his own blood. But he had spoken of his death as a ransom to be paid for the souls of men : and how could we have known that that ransom was accepted, if his resurrection, which he himself taught his disciples to look forward to as the proof and evidence of his acceptance, had not been effected? But when we see that he did rise from the dead, and did ascend to heaven in the presence of his disciples, and did send down the Holy Spirit according to his word to bear testimony concerning him, there is no room left for doubt : we are perfectly sure that his offering was accepted of the Father, and that by his obedience unto death he has wrought out eternal redemption for us \]
2. The sufficiency of his grace —
[Even when our blessed Lord was on earth, the whole creation, animate and inanimate, terrestrial and infernal, were obedient to his will : how much more therefore, now that he is exalted to the right hand of the Majesty on high, and has all fulness treasured up in him for the benefit of his people, must he be able to " do all things which we call upon him for ! " If he says, as he did to St. Paul, " My grace is sufficient for thee," we may safely adopt St. Paul's language, and say, " I can do all things through Christ who strengthened! me." If all enemies are put under his feet, they shall assuredly be put under ours also : even " Satan himself shall be bruised under our feet shortly."]
3. The excellency of his salvation —
[Behold what has taken place with respect to him ! He is exalted to the throne of God, and possessed of all the glory which he had with the Father before the worlds were made. The same glory is reserved for us also k, and a participation of that very throne which his Father has given to him '. Believer, contemplate all the glory and felicity of your exalted Head ; and then see what is prepared for all his members : " your body shall be like unto his glorious body ;" your soul shall be transformed into his perfect image ; and all the glory which his Father has given him, shall be your inalienable and everlasting inheritance ra.]
What a glorious light is this ! Let it lead us to contemplate, II. The returns which it calls for at our hands —
Surely such discoveries as are here made to us should call forth our devoutest affections : they should lead us,
I. To surrender up ourselves entirely to God —
1 Rom. i. 4. and viii. 34. k Luke xxii. 29.
1 Rev. iii. 21. m John xvii. 22. 1 Pet. i. 4.