IT having been revealed by ancient Prophets, that the Lord Messiah should be a King, and have universal empire, the chosen tribes in every age expected his appearance under the regal character. While, however, the ge­neral idea of that expectation was fully warranted by the Spirit of prophecy, the bulk of Abraham's natural posterity were under a gross mistake, respecting the true design of their Messiah's ap­pearance, and the real nature of his kingdom: which mistake had the most pernicious influence upon their temper and conduct, when the gracious pro­mise of his coming was fulfilled.

The sense which they affixed to pro­phecies respecting the great Redeemer, was manifestly such as flattered their pride and fostered their carnality. This gave it a decided advantage, in their [Page 8]estimation, over that for which our Lord and his Apostles contended; and led them to overlook whatever in the ancient Oracles opposed their secular views. Ignorant of their spiritual wants, and flushed with a false persua­sion of interest in Jehovah's peculiar fa­vor, on the ground of carnal descent from Abraham, and of the Covenant made at Horeb; the doctrine, example, and claims of Christ, were extremely of­fensive. Not appearing as a temporal prince, discovering no disposition to free them from the Roman yoke, and frequently addressing their consciences with keen reproof, on account of their pride and hypocrisy, superstition and covetousness; they rejected with de­termined opposition all the evidences of his divine mission, treated him as an im­postor, and procured his crucifixion.—After he was risen from the dead, and ascended to heaven, multitudes of them indeed believed, and professed the Christian faith: but a great majority of the nation continued in hardened im­penitence, and persecuted the Apostles with unrelenting malevolence. Thus they proceeded till, divine forbearance being exhausted, wrath came upon them to the uttermost, in the total subversion of their civil and ecclesiastical polity.

[Page 9] This mistake of the Jews, respecting the kingdom of their Messiah, lying at the foundation of all the opposition with which they treated him, and of their own ruin; it behoves us to guard with diligence against every thing which tends to secularize the dominion of Christ: lest, by corrupting the Gos­pel Oeconomy, we dishonor the Lord Redeemer, and be finally punished as the enemies of his government. Our danger of contracting guilt, and of in­curring divine sentiment in this way, is far from small. For we are so con­versant with sensible objects, and so de­lighted with exterior show, that we are naturally inclined to wish for something in the religion of Jesus, to gratify our carnality. Under the influence of that master prejudice, the expectation of a temporal kingdom, Jewish depravity re­jected Christ; and our corruption, if we be not watchful, may so misrepre­sent his empire, and oppose his royal prerogatives, as implicitly to say, We will not have him to rule over us.

Among the numerous admirable say­ings of Jesus Christ, and of his Apostles, that stand recorded in the New Testa­ment, and are adapted to instruction in this important subject; there is one [Page 10]which deserves peculiar notice. The saying to which I advert, is part of that good confession which our Lord witnessed before Pontius Pilate; My kingdom is not of this world. A concise, but com­prehensive declaration, and worthy of him that made it!—This capital saying may be considered as the grand maxim on which he formed his conduct when among men; and it is pregnant with needful instruction to all his disciples, respecting the New Oeconomy and the Christian Church Relative to matters of that kind, there is not, perhaps, a more interesting passage in all the New Testament; nor one which is better adapted to rebuke the pride and carna­lity of millions who bear the Christian character. To approve of Christ as a spiritual monarch, agreeably to the meaning and tendency of this emphati­cal text, requires a degree of heavenly mindedness which comparatively few possess.

My kingdom is not of this world, says Messiah the Prince, when standing be­fore the Roman governor, and ques­tioned about his claim of dignity. He boldly avows himself a King; yet, while advancing his title to the honors, [Page 11]of royalty, he tacitly informs Pilate that the civil rights of Cesar had no­thing to fear from him; and that his own disciples had no advantages to ex­pect, of a secular kind, as the result of embarking in his cause.—Our Lord, a little while before, had im­plicitly conveyed the general idea of this declaration, by receiving from a surrounding multitude the acclamati­ons due to his royal character, when riding upon an ass: for while he accept­ed the honours of royalty, the poverty and meanness of his appearance plainly implied, that his kingdom was not of a temporal kind. Zechariah had fore­told that the children of Zion should loudly rejoice in this humble manifes­tation of the King Messiah, and that their joy should kindle into rapture. An incontrovertible evidence that he predicted the public inauguration of a Sovereign, whose kingdom is not of this world. For the loyal and affectionate subjects of a political monarch never thought it matter of exultation, that he appeared among them, when pro­claimed king, with all the marks of meanness and of poverty. Yet so it was in respect of the King Messiah.

[Page 12] It is generally allowed, if I mistake not, that the kingdom of Christ is no other than the Gospel Church^*; which is both distinguished from the world, and opposed to it. Relative to this kingdom, and its divine Sovereign, Je­hovah says; I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion. This prophetic Oracle was fulfilled when our Lord, leading captivity captive, ascended on high and sat down on the right of the eternal Fa­ther. Then was he most solemnly in­augurated and proclaimed King of the New Testament Church, amidst ador­ing myraids of attendant angels, and spirits of just men made perfect. In pur­suance of which most grand investiture with his regal office, he distributed royal donatives, at the feast of Pentecost, among his devoted subjects— such do­natives, as perfectly suited the majesty of his Person, and the nature of his kingdom. Yes, that wonderful assem­blage of spiritual gifts and heavenly graces, which he bestowed upon his disciples at the Jewish festival, was a [Page 13]glorious first-fruit of his ascension, and of his being a priest upon his throne. The Gospel Church, which is the sub­ject of his laws, the seat of his govern­ment, and the object of his care, being surrounded with powerful opposers; he is represented as ruling in the midst of his enemies. Nor shall his mediatorial kingdom and administration cease, till all those enemies become his footstool.

The empire of Christ, indeed, extends to every creature: for all authority in heaven and on earth is in his hands, and he is head over all things to the Church. But the kingdom of which we treat, stands distinguished from that of gene­ral Providence, as well as from every political state. It must be considered, therefore, as consisting of those persons whom he bought with his blood, whom he calls by his grace, and over whom he reigns as a spiritual monarch. These constitute what is frequently called, the Catholic Church, wherever the favor­ed individuals may reside. Of such al­so, or of those who make a credible pro­fession of being such, all those particu­lar churches consist, which constitute our Lord's visible kingdom—that king­dom of which we speak. Into the [Page 14]principal characteristics of this holy empire, and into the genuine conse­quences of those criteria, we shall now enquire.

The Gospel Church is a kingdom not of this world, in regard to its origin. From the time of Nimrod to the present age, secular empires have generally origi­nated in the vile passions of their first founders: for, in almost every instance, avarice and pride, ambition and a lust of dominion, have been conspicuous.—Not so, in the kingdom of Christ. The remote foundation of his dominion was laid in the counsels of Heaven before time commenced, by all comprehend­ing wisdom and infinite goodness, for the glory of God and the benefit of man: and the immediate basis on which it stands, is his own vicarious obedience to divine law; both as to its precepts, and as to its penalty. Justice and good­ness, therefore, are the foundation of his throne. Mercy and truth attend the whole of his administration.

The kingdom of Christ is not of this world, respecting the subjects of his righte­ous government. The generality of peo­ple in all countries, were born subjects [Page 15]of those governments under which they lived. No sooner, for instance, were we capable of reflecting upon our ci­vil connections, than we found our­selves freeborn subjects of the British crown: and thus it commonly is in the sovereignties of secular princes. Their dominion being confined to the exteri­or of human conduct, and not reaching the heart; natural birth and local cir­cumstances constitue subjects of the state, put them under the protection of law, and invest them with civil rights. Such subjects are perfectly well suited to the kingdoms of this world, and to the character of their sovereigns. For, considered as men, kings and subjects are on a level: and, as distinguished by po­litical characters, their obligations are mutual; allegiance on the one part, and protection on the other.—Besides, temporal kingdoms respect the present world. The mutual duties of sove­reigns and of subjects, as such, regard the happiness of civil society, and of that only. As an investiture with poli­tical sovereignty does not constitute a lord of conscience, it gives no claim to authority in spiritual things, but is en­tirely confined to the concerns of this world. It is, indeed, the indispensable [Page 16]duty of secular princes, and of their people, to love and adore God: yet that obligation does not arise from any political relation subsisting among them, but from their being reasonable crea­tures. It is also their happiness to be the subjects of Jesus Christ: but that felicity does not result from any thing short of divine mercy exercised upon them, as depraved and guilty crea­tures.

The kingdom and claims of Christ be­ing very different from those of Ceasar, the qualifications and obedience of his real subjects must be so too. For per­sons may be good subjects of a temporal sovereign, and enjoy the rights of such a character, while they are so far from bearing true allegiance to Jesus Christ, as to be quite inimical to his dominion, and entire strangers to the privileges of his kingdom. The empire of Christ is not of this world: it is not a temporal, but a spiritual kingdom. Our Lord, there­fore, is a spiritual sovereign; whose dominion extends to the mind, consci­ence, and heart, no less than to the ex­ternal behaviour. Consequently, all the subjects of his government must have spiritual dispositions, and yield spiritual [Page 17]obedience—obedience, proceeding from an enlightened understanding, an awakened conscience, and a renewed heart. For, as is the sovereign, such are the subjects, and such the allegiance required. A spiritual Sovereign, and subjects yielding an obedience merely external, are manifestly incon­sistent.

As all mankind are born in a state of a postasy from God: as the natural turn of the heart, or the carnal mind, is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be; we must be born again—born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, before we are permitted to consider ourselves, or to be considered by others, as the sub­jects of Him whose kingdom is of a spiritual kind. Remarkable are the words of our Lord, when speaking of his loyal subjects: They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. No: they are described by the Apostles, as being of the truth; of faith; and of God ^* Of the truth: enlightened, converted, and sanctified by the gospel. Of faith: living by it; deriving peace [Page 18]and holiness from Jesus Christ through believing in him. Of God: born of him; or begotten again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.—Such are the subjects of our Lord's kingdom: in opposition to whom, the New Testament represents the rest of our apostate race, as being of the works of the law; of the world; of darkness; and of the devil ^* Of the works of the law; seeking acceptance with God by their own imperfect obe­dience, which leaves them under a curse. Of the world: carnally minded, and in a state of enmity to God. Of darkness: ignorant of their perishing state, and unacquainted with Jesus Christ. Of the devil: partakers of his image, subjects of his dominion, and performers of his will^† So great is the contrast formed by Scripture, be­tween those who are under our Lord's government, and the rest of mankind! Agreeably to which, real Christians are further described, as delivered from the power of darkness, or the tyranny of Satan, and translated into the kingdom [Page 19]of God's dear Son: and as being of God, while all the rest of the world lies in wickedness. None, therefore, but those who are born from above, are the subjects of Jesus Christ: for if the heart be not under his dominion, he reigns not at all as a spiritual monarch.

That none but real Christians sub­jects of our Lord's kingdom, is yet further apparent from the descriptive characters of those that were members of the apostolic churches. We find them described in the New Testament, as gladly receiving the word of grace, as the called of Jesus Christ, and as called to be saints. The Apostles denominate them brethren, faithful brethren, holy brethren, saints, and lively stones in the spiritual temple^* These and similar characters are frequently applied to members of the primitive churches in general; and of those churches the vi­sible kingdom of Christ then consisted. We may therefore say, with VITRINGA; ‘The kingdom of grace, in which Christ is king upon mount Zion, is properly and emphatically the king­dom [Page 20]of Christ: of which none are subjects, except those who are cho­sen, called, faithful, peaceable, and humble; in whom Jesus Christ lives by his Spirit, as in the members of a mystical and spiritual body, of which he is the head^*’

This view of our Lord's subjects is perfectly agreeable to the nature and genius of the New Covenant, with which the Messiah's kingdom is closely connected: because it appears, that subjects of any other description, have no reason to consider themselves as covenantees; and it is plain that a di­vine Covenant must suit the Kingdom to which it belongs, whether Jewish or Christian.—When, in the fulness of time, God performed his gracious and comprehensive promise of blessing all nations, it was by the intervention of a New and better Covenant than that which was made at Sinai. For thus it is written: Behold, the days come, faith the Lord, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: NOT ACCORU­ING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE^† [Page 21]WITH THEIR FATHERS, IN THE DAY THAT [...] [...]OK THEM BY THE HAND TO BRING [...]HEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; which my Covenant they brake although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord. But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel, After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their ini­quity, and I will remember their sin no more ^*

