[Our blessed Saviour had now vanquished all his ene- mies upon the cross : " by death he bad overcome death, and him that had the power of it, that is, the devil ;" and " having spoiled principalities and powers, he triumphed over them openly upon the crosse." In his ascension, like a mighty con- queror, he "led them captive," as it were, at his chariot- wheels : and as conquerors, in their triumphs, were wont to scatter gifts and largesses among the people, so he received from his heavenly Father the Holy Spirit, and poured him forth upon the Church, in all his gifts and graces, in order that " the most rebellious" of men might be converted to the Lord, and " the Lord God might dwell among them." The right to confer these gifts was founded on his previous con- flicts and victories : and, when they were completed, the right was exercised, to the unspeakable benefit of the Church at that day ; and not at that day only, but in all subsequent ages, even to the present hour.]
Now, then, see,
1. What reason we have to bless God for the events which are this dayf commemorated amongst us —
[The Apostle tells us, in the words following my text, that " Jesus ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." This was the very end of his ascension. He had come down from heaven, that he might procure for us these blessings : and now he ascended up to heaven, that he might confer on us the fruits of his victories. The sun arises on the earth, that he may diffuse his benefits through the whole material creation : and in like manner the Sun of Righteousness is risen, to scatter forth his blessings upon fallen man. Does any one feel his need of grace, or mercy, or peace? let him remember, that the Lord Jesus Christ is ascended to heaven on purpose to bestow them. Had he not ascended, the Holy Ghost would never have been sent down to us : but now that Jesus " has received from the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost," no one needs to remain destitute of any spiritual blessing whatever. If it be said, we have been rebellious ; I answer, our past rebellions will be no bar to the communication of his blessings to us, if only we be willing to lay down the weapons of our warfare, and to im- plore mercy at his hands. It is " for the rebellious" that he himself has received the gift; and on the rebellious he is willing to confer it. Let all then, without exception, rejoice in the evidence they have, that Christ has vanquished all their enemies ; and in the certainty, that all who look to him shall
e Col. ii. 15. f Ascension Day.