XIV.

for mankind, an everlasting memorial is SERMON presented to the Almighty of the Redeemer's

love to men.

That sacrifice which was of

fered 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

SERMON services they yield him.

XIV.

The widow's mite is in his sight an acceptable offering; and even a cup of cold water given to a disciple in his name, passes not without its reward. Hence the characters of his regal administration cannot be better described than in the beautiful language of the prophetical Psalmist; He shall judge the people with righteousness, and the poor with judgment. The righteous, shall flourish in his days. He shall save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor. He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. His name shall endure for ever. It shall be con

tinued as long as the sun.

Men shall be

blessed in him; and all nations shall call him blessed. *

WE have now under several views considered the ascension of Christ, and the important purposes which were answered by it. In going along, I have pointed out some of the chief effects which ought to be produced on us by this object of our faith. Much more might be said on this

*Psalm lxxii.

subject,

XIV.

subject, did the bounds of a discourse per- SERMON mit it. One improvement of the subject which the sacred writers often point out, must not be forgotten. If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, and not on things on the earth.* A certain conformity with Christ, their great leader, in all the circumstances of his history is in Scripture exacted from Christians. As they must die with him to sin, they must rise with him unto newness of life; and with him ascend in heart to heaven, and dwell in their affections where he is. The elevated hopes which Christ, by his resurrection and ascension, has set before us ought to inspire Christians with suitable elevation of sentiment above this present world.—As Christ is in you the hope of glory, let every one who hath this hope in him, purify himself as Christ is pure. † Let not the corrupt pleasures of this world debase you. Let not its terrours deject you. But in your whole conduct, let that dignity and equanimity appear, which belongs to those who have

*Coloss. iii. 1, 2.

† 1 John, iii. 3. x 4

such

XIV.

SERMON Such high connections. Christ, as your · forerunner, hath entered into the highest heavens; Him, it is your part to follow, in the paths of piety and virtue. In those paths proceed with perseverance and constancy, animated by those words of your departing Redeemer, which ought ever to dwell in your remembrance; Go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your. God. In my Father's house are many

mansions.

I

In

go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. *

* John, xx. 17. xiv. 2, 3.

SERMON XV.

On a peaceable Disposition.

ROMANS, xii. 18.

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

XV.

IT T cannot but occur to every one who SERMON has read the New Testament, even in a cursory manner, that there is nothing more warmly and more frequently inculcated in it, than peace and love, union and good understanding among men. Were a

person to form to himself an idea of the state of the Christian world, merely from reading our sacred books, and thence inferring how they would live who believed those books to be Divine, he would draw, in his fancy, the fairest picture of a happy society:

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