still,' and there was a great calm. (Mark, iv. 35-41.) They beheld the Glory of the risen Christ, the same as when He dwelt among them, as the Only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth. And the first word of Resurrection Life that fell on mortal ears, was the tender inquiry as of old into mortal woe, 'Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?' While her own familiar name, 'MARY,' breathed from the risen God, as of old from the Man of Sorrows, changed her tears of grief to rapture such as Child of Earth had never known. He is 'Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' (Heb. xiii. 8.)

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CHAPTER IX.

ASCENSION.

'GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US, EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED), AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER, AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS.'-EPH. II. 4–6.

Up to the very gates of Death He is found of them that sought Him. He may be seen and known of all men. To His Cross the way is open. Even in His extremity of Death, the dying thief who had blasphemed Him, found Him to be his Redeemer; and turned, in penitence and prayer, to die with Jesus in the Peace of God. But beyond the Cross, not one who has not known Him in His SinAtoning Death can ever find Him; no alien heart, no careless eye, can behold the risen Christ. None can see Jesus raised for their justification, who have not seen Him dying for their offences. (Rom. iv. 25.)

In the Record that God has given us of His Son, we see that up to the very darkness of Death every one had readiest access to Him. Behold Him in Bethlehem's stable, the Shepherds pressing round

the new-born Babe. The Wise Men gathering to His feet. The learned men around Him in the Temple. While at Nazareth He dwelt familiarly amongst the homes of men. In the savage Wilderness the Tempter found no hindrance-the Devil himself could come near unto Him. On the Shore, and in Desert-places, the multitudes pressed upon Him. In the Cities they thronged Him. In the Highways they followed Him. By night or by day they found easy access to Him. All manner of sickness, and all manner of disease, was brought before Him. The Unbelieving questioned with Him. Deceivers tried to entangle Him in His words. False witnesses perverted His deeds and words. Judas bore Him constant company. Pilate judged Him. Herod set Him at nought. The soldiers scourged Him. A Slave smote Him on the cheek. Crowned Him with Thorns; they derided Him; they vehemently accused Him; they mocked Him, wagging their heads; they crucified Him; and with Him they crucified two thieves, one on His Right Hand and the other on the Left.

They

But when once past the Darkness of Death all is changed. He had paid the infinite Debt, He had borne the infinite Penalty. The infinite Holiness, Justice, and Love of God, were alike Glorified, and the everlasting Father could receive to His embrace His sinful but Blood-washed children. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our Sins in His own Blood; and hath made us Kings and Priests

unto God.' (Rev. i. 5.) From that hour His Redeemed Children alone could behold Him. Even in His Burial no alien hand was suffered to approach Him. There was Joseph of Arimathæa, an Honourable Counseller, who waited for the kingdom of God, to him it was given, in his own new tomb which was hewn out of a rock, to bury the Christ of God. And Nicodemus also, who at the first came to Jesus by night; and the Disciple whom Jesus loved; and the women who followed Him from Galilee, and ministered unto Him. These were they who with hearts of love and sorrow buried Jesus in the rock-hewn tomb.

When He rose, the Watch of Roman Soldiers set around the tomb felt the Earthquake, saw the Angel, and became as dead men; their senses all benumbed by fear, they might not see the risen Christ. The Love of the Cross must train the Sinner's eye to meet the Light of Resurrection Life. 'Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.' (Rev. iii. 18.) It was His own Promise, 'He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.' (John, xiv. 21.) Mary Magdalene, weeping at His Grave, beheld Him first, in the Light of the Resurrection morning. After that He was seen of Cephas; the loving heart that in its hour of weakness had denied Him, was the first of the Eleven Disciples to behold Him; his bitter weeping for his base denial, changed to joy unspeakable in this immediate mani

festation of his risen and forgiving Lord. As the Disciples walked by the way, the risen Christ drew near and went with them. 'Did not our hearts burn within us as He talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures!" And they told how He was made known to them in the breaking of Bread. He stood in the midst of them as they were assembled in the House, and said, Peace be unto you! ... Behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself!' As they toiled on the sea and had taken nothing, when the morning was come He stood on the shore, and said, 'Children, have ye any meat?' They answered Him, 'No.' He directed their labour, blessed it with large increase, and then bid them come and dine of the Feast He had prepared. Afterwards He was seen of above five hundred Brethren at once; but no cold, indifferent ear heard His voice of Life on Earth again; no unbelieving soul beheld Him. In some hearts there were doubts, but they were the doubts of longing souls, the doubts of them who believed not for joy; or of them who believed not for sorrow; or because love itself is ofttimes slow to realise the fact it most longs to see established.

It is so still, now that the purpose of His Death has been revealed. The eyes are never opened to see Jesus risen, until He is seen bearing our sins in His own Body on the Tree; that we being dead unto Sins should live unto Righteousness. (1 Pet. ii. 24.) Death closes the earthly scene, the Day of