This admirably gracious Covenant is completely suited to a spiritual king­dom, and to the subjects we have been describing: for it announces no de­signs, makes no provisions, confers no blessings, but those that are spiritual, internal, and everlasting. The true knowledge of Jehovah, writing his law in the heart, forgiveness of all sin, and perpetual relation to God, are [Page 22]the blessings for which it engages; but there is not a word [...]cting temporal blessings, nor concer [...]ng any merely external relation to the Great Supreme, though these were the grand articles in the Covenant made at Horeb. Covenantees, therefore, under the Christian Oeconomy, can be no other than the spiritual seed of Abraham: and such are the subjects of this king­dom. Hence the Gospel Covenant is called new, and is expressly opposed to the Sinai Confederation, from which it is extremely different. It is also pronounced a better Covenant than that which Jehovah made with the ancient Israel: and so it is, whether we consider its objects, its blessings, its confirmation, or its continuance. Its objects: for they are the spiritual feed of Abraham, gathered out of all nations. Its blessings: for they are all spiritual and internal. Its confirmation: for it was ratified by the death of Christ. Its continuance: for it is an everlasting Covenant, ordered in all things and sure. Yes, it is as much better than the Covenant made at Sinai, as being the children of God by regeneration, is preferable to carnal descent from A­braham—as the number of God's elect [Page 23]in all nations, exceeds that of the cho­sen t [...]—as blessings entirely spi­ritual [...] immortal, are more excel­lent than those of an earthly kind and of short duration—as redemption from spiritual bondage and eternal ruin, is greater and nobler than deliverance from temporal slavery—as the ratifi­cation of this Covenant, by the blood of Immanuel, is more sacred than that which the Old Covenant received by the slaughter of brute animals—as the Son of God, the mediator of it, is greater than Moses, who appeared under that character at Horeb—and as a Covenant of everlasting efficacy, that secures the final happiness of all to whom it relates, is better than one of a temporary nature, which was vi­olated by the covenantees, and is be­come for ever obsolete. Hence we read, not only of a better testament, but also of better promises, on which the New Covenant is established; of a better hope, introduced by it; of bet­ter sacrifices, by which guilt is expiated; of better things provided for the Christ­ian, than were enjoyed by the Jewish church; and of a better country for an inheritance^*, than the earthly Ca­naan, [Page 24]Nay, we are assured by an in­spired writer, that the Sinai [...]enant and the Mosaic Dispensation [...]ad no glory attending them, compared with that of the New Covenant and of the Messiah's Oeconomy^*. Now, to this more glorious Covenant, the kingdom of Christ, and the subjects of it, must a­gree. As, therefore, none but spiritual blessings are contained in that Cove­nant; so none but real saints are the subjects of our Lord's dominion.

Very different, then, is the kingdom of Christ from the ancient Israelitish Theocracy. For, of that Theocracy, all Abraham's natural descendents were true subjects, and properly qualified members of the Jewish church; such only excepted, as had not been circum­cised according to the order of God, or were guilty of some capital crime. To be an obedient subject of their ci­vil government, and a complete mem­ber in their ecclesiastical state, were manifestly the same thing; because, by treating Jehovah as their political sovereign, they avowed him as the true God, and were entitled to all the emo­luments of their National Covenant. [Page 25]Under that Oeconomy, Jehovah ac­knowledged all those for his people, and himself as their God, who per­formed an external obedience to his commands, even though in their hearts disaffected to him^* These prerogatives were enjoyed, independent of sanctify­ing grace, and of any pretention to it, either in themselves, or in their parents.

The state of things, however, under the New Oeconomy, is extremely dif­ferent. For the great Proprietor and Lord of the Christian church, having absolutely disclaimed a kingdom that is of this world, cannot acknowledge any as the subjects of his government, who do not know and revere him—who do not confide in him, and sincerely love him. Having entirely laid aside those ensigns of political sovereignty, and those marks of external grandeur, which made such a splendid appearance in the Jewish Theocracy; he disdains to be called the King, or the God, of any person who does not obey and worship him in spirit and in truth. Appearing as the head of his church, merely under the [Page 26]character of a spiritual monarch, over whomsoever he reigns, it is in the un­derstanding, by the light of his truth; in the conscience, by the force of his authority; and in the heart, by the in­fluence of his love: for as to all others, his dominion is that of Providence, not that of Grace.—The New Testament affords no more ground for concluding, that our being descended from parents of a certain description, constitutes us the subjects of our Lord's kingdom; than it does to suppose, that carnal descent, in a particular line of ancestry, confers a claim to the character and work of ministers in the same kingdom.

It is of great importance to the right interpretation of many passages in the Old Testament, that this particular be well understood and kept in view, Je­hovah is very frequently represented as the LORD and GOD of all the ancient Israelites; even where it is manifest that multitudes of them were consider­ed as destitute of internal piety, and many of them as enormously wicked. How, then, could he be called their Lord, and their God, in distinction from his relation to Gentiles, (whose crea­tor, benefactor, and sovereign he was) except on the ground of the Sinai Cove­nant? [Page 27]He was THEIR Lord, as being the sovereign whom, by a federal transacti­on, they were bound to obey, in oppo­sition to every political monarch, who should at any time presume to govern them by laws of his own. He was THEIR God, as the only object of holy wor­ship; and whom, by the same National Covenant, they had solemnly engaged to serve according to his own rule, in opposition to every Pagan idol. But that National relation between Jehovah and Israel being long since dissolved, and the Jew having no prerogative above the Gentile; the nature of the Gospel Oeconomy, and the Messiah's kingdom, abosolutely forbids our sup­posing, that either Jews or Gentiles are warranted to call the Great Supreme THEIR Lord, or THEIR God, if they do not yield willing obedience to him, and perform spiritual worship. It is, there­fore, either for want of understanding, or of considering, the nature, aspect, and influence of the Sinai Constitution, that many persons dream of the New Covenant, in great numbers of places, where Moses and the Prophets had no thought about it; but had the Conven­tion at Horeb directly in view. It is [...]wing to the same ignorance, or inad­vertency, [Page 28]that others argue from vari­ous passages in the Old Testament, f [...]r justification before God by their own obedience, and against the final perse­verance of real saints. Because, to be entitled to national happiness, by per­forming the conditions of the Sinai Co­venant, and to lose that right by back­sliding into profligacy of manners; are very different things, from obtaining justification before God, and forfeiting an interest in the great Redeemer—so different, that there is no arguing from the one to the other.

Again: As none but real Christians are the subjects of our Lord's kingdom, neither adults, nor infants, can be mem­bers of the Gospel Church, in virtue of an external covenant, or of a relative holiness. A striking disparity this, be­tween the Jewish and the Christian church. Of this difference we may be assured by considering, That a barely relative sanctity, supposes its possessors to be the people of God in a merely ex­ternal sense: that such an external peo­ple, supposes an external covenant, or one that relates to exterior con­duct and temporal blessings: and an external covenant supposes an ex­ternal king. Now an external king, [Page 29]is a political sovereign: but such is not our Lord Jesus Christ, not yet the divine Father. Once, indeed, it was otherwise: for, concerning the Israelitish nation, it is thus written; I, Jehovah, will be thy king. Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. Jehovah shall rule over you. Jehovah, your God, was your king ^* It was the peculiar honor and happiness of Israel, to have a Sovereign who was the only object of their worship. For thus the Psalmist sings; Blessed is the nation, whose (king) JEHOVAH is their God ^† ! Hence Jeho­vah's complaint; They have rejected me, that I should not reign over them ^† Yes, Jehovah, as a temporal monarch, stood related to the ancient Israelites, and entered into a federal transaction with them at Sinai, not only as the Ob­ject of their worship, but as their King. their judicial and civil insti­tutes, their laws of war and of peace, various orders respecting the land they occupied, and the annual acknow­ledgments to the great Proprietor of [Page 30]it, were all from God, as their politi­cal sovereign. Hence all the natural posterity of Abraham were Jehovah's people, on the ground of an external covenant made with the whole nation.

The children of Israel, being distin­guished from the Gentile world, by a system of ceremonial precepts, and their divine Sovereign residing among them, [...]ere denominated a holy nation: for that external sanctity which they pos­sessed, seems to have arisen, partly from their National Covenant, and partly from their having the Divine Presence, among them. By the former, they renounced idolatry in all its forms, and gave up themselves to Jehovah in op­position to the false objects of Pagan worship; which separation to the ser­vice of God, is denominated holiness. By the latter, they had a kind of local nearness to God, which conferred a relative sanctity; as appears by various instances. When, for example, Moses with astonishment beheld the burning bush, the ground on which he stood was pronounced holy, because of Jeho­vah's peculiar presence there. Thus it was in the case of Joshua: and so in regard to the place of our Lord's trans­figuration; for Peter calls it the HOLY, [Page 31] mount ^* And why was part of the an­cient sanctuary called the most holy place? but because Jehovah in a singular man­ner, and under a visible emblem, dwelt there. Hence it is manifest, that the Divine Presence, whether under the form of an august personage, as in the case of Joshua; or under the emblem of devouring fire, as in the bush, and up­on mount Sinai^†; or under the milder appearance of a luminous cloud, as over the mercy seat, and at our Lord's trans­figuration, confers a relative holiness. It is also equally plain, that this mira­culous presence of God being with­drawn from the several places to which we have just adverted, they have now no more holiness than any other part of the earth.

So the Israelites, being separated from all other nations for the worship of Jehovah as their God, to the exclusi­on of all idolatry; avowing subjection to him as their king, in contradistincti­on to all other sovereigns; and he resi­ding among them in the sanctuary, as in his royal palace; there was a rela­tive [Page 32]holiness attending their persons, and [...]lmost every thing pertaining to them For not only Jehovah's royal pavision, with [...]ll its utensils and ser­vices; the ministers of that sanctuary and their several vestments; but the people in general, the metropolis of their country, the houses of indivi­duals, the land cultivated by them, and the produce of that land, were all stiled holy ^*.—The Divine Presence re­siding among them, appears to have had an extensive influence upon the people, with regard to relative sanc­tity and external purity. So, in cases of corporal pollution by disease, the patients were to be excluded from the common intercourses of society, that they might not defile the camp, in the midst of which their sublime Sovereign dwelt^† Nay, divine law expressly required, that even the surface of the ground on which they trod should be preserved from one species of defile­ment; and the injunction is enforced by this consideration, For Jehovah thy God walketh in the midst of the camp ^†.

[Page 33] Remarkably to our purpose is the declaration of God, when speaking of the ancient sanctuary; There I will meet with the children of Israel, and Israel (not the tabernacle) shall be sanctified by my glory. ^* For, as VENEMA ob­serves, ‘neither the tabernacle nor the altar, is to be understood; but the Israelites themselves, as appears by the connection and series of the discourse. Because, in the imme­diately following verse, the sancti­fication of the tabernacle, and of the altar, is expressly mentioned. Besides, it is plain that the external symbol of Jehovah's presence, was a sufficient indication of God's glory in the tabernacle. Thus the holiness of the people, equally as that of places, was derived from the ex­ternal presence of God^†’—Now, as the Divine Presence had a local, vi­sible residence over the mercy-seat, which was the throne of Jehovah; as that Presence among the Israelites had such an extensive operation upon their state, both in respect of privilege and of duty; as the whole nation was a [Page 34]typical people, and a great part of their worship of a shadowy nature; we need not wonder, that in such an eccle­siastico-political kingdom almost every thing should be esteemed, in a relative sense, holy.

Under the Gospel Dispensation, how­ever, these peculiarities have no exist­ence. For Christ has not made an external covenant with any people. He is not the king of any particular nation. He dwells not in a palace made with hands. His throne is in the heavenly sanctuary; nor does he af­ford his visible Presence in any place upon earth. The partition wall be­tween Jews and Gentiles has long been demolished: and, consequently, our divine Sovereign does not stand related to any people, or to any person, so as to confer a relative sanctity, or to pro­duce an external holiness

While the Sinai Covenant continued in force, the Son of God was the King of the Jews: for though, by Saul and others bearing the regal character, the Divine government was obscured, yet it was not abolished. The king­dom of Israel, in the hands of the Sons [Page 35]of David, being denominated the king­dom of Jehovah; the throne on which Solomon sat being called the throne of Jehovah ^*; and the laws of the state being still divine, we are led to view the Jewish kings as the vicegerents of Jeho­vah^†—In this light the queen of She­ba considered Solomon when she said; Blessed be the Lord thy God, which de­lighted in thee to set the on HIS THRONE, to be king FOR THE LORD THY GOD ‖. Of the Jewish magistrates it is also written, Ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah ^§. Now so long as political relation subsisted between the Son of God and the seed of Abraham, an exter­nal holiness continued, as resulting from that relation. But though this foundation of relative sanctity was not removed till the death of Christ, there is no intimation in the Evangeli­cal History of any one being entitled to a New Testament rite, or to the cha­racter of a subject in the Messiah's kingdom, in virtue of that holiness.^† [Page 36]Nay, the reverse appears in the conduct of John toward the Jews^*

The Covenant made at Horeb having long been obsolete, all its peculiarities are vanished away: among which, re­lative sanctity made a conspicuous figure. That National Constitution being abolished, Jehovah's political so­vereignty is at an end. The covenant therefore now in force, and the royal relation of our Lord to the church, are entirely spiritual. All that external holiness of persons, of places, and of things, which existed under the Old Oeconomy, is gone for ever: so that if the professors of Christianity do 'not possess a real, internal sanctity, they have none at all.—The National Con­federation at Sinai is expressly contras­ted, in holy Scripture, with the New Covenant^†: and though the latter ma­nifestly provides for internal holiness, respecting all the covenante, yet it says not a word about relative sanctity. And, indeed, how should it? since, by its commencement, the whole Sinai Constitution became obsolete; the [Page 37]partition wall was broken down; the special relation between God and A­braham's natural seed ceased, and left no difference of a religious kind be­tween Jews and Gentiles—no differ­ence, in respect of nearness to God and communion with him, except that which regeneration and faith in Christ produce. For, under the pre­sent Dispensation, Christ is all in all. We may therefore safely conclude, that were the Jews converted and re­settled in Palestine, both they and their infant offspring would be as entirely destitute of the ancient relative holi­ness, as those Mahommedans are who now reside in that country.

