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the Israel of God, and as the Captain of their salvation, should conduct them to their everlasting home. "He ever liveth," they would say, to make intercession for us; He has ascended to His Father and our Father, to His God and our God,* and He is in that Divine Presence for us. Our life is hid with Christ in God:† and whatever may be our earthly tribulations, it is placed beyond the reach of assault, and will be eternal like His own." Neither are we to omit, in this place, the intelligence which had just been communicated to them concerning the second coming of their Lord: Ye men of Galilee, said the angels, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven. That this was no subordinate motive of joy, may be inferred from the time and the manner of its announcement; and while it served to impress them with the highest sense of the dignity of Christ, and to bring back to their recollection what He had himself repeatedly stated upon the subject, it would be a delightful thought that the exalted Person who should hereafter descend in glory to judge the world, would be that same Jesus, that same ↑ Acts i. 11.

* John xx.

17.

+ Col. iii. 3.

beloved Master and Friend, whose parting words were still sounding in their ears; whose last looks of affection were treasured in their hearts.

In conclusion we may observe,

1. That the ascension of our Lord is not merely an important fact in the history of redemption, but that it furnishes a lesson of practical duty.

Did

The remark is just in its application to each of the great events of our Saviour's history, and is repeatedly introduced in the New Testament. Did He humble Himself in the manner of His appearing in the world? Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.* He endure the contradiction of sinners against himself? Consider Him, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Did He suffer upon the cross? We are to be crucified with Christ, and to be dead with Him.‡ Did He rise again from the grave? We are to reckon ourselves as alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.§ Has He ascended into heaven? Set your affections on things above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Thither our desires are to follow Him; thither, as our church has beautifully

* Phil. ii. 5. Rom. vi. 6, 8.

§ Rom. vi. 11.

+ Heb. xii. 3.

|| Col. iii. 2.

taught us, we are in heart and mind to ascend, and with Him continually dwell.* Lift up your

Let others, if such be

hearts then, and elevate your views above the scene immediately around you, and pursue with Christian alacrity that heavenward path which your Saviour has trod! their ambition, set their affections on things below; but you have a nobler calling and a brighter hope; and the man whose treasure is in heaven, will have his heart there also.

2. How little is the mere man of the world capable of appreciating the internal state and feelings of the Christian.

Suppose the apostles, on their return from Bethany to Jerusalem, to have been met by some of their unbelieving countrymen, in what light would these disciples of a crucified Master have appeared? Some probably would have treated them with insult, as fanatics: and some with compassion, as the unhappy dupes of a daring imposture: but all would have considered them as among the most abject and most miserable of mankind; as men whose expectations had been utterly disappointed, and whose hopes were blasted for ever. Yet were these persons, although apparently desolate, rejoicing with * Collect for Ascension Day.

unutterable joy. And how often is the same remark applicable to the faithful follower of Christ, in every age! How often, when all outward circumstances are against him, does he possess that peace which the world cannot give, and exult in that joy with which a stranger intermeddleth not! *

3. What comfort and encouragement may we derive from this subject in prosecuting our Christian

course.

Are you conscious, my brethren, of many deviations from the path of holy obedience; and convinced that if God should be extreme to mark what is done amiss, you would be unable to stand before Him? Your Saviour isseated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, and hence If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. How powerful and persuasive is that intercession, we may learn in some measure from the prayer which He offered for His disciples, and not for them only, but for all who should believe through their word; a prayer which breathes, throughout, the most tender affection for His people: I pray not for the world; but for them which thou hast given me; + 1 John ii. 1.

*Prov. xiv. 10.

for they are thine. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me.*

Are you terrified at the world's hostility? Be of good cheer: He has overcome the world:† and having endured the cross, despising the shame, He is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Are you disposed, under the pressure of afflictions, to conclude that He has forsaken or forgotten you? So too might St. Stephen have thought: but Behold! said he, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God:§ not seated, as in a state of repose; but standing, as prepared to hasten to the aid of His servant. In the fact of His exaltation, we find an evidence that His people shall not be left destitute, and that His gracious assurance shall certainly be fulfilled; I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish ; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.||

* John xvii.

& Acts vii. 56.

John xvi. 33. ↑ Heb. xii. 2.

|| John x. 28.