heart; victory is ever the ground of joy, "They joy before thee,-as men rejoice when they divide the spoil," Isa. 9:3. And the Spirit of God is a victorious Spirit, "A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory," Matth. 12:20.

5. The Spirit doth not only preserve the heart which he hath renewed, but he makes it fruitful and abundant in the work of the Lord. And fruitfulness is a ground of comfort, "Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing, and cry aloud thou that didst not travail with child, for more are the children of the desolate, than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord,” Isa. 54:1.

6. The Spirit doth not only make the heart fruitful, but gives it the pledge and earnest of its inheritance, and thereby it begets a lively hope, an earnest expectation, a confident attendance upon the promises, and an unspeakable peace and comfort thereupon. Oh! When I feel a drop of heaven's joy, shed abroad into my soul by the Holy Ghost, and that I look upon this as a taste of glory, and a forerunner of happiness, How should I but rejoice with joy unspeakable? In all these respects, the Spirit is our comforter: and this is another reason, why the Holy Ghost is sent, "I will not leave you comfortless, saith Christ, No, no, for I will come unto you by my Spirit."

7. That the Holy Ghost might according to his office "seal us unto the day of redemption," Eph. 4:30. By sealing is meant, some work of the Spirit by which he assures a believer, that he is God's: it is all one with the Spirit's witnessing; only under that notion I shall speak of it another time.

But all the question is, what is that work of the Spirit by which he assures? I answer, this work is manifold. As,

1. There is a reflex work of faith, and this is the work of the Spirit too, assuring our souls of our good estate to God-ward, and Christ-ward, “He that believeth bath the witness in himself:" 1 John 5:10. He carrics in his heart, the counterpane of all the promises, this is the first seal, or if you will, the first degree of the Spirit's sealing; the first discovery of our election is manifested to us in our believing, "as many (saith the text) as were ordained to eternal life believed," Acts 12:48.

2. There is a work of sanctifying grace upon the heart, and this is a seal of the Spirit also; for whom the Spirit sanctifieth, he saveth. "The Lord knoweth who are his," saith the apostle, 2 Tim. 2:19. Ay, but how should we know it? why, by this seal; as it follows, "Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." None are children of God by adoption, but those that are children also by regeneration; none are heirs of heaven, but they are new born to it, "Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath begotten us anew-to an inher itance incorruptible," 1 Pet. 1:3,4. This seal of sanctification leaves upon the soul, the likeness of Jesus Christ, even grace for grace.

3. There is a work of assisting, exciting, quickening grace; or of God's gracious concourse with that habitual grace which he hath wrought in his people; now, this is various, according to the good pleasure of his will; the Spirit is more mightily present to some than others, yea more to the same man at sometimes, and in some conditions; sometimes the same Christian is as a burning and shining light, sometimes as a smoking flax, "The Spirit blows where it listeth," John 3:8. Sometimes he fills the soul with fuller gales, sometimes again she is becalmed, a man hath more of the Spirit at one time than another; now when the Spirit comes in thus

by exciting, quickening, stirring, and enabling us to act, so that we can say as sometimes the prophet said, "It was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and could not stay," Jer. 20:9. Why, then the Spirit seals and gives assurance to our souls, that we are his.

4. There is a work of shining upon, or enlightening those graces which the Spirit plants in us, and helps us to exercise, this seals to the purpose; and of this it is that the apostle speaks, We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things that are freely given us of God, 1 Cor. 2:12. The things given to us, may be freely received by us, and yet the receipt of them not known to us, therefore the Spirit for our farther consolation doth, as it were, put his hand and seal to our receipts, he shines upon our graces, or he enlightens our graces, whereby we may know we believe, and know that we live. Indeed this is rare with God's own people; sometimes, notwithstanding this seal, we may be in such a state as Paul and his company were in the ship, "When they saw neither sun nor star for many days together," Acts 27:20. So it may be that for a time we may see neither sun nor star, neither light in God's countenance, nor light in our souls, no grace issuing from God, no grace carrying the soul to God; yet in this dark condition, if we do as Paul and his company did, i. e. if we cast anchor even in the dark night of temptation, and pray still for day, God will appear, and all shall clear up: we shall at last see light without, and see light within, surely the day-star will arise in our hearts.

5. There is a work of joy and comfort; and this is a super-added seal of the Spirit; the works of the Spirit you may see are of a double kind; either in us by imprinting sanctifying grace, or upon us by shining on our souls, and by sweet feelings of joy; habitual grace, or sanctifying grace is more constant, and always like itself; but this work of comfort and joy, is of the nature of such privileges, as God vouchsafeth at one time, and not at another; and hence it is, that a Christian may have grace, and a Christian may know himself to be in the state of grace, and yet in regard of comfort, God may be gone. Thus it was with Job, he knew his Redeemer lived, and he resolved to trust in him, though he kil led him; he knew he was no hypocrite, he knew his graces were true; not. withstanding all the objections and imputations of his friends, they could not dispute him out of his sincerity, "My righteousness I hold fast, and I will not let it go," Job. 27:6. Yet for the present he saw no light from heaven, but he was in a sore and afflicted condition, till it pleased the Lord to reveal himself in special favor unto him. Now, this work of joy usually comes not till after faith, and many experiences of God's love, and inuch waiting upon God. These are the several works of the Spirit's sealing.

