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be no end; upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even

for ever.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform [hath performed] this," Isa. ix. 7.

Secondly, that he would give him the heathen for his inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession. Not that all the human race are the special gift of God the Father to him, nor were all redeemed by him; for all are not sheep. No: but God gave him power over all flesh, to awe and controul them, that he might give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given him, John xvii. 2.

Thirdly, the Father promised to give him the sure mercies of David. These mercies, given to him as a federal head, were to be sure to all his seed, or offspring; for lovingkindness is never to be taken from him, nor the faithfulness of God to fail them. This mercy, given to him as a federal head, was given to him as a king likewise, and is secured to all his subjects; so that it is to terminate in one single kingdom; a kingdom that will outlive all other kingdoms, and be proof against all revolutions and commotions whatever; as it is written, "Once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven; wherefore we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be removed, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear," Heb. xiii. 27, 28. This kingdom shall surely demolish all these earthly

kingdoms, and make them like the chaff of the summer's threshing floor; survive them all, and appear the only kingdom in the new heavens and the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Thus mercy shall be built up for ever, and God's faithfulness shall be established in the very heavens, Psalm lxxxix. 2.

Fourthly, God promised that the Saviour should see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied; that the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand; that kings should shut their mouths at him; and that he should have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. That every chosen vessel should be gathered by him, and gathered to him as their proper head; be governed by him as their rightful sovereign, and wait for his second coming, as the grand accomplisher of the whole divine scheme of man's salvation and glorification.

Then he shall appear to be admired by all that know and love the truth, when the world shall be destroyed, the mystery of God finished, the church exalted at the right hand of the King; in which will be manifested the secret intention of God, which was to display the riches of his grace in glory by Christ Jesus.

The angels above, and the spirits of just men made perfect, who are perfect in knowledge when compared to us, understanding these things better than we can in this state of ignorance, seem wonderfully enraptured at the exaltation and corona

tion of their great Confirmer and Deliverer; and each host, both angels and glorified souls, sung their coronation carols. The spirits of just men made perfect began first, as it was impossible for them to keep silence when the Lord of Hosts appeared in human nature, as one that had trod a wine vat; or as a man of war, with his garments rolled in blood. They saw the scars of war on his humanity, and the sword of eternal victory by his side, a proof of his Deity. "He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords," Rev. xix. 16. I say the redeemed first began their carol. This was prefigured when he rode triumphant into Jerusalem on an ass; the multitudes pulling off their clothes, covering the ass, spreading boughs, casting their garments in the way, and crying, 'Save, Lord, we beseech thee,' or, We beseech thee, send prosperity.' But it was realized when Jesus entered the heavenly Jerusalem above; not on an ass, but in the triumphant chariot of an Almighty Conqueror, and where he received the kingdom; while his enemies in local Jerusalem sent after him, saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us.' But when he had received the kingdom he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city, Matt. xxii. 7.

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When the Saviour entered the earthly Jerusalem he said, if his infant attendants held their peace, the stones would immediately cry out; how much more when he entered the heavenly Jerusa

lem, where all knew his divine majesty, his superexcellent amiableness, and what he had done for them! They did not deride him, refuse him, nor withhold divine homage from him; but began their triumphant anthems, or songs, without hesitation, when the solemnity of his coronation was ended. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne; “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts," or representatives of all the hosts of gospel witnesses, including both ministers and people, but chiefly ministers, "and four and twenty elders," or twelve patriarchs and twelve apostles, the natural and ministerial foundations of the Jewish and Gentile churches, as representatives of them both, "fell down before the Lamb; having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth." And indeed the militant church, whom they represent, does reign on the earth, through grace; but in the new heaven and new earth they shall reign without an enemy, and their king without a rival.

The angels' coronation carol comes next, and ends with a united chorus. "And I beheld, and heard the voice of many angels round about the

throne, and the beasts, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, [to govern;] and riches, [to endow;] and wisdom, [to direct;] and strength, [to support;] and honour, [as an everlasting Father;] and glory, [as the God of all salvation;] and blessing," as the sinner's loving, immutable, and best friend.

Now comes the united chorus; some hymn his glorious grace, some his creation work, and some his universal providence; which is echoed from the heavens, the church, the world, and the sea. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I, saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen." Rev. v. 8-13. Thus the fruit of David's body ascended the throne, and appeared as a Lamb slain. As God, he never was from the throne; for, as God, he is both throne and king. As man he was crowned, and as man he received wisdom, power, and strength; and, as God-man, he received honour, and glory, and blessing; but as God he could receive nothing, for all things were created by him, and for him, and by him all things consist.

Reader, I could have mentioned many more blessings which came to me in a way of provi

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