And in this sense the term of limitation here expressed seems to be expounded by the apostle, 1 Cor. xv. 24, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;” for although these words may admit of another interpreta- tion,—namely, that he shall give up an account unto the Father of the accomplishment of the whole work committed unto bim as king of his church, which he may do and not cease from holding the same kingdom still,—yet as they are further interpreted by the Son’s com- ing into a new subjection unto the Father, “that God may be all in all,” as verse 28, they seem to imply directly the ceasing of his kingdom.
Though this matter be not indeed without its difficulty, yet the different opinions about it seem capable of a fair reconciliation, which we shall attempt in the ensuing proposals:—
(1.) The Lord Christ, as the Son of God, shall unto all eternity continue in the essential and natural dominion over all creatures, and they in their dependence upon him and subjection unto him. He can no more divest himself of that dominion and kingdom than he can cease to be God. Suppose the being of any creatures, and that subjection unto him which is the rise of this kingdom is natural and indispensable.
(2.) As to the economical kingdom of Christ over the church, and all things in order unto the protection and salvation thereof, the
VER. 13.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 233
immediate ends of it will cease. All his saints being saved, all his sons brought unto glory, all his enemies subdued, the end of that rule, which consisted in the guidance and preservation of the one, and in the restraint and ruin of the other, must necessarily cease.
(3.) The Lord Christ shall not so leave his kingdom at the last day as that the Father should take upon himself the administration of
“it. Upon the giving up of his kingdom, whatever it be, the apostle doth not say the Father shall rule, or reign, as though he should exercise the same dominion, but that “ God shall be all in all;” that is, God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, without the use or inter- vention of such ways or means as were in use before, during the full continuance of the dispensatory kingdom of Christ, shall fill and satisfy all his saints, support and dispose of the remanent creation.
(4.) This ceasing of the kingdom of Christ is no way derogatory unto his glory or the perpetuity of his kingdom, no more than his ceasing to intercede for his people is to that perpetuity of his priest- hood which he hath by oath confirmed unto him. His prophetical office also seems to cease, when he shall teach his people no more by his word and Spirit.
(5.) In three respects the kingdom of Christ may be said to abide unto eternity:—[1.] In that all his saints and angels shall eter- nally adore and worship him, on the account of the glory which he hath received as the king and head of the church, and be filled with joy in beholding of him, John xvii. 22,24, [2.] In that all the saints shall abide in their state of union unto God through him as their head, God communicating of his fulness to them through him; which will be his eternal glory when all his enemies shall be his footstool, [3.] In that, as the righteous judge of all, he shall to all eternity continue the punishment of his adversaries.
And this is the last testimony insisted on by the apostle to prove the pre-eminence of Christ above angels, and consequently above all that were used or employed of old in the disposition and admi- nistration of the law; which was the thing he had undertaken to make good. And therefore, in the close of this chapter, having denied that any of these things are spoken concerning angels, he shuts up all with a description of their nature and office, such as was then known and received among the Jews; before the consideration whereof, we must draw out, from what hath been insisted on, some observations for our own instruction, which are these that follow :—
I. The authority of God the Father, in the exaltation of Jesus Christ as the head and mediator of the church, is greatly to be re- garded by believers. He says unto him, “Sit thou at my right hand.” Much of the consolation and security of the church depend on this consideration,
II. The exaltation of Christ is the great pledge of the accepta-
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tion of the work of mediation performed in the behalf of the church. ‘Now,’ saith God, ‘sit thou at my right hand;’—‘the work is done wherein my soul is well pleased.’
III. Christ hath-many enemies unto his kingdom; saith God, ‘I will deal with all of them.’
IV. The kingdom and rule of Christ is perpetual and abiding, notwithstanding all the opposition that is made against it. His ene- mies rage, indeed, as though they would pull him out of his throne, but altogether in vain; he hath the faithfulness and power, the word and right hand of God, for the security of his kingdom.
V. The end whereunto the Lord Jesus Christ will assuredly bring all his enemies, let them bluster whilst they please, shall be unto them miserable and shameful, to the saints joyful, to himself victo- rious and triumphant.