pose also, this chapter is read in the funeral service of the Church. And for this purpose only I have now chosen it, that we may derive comfort and happiness in the expectation that we shall all meet again, in a better state, and in a more perfect condition, or to use the language of another part of the same beautiful service-That we may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul. Why is it that we should so uniformly look upon death as a source of terror? Why, when we have the faith of Christians, must we always retain the fear and trembling of Heathens, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage? The sting of death, you will answer, is sin, and the answer, is true; but, shall we never conquer, shall we never at least begin to conquer, when we have a divine power to assist us, when this wonderful system of redemption is open to us-when God Himself invites us-when the Saviour of man has gone before us, and drank of the bitterness of death that the cup might be sweetened to His followers? You have already followed many to the grave, and before your own lifeless form be carried there, you may be called upon to follow others. Will you, again and again, listen to these words of St. Paul, on occasions so solemn as these, and put away no evil, nor offer one prayer, nor strengthen your faith in the great and Holy Conqueror of sin and death? Will nothing move you, but the constant preaching of the terrors of death, and the vengeance of the Almighty, and the fearfulness of an

surrection of Christ, so is it c dence of our senses, and by t -and therefore that we have apology, if we live without of immortality through the our faith. This is the c ought to arrive when we r of time-the certainty of death-and the solemn when this mortal must 1 corruptible must put on is the common languag proof, in which you a member the future, : God. I will not, t occasion. If you body, and of the heavenly, and s

MON XXVII.

HE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.

MARK XVI. 19.

r the Lord had spoken unto them, He was rento heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

age presents us with the most lofty subcontemplation, either in the Old or New ent. The Ascension of Christ into heavene closing act of the dispensation which He come down from the glory of His Father to olish. He had now completed every thing ch was necessary to fulfil the purpose of His vine mission. He had given His people an exmple of holiness of life-such as the world never before-and will never again behold. Whatthis were honourable, whatsoever things were tsoever things were lovely-whatsoever f good report all these He taught

1 Phil. iv. 8.

eternity of woe, and sorrow? Surely you will desire to partake in the comforts and consolations of your religion. Let the still small voice of the mercy of the Son of God now move you; and pray to conquer evil, that you may obtain the promises of that religion which reveals to us the resurrection of the body, as well as the immortality of the soul. The Christian religion is a religion of comfort; and he who believes in it, and receives it, and does not derive comfort from its discoveries, and its consolations, does not rightly understand its nature, or will not partake of its benefits.

SERMON XXVII.

THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST.

MARK XVI. 19.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

THIS passage presents us with the most lofty subject of contemplation, either in the Old or New Testament. The Ascension of Christ into heavenwas the closing act of the dispensation which He had come down from the glory of His Father to establish. He had now completed every thing which was necessary to fulfil the purpose of His divine mission. He had given His people an example of holiness of life-such as the world never saw before-and will never again behold. Whatsoever things were honourable, whatsoever things were pure—whatsoever things were lovely—whatsoever things were of good report—all these He taught

1 Phil. iv. 8.