But did an external holiness now exist, we should be obliged to consider it as very different from that of the ancient Israelites: for it appears, by what has been said, that the grounds of their exterior sanctity make no part of the Christian Oeconomy. Besides, their holiness extended to the whole nation: but in what Utopia shall we find all the inhabitants possessed of this relative purity? Theirs continued as long as they lived; except they com­mitted [Page 38]some enormous crime, by which they forfeited their lives, or were cast out of the congregation. for it did not wear out by age, nor was it lost merely by continuing in a state of un­regeneracy. Whereas, that external holiness for which so many plead, is not generally considered by them as extending beyond the time of infancy. —But why should any contend for the relative holiness of infants, who deny a sanctity of that kind, to places of worship, clerical habits, and various other things? for it is plain that the Jewish external purity, whether of persons, of places, or of things, ori­ginated in the same National Cove­nant, and in the same relation of God to Israel: and, consequently, must have the same duration in one case, as in another. We may therefore justly conclude, that the federal and relative holiness of which so many speak, nei­ther agrees with the laws of Judaism, nor with the nature of Christianity. But if so, it cannot belong to the kingdom of Christ.

Further: If all the subjects of Christ he real saints, it may be justly queried whether any National religious esta­blishment [Page 39]can be a part of his kingdom. That multitudes of individuals be­longing to such establishments are sub­jects of the King Messiah, is cheer­fully granted: but is it not plain, that a National church is inimical to the spirit of our Lord's declaration. My kingdom is not of this world? Does not that comprehensive and important say­ing compel us to view the church and the world in a contrasled point of light? And does not the idea of a Na­tional church lead us to confound them? Does it not manifestly confound the church of the first-born, which are written in heaven; with the world, that lies in wickedness, whose names are entered in parish register,^*?—The subjects of [Page 40]our Lord's kingdom are born of God, are called out of the world; but na­tural birth and local circumstances are considered, either as giving member­ship, or as entitling to a positive rite which confers membership, in a Na­tional church. The Church of Eng­land, for instance, includes all English subjects of the British crown, whether they be moral or profligate, pious or profane: such only excepted, as have not been baptized, or as lie under a sentence of excommunication. Nay, so tenacious is the English Church of this idea, as to consider numbers with­in its pale, who never considered them­selves in that light. For, in certain cases, well known to the doctors in Canon Law, Protestant Dissenters, and even Popish recusants, are cast out of its communion—cast out, with dread­ful penalties anaexed, though they never acknowledged themselves to be in!

The Church of England, indeed, is manifestly a secular kingdom. For it [Page 41]is established by human laws, and ac­knowledges a political head: nor is it esteemed material whether that head be male or female. It is a creature of the state, supported by the state, in­corporated with the slate, and gov­erned by a code of laws confirmed by the state—a code, very different from the sacred canons of the New Testa­ment; those being quite foreign to its constitution. Its principal officers are appointed by the crown; and, in vir­tue of ecclesiastical sta [...]ion, are lords of Parliament^* Nay, even the doc­trines [Page 42]professed, and the worship per­formed in that establishment, are all secularized. Its creeds and forms of prayer, its numerous rubrics and va­rious [...]tes, are adopted and used under the sanction of civil authority. Its Li­turgy, therefore, may be justly consider­ed as an Act of Parliament respecting religious affairs. It must therefore be considered as a kingdom of this world.

[Page 43] The tenor of the New Testament, however, agreeably to our Lord's maxim, leads us to consider particular churches as Congregational; and as consisting of those who make a credi­ble profession of repentance and faith. Such congregations, wherever they be, constitute the visible kingdom of Christ.—That the apostolic churches were Congregational, is clear from the sacred Records; and that there was no National church for the first three hundred years, is equally evident. Because there could not be any such establishment, till the civil govern­ment of some nation or other professed Christianity; which was not the case before CONSTANTINE ascended the Im­perial throne. Then, indeed, a kind of political Christianity came into fashion, which has continued ever [Page 44]since, and is yet in great repute. Nor are National churches likely to fail, while the policy of sovereign princes, and the pride of aspiring prelates can support them. But, being established by human laws, and each of them ac­knowledging a visible head, either civil or ecclesiastical, either prince or pon­tiff; they are secular kingdoms, and unworthy the name of Christian churches.

Once more: As none but regenerate persons belong to the kingdom of Christ, no one is a better subject of his dominion, or a more honorable mem­ber of his church, on account of wealth or power, of parts or learning. These things, though useful in their places, of much reputation to a secular empire, and of great consequence to it; nei­ther pertain to the true glory of a Christian church, nor to the sterling worth of a Christian character. For what concern have worldly wealth and civil power, informing a spiritual cha­racter, or in adorning a spiritual king­dom? The greatest affluence and the highest authority that mortals can en­joy, add nothing to any one's moral worth. No one is a better man, be­cause [Page 45]he is rich and powerful; nor the worse, because he is poor and in a low station. These things are all exterior to moral character. For the most li­centious are often exalted and wealthy, while the most upright and amiable are lost in obscurity and oppressed with want Besides, when wealth, or pow­er, is possessed by a true subject of our Lord's kingdom, the honor attending his character does not arise from his riches, or his authority; but from the holiness of his life, or his likeness to Je­sus Christ.

As our British Sovereign is the foun­tain of honor to all his subjects, even so is the King Messiah to all that are under his dominion. The only way however to be great and honorable in his kingdom, is to be humble, diligent, and useful, in promoting the happi­ness of our fellow Christians and fellow creatures. For among the fundamental laws of Messiah's empire, the following is one, and it relates to comparative honor: Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and who­soever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to mi­nister, [Page 46]and to give his life a ransom for many ^* This being the law of honor, and the rule of promotion, in the king­dom of Christ, we may safely conclude, that the meanest domestic may be a dig­nified character in a gospel church, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour: while his wealthy and powerful master, professing the same faith, may disgrace the name of a Christian, and bring re­proach on the congregation to which he belongs. If the former be diligent and faithful in his menial station: if he be sound in the faith, zealous for God, and heavenly minded; he is an honor­able subject of Jesus Christ, and high in the estimation of Heaven. If, on the contrary, the latter be formal in his re­ligious profession; if he be unjust or haughty, voluptuous or covetous; he does not belong to the kingdom of Christ, but is manifestly a subject of Satan.

Nor do the most shining mental ac­complishments, or literary acquisitions, enter into the true glory of this king­dom. Genius and learning, like wealth and power, are frequently possessed by [Page 47]the worst of moral characters. They cannot, therefore, make any part of that excellence by which the subjects of Jesus Christ are distinguished from those secular princes. It is not by the gifts of common Providence, among which parts and learning make a con­spicuous figure; but by the graces of the Holy Spirit, that any person, as a Christian, is worthy of regard.—Yes, it is faith in Christ, and obedience to him; love to God, and benevolence to man; humility, patience, and resig­nation; spirituality, and heavenly mind­edness, which adorn the subjects of our Lord's kingdom—which distinguish them from the children of this world. These, and similar things, respect the state of the conscience, and of the heart. They form a character for eternity, and savour of the heavenly world. Where­as, learning and parts, equally as wealth and power, are quite of a differ­ent nature. The distinction they make between one another is entirely super­ficial, and often disgraced by a profli­gate heart—belongs only to this world, and has no connection with heaven. But as will appear in its proper place, the kingdom of Christ is nearly allied to heaven—is a state of preparation for [Page 48]that sublime blessedness, an introduction to its employments, and gives an earnest of its fruitions Consequently, the true glory of that kingdom cannot but con­sist, in the lively exercise of holy tem­pers and heavenly affections. The more there is of a likeness to heaven, in the heart and life of any Christian; the more there is of that honor which comes from God, and the more is the cause of Christ adorned.—To be a real subject of this kingdom, is a much greater honor than merely to be a Prophet, or an A­postle. For Balaam was the former, and Judas was the later; yet both of them were base and wretched Rejoice not that the devils are subject to you; but rather rejoice that your names are writ­ten in heaven. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,—and though I have the gift of prophecy, and under­stand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could re­move mountains, and have no charity, I am nothing, in the estimate of a spiritual Sovereign, or in reference to the hea­venly state.

No minister of the word, therefore, when performing his public work, should ever think of exalting himself as an officer in this kingdom, by dis­playing [Page 49]his learning, his genius, or his eloquence; for that would be to preach himself, not Christ Jesus the Lord: but, as in the sight of God, he should honestly aim at commending himself to every man's conscience, by manifestation of the truth. Then will he imitate a first rate minister in the Messiah's kingdom, and obtain the approbation of his divine Sove­reign.—Besides, in the displays of pro­found learning, by critical disquisitions; of great acumen, by metaphysical spe­culations; or of a sparkling genius, by agreeable turns of wit. Christ and con­science feel their interests but little concerned. The former is too obser­vant of the preacher's motives, and too jealous of his own honor, to be pleas­ed with such a procedure; and the lat­ter is either too sleepy to be aroused, or too much pained to receive relief, by those means. If our Lord consider himself as honored by the preacher's labours, and if the minister have any reason to expect success, it must be by a faithful and simple promulgation of revealed truths—those truths which regard supreme authority in the divine law, and saving grace in the glorious gospel—those truths, I will add, which [Page 50]lie open to common capacities. If the conscience receive advantage, it is by the operation of the same truths; ei­ther as convincing of sin and enforcing duty, or as revealing pardon and af­fording peace. But the honor of Christ and the tranquility of conscience are seldom promoted, in a public ministry, by the researches of learning, or the refinements of genius: for they are too sacred, and too spiritual, to ac­knowledge their obligations to such things.

The kingdom of Christ is not of this world, with regard to the means he em­ployed in its first establishment, and those he appointed for its enlargement and sup­port. Craft and violence, injustice and cruelty, have been commonly used in the founding, supporting, and extend­ing of secular kingdoms. The Roman empire was founded, and grew to its height, in blood. Even the Jewish republic was established, enlarged, and defended by force of arms. The Ca­naanitish nations, on account of their enormous wickedness, were extermi­nated by the sword of Israel; or, if spared by the chosen tribes, became [...]butary to them. This, though ac­cording [Page 51]to Jehovah's appointment, a [...] the great Proprietor of the whole earth; and though a righteous execution of punishment, for acts of rebellion against the Eternal Sovereign; was a plain indication that, in various res­pects, the Israelitish church was a kingdom of this world. Such also was that kingdom of the Messiah which the carnal Jews in our Lord's time vainly expected, whenever the great promise made to their fathers should be fulfilled: for they dreamed of being exalted to the highest pitch of political grandeur, and of having all the other nations un­der their control.—The principle instruments employed by princes, to establish, maintain, and extend their do­minions, are—not persons the most re­markable for integrity and benevo­lence, for piety and philanthropy; but those who are most eminent for politi­cal prudence, or martial bravery; for secret intrigue, or open hostility— those who are best qualified to per­suade by eloquence, to circumvent by cunning, or to subdue by force.

But the most illustrious instruments employed by our Anointed Prince in the erecting of his monarchy, were of a [Page 52]character quite the reverse. They were chiefly selected from the lower orders of life, and called from occupa­tions esteemed mean. Uneducated in the courts of royalty, in the schools of learning, or in the field of war; they were strangers to the finesse of politici­ans, little acquainted with Gentile phi­losophy, and unpractised in the art of eloquence. It may be justly presum­ed, therefore, that a strong degree of rusticity appeared in their dress, their aspect, and their accent: for they were apparently unlearned and unpolished men. So ignorant were they of sciences cal­led liberal, so unpolite in their address, and so uncanonical in their garb, that multitudes called Christians, it is highly probable, would be ashamed to give them a hearing, were they now present among us; unless the public attention were first excited, by the exercise of their miraculous powers.—Yes, by the instrumentality of those unlettered and plain men did our Lord erect his king­dom, or establish the gospel church. In making war upon Satan's empire, evangelical truth and spiritual gifts, laborious preaching and ardent prayer, fortitude, patience, and a holy exam­ple, were the arms they used. Such [Page 53]were the militia, and such the armour [...] employed by our divine Sovereign; yet perfectly suited to the nature of his kingdom. For it is an empire, not of secular power and external pomp; but of truth and of righteousness, of love and of peace.

