remark and treasure up the encouraging words, Obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Can I want more? Yet mercy and grace are the sure fruits of Christ's intercession to all that believe. For these I am encouraged to come boldly. Even so, Lord, I come to obtain this mercy, and find this needed grace, that I may hold fast my profession. In all my wants of either, it is my desire to look up to thee seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high in the character of Mediator, and therein of representative of thy people. I am indeed a guilty creature, and most unworthy in all I do; I am beset with enemies as well as sins; but thou livest for ever making intercession for us, and through thy advocacy there is mercy to cover my sin, and grace to help my weakness. Blessed Lord, whatever way I turn my thoughts, thou makest me to hear of joy and gladness.' Thou art exemplifying to thy people what thou prayedst for them while thou wast on earth; and we are sure that of all which thou didst speak in thy prayer for us not one word shall fall to the ground, till thou hast fulfilled the desire of thy heart, which thou didst express in words from thy lips more precious to my soul than thousands of gold and silver: Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me.' But,

Thirdly. I believe Jesus to be on the right hand of God as a King also. In this sense I principally understand his session at God's right hand. There I acknowledge him as Lord of all. Such he was from eternity, by right of nature, as God; such he was by right of creation, inasmuch as all things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made:' and such he was by office when he took up the mediatorial character; yet in that quality he was not invested with the administration of all power, but in consequence of his sacrifice; and therefore, though he showed his dominion over men and things as occasion offered in the days of his flesh, yet he was not solemnly inaugurated and seated in his kingdom till his ascent into heaven, when, in consideration of his obedience unto death, • God gave him a name, which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth; and that every

tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.' There I see him seated on his throne, not only in the power but in the exercise of universal dominion. "The Lord said unto my Lord," said David in the word of prophetic faith," sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." David's Lord, and yet his Son. What the Scribes could not comprehend is my unspeakable joy. David's Son, therefore man like myself: and David's Lord, therefore the Son of God. To him God said, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." The grant is large as my wishes, for all his enemies are mine, and all my enemies are his. He reigns to restrain the He reigns to restrain the rage of men, the fury of Satan, the malignity of corruption. Till the opposition of men, Satan, and sin, shall cease, he shall sit on his throne. But is this all? Has the exalted Jesus no subjects? Or does he forget these in the administration of his government? No; for he is made head over all things to his church, for their protection, safety, and happiness. He reigns to receive all that make their submission, to confer upon them the free and full reconciliation which he purchased with his blood. On earth he had power to forgive sins, and surely that power is not lessened since he is exalted to the right hand of the throne of God. He reigns to govern his people, not with a rod of iron, but with a gracious sceptre, which he has given them hearts to love, and unto which he is continually bringing them into a more willing and entire subjection. He reigns to protect them against all their enemies, and to make all things work together for their good. Thus he reigns a terror to his enemies, but what a blessing to his friends! and thus he shall reign till all things be put under him; till upon the great day of his appearing devils and sinners shall be shut up in the eternal prison of hell; till saints shall be made perfect in holiness, raised up immortal, incorruptible, and glorious; and sin and Death, the last enemy, shall in regard of them be destroyed for ever. Then, When all things shall be put under him, he shall render up the mediatorial kingdom unto the Father,' all the ends for which he received it being fully answered, and himself shall reign God-man for ever and ever, and his happy people with him.

All this I steadfastly believe concerning the kingdom in

heaven of my exalted Lord, when I profess my faith in him as for ever sat down at the right hand of God. But then I would be understood to say this with an application of his kingdom to myself, owning him to be my Lord by submitting myself to his government, and leaning confidently on his protection against my every enemy, and all of them together.

First. I do hereby declare that I willingly submit myself to his divine government and direction. And when I say this, my meaning is, that I desire without reserve to be conformed to his words, or written law, in spirit, soul, and body; so that I may not be of the number of those who say unto him, Lord, Lord, but do not the things which he says, disgracing his majesty by pretending to be his servants; that to the end of my being made conformable to his will I do desire to yield myself unto the guidance and discipline of his Spirit, in an entire dependence on his operations, in a regardful attention and submission to his sacred motions, and in a reverential acquiescence under all his dispensations to my soul; whether it be fit that I shall walk in darkness or in the light of God's countenance, as to his infinite wisdom, love, and goodness, shall seem fit: and, finally, that, for the purposes of his glory and of my sanctification, I do desire to be subject to the direction of his providence, to have the cross laid upon me in manner, measure, and continuance, as he pleases; humbly and heartily beseeching him, that, however heavy it may be, he will enable me to bear it, so that I may not be withdrawing from it when it presses hard and is heavy (which I am assured it will never be without some singular oceasion), defeat the grandest designs of his glory by me, and the most signal means of advantaging my soul. Not thus disposed, could I say with a good conscience that I submit myself as a subject of his spiritual kingdom to his direction and will? Could I call him Lord in sincerity of heart? Could he get any glory by me, or I any benefit from his kingdom; or can I once think he will own me for one of his when he shall come in the clouds of heaven? But, blessed be God! even thus I desire to submit to his government, in a conformity with his will, submission to his grace, and acquiescence in his providence. And,

