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cordingly it is in this view of merited re- SERMON compence, that his ascension and exaltation at the right hand of God, is always set forth in Scripture. Because he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant ; and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow-and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father*. In this constitution of Providence, an illustrious testimony was designed to be given of God's regard and love to eminent righteousness. We see Jesus as the Apostle speaks, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour †. We see signal pre-eminence made the reward of signal condescension for the sake of mankind; and self-abasement and humiliation made the road to glory. We are taught, in this great instance, that God never deserts the cause that is his own, nor leaves worth and piety to be finally op

* Philipp, ii. 7, &c.
6

+ Heb. ii. 9.

pressed;

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SERMON pressed; though for a while he may allow trials and hardships to be undergone by the best men. No person could appear more neglected and forsaken by God, than our Saviour was, for a season, when in the hands of his foes. Important purposes of Providence were, during that season, carried on; but as soon as those purposes were accomplished, God came forth. in support of righteousness and truth, and by the high honours bestowed on Christ, establish ed his eternal triumph over all his foes.

While we thus view our Saviour's ascension as a glorification justly merited on his own account, we cannot but on our part highly rejoice in it from a sense of the obligations we lie under to him. Devoid of every just and honourable sentiment must he be, who partakes not with cordial satisfaction in the success and triumph of a generous benefactor, who for his sake had exposed himself to much distress and danger.-In that holy sacrament which we this day celebrated, we beheld our blessed Saviour despised and rejected of men; we saw him treated as the vilest of malefactors, led to the hill of Golgotha

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with scorn and contempt, and there under- SERMON going all that the cruelty of his enemies could contrive to inflict. All this we beheld him patiently and cheerfully enduring for our sake, in order to accomplish our redemption.-Now, when at his next appearance we behold such a glorious revolution; when we behold him rising from the dead, ascending into the highest heavens, sitting down there at the right hand of God, and all things in heaven and earth made to bow before him, shall not we, my brethren, with thankful and devout hearts partake joyfully in his exaltation and felicity ?-Thou, O Divine Benefactor! O Illustrious Restorer of the lost hopes and happiness of mankind! Thou art most worthy to be thus raised above all beings. Our sorrows once were thine. For our transgressions thou wert bruised; and for our inquities wounded. Now, in thy joy we rejoice; and in thine honours we triumph.

We

with lifted hands will ever bless thee. Prostrate at thy feet, we will join with all the heavenly host in celebrating thy praises; in ascribing to Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

SERMON all power, and glory, and dominion for

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ever!

IN the third place, Christ ascended into heaven that he might act there, in the presence of God, as our High Priest and Intercessor. This office which he performs, was pre-signified under the Jewish dispensation, by the High Priest entering once every year, on the great day of atonement, into the holiest place in the temple, and there sprinkling the blood of the sacrifice before the mercy seat. But Christ being come, an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with bands, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ; 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, we are told, be ever liveth to make intercession for his people *.-By his appearing in the human nature, while he is acting as intercessor

be

for

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for mankind, an everlasting memorial is SERMON presented to the Almighty of the Redeemer's love to men. That sacrifice which was offered on Mount Calvary, still continues to ascend before the throne; and that blood which was shed on the cross, flows for ever in the sight of God.

CONCERNING the nature of this intercession, which our Saviour is represented as making in Heaven, and his continuing to appear in the human nature for that purpose, I am aware that difficulties and objections may be raised by some. I readily admit, that the whole doctrine revealed to us in Scripture relating to the incarnation of Christ, the atonement made by his death, and the nature of his intercession for us in heaven, is of a mysterious kind. It is what we can comprehend in a very imperfect manner; and when we attempt too particularly to explain or discuss any of these doctrines, we are apt to darken counsel by words without knowledge *.-Let us not however imagine that the mysterious nature of those doctrines furnishes any just objection against

* Job, xxxviii. 2.

the