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justified by faith, and therefore have "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The consequence of peace with God is peace with one another; a spirit which unites men in a wonderful manner to their fellow-creatures, and especially to their fellow-christians. This, when it is diffused, will produce peace among all families and nations; it will be an antidote against all the animosities and discords that have prevailed in the world.

2. The dignity of the subjects of this kingdom is another privilege. Is it considered an honour for a king to have a large train of nobles, who can trace their origin through a long line of progenitors? Are these the strength of the throne? What a noble race are the subjects of Christ's kingdom! To "as many as receive him, he gives the power to become the sons of God."* This is the highest of all titles. Their earthly descent is not noticed; "it doth not yet appear what they shall be:" but this is their nobility-"Now are ye the sons of God, and if sons, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." "What manner of love is this which the Father hath bestowed upon us?" All these sons shall be advanced to the kingdom; they shall every one of them be kings and priests unto God, and unite together in ascribing glory, and honour, and praise, and power, unto Him who redeemed them, and conferred this honour upon them." They shall have dominion over their sins, over the world, and over Satan, who shall be "bruised under their feet shortly." They will be invested with a holy office, reigning under Christ, and for his service and glory, for ever.

3. Immortality shall be the blessing of this kingdom: the subjects shall partake of endless life; a life that shall never be extinguished. In the Scriptures we read, "Whosoever believeth in Jesus shall never die. The fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and are dead; but he that eateth of the bread that I shall give him shall never die." He that keepeth the sayings of Christ shall not taste of death. Death, in the Scripture sense, includes that separation from God which begins in spiritual and is completed in eternal death; this is that of which believers cannot taste. They receive in them the embryo of eternal life the spiritual life rises up into life eternal, and will be displayed in its perfection in the world of glory. As subjects of Christ's kingdom, his servants are immortal; whatever affects their frail bodies, nothing can separate them from the love of Christ.

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What an important blessing is the possession of eternal life and the resurrection of the dead! These terms include everlasting felicity in the presence of God: the privilege is ineffable and invaluable, surpassing our apprehension, or any comparison that can be made. To enjoy the smallest portion of this blessing is to be superior to all the greatness of the present state: the least in the kingdom of heaven is higher than the most exalted of the rulers and the philosophers of the world. We shall shortly see this to be the true representation of the

↑ John vi. 58.

* John i. 12. See p. 99-102, of "Exegetical Essays on several Words relating to Future Punishment," by Professor Stuart, of Andover, United States; a work in which philological acumen and research are finely blended with sound discrimination and a genuine love of truth.-ED.

subject. Wicked men shall see it to be so, when, between them and the righteous, "there is a great gulf fixed;" good men will find it to be so, and their spirits will even fail within them, when they behold the order of the court of heaven, and the majesty of the kingdom.

These blessings which I have mentioned will not only be put within the reach, but made to be the possession, of the subjects of the kingdom of heaven.

The benefits that result from well-regulated governments on earth are generally such as restrain from the pursuits of evil, prevent interference with others, remove obstructions, leave open various avenues to the prosperity of individuals. Each subject must pursue his own course, and make his own fortune; but in this kingdom, positive blessings are conveyed. "The Lord will be to his people a place of

broad rivers and streams."* "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings, and hath begotten us again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." He not only subdues our enemies, but delivers us from our trials; while he himself becomes a source of satisfying good. "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you." "I give unto them eternal life."§

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I might mention some other properties of this kingdom, which, though they do not enter into the essence of it, are very important. It is a growing kingdom. At first it was small, but it had in it an expansive power; it was a little stone hewn out of a mountain without hands," but it shall become "a great mountain, and fill all the earth.” It has grown, and is growing; "and of its increase there shall be no end."|| "He must increase; he shall reign until all things are put under him." He goes on conquering and to conquer:" the last enemy shall be overcome, and be bound to the wheels of his chariot. The Scriptures are much occupied in these things. Prophets thought as much of missions, their labours, and their successes as we do: they employed the most glowing language, and the sublimest strains, in their predictions of the glory of Messiah's kingdom in the latter day; they snatch from earth and heaven, from the sun, the moon, and stars, the fairest and the grandest images, to represent the state of the church at that desired period; they levy a tribute upon universal nature, and make all things contribute to illustrate, as they will in reality contribute to advance, this kingdom.

This is a subject, then, my brethren, which can never be exhausted; you may speak of it through eternity! Open all your hearts, utter the most astonishing eloquence, call forth the host of angels to assist you in celestial songs; and still fresh views will burst upon your minds you will appear for ever only to be at the beginning of the theme, only to be standing upon the borders of Immanuel's land: you will be called upon perpetually to rejoice, and again to rejoice, while you "speak of the glory of his kingdom, and talk of his power."

* Isaiah xxxiii. 21.

John x. 28.

† 1 Pet. i. 3.
|| Isaiah ix. 7.

+ John xiv. 27.

In connexion with those qualities which I have mentioned, the perpetuity of this kingdom must endear it, above all things, to a good man: this indeed crowns the whole. It is a perpetual kingdom; it shall never be removed; it shall never be taken away to be given to any other people; but the saints of the Most High shall continually possess it. It shall rise upon the ruins of all other dominions, and shall itself never be subverted.

