events which in the fulness of time began to be accomplished : and, no doubt, they waited for them with devout and earnest expectation. Accordingly, the very instant that they saw him brought into the world, they carried the glad tidings to the shepherds, and informed them of the place of his nativity. From that moment, and especially in the most im- portant scenes of his life, they watched him, not only as anxious spectators, but as agents employed by their Creator, to minister to his necessities, or to attest his triumphs. After his temptations in the wilderness, and his conflicts in the garden, they gladly interposed their friendly offices to comfort and support him. Though we are not expressly told that they were present at his crucifixion, we can have no doubt but that they attended on him at that awful period with more than ordinary solicitude. Were they capable of sorrow, methinks, their eyes would on that occasion be as a fountain of tears ; and they would beat their breasts with grief and anguish. But with what joy did they roll away the stone from his sepulchre, in order that his re-animated body might arise"! How happy were they to satisfy the inquiring females respecting the truth of his resurrection, and the ac- complishment of his own predictions ! At his ascension, too, they comforted his astonished followers, by announcing to them his intended return in the clouds of heaven at the last day. Shall we say that in these things they were mere ser- vants and messengers, who felt no interest in the events themselves ? We know the contrary : for at his birth a whole multitude of the heavenly hosts burst forth into that rapturous hymn, " Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men ! "]
3. As enjoyed by the Church —
[It is not in a speculative view merely that they contem- plate the great work of Redemption : they consider it as " the grace that is brought unto us : " and in that view their bene- volent hearts are most deeply affected with it. Hence, as well as from a sense of duty to their God, arose that affectionate solicitude which they expressed on all the occasions above referred to. Wherever the glad tidings are carried, they hasten, to mark the effects produced by them : - and if they behold a sinner impressed by them with humble penitence and contrition, not even the presence of their God, nor all the glory of heaven, will keep them from rejoicing on his accoimt. They acquire, as it were, new joy from every triumph that the Redeemer gains, and from every benefit that man receives. From the moment of a sinner's return to God, they watch over him with the tenderest care. They encamp around him, and
minister • Matt, xxviii. 2 — 4.