Were the Messiah's kingdom of this world, his loyal subjects might lawful­ly take the sword, to repel assailants and subdue his enemies: for without the liberty of such defence, no secular state can long subsi [...]. This, however, he absolutely po [...]ibited: which prohibi­tion is founded in the peculiar nature of his kingdom. For thus he speaks, to one who thought of defending his per­son and cause by force; Put up thy sword into the sheath. Soon after, on another occasion, he said; If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews. but now is my kingdom not from hence ^* As by the particle now, our spiritual So­vereign apparently refers to his king­dom among the Jews, so he seems to distinguish his dominion in the gospel church, from that over the Israelitish nation.

[Page 54] In former times, the Holy Spirit fre­quently came upon the subjects of Je­hovah's government, to inspire them with martial courage for the defence of his kingdom, and to destroy his enemies. Hence, among the ancient worthies, we read of those who subdued kingdoms, waxed valiant in fight, and put to flight the armies of the aliens. But the disciples of Christ being called to a different kind of conflict, divine energy is granted for a different purpose. The military service of a Christian, as, such, is entire­ly of a spiritual nature. It is a good fight of faith: a striving against sin, in himself, and in the world around him: a holding fast the profession of his faith, in spite of all opposition. The Christian hero is conformed to the captain of salvation, in maintaining the truth, and in bearing the cross; in enduring the contradiction of sinners, and in despi­sing the shame that is cast upon him. His accoutrements are, as Paul informs us, The girdle of truth, and the breast­plate of righteousness; the shield of faith, and hemlet of hope, and the sword of the Spirit, ^* Such is the armour provided by the King Messiah for his devoted [Page 55]subjects; by which they are enabled to defend themselves, and to promote the general interests of his kingdom. This holy empire depends not upon power, wealth, or learning, either for ornament or support. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Je­hovah.

Neither the force of secular power, nor the arts of carnal policy, ought there­fore to be used in promoting the cause of Christ: such things being quite ab­horrent from his intention, and from the nature of his kingdom. The great design of our Lord in founding a Spiri­tual empire was, to display the perfec­tions of God in the holiness and happi­ness of his chosen people. The king­dom of Christ, as before observed, is a dominion of truth and of rectitude, of love and of peace. Now the interests of such a monarchy, and the end pro­posed by it, cannot be promoted by any other than spiritual means, and those of divine appointment. It is only so far as the minds of men are enlightened by heavenly truth, their consciences impressed with God's authority, and their hearts engaged on spiritual things, that the cause of Christ is advanced. [Page 56]But in what way shall persecuting force be applied, to irradiate the dark under­standing, to arouse the stupid consci­ence, and to sanctify the depraved heart? It is only by the fruits of an adoring af­fection for God, of sincere love to the brethren, and of cordial good will to all mankind, that our Lord is honored, or his end answered, by the subjects of his dominion. How, then, shall coercive measures increase those fruits of holi­ness? Or how shall malevolence, in any of its infernal forms, be employed to support a kingdom of love and of peace.

Nor are the contrivances of carnal policy less foreign to the nature of this kingdom, than the exertions of secular power. For what has the policy of princes, or of prelates, to do in main­taining; or in extending, and empire of truth and of rectitude? Truth seeks no subterfuge, and rectitude fears no exa­mination: but the operations of policy are subtle, and its first designs are latent. The policy of great men may form ci­vil establishments of Christianity, and adorn the exterior of public worship. It may dignify ministers of the word with pompous titles, unknown to the [Page 57]New Testament, and invest them with temporal power, till their claim of suc­ceeding to the Apostles becomes an in­sult upon common sense. These and similar things may be effected by it, un­der the fair pretext of rendering reli­gion respectable, and of making it more general: but the empire of Jesus Christ disdains them all, because they belong to the kingdoms of this world.

But though our Lord neither needs, nor accepts, the puny arts of men, to advance his cause and support his inter­ests; yet various methods have been devised by acclesiastics, to obviate the offence of the cross, to render themselves respectable, and to promote something called Christianity. That they might not be thought, like the Fishermen of Galilee, unlearned and ignorant persons, they have eagerly sought literary tiles, and to be called Rabbi. To adorn the ministerial office, and to sanction their administrations, they have been as care­ful as Jewish priests to appear in cano­nicals. To prevent the pride of their hearers being disgusted, certain humi­liating truths have been kept out of sight; and that the consciences of others might not be pained, softening in­terpretations [Page 58]of divine precepts have been given. To stand free from a sus­picion of bigotry, the importance of capital truths has been surrendered; and to keep fair with something called charity, it has been agreed that human inventions should hold the place of di­vine institutions.—Many of the clerical character, in our National Establish­ment, have deliberately subscribed what they did not believe; solemnly professed their consent to what they could not approve; and frequently practised, as part of their public devo­tions, what they were constrained to wish had never existed^*. Nay, as it the [...]inisters of that Establishment pos­sessed a righteous monopoly of publish­ing evangelical truth, and of admini­stering divine institutions, numbers of them have sworn to persecute their Protestant. Dissenting neighbours, for daring to hold separate assemblies^† [Page 59]Thus multitudes have subscribed and consented, trimed and sworn, to pro­mote the interests of a spiritual king­dom —a kingdom of truth, of love, and of peace!

[Page 60] Some, of different communions, have deliberately acted as if the preacher's work were a mere trial of skill, and as if a pulpit were the stage of a harlequin. To display the fertility of their inven­tion, they have selected for texts mere scraps of scripture language; which, so far from containing complete pro­positions, have not, in their dislocated state conveyed a single idea. Upon these they have harangued; while the ignorant multitude have been greatly surprised that the preacher could find so much, where common capacities per­ceived nothing.—Sometimes these men [Page 61]of genius will choose passages of Scrip­ture expressive of plain historical facts, which have no connection with the great work of salvation by Jesus Christ; and handle them (not professedly by way of accommodation, for then it might be admitted) but as if they were sacred allegories. Such historical facts being spiritualized, as they love to call it, doctrines, privileges, duties, in abundance, are easily derived from them. Nay, so ingenious are preachers of this turn, that it is no hard matter for them to find a great part of their creed in almost any text they take. Thus they allego [...]ze common sense into pious absurdity.—It might, per­haps, be too barefaced, though it would certainly suit the vanity of such preach­ers, were they frequently to address their hearers on the pronominal mo­nosyllable I: and there are two passa­ges of sacred Writ where it occurs in the most apposite manner. The former would make an admirable text; the latter, a noble conclusion: and they are as follows: Such a man as I—Is not this great Babylon that I have [Page 62]built^*? Others, and often the same persons, frequently use the gestures of the theatre, and the language of a mountebank: as if their business were to amuse, to entertain, and to make their hearers laugh. Extravagant attitudes and quaint expressions, idle stories and similies quite ludicrous, appear in abun­dance, and constitute no small part of the entertainment furnished by such characters. But in what a state must the consciences of those preachers be, who can deliberately and with preme­diation [Page 63]act in this manner! Or, what must we think of their petitions for di­vine assistance, in addressing the peo­ple, when they intend thus to treat them!—I called it entertainment; and, surely, they themselves do not consider it in a religious point of light. For can any man, who is not insane delibe­rately adopt measures of this kind, when really aiming, either to produce, or to promote, a devotional and hea­venly temper in the hearts of his hear­ers? Yet that is the general end of preaching. Or can the preacher have any devotion, while showing the ai [...]s of a mountebank; and when, if the bulk of his auditory had no more de­cency than himself, there would be a burst of laughter throughout the assem­bly? Whatever such declaimers may think, where there is no solemnity, there is no devotion: and, we may venture to add, that a person habitually destitute of devotion in his own heart, while pretending to teach others the doctrine of Christ, is a wretched cha­racter in the sight of God, and has rea­son to tremble. Such a man serves not our Lord Jesus Christ, but his own in­terests, in some form or other. He may wish for popularity, and perhaps may, [Page 64]obtain it from the ignorant multitude; but people of sense and of piety will consider him as disgracing his office, as affronting their understandings, and as insulting the majesty of that Divine Pre­sence in which he stands. For where, upon earth, are we to expect solemnity, if not in the pulpit? There, a man should be serious and solemn as death.

It may perhads be said; ‘This kind of trifling has its use. It is a mean of exciting curiosity, and of draw­ing many to hear the gospel, who might not otherwise have the least inclination so to do.’ Such, I pre­sume, is the chief reason by which preachers of this cast endeavour to jus­tify themselves at the bar of their own consciences. In answer to which, a re­petition of that capital saving, My king­dom is not of this world, might be suffici­ent: for that must be a wretched cause, even of a secular kind, which needs buffoonery to support it. To trifle in the service of God, is to be profane. It is, therefore, an impious kind of tri­fling: and shall we do evil that good may come?—Through the interference of Providence, and the sovereign grace of God, various instances of enormous [Page 65]wickedness have issued in the highest good to mankind. Of this we have un­doubted evidence in the selling of Jo­seph by his envious brethren. We have a still more striking instance in the death of Christ, through the treachery of Judas and malice of the Jews. Nay, persecu­tion has frequently been an occasion of spreading the gospel: yet few, I take it for granted, have persecuted for that end, or attempted to justify the prac­tice upon that principle. Were the farcical conduct, here censured, law­ful, there would be reason to think that the cause of Christ, and the interests of harlequin, are very nearly allied; be­cause the same kind of means is adapted to promote them.

The Seraphim, however, in Isaiah's vision, and the Apostles of Christ, appear to have had a very different view of the case. The former (who seem to be an emblem of apostolic ministers^*,) are presented to notice, as performing the service of their Sublime Sovereign with profoundest awe. Struck with the ma­jesty of his appearance, and penetrated by the authority of his commands, [Page 66]they adore and obey with all humility, and with all solemnity. Agreeably to which, the latter give it as divine law, that those who would perform accepta­ble worship, must do it with reverence and godly fear. This law of devotion, they further inform us, is founded in the nature of things; as appears by the reason assigned to enforce the precept, For our God is A CONSUMING FIRE. Such is the Christian's God, with regard to his purity, his jealousy, and his justice^* ▪

Conformable to this idea of that Su­blime Being whom every preacher pro­fesses to serve, was the conduct of Paul when dispensing the gospel. For, in opposition to some who handled the word of God deceitfully, to amuse the carnal and win their affections; he la­boured, by manifestation of the truth, to commend himself to every man's consci­ence, as in the sight of God. Truth, con­science, and God! What facred and solemn ideas! Yet Paul, as a preacher, habitually acted under their influence. That evangelical truth might be display ed, that the human conscience might be impressed, and that the will of God [Page 67]might be performed, were all included in his design▪ How foreign are these particulars from every thing of a farci­cal nature! Nor, can any person who considers himself, when preaching the word, as having eternal truth for the subject of his discourse, the conscien­ces of men for the objects of his regard, and the omnicient God for a witness of his conduct; be otherwise than solemn: for such an one will speak, as knowing that he must give an account.—When hearing a minister who acts in charac­ter, and copies the example of Paul, we are led to reflect on that ancient oracle; I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, to perform sacred service. But when sitting under the effusions of a pul­pit buffoon, the language of an Egypti­an tyrant occurs to remembrance; Who is Jehovah, that I should obey him? or what is his worship, that I should treat it with reverence?

When a sermon was expected from Peter, by Cornelius and his friends, the centurion expressed himself thus: We are all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. These Gentiles, it is manifest, were pe­netrated with devout solemnity, and [Page 68]filled with holy expectation. Not be­ing assembled for carnal amusement, but in order to know and perform the will of God; they considered them­selves as in the Divine Presence: and so did their inspired teacher. A wor­thy example for us to follow, when convened to preach and to hear the word of truth. But how contrary to this is that pulpit drollery, which is the object of our censure! For it converts the solemn service of God (shocking metamorphosis!) into carnal amuse­ment, upon which numbers indeed at­tend with pleasure, but with no more devotion than if they were in a play­house.

