made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour, that he, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man. Heb. i. 1-4. Thanks unto Immanuel, therefore, who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of man was delivered for our offences, but raised again for our justification." And not only so, but he hath likewise ascended up on high, having led captivity captive, and received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord for the sweet revelation. Unto the Son, saith Abba, Father, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore, O God, even thy God anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows," 1 John ii. 1, 2. Now, then, as by the word throne. is to be understood the Lord's seat of authority; so do we, in thi- place, behold the Son of God, after having finished redemption's work in our law-place, room and stead; for ever sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Phil. ii. 9-11. What a wonderful visional view of all this was John favoured with in the Isle of Patmos, when on the Lord's-day, being in the Spirit, he heard a voice, as it were of a trumpet talking with him. Rev. iv. 1-8.

But this is not all. Inasmuch as that the Lord Jesus is not only thus gone into heaven as our forerunner, angels, authorities, principalities and powers being made subject unto him; but also, so great is his loving-kindness and tender mercy, that he will not have his people remain ignorant on a point of such infinite blessedness. And on this ground, in our morning scripture, are we given to

view him riding upon the heavens ; coming forth with a rich proclamation of salvation on the one hand, while on the other gently reproving those who trust in their own doings or sacrifices, instead of the tabernacle raised up without hands. As for example in the two following verses, we have a little of this their abomination opened out. Sweet then the unspeakable mercy. The law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by the which we draw nigh unto God. Heb. iv. 14, 16. The Lord cause you, my brethren and sisters, to see how great your privileges; knowing that ye are not under the law but under grace. Hearken then, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised to them that love him? In a word, who so poor as Jesus, that had not where to lay his head? Add yet at the same time, who so rich as the Lord? "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," 2 Cor. viii. 9. Hence, 6.6 Thus saith the Lord," &c.

In speaking unto you, then, from this sublime proclamation, on our anniversary day, my humble desire is in the

First place, To show somewhat of his almighty character and great love here revealed to the apprehension of faith, through the medium of the prophet's pen; from whence will be directly seen, both unto whom he is speaking, and also in what his exalted state doth consist. "Thus saith," &c.

He therefore who hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. By the word, Lord, which in this place is printed in capital letters, is to be understood the glorious person of the Son of God, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and in whom we are complete. In confirmation of this sentiment, we have only to look back into the

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xviiith chapter of this very prophesy, where he declares, “I, even I am the Lord, and beside me there is no Saviour." "Neither is there salvation any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Well therefore spake David, Salvation belongeth unto tha Lord thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah." As touching then the Son in all his ineffable, inherent, and underived glories of Godhead, Deity and Divinity; He is equal with the Father and Holy Ghost, in person, dignity, honour and power, "God over all, blessed for evermore," 1 Tim. vi. 16. Which with respect to him in his Headship character, or Son of God, he was constituted such from everlasting, or in the beginning of Jehovah's ways, when by mutual agreement between the Holy Three Persons in the undivided essence, the Father appointed, the Son humbled himself to become Servant of the covenant, and the Holy Ghost undertook to reveal. Thus, as the Son, he declares, I and my Father are one," in every sense of the term; while as the only begotten Son of God, Jesus saith, 'My Father is greater than I." Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that this is the Lord Isaiah saw sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, one illustrious Person, partaking of two natures, divine and human. And having now passed through three separate and distinct conditions, the Son, the Son of God, and the Son of Man. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Let it then be sufficient just to add, hat this is he, who having been made sin for us, hath now taken his seat above, where he was before, heaven being his throne. Heb. v. 8, 9, 10. Hallelujah, it is the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rom. viii. 31, 34.

