most that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.* Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth: 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."† Here is a glorious and most consolatory truth; that we do not appear in the presence of God in our own persons, or relying upon our own merits, but, that the "Lamb" who has "been slain," is constantly "in the midst of the throne," inviting us to come with the confession of all our sins, and the publication of all our wants. Truly we may unite in the song of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest,-on earth peace, good-will towards men." A consequence of Christ's ascension, flowing directly from this intercession, was announced by Him to His disciples:-" It is expedient for you that I go away, for, if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but, if I depart, I will send him unto you.|| I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever."¶ Blessed Lord! we thank thee; thou hast not left us comfortless: thou hast come to us!"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he * Heb. vii. 25. Rom. viii. 33, 34. Rev. v. 6. | John xvi. 7 ¶ John xiv. 16. hings e said Apostles t of this to a most esas of incense must there be offered.-Eve blood of Jesus must be borne by high, and He, on the shedding of found His supplication for us: supp grace and help, as well as pardon. " we have a great high priest,-says is passed into the heavens, Jey were-enof God, let us hold fast our pro we have not an high priest wh touched with the feeling of our was in all points tempted like without sin. Let us therefore say, "come boldly unto the thrd of the world," we may obtain mercy, and fin time of need.*-Being mad came the author of eternal them that obey him.+" He went to take His pla representative of His peopl❝to prepare a fitted to the office of media Divinity and humanity in ] ing, as man, a sympathy sympathy of an elder" bre "in the presence of God all prayer might be pre all blessings might flow man sin," says the apost vocate with the Father, teous. He is able-to *Heb. iv. 14-16. † Heb. v. 9. us. We have "hopeil,—which entereth into hither the forerunner is " forward to this, even to foundations.† God-hath her with Christ,—and hath er, and made us sit together ces in Christ Jesus." The e grave of sin, enjoyed by bea foretaste of that "rest"Heavenly places-that " repeople of God," in the land of here they immortal reign." We Heaven, "fellow citizens with I of the household of God.”|| ich volume of consolation. Truly aim "Christ--hath brought life and to light through the Gospel "§ day star"-He the "sun of righ'** He" is all and in all."++"WorLamb that was slain to receive power, s, and wisdom, and strength, and and glory, and blessing: for he has d us to God by his blood,-and made and priests-and-we-shall reign and ever."‡‡ i. 19, 20. † Heb. xi. 10. + Eph. ii. 4-6. | Eph. ii. 19. ** Mal. iv. 2. tt Col. iii. 11. shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."* After His ascension, the Apostles tarried at Jerusalem for the fulfilment of this promise, and it was fulfilled even to a most miraculous extent;-" Cloven tongues,—as of fire-sat upon each of them; and they were-enabled,-to speak with-tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." And this promise is still fulfilled. In its ordinary influences, the Holy Spirit is still with the followers of Jesus: still procured for them by His powerful intercession:-and "even to the end of the world," shall it thus be. And yet another consequence of intercession was declared by our Lord to His disciples; for He was pleased to assure their fainting hearts, and, with them, our's also, by rich abundant promises. "I go," says He, "to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." Moreover" In my Father's house are many mansions." He went then to receive an inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled and that fadeth not away." That inheritance is designed for us. Blessed be the name of our Lord for His goodness, that is designed for our everlasting home; and He has * John xiv. 26. † Acts ii. 3, 4. John xiv. 2-3. taken possession of it for us. We have "hopeas an anchor of the soul,-which entereth into that within the vail; whither the forerunner is for us entered."* Abraham "looked" forward to this, even to the "city which hath foundations.† God-hath quickened us together with Christ,-and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus." The exaltation from the grave of sin, enjoyed by believers here, is a foretaste of that "rest". those superior Heavenly places-that "remaineth to the people of God," in the land of pure delight, where they immortal reign." We are citizens of Heaven, "fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God."|| 66 Here is a rich volume of consolation. Truly we may exclaim "Christ--hath brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel "S He is the day star" T-He the "sun of righteousness:"** He " is all and in all."++"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing: for he has redeemed us to God by his blood,—and made us kings and priests-and-we-shall reign forever and ever."‡‡ * Heb. vi. 19, 20. † Heb. xi. 10. 2 Tim. i. 10. 12 Peter i. 19. Rev. v. 12, ix. 10, and xxii. 5. Eph. ii. 4-6. | Eph. ii. 19. ** Mal. iv. 2. tt Col. iii. 11. |