Is there any raeson to be surprised that men of sense, who are already pre­judiced against the genuine gospel, should have their disaffection to evan­gelical truths increased, when they find those truths avowed, and their impor­tance loudly urged, by merry andrews? If, instead of sound speech, which cannot be condemned, they meet with extrava­gance and nonsense, what will thy say? Is there any reason to wonder, that In­fidels should thence take occasion to re­dicule the Scripture, as calculated to [Page 69]serve the meanest purposes; or that they should contemptuously call preaching priest craft? If those who profess to love revealed truths dress them up in a fool's coat, for the enter­tainment of their hearers, will Deists forbear to laugh? If, where the man of God should be heard, with all solemnity warning sinners to flee from the wrath to come, and intreating them to be recon­ciled to God; a farcical droll appear, spouting low wit and provoking resibi­lity, will the Infidel say; ‘The preacher himself does not believe the Christian ministry to be a divine appointment, nor the exercise of it a devotional service; but he finds it convenient for secular purposes to make pretences of that kind?’ A­mong all the devices of carnal policy for the support and enlargement of our Lord's kingdom, there are none more contemptible, and few more detestable, than of converting the pulpit into a stage of entertainment. Of this mind was an old Nonconformist minister, when he said; ‘Of all preaching in the world I hate that most, which has a tendency to make the hearers laugh; or to affect their minds with such levity as stage-plays do, instead [Page 70]of affecting them with an holy reve­rence for the name of God. We should suppose, as it were, when we draw near him in holy things, that we saw the throne of God, and the millions of glorious angels attend­ing him; that we may be awed with his majesty, lest we profane his ser­vice, and take his name in vain.’— To the pulpit harlequin we may there­fore apply the following lines;

The kingdom of Christ is not of this world, in regard to the laws by which it is governed. Secular kingdoms are under the direction of human laws, which are frequently weak, partial, and unjust— of laws which, when least imperfect, extend their obliging power no further than the exterior behaviour: for it would be vain and foolish in a tempo­ral sovereign, to think of giving law to the thoughts, or desires, of any subject. Civil penalties are the sanction of hu­man laws, and external force gives them their energy.—Not so the laws of this holy empire. For, proceeding from Him, in whom are are all the treasures of knowledge, they must be consumately [Page 71]wise: being enacted by Him who is inflexibly just and supremely kind, they cannot but be perfectly good: being given by him who searches the heart and is Lord of conscience, their obliga­tion extends to the latent desire, and the rising conception. Controuling the thoughts and binding the conscience, their sanction is entirely spiritual▪ The motives enforcing obedience to them, are the smiles, or the frowns, of Him who has our everlasting all at his dis­posal.

As is the kingdom, such is the sove­reign; and as the sovereign, such are his laws. If the kingdom be of this world, it must have a political sove­reign; whose laws must be coercive, and confined to exterior behaviour. But if the kingdom be of a spiritual kind, the sovereign must be so too. His laws must extend no less to the conscience, than to the conversation, and be enfor­ced by sanctions of a spiritual nature. Such is the King Messiah, and such are the laws of his kingdom.

The subjects of our divine Sovereign may be considered, either as detatched individuals, or as united in distinct so­cieties, [Page 72]and visibly professing their sub­jection to his authority. Hence the execution of those laws by which they are governed, comes under a twofold consideration. As detatched individuals, the application of his laws to particu­lar cases, is entirely with him, and with the conscience of each individual. As united in distinct societies, which are called particular churches, his laws of admission, of worship, and of exclusion, are to be applied by the community— applied, not under the influence of car­nal motives, but under the operation of his authority, and for purposes entirely spiritual.

By the laws of this kingdom, a credi­ble profession of repentance and faith is required of all, previous to baptism. Such profession being considered as an evidence of their fellowship in the gospel, and of willing subjection to the autho­rity of Christ, they are entitled to mem­bership in a particular church. On this ground they are admitted: nor do they forfeit their membership, except by some capital departure from that gospel, or some flagrant offence against this authority.—But as, by the laws of our heavenly Sovereign, their admission [Page 73]to visible fellowship was entirely for spiritual purposes, their exclusion from it does not include temporal disadvan­tages Their situation as men, and as the subjects of a political state, not be­ing altered by their church-relation commencing; they should not be af­fected, in those respects, by the disso­lution of that relation. For as the laws of Christ say nothing about the ad­mission of one or another, on account of his domestic or civil connections; nor yet for his wealth or influence, his parts or learning; so they are equally silent about pecuniary fines and satisfac­tory penances, about civil disabilities and corporal punishments, attending the exclusion of any offender. The former being quite foreign to qualifi­cations for a spiritual kingdom, the lat­ter must be utterly abhorrent from the laws by which it is governed; being manifestly the inventions of Antichrist, and the supporters of his cruel throne. Civil penalties, in this case, are adapted to generate fear, and promote hypo­crisy; to suppress truth, and render Christianity itself suspicious.

[Page 74] Here we perceive another disparity between the Jewish and the Christian church. For under the Old Oecono­my, the laws of religion were sanctified by temporal politics, and frequently those of the severest kind^* To be cast out of the congregation, to be forbid­den access to the sanctuary worship, (except for ceremonial pollution) was to be deprived, not only of ecclesiasti­cal privileges, but also of civil rights. The church and the state being coex­tended, and including the same persons, an exclusion from the former was an expulsion from the latter; whether it was by a sentence of capital punish­ment, or in some other way. But this, like many other things, was peculiar to that Dispensation. It was founded in the-National form of their church-state, and in their Theocracy. Thence it was that blasphemy and idolatry were punished with death, as being high-treason against their divine Sovereign. That Oeconomy being abolished, the church of God has taken a new form. The priesthood being changed, there is of [Page 75]necessity a change also of the law, relating to the constitution, members, and go­vernment of the church. The laws of admission, and of exclusion, must there­fore be very different; as well as those pertaining to public worship. Now, to understand these laws, we must study—not the Pentateuch of Moses; much less the Provinciale of LYNDWOOD, or the Codex of GIBSON, but—the New Testament of Jesus Christ. To reason from the constitution and form, the laws and government, the privileges and rites of the Jewish, to those of the chris­tian church; is to adopt a capital principle of Papal depravity, and gross­ly to corrupt our holy religion.

Our divine Sovereign has also pro­vided for the edification of his loyal subjects, by ordinances and rites of worship, no less than for the govern­ment of his kingdom. As King of the Christian church, it constitutes a distin­guished part of his royal prerogative, to prescribe the whole of that spiritual service which is to be performed. Of this prerogative Jehovah was always jealous: nor, under the former Oeco­nomy, did he ever more instantly, or more severely punish, than when his [Page 76]orders about the affairs of religion were disregarded; even though, as in the case of Uzzah, the motive appeared laudable.—What is religion, in its va­rious branches, but that obedience which is due to God? And what is obe­dience, but submission to his authority? Now, as authority exerts itself in com­mands, there cannot be obedience, there cannot be holy worship, where there is no divine command, either explicit or implicit. Who hath required this at your hands? In vain do ye worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men—exclude and condemn a great number of things, which millions esteem ornamental and useful in the worship of God.

Strange, that any Protestant church should avowedly claim a ‘power to decree rites or ceremonies’ in the solemn service of our divine Lord! As if he were not the legislator in his own kingdom! Or as if, though possessed of authority, he had not wis­dom enough to provide for his own honor; or were defective in goodness, respecting his faithful subjects! But whatever the compilers and the sub­scribers of a National Creed may [Page 77]think, to perform rites which Christ did not appoint, and to alter those which he enjoined, are vile impeach­ments of his royal character, and must expose to his resentment. The former usurps his throne: the latter annuls his laws.—Strange, did I say? the ex­pression must be recalled. For there is no reason to wonder that a National reli­gious establishment, with a political so­vereign for its head, should make the claim I have just mentioned. Who can doubt whether the same authority which constitutes, governs, and supports a community for any particular purpose, may not prescribe to that community with a view to the end intended by it? But things should not be called by wrong names; and to denominate such an esta­blishment a church of Christ, is a gross misnomer.

The kingdom of Christ is not like the em­pires of this world, in regard to external splendor. The grandeur of a temporal kingdom chiefly consists, in the number and affluence of its nobility, the titles and pompous appearance of its various magistrates, the flourishing state of its trade and commerce, the wealth of its [Page 78]yeomanry, and the elegance of its pub­lic buildings. Magnificent palaces and royal robes are quite in character for secular princes. Ensigns of honor, splendid equipages, and stately mansi­ons, are suitable to the nobles: while a more solemn kind of exterior pomp is very becoming the ministers of public justice. These and similar things give an air of dignity, and of importance, to political sovereignties: but they are all foreign to the kingdom of Christ, the glory of which is entirely spiritual—The Christian Church is dignified and adorned, by being the depositary of di­vine truth in its unadulterated state, and by practising divine appointments in their primitive purity; by possessing the beauties of holiness, and by enjoy­ing the presence of God. Such is the true glory of our Lord's kingdom, which renders it incomparably superior to every temporal monarchy.

It must therefore be very absurd to think of doing honor to Christianity, by erecting pompous places of worship, by consecrating those places, and by adorn­ing [...]mith showy vestments, in the per­formance of public worship. Let the galaces of princes, and the mansions of [Page 79]the mighty, be magnificent and richly ornamented; let the nobles and judges of the land, when acting agreeably to their different characters, appear in robes of state and in robes of magistracy; as those things belong to the kingdoms of this world, nor pretend to any thing more, there is nothing amiss, nothing in­consistent with station or profession. But confine them there, and by no means think of decorating the kingdom, or of promoting the cause of Christ, by any thing similar. Were any man to lacker gold, and paint the diamond, to increase their lustre, he would certainly be consi­dered as insane Yet the conduct of those persons is more absurd, who borrow the trappings of secular kingdoms, to adorn the spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ.

As to places of worship, conveniency is all that is wanted, and all that be­comes the simplicity of Christianity. To lay the first stone of such an edifice with solemn formalities, is Jewish^*: to de­dicate it, when completed, to any par­ticular saint, is manifestly superstitious: to consecrate it by any solemn form; looks as if it succeeded to the honors of [Page 80]Solomon's temple; as if the Deity were expected to reside in it, rather than grant his presence to the congregation worshipping there; and as if it were to possess a relative holiness, like that of the ancient sanctuary. I may venture to add, that any religious parade at the first opening of such a place, is apparent­ly inconsistent with the idea of all dis­tinction of places, in regard to worship, being abolished, and too much resem­bles a Jewish, or a Popish consecration^*.

[Page 81] In regard to ministers, when attend­ing to any branch of their holy functi­on, let them not think of heightening their own importance, or of promo­ting the cause of Christ, by imitating Jewish or pagan priests, adorned with peculiar habits, when performing their different rites. If Christian ministers be decently clothed, when in their own families, when visiting their friends, or when walking the streets; why should they not be considered as properly ha­bited for the performance of their sa­cred office? What reason can be as­signed for the use of any particular dress, when engaged in public service, that would not militate against the spi­rituality of our Lord's kingdom, and the simplicity of his worship?

[Page 82] It may, perhaps, be said, ‘Clerical habits are indifferent and harmless things, except when they are impo­sed.’ But if so, the idea of imposi­tion being excluded, the canonical dress of a Popish priest, the red hat of a car­dinal, and the triple crown of a pontiff, may all be justified: for, in themselves, they are equally harmless as the gown, the surplice, or the band. Innocent, however, as all these peculiarities are, detached from the ministerial charac­ter, and from holy worship; the reason or motive of wearing them in sacred service, may be carnal, base, and sinful. In some, there is too much ground of suspicion, a desire of being esteemed by the vulgar, either as persons of learning, or as episcopally ordained, when they are not so; and, in others, a lust of increasing their learned and priestly importance, are the latent rea­sons of wearing those idle badges of clerical distinction. But when illite­rate men assume the garb of learning, their vanity is contemptible: when they intend, by so doing, to obtain that respect from the ignorant, of which they know themselves unworthy, their practical falsehood is detestable: and when any minister thinks of magnify­ing [Page 83]his office, by pomposity in the pul­pit, he betrays his ignorance relating to the nature of that kingdom in which he professes to be an officer.—Do the laws of this holy empire forbid the subjects to affect shining and costly apparel, as not becoming those who profess godli­ness ^*; and will not the principle of that prohibition apply with increasing force to the case before us? Is it in­consistent with that spiritual minded­ness, of which every avowed disciple of Christ makes an implicit profession, to be fond of a showy dress in the inter­courses of common life; and can it be suitable to the simplicity of Christian worship, to the character of its Lord, or to the example of his Apostles, for ministers to make a more grand appear­ance, and take more state upon them, when performing their solemn service, than at any other time? Let these who understand the Christian system, and are heavenly minded, form the determina­tion.