Secondly. I declare further, that, in yielding myself thus to his government, I desire confidently to depend upon the protec

tion of the same. I would be always in the spirit of the Apostle, and say continually and in every case, I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.' I desire that I may never dishonour him in my heart or conduct by mistrusting his power, as if any thing were too hard for him; or his care, as though he should be forgetful of me. Confident in his royal authority to pardon, I would never yield to the accusations of an evil conscience while I was suing for his mercy. Confident in his sufficiency and love to strengthen my weakness, I would never stagger at the approach of a trial, or faint in the endurance of it, but boldly hold up my head in the assurance that he will not suffer me to be tempted above that I am able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that I may be able to bear it.' Confident in his power to sanctify me wholly, I would not sinfully doubt, though my lusts should be like lions roaring against and threatening to devour me; though they were never so old and obstinate; though the time for their mortification were never so short; though it were past all my comprehension how I could possibly be made perfect in holiness, while yet I was sensible that no unholy thing can enter heaven. Confident in his power to protect me against the arts of the devil, I would never decline any duty from an apprehension that Satan will lie in wait to turn it into a snare to my soul; and should the fiend at any time beset me with horrible suggestions, and thrust into my mind black speeches well befitting his hellish mouth, I would neither fear nor tremble, but in the name of my Lord boldly resist him, yea, and in this respect scorn and despise him. Confident in his power to receive my departing spirit to himself, though I know not the world of spirits, though I have never tried the invisible state, I would joyfully surrender it up whenever it is his pleasure; and, confident in his power to raise my body from the dust, I would cheerfully at his call lay down this tabernacle in the hour of death I would not distrust and disgrace my Lord's protection, but say to Death, "Welcome, thou last enemy! where, what is become of thy sting ?" Finally, from this present moment till that hour come, I would not doubt or fear, though I should dwell among scorpions, though I should have to contend day by day with those that are set on fire by

the rage and malice of their hearts," whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword;" though my habitation. were with such as every day wrested my words, all their thoughts being against me for evil, who should gather themselves together, and hide themselves, and mark my steps while they waited for my soul.' Though my trials from an evil world were without interruption, and of never so long continuance, so that I should grow up to gray hairs under them, yet still would I be confident in my Master's care, nor so much as once say with David, "I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul."

Thus confident, I would always be in the protection of my King who sitteth on the right hand of God. I would, but I too often do not. There is an evil heart of unbelief lurking within me. This I have great cause to fear will betray me. It must do so when I forget who sits on the right hand of God, and why he sits in that glorious station. When the heavens are opened

my faith, and I see Jesus sitting on the right hand of God, then I can do all things. But, alas, how much too apt am I to lose that quickening, strengthening sight, in the cares and engagements of the world! then how ready to disgrace my Lord by sinful misgivings, and shameful compliances in the fear of present evil. Then every approaching trial staggers me, then I have no heart to hold out against corruptions, then the cunning and rage of Satan grow formidable, then death looks dreadful, then I tremble at the faces, the frowns, the reproaches of an evil world. This I know from experience, that, if I walk not by faith, I have power for nothing; and therefore, while I thus declare my honest desires, my cry is, "Lord, increase my faith!"

You see now somewhat of that which is contained in these words of our Creed, "He sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father Almighty." You see I am persuaded that a real belief of his doing so implies a certain spirituality of temper, to which I could most earnestly wish none here present were strangers. But, sirs, what correspondence have you in your souls with this exalted Prophet, Advocate, and King? I may be free to ask you such a question, because ye are come here under the name of his people. Yet I would much rather ye would ask yourselves what passes in your own hearts between you and him that sitteth on the right hand of God: whether any thing of what you have