"And when Jesus doth appear, But those measures of meal, (persons,) which do not receive this spirit, have no life in them; they can have no hope of glory. Reader, have you that blessed spirit dwelling in you? Examine yourself and see whether you be in the faith. Christ is in you except you are a reprobate. But if the three measures of meal mean the whole world of mankind, then the leavening process will go on till all are saved; and Universalism is true. But it is not so; but each of Adam's race is a measure, and each must receive the spirit for him. self, or not be saved. This spirit is what I call the kingdom of God, or the germ of that kingdom in the believer. It was in Abel, as well as in Paul and the beloved disciple. So were Abel and Enoch, and a host of worthies in Old Testament times, in Christ by faith, as well as apostles and martyrs under the gospel; the embryotic kingdom was begun when the great plan of redemption by Jesus Christ was first promulged. It was no new kingdom which Christ established when he came on earth. introduced a new dispensation or age, and the last one which the world will enjoy before his kingdom comes. He Christ was born to be a king; but his kingdom is not of this world. That is, say some, it is not an outward and visible kingdom; but a spiritual reign. Nay, but Christ has nowhere taught us that his reign is spiritual; but, it is "according to the flesh" he is David's son, and is to sit on David's throne. His kingdom, although to be a visible one, and on the renewed earth, yet is not of this world, under its present organization, and while the Gentiles have the dominion of it, but in the world to come. Christ is now exalted to his Father's throne, to be "A PRINCE, and a Saviour." He is an heir to, and expectant of a throne; and will come to it at the time appointed of the Father. But a prince, although an heir to a throne, is not de facto, a king. He is to set on his Father's throne until his foes be made his footstool. Then he will come to dash his enemies in pieces, and give his saints the kingdom. XI. THE MINIATURE EXHIBITION OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. The transfiguration. Luke ix. 27-36. The Lord Jesus had just told his people of their sufferings and self-denial, if they would follow him, and also the consequence of being ashamed of him before men; viz., that he will be ashamed of them "when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels." Then, that they might have the assurance of his so coming, and know that it was not a fable, he told them, "I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God." This promise he fulfilled about "an eight days after," in his transfiguration on the mount, in the presence of Peter, John and James. 1. Jesus Christ appeared there in his own personal glory. His countenance shone like the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 2. The glory of the Father was there; it was 66 a bright cloud" of the divine glory, out of which came the Father's voice, saying, "this is my beloved Son; hear him." 3. The glory of the holy angels, (messengers,) was there. Two men, which were Moses and Elias; the one from the dead, the representative of those saints who shall be raised at Christ's coming, and clothed with glory; the other, Elias, the representative of those who will be alive and be changed at the appearing of Christ. 4. This scene was revealed on earth, not in heaven: thus teaching the disciples that the kingdom of God will be revealed on earth at the appearing of Christ. The 5. The use the apostles made of the scene. apostle Peter was one of the witnesses; and in view of the importance of the kingdom of Christ, he, in his 2d Epistle, has given the church of all coming ages instruction how they may ensure an abundant entrance "into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ." "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty: 2 Pet. i. 16. This he says was "when we were with him in the holy mount." The scene was a demonstration of the reality of Christ's second, personal and glorious appearing, to reward every man according to his works." When this kingdom is set up, then it will be true that the least saint who shall enjoy its glories will be greater than ever John the Baptist was in this world of temptation, sufferings, sorrow and death. Then Peter-when in Christ's kingdom, with his fellow apostles, he shall set on his throne with his master, to judge the world-then Peter can with safety be entrusted with the keys of the kingdom of heaven. But it does appear to me, that, in this world of passion and prejudice, it would be rather hazardous to entrust the keys of the kingdom of heaven either with Peter or the Pope. There, under the immediate eye of the great Master, and with passion and prejudice removed, and a rectified judgment, it will be safe, if it so seem good to the Lord, to place Peter at that post. XII. THE QUALIFICATIONS NECESSARY TO ENTER THAT KINGDOM. The Lord Jesus himself has settled this question, by his own divine authority. Matt. xviii. 3: "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become AS little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." As the little child is, such must all be, or they can never enter that kingdom. Hear the Saviour again: "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God:" Luke xviii. 16. How are they? Answer. 1. They are innocent, and God loves them. 2. They possess a fallen and corrupt nature, but are not guilty on that account. Christ has cancelled the guilt of Adamic transgression, and in the resurrection at the last day, all the effects of the fall on the innocent, or justified, will be removed, not before. 3. They are branches of Christ, by the indwelling of the spirit of Jesus Christ; and are in a state of grace. They transgress the letter of the law, but not knowingly; they have a continual justification through the blood of Christ for all those unknown violations of God's law. But when they know the right and the wrong, and yet voluntarily forsake the right, and commit the wrong, they become guilty, and must repent, believe, and be converted, in order to enter the kingdom of God. It may be to some a startling proposition that infants are in a state of grace, and have the spirit of Christ dwelling in them; but I can draw no other conclusion from the declarations of Christ respecting them. No one can be Christ's unless he has the spirit of Christ. No one can be quickened from the dead and raised up to eternal life unless he has the spirit in him which quickened Jesus Christ from the dead. But little children, being the subjects of the kingdom of heaven, must have a resurrection from the dead to eternal life, in order to inherit it. But if that spirit be not in them they cannot be so raised; then they must have it and be Christians. I cannot see that it is necessary that the child should ever be anything else but a Christian. If they are under the necessity of sinning voluntarily when they come to years, it cannot be accounted to them as sin; for they only do what they must. That they do usually follow their evil nature, rather than the teachings and strivings of the Spirit, is freely granted; but not that there is any necessity that they should ever become voluntary offenders, or be anything else but true Christians. They come into being under the covenant of grace, and they may remain so. To enter the kingdom of heaven, all men must become what the little child is. 1. We must become innocent. This can only be by obtaining pardon of God through the atone |