It must indeed be acknowledged, that the ancient people of God had a splen­did sanctuary, and a sumptuous temple; [Page 84]that the Jewish priests, when perform­ing sacred service, apeared in holy gar­ments; and that the high priest, on cer­tain occasions, was richly adorned, in a manner peculiar to his office. But then it is plain, that those things were expressly appointed by Jehovah; that the Dispensation to which they belong­ed was of a typical nature; that they were suited to the church while in a state of minority; that the whole Jewish nation was then the visible church; that Jehovah was not only the God, but also the King of that nation; that the an­cient sanctuary was a palace, where po­litical royalty resided^*, as well as a tem­ple, where Deity was adored; and that the priests were officers in the state, as well as ministers of religion. To such a politico-ecclesiastical kingdom the splendor of the sanctuary, and the dress of the priests, were manifestly adapted. Hence the tabernacle is cal­led a worldly sanctuary, and the rites performed there elements of the world ^† To these, the heavenly sanctuary, into which our Great High priest is entered, and the spiritual worship of the Chris­tian church, stand opposed.—It should [Page 85]not be forgotten, that though the Son of God, when displaying his glory as King of the Jewish state, took up his abode in the sanctuary, as in a royal pa­lace; yet, when he came into his own country ^*, as King of the Gospel Church, he had not where to lay his head.

What, then, have the splendor, the laws, or the rites of Judaism, to do in the New Oeconomy; except we mean to convert the Christian church into the Jewish temple? Grandeur and show, whether as pertaining to places of wor­ship, or to ministers of the word, are abhorrent from the Gospel Dispensati­on: nor, under the present Oeconomy, have they any other tendency, than to gratify that pride from which they ori­ginate, and to give the kingdom of Christ a secular appearance.—The New Oeconomy being intended for all nati­ons and all succeeding ages, is equally fitted for the rich and the poor: nor does it make any distinction, in regard to places, where its worship should be performed. That God be adored in spirit and in truth, according to his own rule, is all it requires or one congrega­tion [Page 86]or of another. It disdains, there­fore, to borrow any part of its glory, from the grandeur of an edifice, or from the garb of a minister. Though far from supposing rusticity, illiteracy, and meanness, to be characteristics of a Gospel church; yet I may venture to assert, that an assembly of princes in a splendid cathedral, with an archprelate appearing in canonical pomp, may in­sult the Divine Majesty, and be utterly unworthy the name of a church; while a congregation of day-labourers, with an illiterate minister in the meanest ha­bit, convened in a barn, may be a spiri­tual temple, enjoy the Divine Presence, and perform the Christian worship in all its glory.—It has been well obser­ved, by a certain author, that ‘the presence of God confers dignity and importance:’ but that ‘he can re­ceive none from created, much less from artificial pomp and magnifi­cence.’ To which I will add, in the words of Dr. OWEN; ‘If the whole structure of the temple, and all its beautiful services, were now in be­ing on the earth, no glory would re­dound unto God thereby: he would receive none from it. To expect the [Page 87]glory of God in them, would be an high dishonor unto him^*.’

If secular grandeur, however, must needs attend the religion of Him who was born in a stable, and lived in pover­ty, who received the acclamations of royalty, when riding upon an ass, and quickly after expired on a cross;—if, I say, it must appear in the worship of any who pretend to follow the Fisher­men of Galilee, those prime ministers in the Messiah's kingdom, let it be con­fined to such as avow themselves mem­bers of a National establishment. For, with regard to those who maintain that particular churches are Congregation­al, consisting of such as make a credible profession of repentance and faith; pomp and show in the worship of God are quite unbecoming their principles. Yes, let those monopolize the splendor in question, who consider the church and the state as of equal dimensions; who acknowledge a visible head of po­litical royalty; and who must search, not the New Testament, but a code of Canons and Constitutions larger than [Page 88]the whole Bible^*, if they would know on what foundations their ecclesiasti­cal fabric stands, and by what laws it is governed. The National form of the Jewish church being their model, and a temporal monarch being their head, why should not they have magnificent cathedrals, and consecrate them like Jewish temples? Why should not anci­ent Judaism be imitated in these parti­culars, as well as in other things? As the head of the English Church is adorned with royal robes; as the prin­ciple officers in it are appointed by him, and are Lords in the legislature; and as it is established by laws of the state, who shall forbid the various orders of its ministers being adorned with sound­ing titles, and with pompous canoni­cals? There is no reason to wonder that, in such a constitution and such a polity, almost every thing should wear a secular appearance. For, political [Page 89]authority pervading the whole ecclesi­astical frame, it would be inconsistent with itself if its various parts had not an air of external grandeur. As a king­dom of this world, it is respectable; but it should not pretend to any thing more.

But, however it may be with a Na­tional establishment, let not Protestant Dissenters be have as if they envied, ei­ther its magnificence, or its emolu­ments. No: let not those who consi­der the Church and the World as oppo­site ideas; who maintain, that Christ only is the head of Christian communi­ties; and that the New Testament con­tains the whole of their ecclesiastical po­lity, be desirous of external grandeur in any thing pertaining to public wor­ship: lest they practically deny their own principles, and implicitly reproach primitive Christianity for being too simple and too spiritual. It is fre­quently much easier for people, and much more desired by them, to assemble in an elegant edifice, and for their mi­nister to appear in canonical fashion; than to perform a spiritual worship, and to shine in the beauties of holiness. The [Page 90]splendor of a place for assembling, and the pageantry of clerical dress, are pro­cured by money; but the graces of real sanctity, and internal devotion, are of heavenly origin: nor is the exercise of them to be expected, unless by those who are habitually aiming at it.—I will add, whatever kind of succession to the Apostles may be claimed by diocesan bishops^*, yet let not Protestant Dissent­ing ministers implicitly arrogate an apostolic mission, powers, and authori­ty, by calling themselves AMBASSADORS of Christ. For that character, it is plain, belonged to the first-rate messengers of our divine Sovereign. Or, if any of those who publish the gospel of peace consider a title of that high importance as quite suitable to the dignity of their ecclesiastical station, their credentials must be produced.

By this characteristic of our Lord's kingdom, and by the general nature of it, we are further taught, That simplicity and spirituality must constitute the chief glory of that worship which he requires —This forms another striking desparity between the Messiah's government and [Page 91]the ancient Theocracy—It has been observed, by Dr. ERSKINE, that ‘the respect paid to God, under the Old Testament Dispensation, correspond­ed to his character as a temporal mo­narch; and in a great measure con­sisted in external pomp and gaiety, dancing, instrumental music, and other expressions of joy usual at co­ronations or triumphs. But the hour is now come, i [...] which the true worshippers must worship the Fa­ther in spirit and in truth; not with external show and [...]ageantry^*.’ Yes, numerous rites, and [...]eremonious pomp, were appointed by Jehovah in the first establishment of the Jewish church: to which various additions were made, by divine order, in the time of David^† These things were undoubtedly suited to the nature of that Dispensation, and to the church of God, while in a state of minority^‡ On worship, so various in its branches, and so splendid in its ap­pearance, multitudes attended, and found amusement in it, who were in their hearts disaffected to God. In hearing the temple music, vocal and in­strumental, there is no doubt but num­bers [Page 92]of ungodly people were much de­lighted. Such a concert, by persons trained to the employment, and under the direction of skilful masters, must produce very pleasing emotions in the attending multitude: a great majority of whom, it is highly probable, consi­dered their system of worship as the best that could be appointed, it being so grand and so delightful.

But though that system was fitted both to the people, and to the times; though it was of great utility, and answered the purpose of Jehovah, under a shadowy dispensation; yet the New Testament informs us, that its numerous rites were the mere elements of spiritual know­ledge, and of holy worship. Nay, com­pared with appointments and services of the Christian church, that they were beggarly elements and carnal ordinan­ces^*—Why, then, should any profes­sors of Christianity be so fond of cere­monious pomp in the worship of God? Why so attached to the language and forms of Judaism, or practise a ritual nearly akin to the rubrics of Moses? Why call the holy supper a sacrifice, the Lord's table an altar, and the ad­ministrator [Page 93]a priest? Why have re­course to the temple worship for musi­cal instruments, and for a set of singers distinct from the congregation at large? Why should responsive singing, and tunes more fit for a theatre than for the worship of God, be heard in religious assemblies? Why, without an appoint­ment for alternate singing, should one part of a congregation suspend an act of social worship, while the other car­ries it on? To these and similar que­ries the answer must be; Because things of this nature amuse and please the car­nal mind—Because the simplicity and spirituality of New Testament worship have no charms for the multitude— And because the generality love to per­form something called religious worship, in a way of their own devising. To save appearances, however, as many things in the Jewish ritual were pretty well adapted to please the carnally minded, they will be contented with having the Christian worship reformed, in various particulars, according to the ancient model, as completed in the time of David.—Who, that enters a splen­did edifice, where he beholds a minis­ter in his canonicals, and meets with such entertaining worship, can forbe [...]r [Page 94]to think of the temple service? Such, through a course of ages, has been the predilection of multitudes for ancient Judaism, that a number of its peculia­rities, which were either honorable and profitable to the priests, or amusing and pleasing to the people, have been incorporated with Christianity, not­withstanding the mischiefs produced by similar conduct in the apostolic churches.

I said, Honorable and profitable to the priests—Amusing and pleasing to the people. But here they stop: for those branches of Judaism that were of a dif­ferent kind, are treated as entirely ob­solete. So, for instance, though num­bers of Christian ministers are fond enough of priestly vestments, and of tithes, jure divino; yet they are not in­clined always to wash their feet, before they perform sacred service^*; much less to perform it bare [...]oot ^† — As to the people, though multitudes of them are greatly delighted with pompous ap­pearances and musical sounds, they are far from being in raptures with circum­cision. [Page 95]For notwithstanding that A­brahamic rite retained its obligation and utility, as long as any Jewish cere­mony did; and though, in apostolic times, judaizing Christians had the highest opinion of its importance; yet, like the ancient baptismal immersion, it is now considered as too painful and too indelicate for polished persons to regard.—Thus the worship of the New Oeconomy is become a compound, un­known to the Bible, of Judaism and Christianity: and it is treated by too many ministers, as a trade, not a divine service; by numbers of people, as an article of decent amusement suitable to the Lord's day, not as duty to God, and as a mean of preparing for heaven. ‘Men run to church, says ERASMUS, as to a theatre, to have their ears tickled^*’ The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? ^†

But though the magnificence of pla­ces intended for public worship, the consecration of those places, canonical habits, and various amusing ceremo­nies are now defended (if defended at [Page 96]all by Scripture) on the ground of Old Testament customs; yet we are taught by the most [...]spectable ecclesiastical historians, that they originated in a per­verse imitation of Paganism. Christi­ans being surrounded with Heathens, of whose conversion they were desir­ous; and the latter having been accus­tomed, in performing their idolatrous worship, to the external pomp of tem­ples and of ceremonies; CONSTAN­TINE had no sooner abolished the su­perstitions of his ancestors, than magni­ficent places of worship were erected, and consecrated with great parade: it being considered as unlawful, except in extraordinary cases, to perform any part of public worship in them, previ­ous to their consecration. Heathens having often reproached Christianity, for the poverty and simplicity of its ap­pearance, the Christians of the fourth century adopted many of the Pagan rites. Ministers of the word, for ex­ample, when performing their office, appeared in canonical habits, and with priestly pomp. Their newly erected temples were consecrated, by singing of such hymns as were thought suita­ble to the occasion, by prayers, and by thanksgivings. Then, in the Eastern [Page 97]churches, the responsive singing of David's Psalms was introduced; pre­centors were appointed, and laws were framed by different Councils to direct the singers in the performance of their service^*—Such was the origin of those gaudy appearances which, to amuse the carnal mind, have so long corrupted the worship of God, and secularized the kingdom of Christ! Vain man would be wise, and, in his great wisdom, thinks it necessary to add a few ornaments and supports to this heavenly empire, of which it was entirely destitute when the Apostles left the earth. This was thought expedient, in order to render the religion of Jesus a little more pleas­ing, respectable, and edifying, than it was in its native state. But well may he demand, with the aspect of incensed majesty, Who hath required this at your hand?

The kingdom of Christ is not of this world, in respect of its immunities, its riches, and its honors. Wealth, titles, and au­thority, are frequently confered by se­cular princes: but they are all external [Page 98]things. A patent of peerage, or a lu­crative office, gives no wisdom to the mind, no peace to the conscience, no holiness to the heart. The possossor, notwithstanding his plentiful income and splendid title, may be a fool, a wretch, and a disgrace to the human spe­cies.—The highest honors and the great­est emoluments which the subjects of an earthly kingdom can enjoy, are all of them unsatisfactory: and, therefore, the first favourites of temporal princes are sometimes the most unhappy. Of this we have a remarkable instance in Haman, the prime favourite of Aha­suerus.—Great privileges a [...]d exalted honors are enjoyed by comparatively very few subjects of any temporal mo­narch; the nature of the case forbid­ding them to become general, among the inhabitants of any country. Duke­doms, marquisates, and grants from the crown, are but seldom bestowed, how loyal soever the subjects may be. Be­sides, those distinguished favors are of short duration, and quite uncertain.