But why is it that we can neither actually believe, nor can know that we believe, nor can enjoy peace and joy in believing, without a fresh and new act of the Spirit?

I answer, because the whole carriage of a soul to heaven is above nature; where the Spirit makes a stand, we stand, and can go no farther, without the help of the Spirit we can neither make promises, nor conclude for ourselves; it is the Spirit that sanctifies, and witnesses, and "seals our souls unto the day of redemption." Many other reasons may be rendered, but I shall speak of them in the end of the Spirit's mission.

Thus far we have propounded the object, viz. The ascension of

Christ, the session of Christ at God's right-hand, and Christ's mission of the Holy Ghost; our next work is to direct you how to look unto Jesus in these respects.

CHAPTER II.

SECT. 1. Of knowing Jesus as carrying on the great work of our salvation, in his ascension, session, and mission of the Spirit.

1. Let us know Jesus, carrying on the great work of our salvation for us, in his ascension into heaven, in his session at God's right hand, and in his mission of the Holy Ghost; these are points of great use: if these transactions had not been, where had we been? These are points of highest speculation; if these transactions had not been, where had Christ been? After his humiliation, herein lay the exaltation of his glorious person; he was exalted above the earth, above the clouds, above the stars, above the heavens, above the heaven of heavens; O! the glorious majesty of our King Jesus, as sitting down at God's right hand, our salvation is the greatest mystery that ever was, it being made up of the various workings of the glory of God; for us men, and for our salvation Christ was incarnate, and came down from heaven; and for us men, and for our salvation Christ was exalted, and went up into heaven. Here is an object of admiration indeed, the very angels at the sight of it stood admiring and adoring; it took up their heart, astonished their understanding; surely it was the blessedest sight that ever the angels did, or could behold; come then, and O my soul! do thou take a view of that which they admire, the design is not so principally concerning angels, as thyself: they are in it only as afar off, and in general; but it concerns thee in special and particular; and therefore study close this argument, and know it for thyself. Study, 1. the ascension of Christ, how, and whither, and why he ascended. 2. Study the session of Christ at God's right hand; O the mines, the riches of that spiritual heav. enly knowledge! 3. Study the mission of the Holy Ghost; not a circum. stance in it, but deserves thy study: worlds of wealth, ten thousand times better than gold, or silver, or precious stones, may be found in the diggings of these mines. Have not many students beat out their brains on lesser subjects? What endeavors have there been to dive into the secrets of na ture? What volumes have been written of physics, metaphysics, mathe matics? And is not this subject, Christ, is not every one of these subjects, Christ's ascension, Christ's session, Christ's mission of the Holy Spirit, of more worth, and value, and benefit, than all those? Come, study that piece of the Bible, wherein these are written; there is not a line or ex pression of Christ in the scripture, but it is matter enough for a whole age to comment on; thou needest not to leave old principles for new discoveries; for in these very particulars thou mightest find successive sweetness unto all eternity.

SECT. II. Of considering Jesus in that respect.

1. LET us know Jesus carrying on the great work of our salvation for us, in these particulars: we must not only study to know these things, but we must meditate on them till they come down from our heads to our hearts. Meditation is the poise that sets all the wheels within agoing; it were to small purpose to bid us desire, hope, believe, love, joy, &c. if first, we did not meditate; in meditation it is that the understanding works,

that the will is inclined to follow, that devotion is refreshed, that faith is increased, hope established, love kindled; and therefore begin here, O my soul! it is a due consideration that gives both life, and light, and motion, to thy actings in all proceedings:

And to take them in order:

