Hence, the universal operation of the great remedy which Christianity reveals. It every where produces the same effects. It blesses wherever it comes. On society at large it exerts the most beneficial influence-this has often been expressed in the language of prophecy" The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water in the habitation of dragons where each lay, shall be grass, with reeds and rushes." "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree." By the river of the water of life, on this side, and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruits according to his months."-Thus it has already blessed many nations; and still more effectually and extensively is it designed to bless.

"

Look at his application to every kind of woe. As the most wicked are not out of the reach of its pardons, so its consolations abound alike to all who seek them. It proclaims liberty to the captive," healing to the bruised," the opening of the prison to them that are bound:"-it "binds up the broken hearted," and "comforts all that mourn:"it" appoints unto them that mourn in Zion, and gives them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." It causes "the lame to leap as an hart, and 99 It the tongue of the dumb to sing for joy.' is the only and universal cure of the sufferings which belong to our fallen nature. Its testimony relieves the conscience of guilt: its precepts cleanse the life: its promises sustain under every pressure: its prospects open bliss beyond the grave. It requires nothing which man is incapable of complying with: it enjoins only that it shall be believed-while, to secure its belief, it brings near its reviving testimony, and disposes the mind to receive that testimony. The faith which the Gospel requires, is suited to the circumstances and condition of all; and it produces the same effects on those who traverse the desert, as on those who dwell in kings' houses.

Its laws also, are suited to all people and nations. The grand law is that of LOVE; we are required to love all, as CHRIST loved us." There is no creature to whom

this law will not apply.

Then the Gospel ritual is so simple-so unexpensive so calculated to suit all, that we must see in it a proof of the wisdom and love of God. It has no expensive rites, no costly sacrifices, no splendid priesthood, no painful pilgrimages, no superb edifices.Where two or three meet together in the name of CHRIST, he has promised to be present with a blessing. It is not the wor

"O! how unlike the erring works of man,

Heaven's easy, artless, unincumber'd plan !" If I were required to go into the argument of its extension, I would argue from its adaptation-and shew that while it is suited to all, it is designed to be made known to all ;-from the command of CHRIST, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature; from the predictions;-from the promises of the word of God; and from all connected with its own natureand with the design of its Founder. But I pass on to notice

III. ITS PERPETUITY.

When I contend for its perpetuity, I do not mean that it will last for ever; but that it is to last to the end of time; that it will undergo no change" until the heavens be no more;" that what is now diffused will be better understood and practiced, but that still it will be a kingdom set up in the heart, consisting of the reign of righteousness, peace, and joy; till faith shall be lost in sight, hope swallowed up in enjoyment, and earth exchanged for heaven.

This will be fully borne out by the text. Referring to the giving of the law, which was attended with so much majesty and terror, the apostle says-ver. 26.- Whose voice then shook the earth; but now he hath promised, saying, yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." From these words, the apostle proceeds to draw two conclusions; first, that the words he has quoted signify the removing of those things that are, or may be, shaken :"-that is, the whole apparatus of Moses; the Mosaic priesthood, and all connected with that dispensation.Secondly, that these things were shaken in order that the others might remain; that is, the priesthood of CHRIST, and all that is connected with it, may not be removed. He does not say, that it will never be removed, but that it" cannot be shaken." OWEN observes on this passage, "That which is here peculiarly intended is this, that the Gospel dispensation is firmly established, that God himself never intended any alteration-that he has put the last hand to this dispensation. No other way of calling, renewing, sanctifying, and saving the church, will ever be made known; for this dispensation is here called immoveable."-On the ground of this one passage, I might rest the perpetuity of the present dispensation of Christianity; for that which is stated in one plain declaration of Scripture, is quite enough to establish any point. But the whole ef this epistle may be adduced as proof; it proves that the economy

of Moses was designed to be temporary, while that of CHRIST is perpetual; that all the rites and ceremonies of the former were mere temporary arrangements, and could not become permanent ;-whereas CHRIST, by atoning and interceding as our great High Priest, is ordained after the power of an endless life; that the former priesthood is entirely disannulled, and that of the priesthood of CHRIST, there is no end.

This system is fitted for all times, as it is adapted to all places. It possesses all the freshness of youth as well as all the strength of manhood. The discoveries of science have effected no improvement, have detected no flaw. The progress of ages has not effected its destruction. The "eternal city" is mouldering away, and sinking fast into the wreck of nations; but the city " whose builder and maker is GoD," is exhibiting no symptoms of decay; it is continually enlarging its boundaries, and widening its operations. In reference to the present dispensation, we may use the language addressed by the Almighty himself to the church of old; "Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Violence shall no

more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls salvation, and thy gates praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory; thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."

