were bei'eft of his bodily presence, and were as yet but par- tially acquainted with the benefits that were to result from his ascension, " returned to Jerusalem with great joy," much more should we, to whom the full extent of those benefits is opened, " rejoice with exceeding great joy." Let Israel then " rejoice in him that made him and redeemed him ; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King0."]
3. To consecrate ourselves to him —
[The Apostles from this time appear to have given them- selves up wholly to the exercises of devotion. This was right in their peculiar circumstances ; but was not intended as a precedent for us. We have civil and social duties that call for our attention, and which must on no account be neglected. Yet, as far as relates to the affections of the soul, we must consecrate ourselves as entirely to God as they. We should be " sanctified wholly to the Lord, in body, soul, and spirit p." He has " bought us with a price ; therefore we should glorify him with our bodies and our spirits, which are hisq." Let us then serve him in his temple at the appointed seasons of public worship ; and let us serve him in our closets, where no eye seeth us but his.]
4. To wait for the accomplishment of all his pro- mises—
[Our Lord had promised to his Disciples, that " they should in the space of a few days be baptized with the Holy Ghost;" and had told them to wait at Jerusalem for that giftr. At Jerusalem therefore they waited in expectation of the pro- mised blessing. And have we no promises to be fulfilled to us? Has he not given us " exceeding great and precious promises," comprehending every thing that we can desire for body or for soul, for time or for eternity? Let us then wait for the accomplishment of them to our souls. In due time " Jesus will come again from heaven in like manner as he went to heaven :" and then will that last promise be fulfilled, " I will come again and take you to myself, that where I am, there ye may be also." O that in the mean time he may find us with " our loins girt, and our lamps trimmed," and ourselves as those who " wait for the coming of their Lord !"]
0 Ps. cxlix. 2. p 1 Thess. v. 23.
9 1 Cor. vi. 20. ' ver. 49. and Acts i. 4, 5.