should ascend up to heaven, in order to receive that power, authority and honour, which was to belong to him for ever after; and hence you will also perceive the propriety of this point of doctrine forming a part of our confession of faith.

I shall conclude this head of my discourse, by mentioning one more effect (and that one of great consequence to the comfort and support of Christians) of our Saviour's ascension, and that was the effusion of the Holy Ghost. It was by means of this that the apostles were to spread the Gospel throughout the world; and by this also were the minds of all Christians to be enlightened, and their hearts sanctified for ever. Our Lord promised that he would be with the apostles and their converts, by this divine presence, "even unto the end of the world." Those holy men were well aware that this would be the consequence of their Lord's ascension, He himself having informed them that it would be so; "I tell you the truth," says he, "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.". That this special gift of the Holy Ghost was dependant on the ascension of Christ, is evident from St. Peter's address to his countrymen; "therefore being by the right hand

* John xvi. 7.

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'." And the same thing follows from the language of his brother apostle Paul, who, in his epistle to the Ephesians, has these words, "wherefore, he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave GIFTS unto men

m "

The sending of this gift for the edification and support of all good Christians, was therefore one of the important effects of the ascension of our blessed Lord.

I have now stated to you five points, to accomplish which, it seems to have been expedient for our Lord to ascend visibly to heaven, and these I will briefly repeat. First, it was to prove the heavenly origin and the truth of his religion; secondly, to complete the work ofour redemption, by personally presenting his sacrifice, and interceding with God for us; thirdly, to assure us of our ascension also; fourthly, to enter 66 upon his glory," and to take possession of that power, by which he was henceforward to govern his church; and fifthly, that he might send that Holy Spirit, which he promised to his apostles, and their faithful disciples to "abide with them for ever."

On these probable reasons I shall ground

a few short remarks tending to the edification and improvement of your minds.

1. From the ascension of Jesus, let our faith receive strength; and our confidence in the truth of all his precious promises acquire still further confirmation. He has proved his near relationship to that God, as whose Son he appeared on earth; let us then bow the knee before him, and reverence his name.

2. Let us bear in mind that we have now a "Jesus powerful advocate with the Father, Christ the righteous, who ever liveth to make intercession for us." This consideration will afford to those who are distressed with a feeling and consciousness of sin, consolation in their grief: whilst on those who sedulously endeavour "to walk with God," and hold sacred communion with Him, it pours the bright rays of hope and assurance. Hopefully may we approach the throne of grace, when we are assured that our cause will be pleaded by " him who gave Himself for us." For if the sins of men cry out for vengeance, and would bar the door against them," the blood of Christ, which speaketh better things than the blood of Abel," cries louder and more effectually for mercy and admittance.

3. If Christ has gone "to prepare a place" for us, let us be careful not to lose so precious an inheritance. That place we shall never occupy, unless we try to make our

selves fit for it by an unceasing endeavour to "purify our hearts, even as He was pure;" and to govern our conduct, as well by the example as by the rules which he has given

us.

Lastly, to aid and encourage our exertions in the ways of righteousness, He has promised to shed upon us the gracious influences of his Holy Spirit, if we will only ask for them. Ask therefore, my brethren, and ye shall receive" assistance from the Holy One, to enable you to walk so as to please God and ask like men in earnest; entreat that Lord," who ascended to heaven that he might give this gift to men, to pour upon you the riches of his grace," even of that grace which is sufficient to empower you to triumph over the world, the flesh, and the devil, and to raise you up at last to the same place whither Christ himself is gone before. To whom, &c.

SERMON IX.

1 COR. xii. 1.

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

By the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, man was redeemed, justified, and made an heir of eternal salvation. The obstacles thrown in his way by the original curse denounced on the sin of his first parents, were removed; and a path was opened to him, whereby he might attain to the inheritance so dearly purchased for him.

But inasmuch as he is still by nature a weak and erring creature, and unable, of his own strength, to follow the rules prescribed for his guidance, the same blessed Being who laid down his life a ransom for man's sins," sent his Holy Spirit to supply our spritual wants; and to render us meet to follow our Saviour to his kingdom in heaven.

This office of the Holy Ghost, which is called SANCTIFICATION, I propose to consider in the following discourse.