When the Lord Jesus Christ, as the surety of the church, had finished the work which the Father gave him to do; he ascended up on high as a triumphant conqueror. He led captivity captive: he spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them on the cross:' and when he entered the mansions of blessedness as a publick person-as our forerunner-it was proclaimed throughout the heavenly regions- lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty: the Lord, mighty in battle.' Such was the reception with which the despised Galilean met in the realms of glory! This was a part of the joy that was set before him, for which he endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. For this exaltation he ardently prayed during his abasement on earth. 'These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come: glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee-I have glorified thee on earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.' He prayed to him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared. 'Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' This Jesus, remember, is possessed of sovereign dominion. All power in heaven and in earth is given unto him. He is exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. He has commanded, that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all na tions;' and to this command annexed, for the encouragement of his faithful ministers, a promise that he will be with them alway, even unto the end of the world. Now, to this almighty Saviour, this Prince of peace, who sits as a priest upon his throne, you are encouraged to come. In his name you may confidently trust; for, by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses.' If, then, all power in heaven and in earth be in his hands, and to be used as he pleases-if his blood, as the Redeemer of mankind, cleanse from all sin, and his righteousness, as a substitute, justify the ungodly-if he be the resurrection, and the life, and it be true, that whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall never die—if he have invited sinners to come to him for complete salvation, and have said without limitation and without exception, him that cometh, I will in no wise. cast out' what should hinder your approach? It is still, and ever will be the language of his heart, while there is a redeemed sinner upon earth Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me-And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world-Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.' From considerations so animating, the dejected christian perceives there is forgiveness with God, that he may be feared. Neither the multitude nor the magnitude of his sins gives reason for despair. The price of his release from condemnation is already paid by the blood of Immanuel. Not a sin remains uncancelledunforgiven—and he may rest assured of a full, and everlasting discharge from the accusations of a guilty conscience, and from the righteous claims of a violated law. The work of Jesus as a surety is complete-is allsufficient-so that the believer may say, in reference to interest in the perfection of his work, as the apostle did concerning the supply of his own necessities, 'I have all, and abound'-for what can he |