Let us then rejoice at the tokens which we see of God's purpose to extend this kingdom. Our eyes have seen great and wonderful things: God is doing much for his church; we have advantages beyond any of our predecessors. Such a period as this has not been witnessed since the days of the apostles: all events seem to be pointing to the final issue; and this should reconcile us to live in a time of desolation. In the midst of the darkness that surrounds us, a bright point is visible that forebodes the dawn of a brighter day. God is overturning, overturning; but it is to prepare the way for his coming whose right it is, and who shall reign for ever.

The kingdoms of this world are changing and falling to ruin. Let us not be dismayed at this; they are made of changeable materials. We ought not to wonder if the mortal dies, and if the changeable changes; but ever rejoice that we receive "a kingdom which cannot be moved." 99# Let us have grace, while we see these things, "to serve the Lord acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

This kingdom, my brethren, will advance in the world when we depart out of it. It is a kingdom, at present, consisting of two parts; there is an upper and a lower province: in the lower province the subjects are required to struggle and fight; when called hence, they shall triumph. Then shall we know what is meant by the glory of this kingdom, when "God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes," and when the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed us, and lead us to living fountains of water;" when we shall "rejoice before the throne, and reign for ever and ever."

Let us, while we live here, sincerely pray and labour for the ådvancement and glorious increase of this kingdom, which embraces all the elements of purity and happiness. "This is all our salvation," and should be all our desire. Beyond this, there is nothing to be hoped for; without this, there is nothing on earth that can render the prospect of death tolerable, or life worth possessing.

Finally, then, let us look to ourselves, that, while we hear these things, we may possess a personal interest in this kingdom. "The law and the prophets were until John:" but now is the kingdom of heaven; and let every man be pressing into it. Press into it-strive to enter. Strive as in an agony: "for many shall strive" imperfectly, "and shall not be able." Let it be your determination, by the aid of promised grace, to surmount every difficulty. Press into the kingdom; for behind thee is the wrath and curse of Almighty God; but within is a place of safety, of peace, and joy. Put your feet within the limits

*Heb. xii. 28.

† Rev. vii. 17.

‡ Rev. vii. 9, 15.

of this kingdom, and it will be as one of the cities of refuge to the men that were pursued by the avengers of blood; and the farther you penetrate, the more will your peace and joy be promoted.

To be within this kingdom-how important! Why are there, then, any of you that are not earnestly seeking it? If you have not felt a concern about it before, what are your present thoughts? Is what we have advanced all imagination? Is it only a fancied empire that has been represented to you? Is there such a kingdom among men? Have you heard of it, have you seen it? And is the Saviour, the Lord of his church, wooing your souls? Is he asking leave to come in? Does he say, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in?"* Open then the door, and let the King of glory come in. If he visits you, it is that he may reign in you; and then he will bless you with his salvation. There is no one wise that does not yield to the Saviour: all are fools who are not either rejoicing in the evidence that they are in this kingdom, or earnestly desirous of it. Be not content that this kingdom should appear before you for a time, and then vanish away for ever; say not, I shall see it, but not for myself. Oh, thou that art exalted to heaven, take heed lest thou be thrust down into hell! The kingdom of God indeed is come nigh unto you: it is nigh you in the gospel, it is nigh you in the efforts of the present time, it is nigh you in the endeavours of your ministers, it is nigh you in every sermon you hear, and in every ordinance you attend. It is nigh you; and you will never get quit of this thought: it will be as a sharp arrow that will drink up your spirits to all eternity. When it is far from you, when between you and the blessed subjects of it "there is a great gulf fixed," you will for ever cry, Once it was nigh me; every Sabbath it was nigh me; every day it was nigh me; for months and years together it was nigh me; but I refused it; I thrust it from me; I would have none of the Saviour's counsel, I rejected his reproof: and now— it is past; it is gone; the things of the kingdom are for ever hidden from my eyes! Beware, lest that come upon you which is written; "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish." "Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him."§

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VI.

GOD'S WAYS, THOUGH OFTEN INSCRUTABLE, ARE
RIGHTEOUS AND JUST.*

PSALM XCVII. 2.-Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

[PREACHED AT LUTON, MAY, 1815.]

THIS psalm commences with a statement of the most important doctrine of religion; a doctrine which is the foundation of all serious piety, the rule and dominion of God over his creatures. It then calls to rejoicing in that great fact. In every time of trouble this is the Christian's consolation; and it is his chief joy in his best moments. He who is "above all" continually conducts the machine of providence, and superintends all things in every part of the universe. This is the unfailing source of comfort to a good man,—“The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice."

In the text we have a concession made, perfectly consistent with the great truth before propounded: "Clouds and darkness are round about him righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne." Two propositions are contained in this text, to which I now propose calling your attention.

I. "Clouds and darkness are round about God."

II. "Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne." I. "Clouds and darkness are round about God." The figurative language in the poetical parts of the Old Testament is frequently taken from the historical books, and refers to the facts therein recorded: thus the appearances of God to the saints and patriarchs in old times are the origin of the figure in our text. If you look at the history of these appearances, you will find they were all accompanied with clouds and darkness. The cloud of the Lord went before the children of Israel when they departed from the land of bondage. This cloud had a dark and a bright side, and was a symbol of the Divine presence: thus it preceded the people in all their marches, as a pillar of fire by night, and of a cloud by day. When Solomon dedicated the temple, the glory of the Lord filled the house, and the priest could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord filled the house.‡ When God descended upon Mount Sinai, "there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud. And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, upon the top of the mount."§

* Printed from the notes of the Rev. Samuel Hillyard. 1 Kings viii. 10, 11.

When our

† Exodus xiv. 19, 20. Exodus xix. 16, 18, 20.

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