glorious change which those who shall be alive at his second coming will undergo: and he assumed that glorious, impalpable, incorruptible form, which he now wears, and of which he probably exhibited a specimen in the mount of transfiguration.

As to the place in which Jesus now resides, it has been conjectured by a late learned and inquisitive writer, who was equally eminent as a philosopher and a divine,* that his abode is somewhere or other in this world; perhaps, indeed, confined to no particular place. This hypothesis, proposed with great modesty, which is most truly correct and philosophical, and which in a certain sense has been the received opinion of the generality of Christians in all ages, has had the fortune to be treated with a degree of levity which it does not merit. I know not why, unless it be that, like many other curious speculations, it is remote from vulgar prejudice and from popular and customary habits of thinking. But, if it be true that there is no local heaven, and if it be conceded that

* Dr. Priestley.

this world is the only district in the universe with which Christ has any immediate concern, it is surely most reasonable to believe that his residence is somewhere or other in this world, though the subtilty of his ethereal substance renders his personal presence in any particular place imperceptible to the gross organs of sense. If this opinion be erroneous, I should be thankful to see the error pointed out. If it be treated with ridicule, merely because it is uncommon, I am willing to take my share of the indignity.

If it be asked in what offices Christ is employed in his exalted state, the truth is that we know not; for nothing upon this subject is revealed.

We cannot but suppose that he must be witness to every thing that is passing in this world. And if, indeed, as is commonly believed, those passages of scripture are to be understood in a literal sense, which announce a future personal appearance of Jesus to raise the dead, and to judge the world, he may in his present elevated state

be acquiring or improving those qualifications, which may be requisite for sustaining the high and honourable office which is assigned to him. But, perhaps, these passages may admit an interpretation very dif ferent from that which is commonly annexed to them. It is, however, better humbly to acknowledge ignorance than to talk dogmatically upon subjects which are beyond our comprehension. One observa

tion I must take leave to suggest, because it is of considerable importance. We have no reason to believe that Jesus, in his present state, exercises any personal authority over the world, or that he is at any time so present with any of us, as to be able to hear our language, or to supply our wants. And therefore we have no rational ground, as indeed we have no scriptural warrant, for addressing prayer, or any other act of religious worship, to him.

But it may, perhaps, be further asked, if Jesus was not to remove to some distant world, why did he appear to his apostles to ascend up into heaven? I answer, that as

the mission of Jesus was now terminated, it was inconsistent with the wise plan of Divine Providence, that he should remain any longer in this world as a man living and conversing with other men. But his removal from the society of men, must have been accomplished either visibly or secretly. Had he withdrawn himself privately, his removal might have awakened some painful suspicions, and have given birth to some alarming and desponding thoughts in the minds of the apostles, who were, perhaps, hardly yet recovered from the astonishment and despair into which they had been cast by his crucifixion. But Jesus having been visibly taken from them in this extraordinary and supernatural way, and having themselves been witnesses of this great honour which was conferred upon their beloved and revered Master, they remained fully convinced, that though he had departed from them, he was still in being, and in a state and station far more exalted and more useful than if he had continued with them. This confirmed their faith in him, it excited an unhesitating expectation

of the accomplishment of his promise, and filled their hearts with joy and consolation.

To us, this miracle, in connexion with others, is an additional confirmation of his divine mission and character. And the glorious change which has already taken place in the person of our risen and ascended Master and Head is a proof and pledge, as well as a bright and illustrious exemplar of that similar and glorious change, which will hereafter take place on all his faithful disciples and followers. Because he lives we shall live also. If we suffer with Christ we shall also reign with him. If we are good and faithful servants, we shall likewise enter into the joy of our Lord. If we are victorious in the honourable conflict of virtue and piety, we shall in due time sit down with him upon his throne, even as he also overcame, and is set down with the Father upon his throne.

Let us then, as having risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. So when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we also shall appear with him in glory.