zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this." In which words the prophet sets forth the birth of Christ, the gift of him to his church, with his names, throne, kingdom, and the increase and peace thereof; which is a most glorious principality of grace. And for the truth and per

formance of all this, he says, "The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this."

The subject is most truly divine, and of infinite importance. It contains the wisdom of God in a mystery, and expresses the ineffable love of God. The subject of all this grace and mercy is the church of the living God. Our prophet, in a view of the birth of Christ, triumphs over all enemies, evils, and miseries, either felt or feared and we may well do so too.

In order to set the text forth to our present and spiritual advantage, I will cast it into the following divisions:

First. I will treat of the birth of Christ, and shew that he is God and man in one person; the Son of God, and the Son of Man and that his nativity is the fruit of his Father's love, who so loved as to bestow his only begotten Son on his church, that we might live through him.

Secondly. That the government of the church, and world also, is upon his shoulder.

Thirdly. That his names are expressive of his ability to execute his work and offices; and

take in such full discoveries and distinct apprehensions thereof, as by one in the self-existing Essence becoming true and very man? Or as by God-man shining forth in all the full blaze of Godhead, and in all the communicable blessings of it on the elect and beloved of God? In the person of Christ the eternal Trinity shine forth in all the glory and blessings of everlasting love: and in Christ the elect have blessed union and communion with the holy Three; by him they draw nigh unto God, and in him God draws nigh to them. They find all the blessings which God can bestow, or which they can enjoy, flow into their souls in their communion with him, through the Spirit, from the birth, life, mediation, and blood-shedding of the Son of God.

The

In the knowledge of these inestimably precious truths, consists the life of our souls. prophet found it thus to him: he testifies it to others, with an heart as warm with the love of Jesus as it possibly could be this side heaven, and says, "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given." He applies it to himself; he puts in himself with the us, a word consecrated here, and also in the new testament, whereby to express the elect church of God. O that God the Holy Ghost may give us to see and feel, in this most glorious God and Saviour, in his divinity, person, birth, and in the Father's gift of him, with the blessings and benefits which flow into

our minds through him, what the prophet saw when he thus, spake, wrote, and testified of him. Grant it, O Holy Spirit, for the honor of thy grace and name. Amen.

I proceed, secondly, to shew, that the government of the church, and also of the world, is upon his shoulder. "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder."

In the everlasting councils and settlements of grace, it pleased the Father, that Christ, Godman, in all things should have the pre-eminence, The Father loved the Son, and gave all things into his hands. The elect were chosen in him, given to him, committed to his care, and made his special treasure: all grace and glory were bestowed on them in Christ before the world was. He was to be their head of grace and glory; he was to be their one everlasting rock and foundation, to support them, their one living head, to quicken them, their one immutable Saviour, guide, protector, and friend. He was to be their King, to rule them by his word and Spirit, to dwell in their hearts by faith; he was to be the Lord their righteousness, purifier, and atonement; he was to rule over their outward and inward, their temporal and spiritual estate.

All power was given unto him, both in heaven and in earth; his kingdom ruleth over all. His church is his peculiar care; to govern, guide,

protect, and defend it, belongs to him, "The government is upon his shoulder." He is the Lord God omnipotent, therefore he is almighty to support his church. In him are hid, treasured up, or contained, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; therefore he is equal to the government of it. The world is his also; he made it, he upholds it, he governs it: as Mediator, he hath a universal empire; so that his people may set their hearts at rest, dismiss every care and fear, rely on his never-failing providence, which orders all things both in heaven and earth, and rest fully well pleased and satisfied with his wisdom and government. For the gates of hell, the power of satan, with all his principalities and powers, shall never finally prevail against them; he will be as a wall of fire round about his people, to defend them; he will preserve them from all evil; he will establish his church for ever. What is said of that bright constellation in the heavens, Orion, that it is the brightest in the heavens, aud sheds the greatest light of any of the constellations, may truly and properly be said of this sacred scripture before us; it contains more light,, and sheds more of it on the church, than any other single portion of the word doth. Jesus, the child born, the son given, in whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell, in whom all his people are complete, in whom all the promises meet

and centre, will be the beauty and glory of his church upon earth, will be their sun of righteousness, burning and shining with lustre inextinguishable on them, and will continue his shine on his whole church in heaven to all eternity.

I come, thirdly, to shew, that his names are expressive of his ability to execute his work and offices, and contain a firm foundation for his people's faith and hope. "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."

What a divine collection of names and titles are here! and all brought forth as so many crowns and diadems to adorn the head of our almighty, inestimably, and infinitely precious Jesus, who for us men, and for our salvation, became incarnate, came down from heaven, and was made man. To express, set forth, and declare his divine, infinite, and transcendently glorious person, love, work, offices, and ability to save his church with an everlasting salvation, he is here proclaimed in his person, name, titles, characters, offices, relations, works, and word, all expressed in his being called "Wonderful, Coun sellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." All these titles are substantives, and convey to the enlightened mind,