ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven V And after our blessed Lord had completed on earth the work which his Father had given him to do, he was raised from the dead, and exalted to the right hand of God, far above all principalities and powers, and was invested with a throne and a kingdom as the just recompence of his obedience unto death. ' Now' says our blessed Lord, ' such is the felicity that awaits all my obedient servants, and such the glory that shall be accorded to them.' Whilst he was yet on earth, he told them, that " he was going to heaven to prepare mansions for his obedient followers, and that in due time he would come again and receive them to himself that they might be with him, in a full enjoyment of his presence and glory1." He also made it a part of his intercessory prayer just before his death, " Father, I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given meu." And St. Paul has told us, that at the last day the Lord Jesus will come again in power and great glory, and gather together his obedient people to " meet him in the air; that so they may be ever with the Lord*." At the instant of death shall this felicity be conferred on our souls, as on the dying thief in paradise ; and at the day of judgment shall our bodies also be re- stored to life, that in union with our souls they may have a full and everlasting participation of this glory. Well, therefore, does the Apostle add, " Comfort ye one another with these words." And are there any circumstances under which these words must not administer comfort ? The Lord Jesus glorified his Father when on earth : and now he is glorified with himy." And, if we glorify God by following his dear Son, will he not glorify us also ? Yes : he will honour us, even as he has honoured the Lord Jesus. He will acknowledge us as his beloved children before the whole assembled universe. He will exalt us to
s John iii. 13. l John xiv. 2, 3. ll John xvii. 24.
x 1 Thess. iv. 17. y John xvii. I, .">.