Thomas doubted, that I might believe more strongly. He was suffered to fail in his faith, that my faith, and that of all thy children after him, might be improved and confirmed. But the mere evidence of sense can draw no blessing.

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His bodily view of thy resurrection was indeed followed by faith; but, from hence thou tookest occasion, most happily for thy people, to say, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."Through thy mercy I have believed, and according to thy word have tasted thy blessing. Joy and peace in believing, quietness and assurance of mind, peace and resignation of soul, some holiness and strong desires after more, contempt of this world and foretastes of a better, preparation for death and views of a transporting eternity, are among the many proofs that thou art risen and livest, that thou art gracious and true. O that these proofs may increase in number and measure, "that my faith may be more and more lively, and that I may "abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

CHAPTER XIII.

On the Ascension of Christ.

"THOU hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts," in thy human nature, "for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them,

or that they might become an habitation of God through the Spirit."

This was prophesied of Jesus long before his advent in the flesh. It was so prophesied, as though it were a fact already past; because the things to come are, as it were, present with God, being foreknown by his omniscient mind, and ordained in his holy will, which must be accomplished in all its purpose and decree.

He ascended to the throne of the Highest, with the full merits of his blood and righteousness, which were a sweet-smelling savour, or a savour of rest, to the everlasting Three. By this gracious ascension, Jehovah is become propitious to the redeemed, receives them in Christ, loves them for Christ's sake, favours them with his peace in their hearts, carries them on by his providence and grace, makes all things work together for their good, bears them through life and death, and finally receives them to glory.

The ascension of Christ brought down gifts from above, and, as the greatest of all, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, for his people. It was thus expedient for them, that he went away from the earth; for if he had not carried up his merits before the throne, the Comforter could not have come down to have led them into all the truth of God and of Christ, and to have made that truth effectual in their salvation. By his holy influence they are brought to believe, and are kept in believing to the end. Jesus ascended likewise to prepare a place for his chosen.

In a short time they are to be dismissed

from wretched houses of clay, standing in the waste wilderness of the world; and then they are to have in heaven everlasting mansions of beauty and glory, fitted and furnished by Christ himself. They are soon to leave their bodies, now thoroughly defiled by sin, and to put on some spiritual fabric appointed for them, in which they are to remain with Christ and the blessed, till the final consummation of all things.

O what excellent gifts, my blessed Redeemer, hast thou procured and purchased for my unworthy soul ! What hast thou not brought down of grace for time, and of promise for eternity, to me, and to helpless sinners like me! Yea, thou hast given thine own self to thy brethren, that in thee they might be given up to God, and like thee be a sweetsmelling savour, ascending by thy merits to the highest heaven. O what shall I, what can I, render for mercies like these! I can give, poor as the gift is, only my heart and soul to thy dear glory: and I would not, surely I would not, restrain these. Yet I cannot offer these, so weak and so corrupt am I, without the assistance of thy strength. me, then, more and more, with thy gracious power, that my affections may be constantly mounting upwards, longing for the place of my everlasting residence, and counting all things worse than dung, that would stop my progress thither. Where thou art, dear Lord, soon do I hope to be. I am tired of this earth, and of all its shifting miserable scenes; I am weary of this body, full of disorder and sin; I loathe the husks which the swine of this world

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Favour

quarrel for and devour; and I can be satisfied with nothing less than thee and thy presence for ever. O my Beloved, when shall I ascend up after thee! All below is Mesech and Kedar: but, "with thee there is the fulness," not the mere shadow," of joy; and, at thy right hand, there are pleasures," not for a moment only, but "for evermore." Thou hast said, Surely, I come quickly.—Amen, (reply the hearts of thy people, and my heart would reply among them,) yea, come, Lord Jesus!

CHAPTER XIV.

On the Glorification of Christ.

THE mission and work of Jesus for our salvation was completed in the eternal glorification of his person in heaven. His body was spiritually, though not substantially, changed in this great event; and thus, with his human soul, as one complete and perfect manhood, was taken into God. He now shines in the brightness of the divine glory, far above all principality and power, and every name that is named, whether in heaven or in earth; and he thus shines as the head of our redeemed nature, that his people may also be glorified with him, and be so united to him and to each other, as to become an holy temple and a glorious habitation of God through the Spirit.

"I pray," said the gracious Redeemer," that

they may all be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; and the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one."

O what a transcendent height of glory is this, to which such creatures as myself, believing in Jesus, shall shortly be raised! What mind could have been sublime enough so much as to have thought of these wonders, if the Lord of glory himself had not been pleased to reveal them?

The glory of Christ is not like the airy phantom which men call glory, but hath everlasting weight and solidity; it not only sends forth light, but is light and all that can be conceived of splendour, excellency, durability, and bliss, meets in this glory, as its sole and substantial essence. The believer, therefore, is said to enjoy in Christ an exceeding eternal weight of glory-exceeding all conception and comparison; eternal in its enjoyment and duration.

"It doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know, that when Christ shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is:" so that "with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we shall be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us!" O that my heart may feel the thanks which no tongue can utter, and, in humble adoration, bless my God for his unspeakable gift.