1. Consider of Christ's ascension into heaven. Methinks souls should put themselves into the condition of the disciples, "when they looked steadfastly towards heaven as Christ went up," Acts 1:10. What, shall be ascend, and shall not we in our contemplations follow after him? Gaze, O my soul, on this wonderful object! thou needest not fear any che k from God or angels, so that thy contemplation be spiritual and divine. No sooner had Christ finished his work of redemption here on earth, but on the mount called Olivet, he assembles with his disciples, where having given them commands, he begins to mount; and being a little lifted up into the air, presently a cloud receives him into her lap. Herein is a clear demonstration of his Godhead; clouds are usually in scriptures put for the house, or temple, or receptacle of God himself. How often it is said, that "the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud?" Exod. 16:10. And that he came to Moses in a thick cloud," Exod. 19:9. And that "he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud," Exod. 24:16. And that "the Lord descended in the cloud," Exod. 34:5. Is not the cloud God's own chariot? “Behold the Lord rideth on a swift cloud,” Isa. 19:1. "And, O Lord my God thou art very great, saith David; great indeed, and he proves it thus; who maketh the clouds his chariot," Psal. 104:3. Jesus Christ in his ascension to heaven enters by the way into a cloud; this was his chariot, led by thousands and ten thousands of his angels, "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels, the Lord is among them as in Sinai in the holy place, thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men," Psal. 68:17,18. Some are of opinion, that not only thousands of angels led this chariot, but that many of the saints which slept and rose with Christ at his resurrection, now ascended with him, compassed about this glorious cloud; whence they gave this for the meaning of the text, *"That when he went up through the air, and ascended up on high, he led captivity captive: that is, he led a certain number of captives, namely, the saints that were long held in captivity of death, whose bodies arose at Christ's resurrection, and now they accompanied Christ in his triumphant march into heaven." However he was attended, be not too curious, (O my soul in this!) the bright cloud that covered his body, discovered his dignity; and therefore here is thy duty; to look steadfastly towards heaven, and to worship him in his ascension up into heaven; O admire and adore! But stay not thy contemplation in the cloud, he ascends yet higher, through the air, and through the clouds, and through the sphere, or element of fire, and through those orbs of the Moon, Mercury, Mars; of the Sun, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn; and through that azure heaven of fixed stars, and through that first moveable, and through those condense and solid waters of the crystaline heaven; nor stood he still till he came to those doors and gates of the imperial heaven, called "the heaven of heavens;" in all this triumphant glorious march, some tell us of an heavenly harmo ny made by those choristers of heaven, the blessed angels: †"Some go. ing before, and some going after, they chant his praises, and sing hallelujahs;" and that is the meaning of the Psalmist, "God is gone up +Cypr. in Serm. Ascens.

English annotations on Eph. 4:8.

with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet," Psal. 47:5. In this meditation pass not over thy duty, which immediately follows, "Sing praises to God, sing praises, sing praises unto our king, sing praises, verse 6-Sing unto God, sing praises to his name, extol him that rideth upon the heavens, by his name JAH, and rejoice before him," Psal. 68:4. Thou hast great cause, O my soul! to praise him, and to rejoice before him, especially if thou considerest that Christ ascended not for himself, but also for thee; it is God in our nature that is gone up to heaven; whatever God acted on the person of Christ, that he did as in thy behalf, and he means to act the very same on thee; Christ as a public person ascended up to heaven; thy interest is in this very ascension of Jesus Christ, and therefore dost thou consider thy head as soaring up? O let every member praise his name! let thy tongue (called thy glory) glory in this, and trumpet out his praises, that, in respect of thy duty, it may be verified, "Christ is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet."

And yet stay not by the way, but consider farther, Christ being now arrived at heaven's doors, those heavenly spirits that accompanied him, began to say, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates, even lift up yourselves, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in," Psal. 24:7. To whom some of the angels that were within, not ignorant of his person, but admiring his majesty and glory, said again, "Who is the King of glory?” and then they answered, "The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle," verse 8. and thereupon those "twelve gates of the holy city, of the new Jerusalem," opened of their own accord, Rev. 21:12. And Jesus Christ with all his ministering spirits entered in. O my soul! how should this heighten thy joy, and enlarge thy comforts, in that Christ is now received up into glory? Every sight of Christ is glorious, and in every sight thou shouldst wait on the Lord Jesus Christ for some glorious mani. festations of himself. Come, live up to the rate of this great mystery, view Christ as entering into glory, and thou wilt find the same sparkles of glory on thy heart. O this sight is a transforming sight! "We all with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord,” 2 Cor. 3:18.

2. Consider of Christ's session at God's right hand: no sooner was Christ entered into heaven, but he is brought before his heavenly Father; and herein was the vision accomplished, "I saw in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him, and there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom," Dan. 7:13,14. This is that we call his session at God's right hand; a dominion was given him above all creatures, yea, a dominion above the hierarchy of all the angels; O the glory of Christ at his first entrance into glory! immediately all the angels fell down and worshipped him; immediately his Father welcomed him with the highest grace that ever was yet shown, "Come, (said he,) Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy foot-stool," Psal. 110:1. One sweetly observes, That usually in the several parts of the performance of Christ's office, either God is brought in as speaking to Curist, or Christ is brought in as speaking to his Father; thus when he chose him first to be our Mediator, God speaks to Christ, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec," and when Christ came to take upon him our nature, he spake to his Father, "Lo, I come to do thy will, a body hast thou prepared for me," Heb. 10:7. Again, when