SERMON XIX.

CHRIST, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

LUKE i. 78, 79.

The day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.

He

This is a part of that sacred hymn, which the enraptured Zacharias uttered with holy enthusiasm, at the birth of his son, John the Baptist. It was an inspired hymn; for the evangelist tells us "that he was filled with the holy Ghost, and prophesied." glances an eye back through the Old Testament; notices what had been spoken by all the prophets, concerning the promised Messiah, and exults, that those predictions were now fulfilling, and that "God had raised up for them an horn of salvation, in the house of his servant David, to perform the mercy promised to their fathers, and to remember his holy covenant, the

oath which he sware to Abraham." He rejoices in the spiritual nature of that kingdom, which the Messiah was to introduce, that "being delivered out of the hand of their enemies, they might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of their life." He exults also with holy joy and gratitude in the high honor of being himself the father of a child, "that should be called the prophet of the highest, and who should go before the face of the Messiah to prepare his ways; to give knowledge of salvation unto his people, by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."

Let us make the sentiments of this grateful hymn our own, and catch some portion of the pious enthusiasm of the raptured prophet, on this anniversary of the birth of a Saviour; for unto us, as well as to the Jews, a child is born. Unto us a son is given; unto us, as well as to the descendants of Abraham and Israel, a Saviour is born, who is Christ the Lord. For he is a light to enlighten the Gentiles, as well as the glory of his people Israel; the light of the world" and whosoever followeth him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

There is something unspeakably beautiful in hailing the infant Saviour, as the day-spring, the dawning of the gospel day; as the sun of righteousness was not yet quite risen, and there was to be a little space, be

fore he should spread abroad his beams and illuminate the earth. The scriptures of both testaments delight to speak of the Saviour under the figure of light. And what is there so grand, and beautiful, and cheering, and life-giving, in all nature, as light? Light in nature is that wonderful and diffused blessing, by which we discern natural objects, ascertain their relations, and learn their uses; and likewise select our path, and avoid those dangers and difficulties, to which we should be otherwise exposed. It is then an apt and striking figure, to exhibit the Saviour, through whose instruction we discern moral objects, learn their relations, and ascertain their infinite importance; and under whose infallible guidance we may shun dangers of a fearful aspect, avoid difficulties and troubles, temporal and eternal, and find the way to everlasting life and glory.

In pursuing the subject suggested by the text, I shall point out several respects, in which Christ is eminently the light of the world; and then suggest what improvement we should make of this divine light.

I. Our first point will the more strikingly appear, if for a moment we consider, how imperfect and unsettled was the knowedge of men, on the most important subjects, before our Lord's advent. The light of nature on moral subjects was but a dim taper; although sufficient, if duly improved, to conduct men to an imperfect knowledge of God and their duties. Hin existence and some of his perfections are inscribed on his works, in characters which all nations hrik

read. "There is no speech nor language," saith te psalmist, "where their voice is not heard.

Their line hath gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." And Paul speaks in still stronger language-"The invisible things of God, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made, even his eternal power and godhead-so that they are without excuse." He adds concerning the heathen, "because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." This is a serious, but just reproach upon the great mass of mankind in all ages. For what dishonorable and unjust notions of the Deity have men entertained in those countries, which have not been favored with revelation! From false notions of the divine Being, have sprung those indecent, criminal, and even horrible rites, with which he has been worshipped. In many countries they have thought him capable of being appeased by human sacrifices, and parents have literally given to destruction the fruit of their bodies for the sins of their souls. Others have mingled their own blood with that of their sacrifices. Such, in brief, is a melancholly account of the superstitions of the heathen. Before the appearance of Christ, there were many precious additions to what of true knowledge had been derived from the light of nature, by direct revelation. Noah was a preacher of righteousness; Abraham a wandering preacher and prophet,

and an illustrious example of faith and piety. MosES was a faithful servant of the Lord, and led a nation by the hand in the way, in which they should go. And the prophets were, from time to time, as lights shining in a dark place. All these, borrowing their beams from the divine source of light, shone but faintly, and illuminated but a limited sphere. The pillar of cloud by day, and of fire by night, conducted but one nation, and that to temporal possessions. Even the Jews, such was their obstinacy, frequently ran into the idolatries of their neighbors. God in mercy recalled them, that he might not leave himself without witness in the world. And unto them were committed the lively oracles of God, to be a light to their feet, and a lamp to their path. Yet with respect to many points, which are objects of faith with us, the Jews themselves had but a very imperfect knowledge. A large and influential sect among them disbelieved the resurrection of the dead, the being of angels, and the existence of spirits or souls departed. The light, with which the Jews were peculiarly favored,was precious, and is, by us, to be highly prized. Yet it was very imperfect, compared with the light of the gospel; a morning star, to precede the day-spring, and to be a very humble type of the sun of righteousness, which was predicted, and expected to rise with healing in his wings. Such was the state of the Jews and Gentiles, as to religious knowledge at the birth of Christ.

But I hasten to specify a few important particulars, in which Christ is eminently the light of the world, and,