An the tops of hills. In such a situation the chaff would be easily dispersed; and thus a striking image is supplied, expressive of total demolition. Literally, the kingdoms represented in the colossal statue, fell successively, and only during the progress of ages; so that the several metallic emblems were not in history "broken in pieces together." This account, however, has been supposed to find its verification in the fact that the political despotism and pagan idolatry common to all, and which might be regarded as concentrated in the last, were destroyed in the subversion of the Roman empire; but, perhaps it may be sufficient to consider it simply, as a general representation of the entire overthrow, at whatever period, of all these kingdoms, their branches, and dependencies. The whole is, in reality, a map of time to come, or as Bishop Hurd observes, "the four kingdoms of Daniel form a prophetic geography, being considered, in the eye of prophecy, as coexistent, and as still alive." It would scarcely have comported with the dignity of the description, to have exhibited the predicted ruin in detail; and Daniel describes as with one stroke of his pen, the glance of his prophetic eye over the ages and revolutions of a mysterious futurity.

Of "the kingdom of heaven," it is declared that" it shall never be destroyed," as the preceding empires were; and that it "shall not

be left to other people," but shall become "a great mountain," and "fill the whole earth." The prophecy also intimates that "it shall stand forever."

Dr. Homes remarks, that "the meaning of the continuance of this monarchy of Christ forever, doth not signify that it should never have any end, as if Christ should never lay down his power of government; for the contrary is expressed in 1 Cor. xv. 24, 28 ;* but the meaning is this; first, it shall never be destroyed (v. 44), that is, shall not end with a devastation and desolation, as the former monarchies did; secondly, it shall not be left to other people;' that is, other people shall never succeed the saints to possess it, as another people successively succeeded and possessed the other monarchies; thirdly, that the end of this monarchy of Christ (so far as it may have an end), is only formally, of the power or mode of government by Christ, who resigns his power to God himself: not materially, for the saints shall continue for ever, eternally happy, under the wing of the beatifical vision of God himself." This may be regarded as a correct interpretation of the phrase in question. In strictness, the king

"Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.-And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in alli”

dom of Christ in the external form of it, will be delivered up to the Father, and terminate; but in reality, as to the identity of its subjects, it will continue. The earthly will flow into and intermingle with the heavenly population, merging into it, like a stream into the ocean, or a morning beam into perfect day. It will, therefore, incomparably surpass all other empires in extent and duration; being both universal and immortal.

Brightly and gloriously does this vision arise before the eye of faith! How insignificant are all governments, even the greatest, to that of the Saviour, which not only combines every element of true grandeur in its constitution, but embraces in its range of influence unnumbered nations and countless myriads of souls! What fading pieces of successive pageantry are "the kingdoms of this world, and all the glory of them," to the everlasting reign of the Son of God! To be a subject of this kingdom, to share in its blessedness, to be eternally associated with its people, and their king must be to be elevated to the height of all glory-to the very summit of our intellectual, sanctified, and immortal

nature.

In those moments of spiritual enjoyment of which the Christian is sometimes conscious in contemplating this scene of transcendant attraction; how vain do all other subjects ap

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pear, even those which otherwise possess deepest general or personal interest! Into what a speck and an atom does our ascent into this worldly theme appear to sink this present evil world!" What contemptible nothingness seems to characterize not only all that is common and even appropriate in the pursuits of life, but even all that is most valued, most eagerly sought, and most loudly applauded! Still it is needful to remember that the most delightful and splendid visions of the future, ought not to divert us from the duties of the present; that we must not aim to "build tabernacles" on the mount, for the mere indulgence of a contemplative piety, but willingly descend, though with sanctified emotions, into the realities of life; and that activity in the service of Christ, combined with meditation upon his character, a sense of his love, and a conscious participation in the glory of his kingdom, constitutes at once the most privileged and the most useful condition of existence.

To this practical application of the subject we may be the more incited by recollecting, in connexion with the fading nature of all earthly dominions and governments, though they embrace several successive generations, the still greater fragility and brevity of individual life. If empires occupy but a comparative moment in the flux of ages, what shall

we think of our "appointed season on the earth?" Is it not a temporary bubble on the stream; or, as the Scriptures express it, "a vapor, that vanishes away?" But yet it has everlasting associations; and those associations originate in present character, which is therefore the elementary principle of our immortal destiny. The question whether we love Christ supremely, or the world—whether we live to promote his glory, and advance the interests of his church, or subserve our own selfishness, prejudice and passion,—whether we are obedient to him, or "serve divers lust and vanities," will soon be answered, if any of us should now feel repugnant to a direct and conscientious reply, in our enthronement amidst the splendors of the celestial kingdom, or our depression to the depths of infernal darkness and despair.