fulfils to Christians every purpose both of encouragement and consolation. It encourages the humble virtuous man, who might be apt to look up with distrust to the awful Majesty of Heaven. It brings consolation to the penitent returning sinner, from the belief that unworthy as he is in himself, Christ the Saviour is worthy, by his powerful intercession, to procure his salvation. What plan of religion could have been given more suited than this to the circumstances of man, in his present state of weakness and infirmity? What more animating to every sincere worshipper? Let us study to do our best; and if our endeavours be faithful, and our hearts be upright, we have an advocate with the Father in Heaven, on whose intercession we can rely; One who is able to save to the uttermost, all who come unto God through him. We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but who was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.* In the last place, our Saviour ascended into Heaven in order to exercise there the office of our King, as well as of our High Priest and Intercessor. His ascension was a solemn investiture in that royal authority with which he was to act as Head of the Church till the end of time. All power in Heaven and earth was committed to him. In token of his being the Sovereign of both worlds, in triumph he rose from his earthly grave, and in triumph ascended into Heaven. Therefore let all the House of Israel * Heb. viii. 25.—iv. 15, 16. know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ.* I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will give him the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.† This view of our Lord's ascension and exaltation obviously commands from all Christians the most profound reverence and submission. No longer let the humble appearance he made on earth vilify him to our apprehension. Never let the consideration of his grace and goodness as our Intercessor in heaven, be separated from the thoughts of that awful Majesty with which his ascension clothes him. With impunity none can offend him. If all the heavenly hosts adore him, if the whole universe obey him, what must be the fate of those, who, being of all creatures the most highly indebted to his goodness, revolt against his government, and refuse obedience to his laws? But while with awe and reverence the ascension and regal character of our Saviour is fitted to inspire us, it communicates also the highest satisfaction and comfort to our hearts. Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. They have a Sovereign to whose protection they can, with firm trust, commit all their interests in life and death. There is no temptation under which his grace cannot be sufficient for them no distress, from which it is not in his power to deliver them; no darkness but he can enlighten by a ray sent down from his eternal throne. Lo! I am with you always, even to the end of the world. From that eminence of celestial glory in which he resides, he beholds and remarks whatever is carried on through * Acts, ii. 36. + Psalm ii. 6. 8. Psalm cxlix. 2. ; out all his dominions. No secret conspiracy can escape his view; no fraud of wicked men or evil spirits can baffle his designs. The heathen may rage, and the people imagine a vain thing. Kings of the earth may set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and his anointed. But he that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. As his watchful eye is ever open to observe, so his almighty arm is ever extended to guard his church and people. The same characters of wisdom and power, of justice and mercy, which we ascribe to the Providence and dominion of God the Father, belong, in their fullest extent, to the kingdom and government of Christ the Son of God. This peculiar satisfaction his government affords us, that in the midst of sovereign authority, we know that he still retains the same mild and compassionate spirit, which he showed as our High Priest. The meanest of his subjects is not overlooked by him. The inhabitant of the most obscure cottage, equally as the possessor of the most splendid palace, dwells under his protection. He listens to the prayer of the poor, and despises not the services they yield him. The widow's mite is in his sight an acceptable offering; and even a cup of cold water given to a disciple in his name passes not without its reward.— Hence the characters of his regal administration `cannot be better described than in the beautiful language of the prophetic Psalmist; He shall judge the people with righteousness, and the poor with judgment. The righteous shall flourish in his days. He shall save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor. He shall deliver the needy when he crieth: the poor also, and him that hath no helper. His name shall endure for ever. It shall be continued as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed in him; and all nations shall call him blessed. * We have now under several views considered the ascension of Christ, and the important purposes which were answered by it. In going along, I have pointed out some of the chief effects which ought to be produced on us by this object of our faith. Much more might be said on this subject, did the bounds of a discourse permit it. One improvement of the subject which the sacred writers often point out, must not be forgotten. If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth. A certain conformity with Christ, their great leader, in all the circumstances of his history is in Scripture exacted from Christians. As they must die with him to sin, they must rise with him unto newness of life; and with him ascend in heart to heaven, and dwell in their affections where he is. The elevated hopes which Christ, by his resurrection and ascension, has set before us ought to inspire Christians with suitable elevation of sentiment above this present world. As Christ is in you the hope of glory, let every one who hath this hope in him, purify himself as Christ is pure. ‡ Let not the corrupt pleasures of this world debase you. Let not its terrors deject you. But in your whole conduct, let that dignity and equanimity appear, which belongs to those who have such high connections. Christ, as your forerunner, hath entered into *Psalm lxxii. + Coloss. iii. 1, 2. 1 John, iii. 3. the highest heavens; Him, it is your part to follow, in the paths of piety and virtue. In those paths proceed with perseverance and constancy, animated by those words of your departing Redeemer, which ought ever to dwell in your remembrance; Go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God. In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there ye may be also * |