They proved
it by not counting their own lives dear to them, but going forth in
the face of poverty and persecution, and death itself, to preach to
the whole world the good news that Christ was their King. They
proved it by their conduct to each other when they had all things in
common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all,
as every man had need. They proved it by needing no laws to bind
them to each other from without, because they were bound to each
other from within, by the love which comes down from God, and is the
very bond of peace, and of every virtue which becomes a man.
XI--ASCENSION-DAY
And Jesus led them out as far as to Bethany; and he lifted up his
hands and blessed them. And it came to pass while he blessed them,
he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they
worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem, with great joy; and were
continually in the temple, praising and blessing God--LUKE xxiv. 50-
53.
On this day it is fit and proper for us--if we have understood, and
enjoyed, and profited by the wonder of the Lord's Ascension into
Heaven--to be in the same state of mind as the Apostles were after
His Ascension: for what was right for them is right for us and for
all men; the same effects which it produced on them it ought to
produce on us.
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