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CHRISTMAS DAY.

SERMON VI.

PERSON AND OFFICES OF CHRIST.

ISAIAH V. 3, 4.

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What more could have been done to my vineyard, that I have not done in it ?"

GOD, in his holy word, frequently condescends to use the language and conform himself to the expressions of men. He thus strikes their minds more forcibly, and convinces them beyond the power of gainsaying. The text is an example of this nature. He had chosen the people of Israel for his own: he had delivered them from Egypt: he had assigned them a country, and had long protected them by his almighty hand: he had ordained a law for them, had instructed them in the service which he required, and had guarded them against the

idolatry and wickedness which abounded in the world. But they had proved, all along, "a stiff-necked and rebellious people;" they had gone astray in heart and practice; and had plunged into the very evils which they were warned against, and bound to shun.

God rebuked them by the words of his prophets, whom he commissioned from time to time, and inspired with thoughts likely to awaken them from their sins. The chief of these, Isaiah, in the text, calls upon the men of Judah and of Jerusalem, and appeals to their own consciences, whether more could have been done to confirm their faith or secure their obedience. As we may imagine an earthly father reasoning with his prodigal son; setting before him the instructions which he had given, the warnings which he had used, the kindness which he had shown; and then overwhelming him with shame by the just though cutting question, Judge now for yourself, whether more could have been done than I have done to encourage you to live righteously, and soberly, and godly?

Such is the argument which God employs in the mouth of his prophet to convince his

people of their ingratitude, their inexcusable guilt. The Israelites were his children; "he had cast the heathen out, and planted them" in a fruitful country; he had given them the enjoyment of every natural and every moral advantage; with a care like that which a man uses in selecting the best and most sheltered spot for his vineyard, his choicest trees. But now, when he expected a return, when he looked for the wholesome fruit of faith, only evil fruit appeared. And before he inflicted upon the nation the punishment which they deserved, and visited their wickedness with the weight of his displeasure; he addresses them in these touching words, which might well cover them with sorrow and fear: And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge I pray you between me and my vineyard:-between me and yourselves;-I appeal to the reason and conscience which you possess-what more could have been done to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? What greater advantage could you have had, what fuller means of serving me could you have enjoyed?

We, my brethren, who belong to the vineyard of Christ, who have been planted by him

in his church, we are now in the state in which the people of Israel were formerly placed. And surely God may say, when he has contrived for us such a redemption as that which the gospel has made known, when such a Saviour as the scriptures reveal has appeared for our instruction, and died for our sins, and risen again for our justification ;-surely he may call heaven and earth to witness against us, and demand, what more could have been done to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? What more could have been done, to awaken, and to instruct, and to encourage, and to assist men in working out their salvation, than has been done for them by Jesus Christ, the great "Mediator between God and man?"

This seems a proper contemplation for the present season, which invites us to commemorate his appearance in the world. Nothing can hinder our commemorating this wonderful event with the liveliest gratitude, except an inadequate sense of the blessings it conveys. I shall therefore set before you the greatness of those blessings and attempt to show, that if any one were permitted of God to ask what he most required for the comfort and benefit of his soul,

he could ask for nothing more than the mercy of God has already provided. We can imagine the case of a person, who knew that the great object of this life was a preparation for judgment, and for an eternal state to follow judgment; yet was conscious of his sinfulness, and aware of his habitual infirmities :- -we can imagine the case of such an one pleading with the Almighty for the consolation most suited to his weakness, for the assistance most required by his necessities. Yet what more could he desire, or conceive, than has been prepared for him in the Saviour who, as it were on this day, was made flesh," and began to dwell among us, in the character of "Christ our Lord !"

To prove this more particularly will be the purport of my present discourse. For to be convinced of this truth, is a matter of the first importance: so to understand our real condition in the world, that we neither remain careless through ignorance, nor inactive through despair. It is essential for us to be aware of the privileges of our baptism; those inestimable

The hint of the following argument will be found in Mr. Simeon's Hora Homileticæ, vol. x. p. 43.