and final binding down, the judgment, and destruction of the powers of darkness, as a work of time, slow in its progress, and gradual in its accomplishment. He speaks of Christ's ascension as completing the scene of his earthly labours. He depicts him returning to the kingdom of his Father, like a mighty Conqueror, rich in the fruits and offerings of his victory. He ushers him, amid attending and admiring hosts, into the presence of the great King, on whose service he has been sent. And he presents him as sitting down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; in other words, in the most exalted place of dignity and honour, and there waiting till his enemies shall be made his footstool. This view, however, of the increasing power of Christ in the world, does not invalidate what has been advanced respecting the completeness of his conquest. It is perfectly consistent with the scheme of divine Providence in our recovery from sin and our restoration to favour, to render the operation progressive, and to leave men to work out their own salvation, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. But, being ascended up on high, and sitting at the right hand of God, he sends down gifts proportioned to the wants and importunities of his servants, and helps them to accomplish what, before his death, they had no power to achieve, and since his resurrection, they are but indifferently qualified to perfect, without supernatural assistance. By the extension of his kingdom upon earth, and by the increasing righteousness of his people, he carries on the object of his ministry, rescuing men more and more from the error of their ways, from the influence of sin, from the temptation of the devil, and from the corruption of their own depraved hearts. Every converted sinner is a brand plucked from the burning, one victim more rescued from the jaws of the lion. Every ray of divine light thrown upon the Heathen world, is a beam which scatters the darkness of Satan's kingdom, and tends to his final overthrow. In the language of inspiration, that overthrow may be said to be final now, because the period of its sway is determined and its extent fixed. But, in ordinary language, that is not complete of which any part remains to be done, and therefore, Christ's government of the world is still a subsisting power; his mediatorship a proceeding office; and his subjugation of his enemies, a regular, uniform, and increasing operation. When the last trumpet shall sound, and the dead, small and great, shall stand before his throne, and all the concerns of this mortal life shall be brought to their ultimate issue, "then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;" that is, the government which he purchased by his death-his mediatorial kingdom;-" when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, (as mediator,) till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Thus the language of the New Testament corroborates the figures of the Old, and represents the incarnate Son of God as a mighty Chief, struggling with difficulties, defeating his ene mies, and finally sitting down and honour." "crowned with glory Since, then, Christ stands revealed to us in the interesting light of a Conqueror, and the fruits of his victory are manifested in the number of the captives he has freed from the bondage of Satan, and now carries in his train to swell his triumph, it behoves us to consider well, whether we are among the band of the liberated, and are prepared to join him when he shall appear a second time in glory. Of the exalted rank and dignity to which he has been raised, and of the power which he exercises over all created things, we have an account furnished by St. Peter, who says of him-" who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." And that we are comprehended within the limits of his spiritual sway and authority, and have a beneficial share and interest in the blessings and glories of his kingdom, is fully declared by St. Paul in these words, "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." Of how great moment, then, it is, to be well assured, that our names are written in the U Lamb's book of life; that we are very members incorporate of his mystical body, and have an inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith; that we have his seal upon our foreheads, and can expect his judgment with reverence and godly fear. Shortly will a cry be heard, "Behold thy King cometh." "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in." Then will the mighty Conqueror appear, attended by his hosts, in all his majesty. His enemies, abashed at his presence, will call to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." His friends, rejoiced at his advent, will say "with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing;" for "thou hast loved us, and washed us from our sins in thine own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God thy Father." 66 us Wherefore," my brethren, "take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is |