For, they are led captive who held us `captive. Our captivity is led captive. "Thou hast led Thy captivity captive." Therefore they shall no more prevail against us. Christ hath bound the dra

gon, the old serpent.

Also, we derive consolation from reflecting, that Christ, having received gifts for men, and having poured them forth on men, we may, if only we seek it heartily, receive abundantly for our help in all time of our need, and "grace for grace," in the time of wealth.

Of which superabundant outpouring of blessings upon us, a most excellent type was given under the Old Dispensation in the little cloud, which, after Elijah had offered his sacrifice, was seen to arise out of the sea like a man's hand, (so small was it at first,) yet presently descended in a great rain. So too is it written in this very Psalm from which my text is chosen, touching the descent of the good gifts of the Holy Ghost; "Thou, O God, didst

Rev. xx. 2.

send a plentiful rain, whereby Thou didst confirm Thine inheritance when it was weary 1." "Thy congregation hath dwelt therein; Thou, O God, hast prepared of Thy goodness for the poor"."

Secondly, these blessings may be impressed on our hearts by the warning which they suggest.

Since Christ hath led our captivity captive, let us take heed that we be no more led captive by it. But, being now made free from sin, and become servants to God, let us have our "fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

If we neglect to do this, we shall but imitate the stiffnecked Israelites, who allowed the Canaanites, whom God had subdued under them, to regain dominion over them.

To conclude: since Christ hath received gifts for men, and is accordingly the bestower of them, let us evermore seek these good things, and, calling on Him as the Giver of every good and perfect gift, let us

1 Psalm lxviii. 9.

m

Ver. 10.

in heart and mind thither ascend, whither

He is

gone before. "If we be risen with Christ-seeing that we are risen with Christ-seek we those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God"."

"As Christ descended to redeem us, (says an old Father, °) so He ascended to His Ascension is our setting

glorify us. out from earth for heaven; Him therefore let us follow in heart and mind; and be it evermore our prayer, Lord, may we follow Thee, through Thee, unto Thee. Enable us by Thy grace to follow Thee, for Thou art the Way; through Thee, for Thou art the Truth; unto Thee, for Thou art the Life."

And therefore, unto Thee, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, reignest ever, Three Persons, One God, be all praise, all honour, all glory, all dominion, now and for evermore, world without end. Amen.

n

Coloss. iii. 1. Euseb. Emiss. ap. Joh. Gerhard.

SERMON VII.

WHIT SUNDAY.

LUKE Xxiv. 49.

Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

By "the promise of My Father," is here meant the Holy Ghost. He is called "the Holy Spirit of Promise," by St. Paul. This name, "the Promise," belongs to Him in a two-fold respect. First, as He was promised before He came; secondly, as that, being come, He is, in us, and to us, the promise, or pledge, or "earnest," (as He is elsewhere called,) of good things yet to St. Paul seems to combine both ideas, when he says, "In Whom also,

come.

after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory"."

Let us briefly note how He was "the Promise" before He came. St. Peter guides us to one place in which He was promised, saying, "This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh."

We have another in Isaiah; "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine offspring." And Ezekiel; “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within youd:" also, "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean.... a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you." These are among the chief, b Joel ii. 28. c Isaiah xliv. 3.

Eph. i. 13.

d Ezek. xi. 19.

• Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26.