The present dispensation having abrogated the former, and being designed to last to the end of time, occupies a middle space between that of Moses and that of heaven. It is far superior to that of Moses; but far inferior to that of heaven. The things which "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart conceived of," have been "revealed to us by the SPIRIT," and enjoyed; but there are far greater things yet to be enjoyed, which, at present, we cannot comprehend, and "it doth not yet appear what we shall be." We look for the second coming of CHRIST, when he will be "glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe;" when all the mysteries of Providence shall be explained; when death itself shall expire, when the bodies of the saints shall be glorified, and made like unto their exalted Redeemer; when we shall enjoy his divine presence, and enter into the fulness of joy. Then, and not till then, will the present dispensation pass away. The destruction of nature shall not wholly destroy it; but whereas now we know in part, when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done

away;" and whereas now we see through a glass darkly, we shall then see face to face, and know even as we are known." We look for no middle or intervening dispensation between that which we now enjoy, and that to which we look forward. The state which some so fondly desire to arrive, is not so highly to be desired as they imagine : it is neither a life of faith, nor a life of sight, but partaking partly of both. It is a mere Utopian scheme; and is much more nearly allied to the reveries of the Koran than to the truths of revelation. Two or three things appear to be opposed to such a scheme.

1st. The expectation of such a state is founded on a false and unscriptural assumption, that the kingdom of CHRIST is not yet come.That CHRIST has not yet established his throne; that he has appeared as a prophet and a priest, but not as a king; that his glorious reign is to be accomplished, not by common means, but by miracles. And is it, indeed, so? When John said, "The kingdom of GoD is at hand," and when the apostles said, "The kingdom of GOD is among you," did they only mean to assert that it should be at two thousand years after? When one apostle said, that CHRIST had finished his work, and was set down at the right hand of the throne of GOD, from thence expecting till his foes were made his footstool; and when John tells us that he saw him in the midst of the throne, having on his head many crowns, and receiving the praises of innumerable myriads, as having accomplished their redemption;-are we to be told that all this was a mistake, and that HE has yet to quit heaven, and descend to earth, in order to assert that dominion, and erect that throne? Are we to be juggled out of all the ideas we have derived from Scripture, by "this baseless fabric of a vision ?" -But

2ndly. The present revelation of the New Testament, is altogether unsuited to such a state as that which we are now considering.—The New Testament is fitted for men who are sinful, who are not fully changed-who are exposed to suffering and to trial-who have to walk by faith and not by sight. To a perfected creature, a creature raised above suffering, and sin, and sorrow, the greater part of scripture would be altogether inapplicable. Every change that has taken place, has been expressly announced, and a revelation has been given suited to the new state. We should be very cautious how we receive any thing in reference to a new dispensation. I confess, indeed, that this caution will not go far with those who profess to have NEW revelations ;-but it may well shake the faith of others.

3dly. This scheme is subversive of the hope of the Gospel.-The foundation of that hope is the resurrection of CHRIST from the dead; and its grand object is the appearing of

CHRIST to take his saints to himself. This is "the glorious appearing of the great GoD our Saviour, JESUS CHRIST," to which believerers look forward, and for which they hope. Instead of which, we have a prior resurrection, and a partial glorification: some gloring and rejoicing in CHRIST; and some looking forward with dread to an apostacy which shall assuredly prevail to a most dreadful extent! And this hypothesis is put in the room of the sublime hope of a resurrection to eternal life and blessedness! Doubts have even been suggested as to the happiness of separate spirits, and the future bliss of heaven.-Such opinions, as to the future, are opposed alike to scripture and to

common sense.

The subject furnishes a few PRACTICAL and ADMONITORY LESSONS.

1. One is contained in the words of the

apostle ; "Wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, &c." Having received such a kingdom, let us hold fast our profession. In proportion to the greatness of the boon bestowed, is the generosity of the giver, and ought to be the gratitude of those on whom it is bestowed. What a kingdom have we received! not a temporal kingdom. As subjects of this highly-favoured country, we rejoice in innumerable privileges, and may they be prolonged to our children, and to our children's children! But these privileges are earthly in their nature, their origin, and their end: they may be enjoyed by those who are strangers to GoD, and who will perish for ever. But the subjects of this kingdom are spiritual men, and heirs of GoD, and joint heirs with CHRIST; and if the privileges be spiritual, they are more secure and abundant. The time must come, when all the dynasties of earth will have ceased for ever; when kingdoms and constitutions will have finished their course; when the earth on which they flourished, shall have fled away; when the very theatre of the universe shall pass away as a shrivelled scroll. But our kingdom shall never perish it shall remain unconsumed amidst the wreck of nature, and survive the crush of worlds! So far from being exposed to decay or destruction, it shall be ever deriving new strength and support, and constantly presenting new claims to the attention and homage of the world, till it has extended over all the earth its righteous and peaceful sceptre. And having done this, it will speedily usher in the new creation, when the happiness and glory of the kingdom will be secured for ever!

Brethren, let us hold fast this kingdom.

Let nothing induce us to shrink from the service of CHRIST. Let us not be dazzled by any scheme of worldly glory. Let no curious but uninspired declarations terrify or bewilder us. Hold fast this kingdom as better than honour, than liberty, than life itself! Your kingdom cannot be movedbe not you shaken.