Whereas, the immunities, emolu­ments, and honors of our Lord's king­dom, are all of them spiritual and in­ternal. They are suited to the state of [Page 99]an enlightened mind, to the feelings of an awakened conscience, and to the de­sires of a renewed heart. Pardon of all sin, and complete acceptance with God; adoption into the heavenly family, and a title of future glory, are some of the privileges and honors enjoyed by the subjects of this kingdom. Blessings, these, of infinite worth, because of their spiritual nature and immortal duration. Nor are they confined to a few distin­guished favourites of our celestial So­vereign; for they are common to all his real subjects. Yes, they are all en­riched, and all ennobled, with righte­ousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Now, as the immunities, grants, and honors, bestowed by the King Messiah, are all of a spiritual nature; his faith­ful subjects have no reason to wonder, or to be discouraged, at any persecuti­ons, afflictions, or poverty which may befal them. Were his empire of this world, then indeed it might be expect­ed, from the goodness of his heart and the power of his arm, that those who are submissive to his authority, zealous for his honor, and conformed to his image, would commonly find them­selves easy and prosperous in their tem­poral [Page 100]circumstances. Yes, were his dominion of a secular kind, it might be supposed that an habitually consci­entious regard to his laws, would se­cure from the oppression of ungodly men, and from the distresses of temporal want.—Thus it was with Israel under their Theocracy. When the rulers and the people in general were punctu­al in observing Jehovah's appoint­ments, the stipulations of the Sinai Co­venant secured them from being op­pressed by their enemies, and from any remarkable affliction by the immediate hand of God. Performing the condi­tions of their National Confederation, they were, as a people, warranted to expect every species of temporal pros­perity. Health, and long life, riches, honors, and victory over their enemies, were promised by Jehovah to their ex­ternal obedience^* The punishments also, that were denounced against fla­grant breaches of the Covenant made at Horeb, were of a temporal kind^†.

[Page 101] In this respect, however, as well as in other things, there is a vast difference between the Jewish, and the Christian Oeconomy. This disparity was plain­ly intimated, if I mistake not, by the op­posite modes of divine proceeding, in establishing Jehovah's kingdom among the Jews, and in founding the empire of Jesus Christ. To settle the Israelitish church, to exalt the chosen tribes above surrounding nations, and to render the ancient Theocracy supremely venera­ble, the divine Sovereign appeared in terrible majesty. Wasting plagues and awful deaths were often inflicted by eternal justice, on those who dared to oppose, or to oppress, the people of God. An angel was commissioned to destroy the Egyptian first-born; Pha­raoh, with his mighty host, were drowned in the Red sea; and the Ca­naanitish nations were put to the sword, [Page 102]that the subjects of Jehovah might pos­sess their fertile country. Manifest in­dications these, in connection with ex­press promises, that the special Provi­dence of God would exalt and bless the natural seed of Abraham with temporal felicity; provided they did not violate the Sinai Covenant.

But when the Prince Messiah found­ed his kingdom, all things were other­wise. No marks of external grandeur attendeded his personal appearance: and, instead of executing righteous vengeance on those who opposed him, his language was; The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!—After a life of labour and of beneficence, of poverty and of reproach, he fell a victim to per­secution, and a martyr to-truth. Such was the plan of divine Providence, respecting Christ our King, and such was the treatment with which he met from the world! Striking intimations, these, that his most faithful subjects would have no ground of discourage­ment, in any sufferings which might a wait them; and that, considered as his dependants, spiritual blessings were all they should have to expect.

[Page 103] It must indeed be acknowledge, that as vicious tempers and immoral prac­tices have a natural tendency to impair health, distress the mind, and waste the property; so the exercise of holy affecti­ons, and the practice of true godliness, have the most friendly aspect on a Chris­tian's own temporal happiness, (ex­cept so far as persecution intervenes) and on the welfare of society. But then it is evident that this arises from the nature of things, and from the superin­tendency of common Providence; ra­ther than from the dominion of Christ, as a spiritual monarch. For, so con­sidered, spiritual blessings are all that they have to expect from his royal hand.

By the prophetic declarations of our Lord himself, and by the history of this kingdom, it plainly appears, that among all the subjects of his govern­ment, none have been more exposed to persecution, affliction, and poverty, than those who were most eminent for obedience to his laws, and most useful in his empire. The most uniform sub­jection to his authority, and the warm­est zeal for his honor, that ever appear­ed upon earth; were no security from bitter persecution, from pinching po­verty, [Page 104]or from complicated affliction. Our divine Lord, considered as a spiri­tual sovereign, is concerned for the spi­ritual interests of those that are under his government. His personal perfec­tions and royal prorogatives, his pow­er and wisdom, his love and care, are therefore to be regarded as engaged, both by office and by promise,—not to make his dependants easy and prosper­ous in their temporal concerns; but— to strengthen them for their spiritual warfare; to preserve them from final­ly falling by their invible enemies; to make all afflictions work together for their good; to render them, in the final issue, more than conquerors over every opposer; and to crown them with everlasting life.

Our Lord has promised, indeed, that their obedience to h [...]s royal pleasure, shall meet with his gracious regards in the present life. Not by indulging them with temporal riches, or by granting them external honor and ease; but by admitting them into more inti­mate communion with himself, and by rejoicing their hearts with his favor^* Yes, to deliver from spiritual enemies, [Page 105]and to provide for spiritual wants; to indulge with spiritual riches, and to ennoble with spiritual honors, are those royal acts which belong to Him, whose kingdom is not of this world. In the be­stowment of these blessings, the glory of his regal character is much concern­ed. But millions of his devoted sub­jects may fall by the iron hand of op­pression, starve in obscurity, or suffer accumulated affliction in other ways; without the least impeachment of his power, his goodness, or his care, as the sovereign of a spiritual kingdom.

The kingdom of Christ is not like the do­minions of secular princes, with regard to its limits and its duration. The widely extended monarchies of antiquity were confined to certain parts of the habita­ble globe, and in the course of a few centuries they came to an end. Not so, the empire of Jesus Christ: for thus run the prophetic oracles, respecting him and his kingdom. He shall have domi­nion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. All things shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him There was given him domini­on, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve [Page 106]him. His dominion is an everlasting do­minion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be des­troyed. He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end. ^* Concerning the gra­dual enlargement and universal extent of this kingdom, our Lord speaks in his parable of a grain of mustard seed; and in that of leaven, pervading the whole mass of meal.—This holy empire shall issue in the ultimate glory: and tho' the present form of its administration will cease, when God shall be all in all; yet the glorified subjects of it shall ne­ver die, never be disunited, nor ever withdraw their allegiance from Jesus Christ. Such are the foundations of his dominion, and such the excellence of his government, that each of his real subjects will from the heart say; LET THE KING LIVE! and let him reign, till all his enemies become his footstool ^†!

Once more; The empire of Christ, or the Gospel Church, is called THE KING­DOM OF HEAVEN. As our Lord, in the most emphatical manner, is denomina­ted, THE KING OF KINGS; we may with [Page 107]propriety consider his holy monarchy, as the kingdom of kingdoms. This ap­pellation, the kingdom of heaven, mani­festly sets the New Testament church at the greatest distance from every se­cular monarchy, and teaches us to con­sider it as nearly allied to the heavenly state^* The subjects of it are described, as born from above; as the heirs of glory. They are governed by laws, indulged with privileges, and invested with honors, which are entirely spiri­tual, and all from heaven The truths they believe, the blessings they enjoy, the obedience they per [...]orm, and the expectations they entertain, have a re­gard to heaven▪ It is the authority of a divine Sovereign under which they live, and his approbation at which they aim. The pleasures which they enjoy, considered as the subjects of Jesus Christ, are all of a spiritual nature, and all sa­vour of the heavenly world.

As Christ is a spiritual monarch, his dominion respects the understandings, the consciences, the hearts of men; [Page 108]and is a preparation for that sublime state, where knowledge and rectitude, where obedience and love, where har­mony and joy, are all in their full glory. The foundation of this government, as it respects individuals, is laid in re­generation. There the preparation for heaven begins: and all the genuine fruits of that important change, which is made by divine influence, in the mind, conscience, and heart of a sin­ner, have a tendency toward heaven; and many of them are anticipations of it. That worship▪ which is performed by the subjects of Christ, is no further spiritual, and agreeable to the New Oeconomy, than it is animated with such affections as abound in heaven. For the time is come, when those that worship the Father, must worship him in spirit and in truth. Knowledge and reverence of God, as revealed by the Mediator; confidence in him, and love to him; self-abasement in his presence, and acquiescence in his dominion; are the principle ideas included in spiritual worship, whether as performed by the subjects of Christ here, or by the saints made perfect in glory.

[Page 109] It is manifest from this characteristic of our Lord's kingdom, that a professi­on of allegiance to him is entirely vain, not attended with spiritual mindedness: because it is natural for good subjects to seek the prosperity of that kingdom to which they belong. Now the inter­ests of Messiah's empire are all of a spiritual nature. In the spread of evan­gelical truth, and the purity of divine worship; in the exercise of love, and the practice of holiness, the interests and honor of this kingdom chiefly consist. Indifference about these, is an evidence of the heart being disaffected to our di­vine Sovereign; but allegiance to him, will manifest itself by an habitual re­gard to them.—In whomsoever this holy Monarch reigns, there is a relish for spiritual riches, honors, pleasures. To enjoy his favor, and bear his image; to perform his will, and be­hold his glory, are things of the high­est importance in the esteem of real saints. Nor is it a mere dictate of the understanding and conscience, that it should be so. It is matter of choice: for their hearts are engaged on those objects.

[Page 110] It is common for subjects to imitate a sovereign whom they love and re­vere; especeially, if they have deri­ved signal benefits from his administra­tion. Now such is the nature of our Lord's government, that it is impossi­ble for any one to be under it, without sincerely loving and profoundly rever­ing him—without seeing an excellence in his example, which commands esteem and excites imitation. But if we be fond of wealth, or emulous of grandeur and show; if we pursue pre­eminence, and grasp at power; we imitate the children of this world, not Jesus Christ. Those things are eagerly sought, and highly prized, by the sub­jects of Satan, because they are carnally minded; but he is unworthy to be cal­led a disciple of Christ, who is not ha­bitually striving to copy his exam­ple. Nor can any pretend, that he ever encouraged, by word or deed, the pur­suit of secular distinctions, the acquisi­tion of wealth, or the pleasures of sen­suality, but quite the reverse. Far from seeking honor which comes from men, he neither courted the smiles of the rich, nor the patronage of the mighty: for the friendship of this world, is enmity with God. So our Lord esteemed it, and so [Page 111]must his disciples. To be the subjects of a spiritual kingdom, and to have our hearts on temporal enjoyments, are in­consistent. To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded, is life and peace.

As Christ is a spiritual sovereign, and his church a spiritual kingdom, all the subjects of his government must be con­sidered, as in a state of preparation for heaven. The prevailing dispositions of their hearts are in favor of heavenly things and to promote the exercise of spiritual affections, the New Oeco­nomy, in all its branches, is much bet­ter adapted than was the Mosaic system. For as it is the most perfect dispensati­on of divine grace, that ever was, or ever will be enjoyed on earth; so it makes the nearest approaches to heaven.

It has been justly remarked by a cer­tain author, ‘That the Legal Oeco­nomy introduced that of Grace, by the gospel, and then vanished away, The Dispensation of Grace, in like manner, is now performing its work, fulfilling its day, announcing, un­folding, introducing the kingdom of glory: and when that which is per­fect [Page 112]is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.’—Yes, the Old Oeconomy, and the Jewish Theocracy, were manifestly introductory to the Christian Dispensation, and the Messi­ah's kingdom. Those, being typical and shadowy, led to these, and in them received their final completion. But the New Dispensation, and the king­dom of Christ, have no completion short of heaven. Thither they lead, and there they terminate. No wor­ship is agreeable to the Messiah's king­dom, which is not animated by hea­venly affections. All the external ser­vices of religion are only so many means of exciting those holy affecti­ons, of promoting communion with God, and of cultivating a heavenly temper. Consequently, the worship of those who rest in exterior services, is quite superficial, and has nothing spi­ritual, nothing heavenly in it.

Jehovah, under the former Dispensa­tion, having chosen the Holy of holies for the place of his residence, the Jews were directed to address him in prayer, considered as on his throne between the [Page 113]Cherubim ^* They knew, indeed, that he inhabited celestial mansions; and therefore, when bending the knee be­fore him, their hands were extended toward heaven^†: but yet he was more immediately regarded by them, as re­siding in the earthly sanctuary. For, notwithstanding their desire to be heard in heaven, ‘the cry of their prayer, and the eye of their faith, were di­rected first to the mercy seat’ The most eminent saints, under that Oeco­nomy, looked to God in both; did ho­mage to him in both; nor could they have neglected him in respect of either, without being culpable.—Whereas, when Christians pray, they look direct­ly to their Father who is in heaven, and as on a throne of grace in the celestial temple; without the least regard to any place upon earth, or to any visible object^‡.

