that fulness dwells, is the person; that fulness which doth so dwell in him, is the nature. Now there dwells in him not only the fulness of the Godhead, but the fulness of the manhood also: for we believe him to be both perfect God, "begotten of the substanee of the Father before all worlds, and perfect man, made of the substance of his mother in this world." Only he in whom the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth is one; he in whom the fulness of the manhood dwelleth is another: but he in whom the fulness of both these natures dwelleth, is one and the same Immanuel; and consequently, one, and the same person. “In him,” that is, in his person, "dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead," and all the fulness of the n.anhood. "In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

III. The person assuming and the nature assumed. First. The person assuming was a divine person. It was not the divine nature that assumed a human person; but a divine person that assumed a human nature. And of the three divine persons, it was neither the first, nor the third; neither the Father, nor the Holy Ghost, that did assume this. nature, but it was the Son, the middle person. Secondly. The nature assumed was "the seed of Abraham." "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on him, the seed of Abraham." Elsewhere the Apostle calls it "the seed of David according to the flesh," and in other places it is called "the seed of the woman." “I

will put enmity between thy seed and her seed;" and "when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman." No question, but she was the material principle, of which that precious flesh was made; and the Holy Ghost was the agent in that work. That blessed womb of hers was the bride-chamber, wherein the Holy Ghost did knit, that indissoluble knot betwixt our human nature and his Deity. That which before he was not, even man as we are, he then became. Oh! with what astonishment ought we to behold, our nature assumed into union with God's own person.

As we have now considered the two natures of Christ; we will pass over his miracles as proofs of his Deity; and his humiliation and love towards us. The next subject we shall point at, is the knowledge, of Jesus, as carrying on his work in our souls, by his ascension, session, and mission of the spirit. First, let us consider his ascension into heaven. What! shall he ascend, and

templation ascend with him?

this wonderful object. Thou

shall not we in con

Gaze O

Gaze O my soul on needest not fear any

check from God, or from angels, if thy contemplations be but spiritual and divine. No sooner had Christ finished his work of redemption here on earth, than on the mount called Olivet he assembled with his disciples. Where, having given commands he began to mount, and being lifted up a little way into the air, presently a cloud enveloped him in its folds. Here is a clear demonstration of his

Godhead. Clouds are usually in scripture put for the house, temple, or receptacle, of God himself. Thus it is said that the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud; and that he came to Moses in a thick cloud: that he called to him out of the midst of the cloud;-and that the Lord descended in the cloud. Are not the clouds his chariot?" Behold the Lord rideth on swift clouds." "O Lord my God," saith David, "thou art very great, who makest the clouds thy chariot." Jesus Christ, in his ascension to heaven, enters by the way into a cloud. This was "his chariot," drawn by ten thousands of his angels. "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels." "The Lord is amongst them in Sinai, in the Holy place." "Thou hast ascended on high; thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men."

But let not thy contemplation linger in the clouds. He ascends yet higher in the air, and through the clouds, and through the heaven of fixed stars, nor stands he still, till he comes to the heaven of heavens. In this triumphant march, some tell us of a heavenly harmony made by the blessed angels; and that this is the meaning of the Psalmist, "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet:" and in this meditation pass not over thy duty which immediately follows, "sing praises unto God! Sing praises! Sing praises unto our King, sing praises!" "Sing praises unto God; sing praises to his name! Extol him that rideth

upon the heavens; praise him in his name JAH, and rejoice before him!" Thou hast cause O my soul, to praise him, and to rejoice before him; especially when thou considerest that Christ ascended, not for himself, but for thee:-that it is God in our nature who has gone up into heaven. Thou hast an interest in this ascension of Jesus Christ, and therefore do thou think upon it with joy.

And consider further, how Christ being now at the doors of heaven, those heavenly spirits who accompanied him, began to sing, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates! and be ye lift up ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in." To whom, some of the angels that were within; (not ignorant of his person, but admiring his majesty,) replied, "who is the King of glory ?" And then it was answered, "the Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, mighty in battle:" and immediately the twelve gates of the holy city, new Jerusalem, opened of their own accord, and Jesus Christ with all his ministering spirits entered in. O my soul how should this heighten thy joys, and enlarge thy comforts! Every sight of Christ is glorious; and in every sight thou shouldst wait upon him for some manifestation of himself. Come! rejoice in this great mystery! View Christ as entering into glory, and thou wilt find a sparkle of glory in thy breast.

II. Consider, Christ's session at God's right hand. No sooner is Christ entered into heaven, han he is brought berore his Father; and dominion

is given him above all creatures; above the hierarchy of the angels. O! the glory of Christ, at his entrance into glory! Immediately his Father welcomed him with the highest grace that ever was shewn. "Come" said he, "sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." 0 my soul! meditate on this session of Christ at God's right hand; and draw thence some virtue into thyself. What! was Christ exalted? Had he a name given him above every name? Walk then, as becomes one who has so glorious a Head. O defile not that nature which in thy Saviour Christ, was so highly honoured.

III. Consider the mission of the Holy Spirit. When Christ ascended on high, he "led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." The gift of gifts, even the Holy Ghost. O my soul consider this princely gift of Christ. Such a gift was never before given but when God gave his Son. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his Son." And Christ so loved the world, that he gave his spirit. But consider especially to whom this Spirit was given, the application of the gift is the very soul of the mystery. "Unto us a Son is given," saith the prophet: and "unto us the Holy Ghost is given," saith the Apostle. And above all consider the reason of this gift, in reference to thyself. Was it not to make thee a temple of the Holy Ghost? Admire O my soul, the unchangeable love of Christ It was infinite love which caused him to come down