'Here is the foundations of our hopes and confidence': a Tillotson sermon for Holy Thursday

As we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord on this Holy Thursday, words from Tillotson's Ascension Day sermon, 'The Circumstances and Benefits of Our Saviour's Ascension':

Let us heartily thank God for the whole dispensation of our salvation, by the incarnation and doctrine, by the holy life and meritorious death of our blessed Saviour, and by that demonstration of God’s mighty power and goodness, "which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principalities, and powers, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; having put all things under his feet, and given him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body".

The consideration whereof is (as you have heard) a mighty consolation unto us under all the troubles and dangers to which the church of Christ is exposed in this world. He who hath "all power committed to him" by God, and is made "head over all things for" the benefit and advantage of "the church", we may be sure, will have a particular care of it, and tender it as his "own body": and as he is able, he is ready upon all occasions to protect and defend his own religion, and the true professors of it, against all the fury and malice of men and devils, so that the "gates of hell", the strongest combinations and deepest conspiracies of all the powers of darkness, "shall not” finally “prevail against it". Here is the foundation of our hopes and confidence, that our Redeemer is strong, and that God hath given him a kingdom and power that is paramount and superior to all earthly kingdoms and powers; and though they should conspire together, and be of one mind, unite all their force, and "give their power and strength unto the beast, to make war with the Lamb and his company", that is, the true church and faithful servants of Christ; yet "the Lamb shall overcome them", because "he is Lord of lords, and King of kings".

Sermon CXCV in Works of Tillotson, Volume VIII

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