spiritual world". The Prophet Malaehi. probably haviuii" an eve to the verv passage before us, combines the two ideas, and foretells the advent of Christ, iis " the Sun of Uiiihteousness''." In this view of the words, we shall be led to consider,
T. The nature of Christ's government —
[Ii\ the siicrod oracles, a }ioculiar stress is laid on the equity of that domiuiou which Clwist exercises over his chosen people*". And who that has submitted to his goveruincut, must not coiifinn the truth that is so much insisted on? Behold hh l-aws ; is there one which does not tend to the happiness of his creatures I They are all con\prel\cnded in one word. Love; love to God, and love to man: and can any thing be conceived more excellent in itself, or more beneficial to man, than such a law I Well does tl\e Aplastic say of it, that it is *' liolv and iust and trood*^." BehiUd his admiuistratiou ; is there any one point in which a righteous governor can excel, that is not found, in it* most perfect measure, in hin\ I He ivlieves the needy, succours the weak, protects the oppressed, and executes judgn\ent without any respect of persons : and though none merit any thing at his hands, he dispenses rewards and punishments in as exact proportion to the con- duct of men, as if he weighed their merits in a balance. Who
» Tho passiige might more properly be translated thus : David the son of Jesse saith, .and tho man, &-c. saiih, Tho Spirit of tlie Lord speakcih by nio. and his word j.< ii\ my tongxio ; tho Cnxl of Israel saith, tho Ut>ok of Israel spcdkcth to nio, Tho .Tust Oxe niloth over men ; ho ruloth in tho fear of Gtxl : as tho light of the morning A SIN shall rise, oven a morning Avithout cUnids, when tho tender grass springeth out of tho earth, ^o.
* Acts ill. 14. and vii. ,^2. and xxii. It. <" John viii. 12.
«' ^tal. iv. 2. * Isai. ix. 7. and xi. 2 — .'>. " in tbf fear of the Zot-rf."
^ Rom. vii. 1 2.
325.1 THE EQUITY OF CIIRISt's GOVERNMENT. 307
ever sought him diligently, without gaining admission to his presence? Who ever implored a blessing at his hands and was rejected ? Who ever did much or sufiered much for him, without ample testimonies of his approbation ? On the other hand, who ever drew back from him, or violated his holy laws, without " receiving in himself that recompence which was meet?" Whatever inequalities may appear in his government (as when virtue is oppressed, and vice is triumphant) he re- moves them all, by vouchsafing to the sufferer tbe consolations of his Spirit, and the prospects of his glory. Thus truly may he be said to " rule in the fear of God ! "]
If prosperity and happiness result from a righteous administration of civil governments, much more are they the portion of Christ's subjects. This is beauti- fully illustrated in the words before us; wherein his government is further delineated in,
II. The blessed effects of it on all his faithful sub- jects—
[The sun rising in the unclouded hemisphere, cheers and exhilarates all who behold it: and, when it shines on the earth that has been refreshed with gentle showers, it causes the grass, and every herb, to spring forth almost visibly before our eyes. And is it not thus with all who submit themselves to Christ ? do not new prospects open to them, and, with their more enlarged views, are they not revived with proportionable consolations? are they not gladdened with the light of his countenance? are they not sometimes almost overwhelmed witli the brightness of his glory, so as to be transported with joy unspeakable? Yes; to them there is an unclouded sky, except as far as sin prevails : if they were as perfectly obedient to the will of Christ as the saints in heaven are, they would possess a very heaven upon earth. If they have any inter- mission of their joy, it is not owing to any strictness in his laws, or any defect in his administration, but to their own indwelling lusts and corruptions.