darknem which had coyered the earth for four thousand years, was about to be rolled away. The way to pardon and peace with God was about to be thrown open to all mankind. The head of Satan was about to be bruised. lib^Hy was about to be proclaimed to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind. The mighty truth was about to be proclaimed that God could be just, and yet, for Christ's sake, justify the ungodly. Salvation was no longer to be seen through types and figures, but openly, and face to face. The knowledge of God was no longer to be confined to the Jews, but to be offered to the whole Gentile world. The days of heathenism were numbered. The first stone of God's kingdom was about to be set up. If this was not ''good tidings,'^ there never were tidings that deserved the name.
Let us mark, thirdly, who they were thai first praised God, when Christ was bam. They were angels, and not men, — angels who had never sinned, and needed no Saviour,— *angels who had not fallen, and required no redeemer, and no atoiyng blood. The first hymn to the honour of " God manifest in the flesh," was sung by " a multitude of the heavenly host.''
Let us note this fact. It is fall of deep spiritual lessons. It shows us what good servants the angels are. All that their heavenly Master does pleases and interests them.*— It shows us what dear knowledge they have. They know what misery sin has brought into creation. They know the blessedness of heaven, and the privilege of an open door into it. — ^Above all, it shows us the deep love and compassion which the angels feel towards poor lost man. They rejoice in the glorious prospect of many