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The stone which was cut out of the mountain without hands, will become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth. Every knee must finally bow to his sceptre; and every tongue confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

From this concise view of the subject, we conclude, that the kingdom of God, or Christ's kingdom, (which we consider as synonymous,) is in a special manner the gospel dispensation, which was not com pletely established until after the resurrection of our Lord.

II. We will in a few words consider its natúre~~ "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world."

The Mediator's kingdom not being of this world, supposes that its nature, its laws, and its government, are all distinct from the nature, laws, and govern ments of this world. That the Mediator's kingdom is not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine, will fully appear, it is apprehended, from the following reasons.

1st. From the character of the King. He was not born like the kings of the earth: he was the Son of the living God, and heir of all things-He was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and born of a virgin His birth was not celebrated with the earthly pomp of Princes; but by a few humblė Shepherds, and a choir of Angels-His palace was a stable, and his cradle a manger. When a child, he was not amused with toys, but was about his Father's business-When he was dedicated to his ministry, it was not by the appointment of Kings, or the con

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secration of Bishops, but by the baptism of his humble forerunner; and the descent of the Holy Ghost in a bodily shape, like a dove; and a voice from the excellent glory, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased-His companions were the despised fishermen of Galilee, and the angels of heaven-He was a man of sorrow, and acquainted with grief; yet he was the eternal Son of the eternal Father-Nature owned his voice, and devils trembled at his power; but he was despised and rejected of men-When he fed the hungry multitude, they were gratified with the loaves and fishes, and sought to make him a king; but he departed out of the place; for his kingdom was not of this world-When Satan, the God of this world, offered him all the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them, if he would only fall down and worship him; he rebuked him with holy contempt, and said, Get thee hence, Satan; for his kingdom was not of this world. The Mediator did not intermeddle with the affairs of the governments of this world; for his kingdom was not of this world. When he was solicited to command a brother to divide his earthly substance, instead of complying with the request, he only gave a pointed admonition, and said"Man, Who made me a judge, or a divider, over you?" When his enemies endeavoured to catch him in his words, by extorting from him something unfavourable to the laws of Cæsar; Jesus answered them, and said-" Render to Cæsar, the things which are Cæsar's; and to God, the things which are God's." When they demanded of him tribute, and

that unjustly, according to their own laws, he paid it without a murmur; to set an example of peace and quietness for his disciples. In all things he avoided interfering or meddling with the governments of this world.

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2dly. The kingdom of God is not of this world, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, The Mediator's kingdom is founded in right-His sceptre is a right sceptre-He rules in righteousness" The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Righteousness is opposed to all injustice, oppression and cruelty-it regards the rights of God and man-it requires love to the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our mind, and with all our strength; and to our neigh bour as ourselves. His kingdom is a kingdom of peace; he is the Prince of Peace. At his birth, the angels sang Peace on earth, and good will to men. Peace is opposed directly to all contention, war, and tumult; whether it regards individuals, societies, or nations-It forbids all wrath, clamour, and evil speaking It forbids the resistance of evil or retaliation; and requires good for evil, blessing for cursing, and prayer for persecution. Our glorious Mediator not only exhibited a pattern of peace in his life, but preached peace in the great congregation. His last and richest legacy to his disciples, was the gift of peace My peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you." Christ came in the power of the Spirit, and was full of the Holy Ghost. It is the communion or the Holy Ghost which fills the kingdom of heaven

with that joy which is unspeakable, and full of glory. Except a man be born of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. Finally, we have his own express declaration, that his kingdom is not of this world-"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world." b.)

From what has been said, it may be concluded, that the Mediator's kingdom is, in a special sense, the gospel dispensation, or the kingdom of heaven, and that it is not of this world, but spiritual, heavenly, and divine.

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o. III. We will consider briefly the laws of the Mediator's kingdom... It is governed by the same laws which regulate the heavenly hosts: ff Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect," is the command of our divine Master. It is the kingdom of heaven- Jesus said, My kingdom is nots of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews." The laws of the Mediator's kingdom, require supreme love to God. Jesus said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; this is the first and great commandment. This implies right apprehension of his being and perfections, and supreme love to his. word, and delight in his law; such as the sweet singer of Israel expressed how love I thy law! it is my meditation day and night. It implies unlimited confidence in God, and unshaken belief

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in the testimony he has given of his Son; and a spirit of filial obedience to all his precepts.

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The laws of the Mediator's kingdom require love to man"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." This prohibits rendering to any man evil for evil; but, contrarywise, it demands blessing. It utterly forbids wrath, hatred, malice, envy, pride, revenge, and fighting; but requires on the contrary, meekness, forgiveness, long suffering, tenderness, compassion, ands mercy. The subjects of the Mediator's kingdom are commanded to do good to all, as they have opportunity; but especially to those of the household of faith. This command extends not only to the gentle and kind, but to the disobedient and froward; to friends, and to enemies" If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink,"

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is the command of our Lord. This injunction, it is apprehended, is directly opposed to resisting the oppression of enemies by force Jesus said, "If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight;" but instead of avenging wrongs, the implicit direction is, "to overcome evil with good.? The Mediator is the only avenger of the wrongs done to his subjects; " for it is written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord." In a special manner, the subjects of the Mediator must love the brethren. They must visit the widow, the fatherless, and the afflicted, and live unspotted to the world. The Lord accepts every act of kindness done to the brethren, as done to himself; and regards every act of injustice, cruelty, and revenge towards them, as expressed towards himself. He con

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