and he represented the perfection of celes tial joy to consist in seeing him "face to face." The expression "face to face" is used in condescension to our weakness, and points out nearness of access, clearness of vision, familiarity of converse, and in return every assurance of good will and affection. While Jesus is represented as "the lamb in the midst of the throne," obvious to all, accessible by all the happy inhabitants, he "leads them unto living fountains of water," he communicates that fulness of glory and bliss which was contemplated in the Father's purpose, and purchased by his own infinitely meritorious decease, "The glory," he in his address to his God and our God, to his Father and our Father, "the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them:" He exalts them to the same throne with himself, gives them possession of the same kingdom, and will everlastingly dispense all that mea sure of happiness, which their ever expanding powers are capable of enjoying.

says

2. Jesus the Mediator, although received into heaven, still remains the fountain of all life, and light, and consolation to his church upon earth. By his removal from this world to the upper world, his administration of the concerns of Zion hath not ceased, but is only changed as to its nature, and he is there capable of managing her interests to much greater advantage. "When he ascended upon high he received," and upon receiving immediately and liberally gave gifts

to men:"-He has been calling in every age, and is still calling and qualifying some as under-pastors to dispense the word of reconciliation, and by his spirit co-operating with "the foolishness of their preaching," inclines and enables others to believe. "Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince, and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and the forgiveness of sins." That abundant unction, which was poured out upon his disciples at the inauguration of this Priest and Prince upon his throne, the apostle Peter ascribes to his immediate agency. "Therefore being by the right hand 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." The dear Redeemer has indeed departed as to his bodily presence, yet his attention to the interests of his children still continues; and "he ever liveth to make intercession for them :" He is gone beforehand in the character of a Forerunner to take possession of a kingdom in our name, and to make preparation for our entrance in due time: He is gone as the High Priest of our profession, carrying his own blood into the most holy place, and through the merit of this, maintains a free intercourse between the Father and us: He is gone as our Beloved to raise up our affections thither, to make us consider heaven as our home, and render us desirous to follow

him that we may behold his glory, and be filled with his love.

This doctrine, thus explained, suggests a variety of inferences both for our instruction, and consolation on the present occasion.

1. We may infer from the ascension of our Lord, that his sacrifice has been received as a full satisfaction for our offences, and a complete discharge for himself, and his children. We need no other, nay, we can conceive no higher proof that the Father is well pleased with his righteousness, and perfectly pacified towards all who embrace it. When the Saviour first appeared in our world, angels rapturously sing, "peace on earth, and good will towards men;" but this peace, this good will was more luminously manifested, when the Son was admitted into the very presence of the Father: When the Surety who had stepped forward in our room was invited to sit down with the Creditor, and received with every expression of esteem and affection.-The exclusion of the first Adam from Paradise, and from the divine communion was an awful proof that the Creator was displeased with him, and with the human kind whom he represented; and therefore the exaltation of the second Adam, the Lord Jesus, and his introduction into the holiest of all are animating displays that Jehovah has accepted of his sacrifice,. and is reconciled to all whom he represented. Here is the most satisfactory evidence,

that "as by the disobedience of the former many were made sinners, so by the obedience of the latter many are made righteous." Who will now dare condemn, or even aceuse thee, O believer, pleading the atonement of Calvary? "It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God." Would the Fa

ther raise him to the throne, place him at his right hand, and cover him with such glory, unless he felt the most perfect satisfaction with that sacrifice which he had offered up? An apostle thus informs us that he was "justified by the Spirit;" that is, the Holy Ghost, in raising our Lord from the dead, openly, and formally justified him; he pronounced him free from that debt which he had contracted as the Surety of his people, and proved that the bond was completely cancelled by the blood of his cross. And our Saviour himself declares, "when the Spirit of truth is come, he shall convince the world of righteousness,-because I go to the Father," he shall plead my admission to the Father's presence as a sufficient proof, that my righteousness is satisfactory to him; that it is acknowledged as a full reparation for all the injuries done by the transgressions of my chosen, and as forming a legal title to that inheritance of immortality which was forfeited by them. Cherish this day, intended communicant, the pleasing persua sion that Jesus your Substitute is received into heaven; and that since he is discharged

there can be no condemnation to thee: None in heaven will lay any thing to your charge, and none on earth, or in hell dare do it.

2. We may infer from this doctrine, that every necessary blessing may be expected from the compassionate Saviour in his exalted state. Although he has returned to his Father's house, he knows "the heart of a stranger:" He has travelled through this world before us, and he still recollects the toil and difficulties which he underwent : He knows by experience the dreariness of the valley through which we are called to pass; the thorns which will annoy us in our course; the enemies which are "lying in wait" for us on the right hand, and on the left; and therefore he will not "leave us comfortless" although he be absent from us in body he is "present in spirit," to sympathize in distress, to cheer in despondency, to protect in danger, and to supply all our wants from "that fulness of the Godhead"

which he possesses. "We have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore look to our glorified and compassionate Redeemer for those gifts which he received upon his ascension. We cannot ask too largely, because he is not enriched by withholding, neither can he be impoverished by all that he imparts. How were the treasures of his grace opened, and