tions. Their subjects are also prone to foster the delusion. Their eager desires to share in the munificence of their sovereign, disposes them to flatter his vanity, and gratify his passions. Their optics are so debilitated by the lustre surrounding a throne, that they finally perceive not the distinction between the insignia of an elevated station, and the character which constitutes true dignity. "They vote the mantle into majesty," however unworthy the person whom it may adorn. The weakness and impotence of the individual man, is concealed by the guards and numerous attendants surrounding the monarch; and the artificial splendour of diadems and costly robes, delude the gazing multitude into the supposition, that they must be the indications of superior worth.

Jesus, the appointed sovereign of a spiritual kingdom, the vicegerent of heaven, never forgot the objects of his appointment, or the interests of his subjects. Nor did he seek honour from

men.

He was totally destitute of this artificial splendour. His most acceptable attendants were illiterate fishermen; and in place of the soft luxuries of a palace, he knew not where to lay his head. His greatness was innate; and it shone bright through the obscurity of his station. All power was given to him by the source of

power. It neither inspired him with vanity, nor administered to his passions. It was solely exerted for the good of his subjects. Whenever he appeared in public, the garment of humility, and the robe of righteousness, distinguished him from the crowd. His sceptre was a sceptre of unerring justice, and infinite benevolence was his choicest diadem. In his person we see and admire the superlative majesty of goodness. When he first made the public declaration that he was a king, he was not only in the form of a servant, but a prisoner at the bar; yet the dignity of his virtues impressed his judge and prosecutors with awe. At the time he was the most "despised and rejected of men, he was the most honoured by his God." "About the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land, until the ninth hour, and the sun was darkened, and the vail of the temple was rent in the midst."* He was great, wonderfully great, and most powerful, when suspended on the cross; for by that act of submission to the great sovereign of the universe, he slew the enmity between God and man, destroyed the tyrant death, and obtained a victory over the grave.

V. The monarchs of the Earth are mostly of

* Luke xxiii. 44.

inordinate ambition. They are restless to extend their domains, delight in conquests, and cannot enjoy even the luxuries of their station, while there remains an enemy unsubdued. This disposition is a characteristic of their folly and it is a copious source of their crimes. But the ambition of the Messiah, the prince of peace, crowns every other excellence. He also has enemies, many, powerful, and inveterate; whom he is ambitious to subdue, nor will he rest until they shall be totally subdued. These enemies are also the enemies of the human species. They are, ignorance, vice, and misery.

VI. All human governments are of a limited extent. The most beneficial effects of the best laws are confined to particular communities, and those systems of policy, which may promote the prosperity of one country, may prove inimical or injurious to the neighbouring states. The wisest of human legislators, feels not the obligation to study the interests of all foreign powers. The summit of his desires is to live in peace and amity with surrounding nations. Such, however, is the ambition of statesmen; such the interest and dispositions of the subject, that friendly intercourse is seldom of a long continuance. Jealousies and animosities, from a competition of interests, are perpetually excited

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in communities the most civilized. It could not be expected from any monarch upon earth, that universal empire would diffuse universal happiness. The profoundest wisdom, and the most scrupulous adherence to justice, would not enable the best of sovereigns to extend their influence, at a remote distance from the seat of government. Enormities would still be committed by subalterns, to which the supreme ruler may remain a stranger, or which he will not be able to redress.

It is most desirable that the Son of God should obtain universal dominion. It would be worthy of an angel's trump, and the great voices in heaven to proclaim, "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever." Righteousness, peace, and harmony, will then prevail. These will flow in a mighty stream, instead of those torrents of blood which are now desolating the earth, and disgracing humanity. "Its inhabitants will then walk in the ways of the God of Jacob. They will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up the sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more."

VII. The kingdoms of this world are of a

short duration. Empires succeed to empires in á rapid succession. The most extensive conquests are finally surrendered into the hands of time; and, like the conquerors themselves, the places that once knew them, know them no more. The history of nations is chiefly the history of their rise and their fall; and respecting many, in vain do we search the map for the places of their existence. Monuments of brass, and massive columns, erected to perpetuate their memories, themselves decay. The voluminous systems of antiquities, which occupy the eager attention of the antiquarian, what are they but compilations of ruins?

Not so the kingdom of heaven! That will remain, eternal as its founder. It is established on a basis that cannot be shaken, that cannot decay;-the basis of eternal truth, righteousness and peace. It will be supported for ever, by all the relative attributes of deity, his power, his wisdom, and his goodness. Christ, the vicegerent of the universal sovereign, shall personally reign, until all the enemies to human felicity shall be exterminated; then "shall he deliver up the kingdom to his father, that God may be all in all."

VIII. But there is one peculiarity in the kingdom of Christ which demands particular