Meditations and Devotions for Ascention Day

Summary

Before our Saviors Departure from His Disciples, let us take a view of His Care to prepare them for it, His comforts to them in it, and their Benefits received by it.

He told them He came out from the father, and came into the World : Again saith He, I leav the World and go to the Father. He went out from the Father at His Incarnation, and came into the World at His Nativity, again He left the World when He was Crucified, and went to the father on this Day that he Ascended.

You hav Him here foretelling them by Way of Preparation, and in this Epitome, His Coming hither, His Business here, and Accomplishment of the same, brought so perfectly to their Memory, that they might plainly see, by the Verity of Things past, the Truth of those to come. And least they should be too much Dejected at His Departure, He Comforts them with that Gracious Promise, I go to prepare a Place for you. And if I go to prepare a Place for you, I will com again, and receiv you to my Self, that where I am, there ye may be also.

I Ascend into Heaven, to Open the Gates therof for all True Believers. Rejoyce, be Glad O ye Righteous, for I will com to you again in my Spirit upon you, in my presence with you, in my Lov to you, in my Word and Sacraments among you to the Worlds End, then I will com in person with all my Fathers Angels, and lead you to the Right Hand of His Throne in Glory.

Besides all this ; He adds even their own Interest, for a motiv of their Contentedness. If I go not away, the Comforter will not com, but if I go, I will send Him unto you. Without which Comforter to Seal and apply it, All that I hav don for you is Vain and Ineffectual.

Many Reasons more might be given for our Saviors Departure which may both Greatly Delight the Understanding, and Comfort us in our Pilgrimage, both in respect of Him and us. In all which let the Words of my Mouth and the Meditations of my Heart, be ever Acceptable in thy Sight O Lord my Strength and my Redeemer.