From the foregoing methinks it is clear, that heaven is a place not made with hands, where saints for ever and for ever reign, in the presence of God and the Lamb. Paul, if you remem

ber, he writes concerning his being caught up to the third heaven, where he heard unspeakable words, which it is not possible for a man to utter. Again, Elijah was taken by a whirlwind up into heaven, when parted from Elisha his successor, in a chariot of fire, and horses of fire. And once again, to crown the whole, of Jesus himself we read, while with his disciples on the Mount Olivet, as they looked stedfastly toward heaven, he went up into heaven," Acts i. 19, 11. Stephen, moreover, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the righthand of God; and said, Behold I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right-hand of God." Furthermore, into this very heaven are the spirits of the elected, redeemed, and regenerated sons and daughters of the Most High admitted, immediately after their dismissal from this body of death, to be for ever with the Lord. 2 Cor. v. 1-4. But notwithstanding all this, it must be borne in mind, that the word heaven, in its spiritual sense, hath a far higher and more comprehensive signification, as it relates to the living church of the living God, who are of heavenly and divine origin, in contradistinction to the rest, who are earthly, sensual and devilish. 1 John iii. 10, 12.

Here traced out God the Father's original act of love towards his people in Christ, as displayed towards them in covenant acts of election, predestination, adoption. and acceptation of their persons in the Beloved, before the foundation of the world. Then proved, in the eternal councils of heaven, how the Son of God betrothed, all that the Father gave unto him, to himself. as his members mystical, promised as our Surety to die the just for the unjust, and make our peace by the blood of his cross, &c. Eph. ii. 14, 18.

Ah, saith a poor soul, is he my peace? Yes, if so be thou art born

again from above, and Christ the Lord hath made thy heart his throne! Say then hath this almighty Lord ever spoken unto you, as the text opens with a "Thus saith the Lord: my sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me,' saith Jesus. Hear it in the law after the new birth in the soul. Hear it in the gospel's joyful sound, proclaiming deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and liberty to those that are bound. Once have I heard, yea twice, that power belongeth unto God. 1 Thess. v. 4—7. Blessed, therefore, are the people who know the joyful sound, they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance; in thy name shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they rejoice. You see then, I trust, in what manner the spiritual "heavens declare the glory of God;" while the earth, or the wicked and ungodly, not so, being the Lord's footstool, trodden under foot; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right-hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." How striking the similitude! For as the Lord declared, "I will turn my hand upon the little ones," to bring them back again into the bond of the covenant; so the wicked shall be trodden under foot, and "be as ashes in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts." The blasphemous Socinian, together with the deluded Romanist and impious free-willer, are all in the dust of the earth, under the Lord's feet, feeding upon ashes; a deceived heart hath turned such aside, that they cannot deliver themselves, neither do they know of a lie being in their right hand. 1 Cor. vi. 11. What a mercy, therefore, that we, who were born in sin, and shapen in iniquity," grovelling in the dust of the earth, have been raised up, by the Lord our God, from the dunghill, to sit among princes, and. to inherit the throne of glory. Eph. ii. 4-7 Behold then the goodness and severity of God on them that fell, severity;

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for the angels which kept not their first estate, God hath reserved in chains, under darkness, until the judgment of the great day : but towards thee, goodness, in having preserved thee in Christ Jesus, as á church and people, in this gospel Bethesda, from the first day until now. I say then, hath God cast away his people whom he foreknew? God forbid ! "For having obtained help of God, we continue to this day, the anniversary of opening this beautiful house of prayer. Surely, therefore, both ministers and people cannot but join in chorus the song of, "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but untothy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake." This leads me,

II. To make manifest in what way and manner the Lord from his exalted throne is pleased to reprove his people; pointing out at the same time how apt we each are to look more at the work of our own hands, than to the builder of all things. "Where is &c."

Now then here it appears that this professing people were doing what numbers are guilty of in the present awful day; namely, building churches chapels or houses of prayer, under the foolish idea they are doing the Lord's service: imagining that the greater uumber of such places as are to be found in the land, the greater increase there is of vital godliness amongst us. “This is their folly and their posterity praise their saying when calling the lands after their own names! Nevertheless it is not the house made with hands the Lord beholds but the spiritual worshippers in the heart! John iv. 24. Look and see what an increased number of churches (as they are improperly called) of the establishment are being, and have been, built in all directions with an untempered mortar and yet within them, how profane, both by the priest and people!" xxiii. 10, 12. Again in the Congregational Churches also, they

are not a whit better, yea rather worse when crying" the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we," not considering the Lord of hosts. 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20, “ I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart;" on account of their abominations with which we are surrounded on every side, north, south east and west! Ah saith the faithful and true witness, unto this Laodicean age, "I know thy works that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest I am rich and increased in goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and halted! But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which ye have shewed to us his name: in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." 1 John iv. 1.

