the throne. "He dieth no more: death hath no more "dominion over him." The head that once wore "a crown of thorns, is now crowned with glory and " honor." The hands once nailed to the tree, now wield the sceptre of universal empire. And he who was once surrounded by blaspheming men, is now worshipped by all the angels in heaven!

Secondly. We may consider the ascension of our Lord in reference to his enemies. Thus he is a conqueror. He had foes, but he vanquished them; " and "having spoiled principalities, and powers, he made a "shew of them openly. He triumphed over them." It was customary for a Roman general, after a successful and glorious termination of a war, to return to the capitol of his country. This he entered in triumph. He rode in a lofty car: some of the spoils were suspended from on high; a number of the captives were fastened to the axle-tree of the chariot wheels; myriads gazed and shouted; while the conqueror scattered largesses among the admiring and applauding multi

tude.

Behold the triumph of our Redeemer ! "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity cap"tive: thou hast received gifts for men: yea, for the "rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among

them." He has conquered the conquerors, and bound those who had enslaved us. Sin, the devil, the world, death these are the enemies he has overcome. And to-day he enjoys his triumph. Lift up your heads, "O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, " and the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this "King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the "Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and "the King of Glory shall come in. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of Hosts, he is the King of Glo"ry. God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the "sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.”

Q christians, what have you to fear? You behold your chief in triumph, and your enemies in chains. We can easily imagine how a Roman could fear an enemy while they waged the war, and before the victory was obtained-but would he tremble, think you, when he saw these foes defeated, spoiled, and exposed to view, to prove the reality of their subjection? What emotions were excited in all parts of England, through which the Spaniards were led, after the destruction of their invincible armada? And when the instruments of their cruelty were carried along with them? How fearless of enemies now taken captive! what joy at having escaped from their teeth! And shall we not rejoice in him who has saved us from our enemies, "and from the hand of them that hate us ?" How certainly would they; and how nearly had they, proved our destruction.

But as he triumphs, he also bestows upon us various and inestimable blessings. "Wherefore he saith, "when he ascendeth up on high, he led captivity cap❝tive, and gave gifts unto men; and he gave some, "apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangel"ists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for "the edifying of the body of Christ." There is another gift, without which we should still have perished, and this also descends from a glorified Saviour."Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, "and having received of the Father the promise of the "Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now "see and hear." He hath said to his disciples, “nev"ertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you "that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter " will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send "him unto you." This promise was soon fulfilled, not only in miraculous, but also in saving and sanctifying operations; and continues to be accomplished in the enlightening conversion and establishment of every real believer.

But this has led us to anticipate the third view we are to take of the Saviour's ascension, viz. as it regards his people:

And thus he ascended as the high priest of their profession. If he were on earth, says the apostle, he should not be a priest-he means that had he continued here, he could not have completely fulfilled the office that typified him. To understand this, it is necessary. to observe, that the high priest was not only to offer sacrifice. When he had slain the atoning victim, he took the blood into the holy place, and sprinkled it upon the mercy-seat, and also burned incense. Whether on this occasion, he used any words, we are not informed-but the action spake loud enough. Thus Jesus having suffered on earth, produces and pleads his sufferings in heaven : "Christ being come an high "priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to "say, not of this building; neither by the blood of "goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in "once into the holy place, having obtained eternal re"demption for us. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures "of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in "the presence of God for us. There he maintains our cause there, as our intercessor, he offers much incense with the prayers of all the saints, and obtains for us both the acceptance of our persons and services. "Wherefore he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make " intercession for them. Who is he that condemneth ? "It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, "who is even at the right hand of God, who also ma"keth intercession for us.” How eloquent are his wounds ! How vocal is his sacrifice? "Blood of "sprinkling which speaketh better things than that of "Abel," speak not only to God, but to our souls, that hearing thy voice we may enter into rest, and though unworthy and imperfect in all our duties may have

"boldness and access with confidence, by the faith of "thee."

He ascended as their head and representative. Two characters had ascended before, Enoch, and Elijah. But they ascended as private individuals; and it did not follow, because they ascended, that others would ascend too they were not so connected with others as to move them by their influence. But he attracts, he draws millions. His glory is the pledge of our own. By virtue of an intimate and inseparable union which no event can destroy, no distance can weaken....because he lives, we shall live also. He is the master, and we are the servants; he is the head, and we are the body. We are therefore said to be "raised "up and made to sit together with him in heavenly "places." The apostle speaking of the Christian's. hope, says, "which hope we have as an anchor of the "soul both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into "that within the vail; whither the fore-runner is for us "entered, even Jesus made an high priest for ever, af "ter the order of Melchisedec." You see even heaven would be no refuge for us, if he were not there. When our hope penetrates heaven, there is nothing on which our hope can fix, but himself. But he has entered, and not for himself only, but for us....to procure a passage, to prepare a place for us, and to insure our following after. When he entered his glory, he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. And the gates he left open....saying, more are coming; I am "only the fore-runner of a multitude which no man "can number, out of all nations, and kindreds, and "people, and tongues....I saw them loosing from the "world, and asking for a better country; some were "coming from agreeable scenes, and many from great "tribulation....they are now upon the road, at unequal "distances; I have made provision for their guidance "and safety, and here in due time will they all arrive." He ascended as their protector and governor. "that descended is the same also that ascended up

"He far

"above all heavens, that he might fill all things." His. situation and capacity are sufficient to relieve all the wants and accomplish all the hopes of those that are under his care. He has universal sovereignty and boundless resources-and he has all this for them. "He is "head over all things unto his body the church." Their present and everlasting welfare is secured; since he has all creatures under his controul and can make all things work together for their good!

And now what remains but that we translate this article of our creed into our lives, express his government in our subjection, and by being the most obedient of all servants declare him to be the greatest of all mas

ters.

And first, follow him where he now is. "If ye "then be risen with Christ, seek those things that are "above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God." Is not he your portion and your treasure? Why then are you so attached to earth? Why seek ye the living among the dead. He is not here; he is risen; he is ascended. Far above this vain world is your Saviour, and your exceeding joy. How strange is it that you do not more long to depart to be with him. When a most beloved friend has removed from you to a distant part of the kingdom, has it not weakened your attachment to your own situation, and made you think much of his? You have buried a relation: you have a child in heaven-and O! How you follow him thither in your thoughts, and desires! You have something to render heaven more endearing and attractive. And O how much less has the world to charm, and to chain you! But the body is deposited in yonder grave— thither you go-feel an interest, and claim a property in the dust-this was-it is mine. But nothing of the Saviour remains here: Not even his dust-for he saw not corruption; his body forsook the tomb, and was received up into glory. Away then from earth-and follow after him to heaven.

Secondly, "Seeing that we have a great high priest