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النشر الإلكتروني

he should have the dew of his youth: because the LORD had sworn, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." By being slain, he redeemed his people to be kings and priests unto God, and became worthy to open the sealed book of the divine counsels, and execute them for the good of his church. In this way he accomplishes the divine oracle respecting his kingdom. "Behold the man whose name is the BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." Zech. vi. 12, 13. His throne stands immovable, and his kingdom secure, upon the sacrifice which he offered; and its virtue gives vigour, life and movement to every part of his administration. Enthroned as a royal Intercessor, he presents the merit of his blood, in the presence of his Father, for the prosperity of his king

dom.

By the administration of this covenant his kingdom is erected, extended, and secured. This is executed. by the joint exertions of the Father and the Mediator, In forming the covenant the counsel of peace was between them. Peace was their grand object, and each stipulated what he would do, to carry the design into effect. The counsel of peace is between them still in fulfilling their stipulations. Zion's king receives his numerous seed from the Father, by whom they are made willing in the day of power. He sends his Spirit to take possession of their hearts, to erect the spi ritual kingdom in them, and to subject their souls unto the sceptre of Jesus. Enemies are subdued and Messiah's

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kingdom extended. "I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. will set his hand also in the seas, and his right hand in the rivers." Psalm lxxxix. 23, 25. While the Father continues faithfully to sustain the rights of Deity, the covenant of grace shall remain firm, the throne of the Messiah shall be established, and he shall prosper in his kingdom. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. his seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven."

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5. SUPREME power of legislation, administration, and retribution belongs to Messiah's Lordship.

nal.

His power, without these, would be merely nomiAs lordship implies power, it must be a power to do something; and as no kingdom can subsist, or prosper, without wholesome laws, and a regular administration, there must be a legislative and executive power for that end. The same thing holds true in Messiah's kingdom. It is for that purpose that the Father "Hath set him upon his holy hill of Zion; and given him all power in heaven and in earth.” The laws intended for this kingdom were agreed upon, in the counsels of peace; as well as every thing besides relating to the church; and the promulgation of them committed to the Mediator. When he authorized his Apostles to teach and baptize all nations, for the propagation of his kingdom, he referred to the Father as the origin of his power. "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

In the promulgation of these laws, he does not act the part merely of a prophet or messenger, communi

cating the will of God; but authoritatively as the king of his church. Moses and the prophets revealed the laws and ordinances of God to the church, as messengers without any headship over her entitling them to claim subjection. While Jesus legislates to the church she is bound to receive his laws, regulate her subjection by them, and consider herself as amenable at his tribunal according to them: "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us." Isaiah xxxiii. 22. He delivered the law from mount Sinai. "This is he (Moses) who was in the Church in the wilderness with the Angel, who spake unto him in the mount Sinai." Acts A created angel cannot be meant, as we are frequently told that it was Jehovah, the God of Israel who spake to Moses; and as neither the Father nor Spirit is ever called an angel, the Mediator must be intended. While he was in the world, he often inculcated the observation of the same moral law; and his Apostles, acting by his authority, taught his subjects to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded them. This law is still in the hand of the Mediator, and delivered to the church, as the rule of her subjection to him.

vii. 38.

THE whole system of gospel truth, with every gospel institution, is authoritatively delivered by him to his people, partly by himself while on earth, and partly by his Apostles who suceeded him. Prior to his leaving the world, he invested them with authority, but did not endue them with qualifications for their work till after his ascension. He promised to send them another Comforter to teach them all things, and to show them the things that were his. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto youhe shall testify of me; and ye also shall bear witness;

because ye have been with me from the beginning." John xv. 26, 27. On the day of Pentecost, they were all filled with the Spirit, and spake with tongues; so that people of different nations heard them speak in their own languages, the wonderful works of God. Thus authorized and qualified, they entered on their work. Paul beseeched sinners in Christ's stead to be "reconciled unto God." He delivered to the church at Corinth the ordinance of the supper, as he had received it from her Lord; and enjoins her to excommunicate the incestuous person, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

HE superintends the administration of all the laws and ordinances, which he has instituted. The Scriptures, which contain these, are put into the hands of his subjects, that they may get acquainted with them; a standing ministry is continued in the church, to interpret, and administrate them; and the Holy Spirit is promised to give efficacy to the whole. It is his work to qualify and excite ministers to their work, to write the laws of Jesus on the hearts of his subjects, and dispose them to obedience. "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezek. xxxvi. 27. The wisdom, righteousness, and excellence of his laws, the attention which he pays to their administration, the attachment of his subjects to his government, and the copious influences of the Spirit which he communicates to them, tend to promote righteousness and peace in his kingdom. His laws are not without life and vigour; for he holds the distribution of rewards and punishments in his hand. His rewards, all of free grace, and of inestimable value, are promised to such as are careful to obey his laws. "By them is thy servant warned: and in keeping them there is a great reward." Psalm

xix. 11. "Great peace have they who love thy law; and nothing shall offend them." Psalm cxix. 165. His laws are sufficiently sanctioned, that none shall contemn and violate them with impunity: they are, therefore, enjoined with certification. "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel: Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear-Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way." Psalm ii. 9-11. Iniquity reaches its summit, by pouring contempt upon the laws of Zion's king, and opposing the interests of his kingdom; for which reason the severest punishments aré denounced against such as do so. "I will contend with him that. contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob." Isaiah xlix. 25, 26. No opposition can prevent the success of his kingdom farther than he pleases. He limits the rage of enemies, stops their progress, and makes their evil designs productive of good to his people. His promises to his church are very great and precious," and such are his ability and fidelity to accomplish them, that they open to her the most glorious and extensive prospects. "He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. He shall come down as rain upon the mown grass; as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth." Psalm lxxii. 2, 6, 7. "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon

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