confummate Example of Virtue and Holinefs of Living, he might excite us to an Imitation of him; and by laying down fuch excellent Rules for us to conduct ourfelves by, might regain us that Title to Heaven, which we had forfeited, and make us Heirs of everlasting Life. Therefore, was God manifeft in the Flesh, that he might deftroy the Works of the Devil; break the Power of that malicious Enemy of our Happinfs; overthrow and defeat the Prince of Darkness; and bring to the Sons of Men.

Life and Immortality Thus, as by the Dif

Sin entered into the

obedience of one Man, World, and Death by Sin, and fo Death paffed upon all Men, for that all had finned; fo by the Obedience of one, even Jefus Chrift, Sin and Death were vanquished, and all Mankind redeemed from that miferable Bondage, which the Crime of our firft unhappy Parents had made them subject to. Thefe are the glorious Ends for which Chrift came into the World, and which fhould make us break out into Songs of Joy and Praise to our great Creator and

merciful

merciful Deliverer, for his unspeakable' Mercy and Goodness towards us.

And,

This leadeth me to confider the Greatnefs and Veracity of this Myftery, conveyed to us in these Words, Without Controversy, great is the Mystery of Godliness.

This is indeed a great and amazing Mystery; a Mystery of fo incomprehenfible a Nature, that if we were to try to fathom or explain it, our Labour would be in vain. That the high and lofty one, who inhabiteth Eternity, fhould be circumfcribed in the narrow Dimenfions of mortal Man! That he whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain, should confine himself to the Limits of frail Mortality, is a Mystery fo far beyond the Skill of human Reason, to conceive or search out, that we never fhould have believed it, had not the Evidence wę have of it, been unquestionably Divine! For how could it enter into the Heart of Man to conceive, that God, who is a Spirit, should become Flesh; and in that Flesh, be made manifeft; which to our Reason would feem more likely to cover and conceal him?

That

That he who made all Things by the Word of his Power, and by the same sustaineth and upholdeth all Things, fhould be made a weak helplefs Infant, unable to fuftain himfelf, or to afford himself that Affiftance which he extendeth to all the World! That God, who giveth Life to all, should receive Life of his own Creature; and that he that is from everlasting, should be born in Time! Or who could imagine that the Power of the Highest should descend and over fhadow the bleed Virgin, that she might conceive and become the Mother of God? Thefe are Contemplations of too high a Nature for the weak and imperfect Reason of Mankind to fearch out or explain. Reafon is fwallowed up in this Abyss of Wonder and Amazement; and all its Endeavours to comprehend it are fruitless and ineffectual. O, the Depth of the Riches of the Wisdom and Goodness of God! How unfearchable are his Judgments, and his Ways paft finding out? This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our Eyes. It is our Duty, therefore, to believe and acknowledge this Mystery,

Mystery, without ftriving in vain to pry into it. For though it be great, and to us inconceivable, it is nevertheless undoubtedly true; for, Without Controverfy, great is the Myftery of Godliness,

And here let us remember, that God expecteth we should give our Affent to whatfoever he hath thought fit to reveal unto us, without feeking for any farther Confirmation of it. He is a God of Truth, and cannot lie; and therefore, to call in Question any Thing that cometh recommended to us by his Authority, is to make God a Liar. How unreasonable is it to expect, that the wonderous Workings of Omnipotency should be examined by the shallow Understandings of mortal Man? Is God unable to perform any Thing, because we are unable to affign the Manner of its being performed? To think thus, would be the utmost Folly and Prefumption. Canft thou by fearching find out God? Canft thou find out the Almighty to Perfection? It is as bigh as Heaven, what canft thou conceive? Deeper than Hell, what canft thou know?

The

The Wisdom of God is infinite, and his Counfels to us unfearchable; and, therefore, fince God, in the exprefs Revelation, of his Will, hath declared to us the Truth of this great Mystery, we are required humbly to believe. Behold, a Virgin hall conceive, and bring forth a Son, and shall call his Name Emmanuel; that is, God with us, fays the Prophet Ifaiah. And again, unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; and the Government shall reft upon his Shoulders; and he shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. In the Salutation of the Blessed Virgin, it is faid unto her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the Power of the Higheft fhall overshadow thee; therefore, alfo that Holy Thing that shall be born of thee, fhall be called the Son of God. Unto you is born this Day a Saviour, which is Chrift the Lord, faid the Angels unto the Shepberds, as they were feeding their Flocks by Night, when the Multitude of the heavenly Hoft praised God, and faid, Glory be to God on high, and on Earth Peace, Good Will towards

Men.