viewed separately in other objects, shone forth with collected beams in most adorable beauty and splendour. The perfections, which before appeared irreconcilable, now harmonized, and reflected glory upon each other. The distinct honours of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, were displayed at once to their admiring view. And as they were always ready, with glowing love, zeal, and gratitude, to celebrate the high praises of God: so they were peculiarly excited to this reasonable and delightful service, on this interesting occasion. Never did JEHOVAH appear in all respects so glorious in holiness, justice, truth, and wisdom, as in his wonderful love to Adam's guilty polluted race. If God so hates sin, that his well-beloved Son shall become man and bear the curse, rather than it shall go unpunished; and yet so loves sinners, as to em ploy such an expedient, rather than leave them to highest!" Angels "rejoice over one sinner that repenteth:" because every event of this nature is a new display of the divine glory in the work of redemption; a new trophy of the Redeemer's beneficent victories; a new worshipper to join the heavenly choir to all eternity; and a new instrument to excite other sinners to seek for the same blessings. -For alas! men are blind, wilfully blind, to the glory of God in all respects. Even the displays of his being and perfections in the works of creation fail of suitably affecting their hearts; "They glorify him not as God, neither are thankful." But the gospel, professed, adorned, and preached in the world, calls their attention to an interesting subject: and when "God who commandeth the light to shine "out of darkness, shines into our hearts to give the 66 light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Je"sus Christ,*" that light is reflected, as it were, on every other object; and we learn by degrees to glorify God for all the displays he hath made of himself; and • 2 Cor. iv. 4-6. |