Doth therefore the Lord enquire, "Where is the house that ye have builded unto me?" It is no where to be found, (sinful self, and righteous self lying at the bottom'!) And where is the place of my rest? Only in the hearts of his people: and not in the mere house, however costly or splendid the edifice. Wherefore of Zion generally and her citizens particularly the Lord graciously proclaims, This is my rest, here will I dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision, and satisfy her poor with bread. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout alound for joy! Oh yes, Jesus is in Zion, and he is the rest wherewith he refresheth the weary! In him we find rest from the curse of

a broken law, Gal. iii. 18. In him we have rest from the penal effects and dominion of sin, Eph. i. 7. In him we have a complete rest from the second death and wrath to come 2 Tim. i. 10. And thus it is plain we have believed do enter into rest, by the faith of the Son of God here be low; as a token that hereafter we shall enter into our eternal rest in the boundless realms of everlasting glory. Psalm lxxxiv. 11. How true therefore what immediately follows," for all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things hath been saith the Lord. Hence it is written, "the Lord hath made all things for himself (in the everlasting covenant, in creation, in providence, in grace and glory) yea even the wicked for the day of evil! For the killeth and maketh alive, he bringeth down and lifteth up; he will keep the feet of his saints, the wicked shall be silent in darkness for by strength shall no man prevail. The deceiver and the deceived are both his : for if the prophet deceived, I the Lord have deceived that prophet; and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Thou will then say unto me, Why doth yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it Why, hast thou made me thus ? Hath not the almighty Potter power over the clay of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour? Rom ix. 22-25.

Here pointed out how gracious the Lord hath been to the honoured pastor of this spiritual church during the past twelve months: in enabling him to go in and out before him, instant in season and out of season, whilst many others have been deprived of such an unspeakable blessing. After which called up attention concerning themselves and little ones in their privileges: when so sitting from

time to time under such a faithful, tried, and sifting ministry. And then proved although the elected redeemed and regenerated children of God, were handled with the honourable name Antinomian: still it is only unto what we are called by the Lord himself, John xiv. 20, 21.

Think it not strange then that ye are so hated and persecuted by the ungodly worldly minded professors; it being to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and say all manner of evil against you felsely for my sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." John xvi. 33. But it is high time to pass into the next branch of my subject and close all up.

III. By setting forth not only in what the vast privileges of the Lord's people doth consist: but likewise give in before you a few of the marks or signs of a personal interest in the whole. "But to God" &c.

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What a blessed but is this, and how seasonable it comes in by way of consolation to the afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted. For be pleased to notice here, as the word, man, is in italics; so also is the woman included in this sweet and exceeding precious promise man being not without the woman nor the woman without the man in the Lord!" most cheering therefore the Revelation, the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ear open unto their cry." "And the Lord heard their groaning, and the Lord remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob: and God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them!" What a look of love must that have been when from everlasting in the ancient covenant settlements of eternity; the Son beheld his royal bride in all her mystic members as presen

Here proved that the first look of love, openly revealed to the children themselves in the day of the Lord's power is in regeneration: whereby the life of God is raised up in the soul, and the eyes of our understanding being enlightened" to look unto unto him in return. John iii. 3. And then are we brought look unto him from of the law: "who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." The Lord looked upon Peter, the thief on the cross, and Saul of Tarsus; and you well know the upshot of his outgoings towards them in such infinite acts of blessedness. 1 John iv. 19. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord who hath made heaven and earth.

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Blessed therefore be the Lord's most holy name, he hath already looked upon many us already in a way of love mercy and favour whereof we have every reason to rejoice. And hence his gracious direction "Hearken unto me ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord look unto the rock whence ye are hewn and to hole of the pit whence ye were digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah, that bear you : for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him," Gal. iii. 28, 29.