‘God, says Dr ERSKINE, as husband of the the Gospel church, claims from his people inward affection and love, and accepts them only who [Page 114]worship him in spirit and in truth. In the mosaic covenant it was otherwise. There he appeared chiefly as a tem­poral prince, and therefore gave laws intended rather to direct the outward conduct, than to regulate the actings of the heart. Hence every thing in that Dispensation was adapted to strike his subjects with awe and re­verence. The magnificence of his palace, and all its utensils; his nu­merous train of attendants; the splendid robes of the high-priest, who, though his prime minister, was not allowed to enter the Holy of ho­lies, save once a year, and, in all his ministrations, was obliged to disco­ver the most humble veneration for Israel's King; the solemn rites with which the priests were consecrated; the strictness with which all impuni­ties and indecencies were forbidden, as things which, though tolerable in others, were unbecoming the dig­nity of the people of God, especially when approaching to him: all these tended to promote and secure the respect due to their glorious Sove­reign.’— It was, however, foretold, by one of the minor Prophets, ‘that in Gospel times, men should not call [Page 115]God, Baali. i. e. my Master, but Ishi. i. e. my Husband—The passage im­ports at least thus much, that God, who in the Jewish Dispensation had chiefly displayed the grandeur, dis­tance, and severity of a Master, would, in the Christian Dispensati­on, chiefly display the affection and familiarity of a husband and friend^*.’

Yes, under the Mosaic system, the high priest only, and he but once in a year, was admitted to the mercy seat, or throne of Jehovah, in a worldly sanc­tuary. That appearance of the Jewish pontiff before the Lord, though grand and solemn, was a mere emblem of spi­ritual things, and of that holy inter­course which all the subjects of this kingdom have with God, in the per­formance of spiritual worship. For as Jesus entered into the heavenly sanctu­ary, with his own blood: as he is there a priest upon his throne, uniting the sa­cerdotal censer with the regal ceptre; he ever lives, not only to govern his widely extended empire, but likewise to intercede for all his followers, and to be the medium of their access to the di­vine Father. In virtue of his atone­ment [Page 116]made on the cross, and of his ap­pearance in the heavenly world, the meanest subjects of his dominion, when performing sacred service, have bold­ness to enter into the holiest. Each of them, in the exercise of faith, of hope, and of love, has access to the Divine Majesty on a throne of grace; and each has reason to expect a condescend­ing audience from the King Eternal. Hence we find, that New Testament saints are called the domestics of God; which ‘may have some relation to that peculiar nearness to God, in which the Jewish priests were: and refer to that great intimacy of unrestrain­ed converse to which we, as Christi­ans, are admitted. In which res­pect our privileges seem to resemble, not only those of the people praying in the common court of Israel; but of the priests, worshipping in the house itself ^*.’

The superior advantages of believers under the Christian Oeconomy, in re­gard to communion with God, and the sanctifying influence which that holy intercourse has on their minds, are strongly expressed in the following re­markable [Page 117]words: But we all, IN an un­veiled face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord ^*. The Apos­tle here plainly alludes to that glory which appeared in the face of Moses, after his intimate converse with Jeho­vah on the mount. So dazzling was the lustre of his countenance, that the children of Israel were afraid to come nigh him. He therefore put a veil up­on his face, that they might have fami­liar intercourse with him^†: which veil was an emblem, not only of the Jewish blindedness, but also of the darkness of that Dispensation.—Now, in contrast with these things, Paul informs us, that the glory of the divine perfections ap­pears and shines in the unveiled face of Jesus Christ; that this glory is beheld [Page 118]by New Testament believers; and that, by beholding it, they are gradually transformed into the glorious image of God. What an illustrious view does the Apostle here give us of the New Oe­conomy! He not only represents the state and privileges of the Gospel Church, as greatly superior to those of the Jewish people; but as nearly ap­proaching to the employments, and the fruitions of the celestial world. For we cannot easily form a more exalted idea of the business and blessedness of heaven, than that of contemplating the glory of God, and of making continual advances in likeness to him.

As, in the person of our Mediator, the nature of God and the nature of man were not united, till just before the commencement of this kingdom; as God was not manifested in the flesh, but with an immediate view to this holy and spiritual empire; so there is no rea­son to wonder that the favored sub­jects of Messiah's government have a more intimate communion with Jeho­vah, than was ever enjoyed by the Jew­ish church. Under the Old Covenant, Israel in general had a kind of local nearness to God, in the performance of [Page 119]religious worship; and real saints had spiritual communion with him. But then it was by means of priests, who had infirmities; of sacrifices, that were imperfect; and of services, that were mere shadows of heavenly things: all which were confined to an earthly sanc­tuary. Whereas the subjects of Jesus Christ have access to the Father of mer­cies, without regarding any priest, be­sides their Sovereign; any sacrifice, besides his death; any incense, besides his intercession. All these they regard as appearing, as operating, as efficacious on their behalf, in the heavenly sanctu­ary. Yes, their High-priest, who is of infinite dignity, their sacrifice, which is of boundless worth; and their incense, which is consummately fra­grant, are for ever in the immediate presence of God—for ever deserving, and for ever obtaining the divine ap­probation. On these, therefore, in all their approaches to Eternal Majesty, their dependence fixes Hence their worship is performed, through the aids of grace, with reverence and with confidence, with love and with delight. We have access with confidence, by the faith of Christ.

[Page 120] Now, to worship God with pro­found reverence, yet without a slavish fear; with steady confidence, connect­ed with deep humility; with submis­sion to his will, as the most high Lord; with love to his excellence, as the infi­nite beauty; and with joy in his all-sufficiency, as the Chief Good; is to perform a spiritual service, and to adore in a heavenly manner. In the perform­ance of such worship, we have commu­nion with the spirits of just men made perfect—we enter within the veil—we have fellowship with God—we antici­pate the business of heaven, and taste its refined pleasures. In these holy ex­ercises of the mind, conscience, and heart, we feel ourselves near to God, as the fountain of all blessedness, and are trained for the heavenly world. Thus we are habituated to a kind of celestial service, by which our likeness to Christ is promoted, and our desires after heaven increased. In these things the very life of spiritual worship and of real religion consists. He therefore is not worthy to be called a subject of our Lord's kingdom, who is not habi­tually aiming in his devotional services, at his delightful and solemn intercourse with God. Nor is he deserving of that [Page 121]exalted character, whose thoughts and cares, whose hopes and fears, whose joys and sorrows, are not principally concerned about the government and grace of Christ, considered in their con­nection with the heavenly state.

It must, indeed, be admitted, that this communion with heaven is ex­tremely imperfect in the present life. Because, though every true subject of the King Messiah be in a state very dif­ferent from that of a merely nominal Christian, and though he is thankful for that difference; yet he is not, he can­not be satisfied, either with what he knows, or with what he enjoys; with what he is, or with what he does. Not with what he knows: for he knows but in part, and he feels the deficiency. His acquaintance with the Greatest and Best of beings—with the character and perfections, with the works and ways of God, is extremely small. His know­ledge of the adorable Jesus—of his Per­son and offices, of his grace and work, of his kingdom and glory, is ver [...] con­tracted. Nay, the knowledge he has of himself, and of his final destination in the heavenly world, is exceedingly [Page 122]scanty: for the heart is deceitful above all things; and it does not yet appear what we shall be. He cannot therefore be contented with such a pittance of spiritual knowledge.

Not with what he enjoys: for his enjoyment of spiritual pleasure is, at the highest, comparatively low. Be­sides, it is frequently interrupted by the insurrections of indwelling sin, and by the incursions of outward temptation. Though he sometimes exults in the light of God's countenance, partaking of joy that is unspeakable and full of glory; yet he frequently mourns the want of that exalted pleasure, and groans being burdened.

Not with what he is: for he feels much depravity, and laments over it, as affecting his mind with darkness; his conscience with guilt, or with stupidi­ty; and his passions with carnality. So far from perfectly bearing the image of Christ, that his language frequently is; O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death!

Not with what he does: for though he sincerely desires to perform the will of God▪ as revealed in divine precepts, [Page 123]and illustrated by the example of Christ; yet he perceives that his obe­dience is very imperfect. Does he, for instance, address himself to God in prayer? in that devout exercise his whole soul should be engaged. Reve­rence of the divine Majesty, and an abasing sense of his own guilt; saith in the great atonement, and confidence in paternal mercy; the ardour of petition, and the comfort of expectation, should be all united. But frequently, alas! his thoughts wander, and his pious af­fections are dull, if not dormant. His prayer seems little besides a conflict with his own corruption. He rises from his knees with sorrow and with sighs. Ashamed of the manner in which he has treated the omniscient Object of his worship, he cannot for bear exclaim­ing; God be merciful to me a sinner! and this, perhaps, is the only petition over which he does not mourn, as destitute of holy animation.—Or if he enjoy li­berty in his converse with the Father of all mercies, how often does he find se­cret pride, and self-gratulation, arise in his heart? as if the Most Holy would regard his confessions, petitions, and thanksgivings for the sake of their own excellence! Aware of the latent poison, [Page 124]he is almost confounded. For well he knows, that Christianity is the religion of sinners—of depraved, of guilty, of unworthy creatures: and that nothing is more inconsistent with evangelical truth, or more detestable in the sight of our Maker, than self-applause respect­ing acceptance with God. Knowing himself to be a polluted worm that de­serves to perish, he trembles to think of ever supposing that the majesty of the Most High, and the purity of the Most Holy, will accept his imperfect servi­ces for their own sake. In the most em­phatical manner he, therefore, with Job exclaims; Behold, I am vile!—I abhor myself! So various and so great are the defects in our devotional ser­vices, that we might well despair, were it not for a High-priest who bears the iniquity of our holy things. For we find a law, that when we would do good, evil is present with us.

To such imperfections and such com­plaints, is a real subject of our Lord's dominion liable in the present life. But, looking forward to the separate state, when he shall be with Christ, which is far better, and to the resurrection of the righteous; with joy he adopts the [Page 125]language of David and says, I shall be satisfied, when I awake with thy likeness. Yes, when that ultimate and everlasting Oeconomy commences, his mind be­ing all irradiated with divine truth, he shall be satisfied with what he knows: perfectly possessing the Chief Good, he shall be satisfied with what he enjoys; conscious of complete rectitude, he shall be satisfied with what he is: and knowing his obedience to be consum­mate, he shall be satisfied with what he does.—Delightful, ravishing thought! To have all our immortal powers ex­panded and filled, with knowledge of the Supreme truth, and with love to the Supreme Beauty; with reverence of the Supreme Lord, and with delight in the Supreme Good, must constitute com­plete happiness. Yet such is the grand result of our Lord's dominion in the hearts of men! To this, therefore, we must look, upon this our affections must be placed, if we would behave as the subjects of Jesus Christ, and finish our course with honor. For as this life is the seed-time of an eternal harvest; as no one gathers grapes of thorns, o [...] figs of thistles; and as whatever a man [...]ows, that shall he also rea [...]; so we have no [Page 126]reason to expect heaven as our final re­sidence, if we be not habitually desirous of communion with God in all our wor­ship, and of making it our business to perform his will.

It is one of the noblest and most de­lightful employments of the human mind, to contemplate the gradual reve­lation of Jehovah's will, and the grow­ing display of his eternal favor, from the fall of our first parents, to the con­summation of the divine Oeconomy. It is both pleasing and improving to re­flect on the Patriarchal Dispensation in­troducing the Mosaic System; on the Sinai Confederation making way for the New Covenant; on the Jewish Theocracy leading to the Kingdom of Christ; on the government of that kingdom as a preparation for celestial mansions; on the performance of holy worship, by the subjects of Christ here, as the mean of communion with saints in light; and on the present state of worship and of blessedness in the hea­venly sanctuary, as preparing for the ultimate glory.

In reference to the communion of believers with the spirits of just men made [Page 127]perfect, in the performance of spiritual worship; and respecting the consum­mation of all things, Dr. OWEN speaks as follows, with whose words I shall conclude. ‘Were all that die in the Lord immediately received into that state wherein God shall be all in all, without any use of the mediation of Christ, or the worship of praise and honor unto God by him, without be­ing exercised in the ascription of ho­nor, glory, power and dominion unto [Christ,] on the account of the past and present discharge of his office; there could be no communion be­tween them and us. But whilst they are in the sanctuary, in the temple of God, in the holy worship of Christ, and of God in him, and we are not only employed in the same work in sacred ordinances suited unto our state and condition, but in the per­formance of our duties do by faith enter in within the veil, and approach unto the same throne of grace in the most holy place; there is a spiritual communion between them and us. So the Apostle expresseth it, in the twelfth of Hebrews—As we are here, in and by the word and other ordi­nances, prepared and made meet for [Page 128]the present state of things in glory; so are they, the spirits of the just made perfect] by the temple wor­ship of heaven, sitted for that state of things when Christ shall give up the kingdom unto the Father, that GOD MAY BE ALL IN ALL^*.’