characterize them. You are preparing a morality, not merely for the world, but for the scrutiny of a judgment bar, before him who searches the heart, and where every one will receive according to his true character in the sight of God. You are preparing for eternity, an eternity of unmingled woe or blessedness. Prepare for it, by taking heed to your way, according to the Word of God. God says to you, "My son, give me thy heart." Do it without delay, for now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. God loves them that love him, and they that seek him early shall find him.

SERMON IV.

THE NATURE OF CHRIST'S KINGDOM.

BY REV. F. G. BLACK.

Pastor of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati.

"And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."-Daniel ii. 44.

LET US, for a little season, contemplate this dream, and the interpretation thereof. Nebuchadnezzar saw the image of a man standing before him; it was as the image of a living man, the appearance thereof was to him both terrible and formidable. But that which was the most remarkable in its appearance, was the different metals of which it was composed. The head of gold; the breast and arms of silver; the belly and sides, or thighs, of brass; the legs of iron; and the feet part of iron and part of clay. This was a wonderful representation of the different monarchies of this world.

But let us see the interpretation thereof. This dream represented the different kingdoms of this world, which should successively bear rule amongst the nations, and have influence upon the character and history of the Jewish Church. The four monarchies were not represented by four distinct statues, but by one image, for the reason that they were all of the same spirit, and all, more or less,

opposed to the Church of God. It was the same power, only it was possessed by different nations.

The head of gold signified the Chaldean monarchy, of which this man was himself the king.

The breast and arms signified the monarchy of the Medes and Persians. This kingdom was formed by Darius, the Mede, and Cyrus, the Persian, in alliance; and hence, it is represented by two arms meeting in the breast.

The belly and thighs of brass signified the Grecian monarchy, founded by Alexander, who conquered the last of the Persian emperors, Darius Codomannus.

The legs and feet of iron signified the Roman monarchy. Some suppose that this signified the latter part of the Grecian monarchy, the two empires of Syria and Egypt; the former governed by the family of the Seleucidæ, and the latter by that of Lagidae. Thus, they make these two families the two legs and feet of this great image. But my opinion, in common with many others, is, that the Roman monarchy is here signified; for it was in the time of that monarchy, and that, too, when it was in its glory, that the kingdom of Christ was set up by the preaching of the gospel. "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger,

because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke ii. 1-7.

The fullness of the time was now come, when God would send forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law. It was foretold that the great Redeemer should be born in Bethlehem. In the passage quoted, we have a history of the fulfilment of the predictions concerning the time, place, and manner, of the birth of this illustrious personage.

He was born at the time when the fourth monarchy was in its full strength and glory; when it had become, more than either of the former ones, a universal monarchy. He was born in the days of Augustus Cæsar, when the Roman empire extended itself further than ever before, or since, including Parthia one way, and Britain another ; so that, in the passage quoted, it was called "the whole world.” At this time, there was scarcely any part of the civilized world, but what was, in some way, dependent upon it. Now, according to Daniel's prophecy, this was to be the time of the Messiah's birth. "In the days of these kings," the kings of the fourth monarchy, "shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed."

About sixty years before this, Jerusalem was taken by Pompey, the Roman General, and, in its state policy, became tributary to the Roman empire, as is manifest by this taxing; for, when all the Roman empire was taxed, the Jews were taxed amongst the rest. This shows their connection with, and dependence upon, that empire.

There is another circumstance, as to the time of the Messiah's birth, signified in this general enrollment of the subjects of the empire, which should be mentioned. There was, at this time, universal peace in the empire; was, hence, meet, that He, who is the Prince of Peace, should be born, under whose divine reign swords should

it

be beaten into ploughshares, and the nations should learn

war no more.

Upon the place and manner of his birth, I will not stop to remark, as neither of these enters so immediately into my present purpose.

According to the prophecy of Daniel, in the days of the kings of the fourth monarchy, the God of heaven was to set up a kingdom which should never be destroyed. This kingdom was typified by the Jewish Theocracy, and declared to be at hand by John the Baptist, and by Christ and his apostles in the days of his flesh. But it did not come with power, until Jesus arose from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of God. Then, amidst myriads of attendant and adoring angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect, he was solemnly inaugurated, and publicly proclaimed King universal, especially of the New Testament Church. Thus were fulfilled the words of Jehovah, by his servant David, "I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion.”

This is that spiritual, evangelical, and eternal kingdom, to which Christ referred when interrogated before Pontius Pilate, and in reference to which he said, "My kingdom is not of this world." His empire, indeed, extends to every creature; for all authority is committed into his hands, both in heaven and on earth, and he is head over all things to the Church: but his kingdom primarily imports the Gospel Church, which is the subject of his laws, the seat of his government, and the object of his care. He is likewise said to rule in the midst of his enemies, by reason of the opposing powers to his gracious administration.

This kingdom is not of a worldly nature, or origin, nor has it this world for its object. It can neither be promoted nor defended by worldly power, influence, or carnal