2. Let the spirituality of this kingdom be the leading feature of your character. If those who believe in a purely spiritual kingdom of CHRIST, be not themselves spiritual, they are without excuse. Be it ours to shun their road, and follow a more excellent way. Let us shew that the spiritual sanctions of this kingdom are quite powerful enough to influence us, and to make us pure, and happy, and spiritual men. Seeing we have received such a kingdom, what manner of persons ought we to be!

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3. As we believe that the kingdom of CHRIST is to be universal, and as that universality is to be brought about by moral and spiritual means, let us make use of the most active exertions, Those who believe that the future glory of the church is to be brought about by miracles, whether of judgment, or of mercy, may omit these exertions; but a dispensation of the Gospel is committed to us, and woe be to us if we preach not the Gospel!" For this important work we are furnished with a plentitude of well-suited means—it is true, they are "not carnal;" but they will prove mighty through GoD, to the pulling down of strong holds." CHRIST crucified is to be preached; and though to some it may be " foolishness;" to many it will prove "the power and the wisdom of GOD." The pride and vanity of the human heart will be opposed to it; we shall have to encounter long established and bigoted idolatries; the interested priests of spurious systems, will "curse us by their gods;" Satan and his emissaries will all be marshalled against us, and they will only yield after a most painful conflict. But on our side is the word of GOD in all the force of its truths; and bands of holy warriors who scorn to be intimidated by scenes of danger. All heaven is interested in our success. The pledge is given that we shall be conquerors, and more than conquerors. have nothing to fear. It is Hrs to call us,

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We

Onward, onward; and 'tis ours to follow on. Let us persevere, and we shall assuredly triumph. Ere long, the harps of heaven shall be tuned to this hymn, "THE KINGDOMS

OF THIS WORLD, ARE BECOME THE KINGDOMS OF OUR GOD AND OF HIS CHRIST, AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER!" AMEN

This, my christian friends, is an aspiration which still ought to arise-which still ought to animate the spirit, and exercises, and desires of the people of God. And by the blessing of the Holy One of Israel, we desire that it may be reiterated by many of those who are now in the sanctuary of God: as the pledge of their zeal, the pledge of their compassion, the pledge of their devoted exertions, " And let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen and Amen!"

We propose to consider-First, The great object of desire which is here placed in view. Secondly, The consideration on account of which the great object of desire should be earnestly and devotedly cherished. Thirdly, The encouragements which are possessed for believing that the great object of desire shall be conducted to a final and triumphant accomplishment." And let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen and Amen!"

I propose to consider,

1st. What we understand by the glory of God.-Without detaining you by mentioning any of those various significations in which the term may be used, we may consider it as being the manifestation of the divine Majesty, previous to granting a revelation of that great BEING who presides in high authority over the destinies of all kings and of all princes. There are many illustrations of this term to be found in the Scriptures, as would appear from passages of the sacred writings which might be quoted; but we now remark, that in the attributes of the true and living God, there is, doubtless, that which constitutes glory of the highest degree of sublimity and splendour; and never can it be contemplated aright by us, without producing an overwhelming tendency to render to him our homage, and our praise. The name of the Lord God of Israel is a glorious name, and truly, to reflect upon ONE whose power and knowledge are infinite to reflect upon ONE whose government over the wide expanse of nature, is conducted with equity that cannot be impugned-ONE whose mercy is blended with majesty, and who blends the memorials of his love with those objects which commend every other being-is

not this to behold grandeur, before which our minds must sink, and we only be able to adore the God we serve! There are many other wonderful manifestations of the glory of the Lord, which have been given for the instruction of the human race. Material nature is nothing more nor less than a glorious display of that great and mighty BEING, at whose command it arose from the darkness of its primeval chaos, to its light and beauty. Thus we are told, by the apostle Paul, where he states the original constitution, and the subsequent decripitude of men, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead." Thus the Psalmist informs us, that "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." The sun, moon, and stars that embellish and adorn the mighty canopy above, and every being that lives and breathes and moves upon our globe, and every combination of element that exists on the surface or bosoms in the centre, all proclaim the power and wisdom, the greatness and the love of this manifestation. Sad it is to consider how this manifestation has been despised by our apostate race. They have endeavoured to blot out every trace of its splendour; and where the ungodly have been left to follow their heart's desire, they have soon been reduced to the state described by the apostle,'" Without God, and without hope in the world." We know for ourselves how sad is the state into which the human race have fallen, and thankful ought we to be; if we have been preserved from the crimes committed by others of our species, and have been desirous in all things

"To look through nature, Up to nature's God."

Further. There have been additional displays of the majesty and divine perfections, in the revelation which has been given by the ALMIGHTY, for the purpose of forming a standing testimony against those errors to which mankind, in consequence of their depravity are prone.-As all our moral views of God would be mistaken, the Almighty, from the secret place of his glory has, from time to time, made those various announce