that he might fill all things?" "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 maketh intercession for us." Like the High Priest of old, he has "entered within the vail:" but, unlike him, he has entered in but " once 66 once for all”. "having obtained eternal redemption for us." This is the thought, also, which will keep alive our hope of a glorious re-union between the ascended Redeemer, and his desolate Church. What were his parting words, when he was about to leave us? "In my Father's house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am there ye may be also." You see, then, why he would have us remember his ascension to his God' and Father. It is the pledge of his return-the guerdon of our hopes-the first step to our own attainment of an inheritance in the kingdom of God. "He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly!" Oh, let every believing heart reply, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord But methinks I hear you say, with a downcast look, and a heart almost ready to burst, 'This is too high a flight for me to take. Aspirations like these might suit" the disciple whom Jesus loved" -but mine they can never be. If I am saved at all, it must be "so as by fire"-too happy, if the brand may but be plucked out ere it be consumed. I, alas! have dishonoured my Saviour and his cause: I have given occasion to his adversaries to blaspheme. I will not, indeed, despair of his mercy -for that is infinite: but my sins require that I should be ashamed and confounded, and never open my mouth any more because of my shame,” even if he be at length "pacified with me for all that I have done.' Now then, brethren, for you also this instructive discourse of Jesus is recorded; for observe how, in the fifth and last place, V. HE ENCOURAGES CONTRITE PENITENTS TO LOOK FOR A SHARE IN HIS OWN HONOURS. To whom is this early message sent, by the hand of Mary Magdalene? To three disciples, whom no remonstrances could keep awake, while their Master was suffering unknown agonies at the brook Kedron! To eleven, (all that he had left for Judas the traitor was 66 gone to his own place,") who, on the first approach of danger, fled for their lives! To one, who, after the most passionate protestations that he would even "die with him," began at length "to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the Man!" Nay, it was to this individual, more pointedly than to the others, that the message was sent- "Go tell his disciples, and Peter;" for such is the account, as given by St. Mark. sage? Does it say, And now what is the mes- before men, I also will deny you before my Fa- 'How he loved those twelve persons!' said the Persian scribe to Henry Martyn, as they sat together translating the Gospel of St. John. Yes,' replied Martyn-' and all those who believe on him through their word.' And so, brethren, in our Master's name, we say unto you. You are as welcome to his love, as any of those twelve. What though they had so shamefully deserted him, in the hour of his extremity? He was ready, not only to forgive, but also still to own them. You call me Rabboni, Master; and ye say well, for so I am. But I will call you brethren, and not servants. And I tell you, moreover, that he to whom I ascend, is not more my Father and God, than he is yours-yours for my sake; nor will he ever cease to be yours, until he shall be mine no longer.'-Now then, let every contrite mourner hear and be comforted! Think it not too much to hope, that you are the brethren of Christ, and children of God, if" with weeping and supplication " you return to him. Think it not an honour beyond your attainment, however U it may be beyond your deservings, that, sharing in Christ's relation to his Father, you should also share in his exaltation. You are already "dead with him;" you "shall also live with him." It was for no other purpose, than that he might "bring many sons unto glory," that God "made the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." And who are those sons? All who repent and believe; all who trust and love the Friend of sinners. One word more, brethren, and I conclude.You have seen "the things which Jesus began both to do and to teach," immediately on his rising from the tomb. You have heard that his grace, love, power, and wisdom, are still the same, and will be the same, even for ever. My parting word, then, to every one of you, is this: Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace!" To live and die at enmity with, or even in a neglect of him—oh, you must not think of it! It is madness, it is guilt unpardonable, it is hopeless ruin! But to know him now, is to know him for ever; to love him, is to be for ever beloved of him; and for one message of comfort which he sends to you on earth, you shall have more than ten thousand joys hereafter, in the kingdom of "his Father and your Father, of his God and your God." 291 SERMON XVIII. ROMANS VII. 24, 25. Oh, wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh, the law of sin. SOME of you may be surprised at these words. For the history of St. Paul, and his own writings also, generally set him before us as a very happy, and a very holy man; full of zeal for his Master's work, ardent and successful in the performance of it. He did indeed encounter the fiercest opposition, from the enemies of Christ: wherever "a great door and effectual was opened" unto him, there were sure to be "many adversaries;" and "the Holy Ghost witnessed that, in every place, bonds and afflictions awaited him.” But he never complained of these things: nay, he could assure the Corinthians, and that at the very moment when he was dwelling upon the recollection of them, "I |