dom that is established over the face of the whole earth. There is not any thing in the whole creation that is not benefited by his reign ; but most of all his believing people. Hence David says, " All thy works, whether intentionally or not, shall praise thee," (as any thing of curious workmanship praises the maker of it) " but thy saints shall bless thee," having their whole souls turned to the dehghtful work*^.
1. It is a glorious kingdom —
[It is extended over heaven, earth, and hell. In heaven there are myriads who are the subjects of it, and who are ascrib- ing all possible honour and glory to their Almighty King. On earth, liis power is seen in every nation under heaven. The most potent monarchs bow down to him with the deepest reverence ; whilst the most degraded savages are enriched with all the blessings of his kingdom. In hell, the principalities and powers, with Beelzebub at their head, confess his power, and are, however reluctantly, obedient to his commands. His moral commands indeed they do not fulfil ; but his positive injunctions they are unable to resist : they are constrained to yield up to him the spoil which they had once seized for themselves, and to flee even from the face of a poor helpless sinner, when once he sets himself, in dependence on Divine aid, to resist their tyrannic sway.
In this kingdom, every subject is himself a king ; a king in this world ; and entitled to a crown, a throne, a kingdom, in the world to come. Well then might David say of these subjects, "^ They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power ; to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom s."]
2. It is also an everlasting kingdom —
[Other kingdoms have perished, and shall perish : but this shall endure for ever''. Though it is as " a stone cut out with- out hands," and neither founded nor supported by human power, it " shall break in pieces all other kingdoms, and shall stand for ever and ever." " The gates of hell (with all their policy and power,) shall never prevail against it;" no, nor against the meanest subject in it. Nay, when " the earth, and all that is therein, shall be burnt up and utterly dis- solved," this kingdom shall continue in its utmost vigour ; nor shall its prosperity languish as long as God himself shall endure.
What a theme for praise is here ! O reflect upon it, all ye
who
'ver. 10. «ver. 11, 12. ''ver. 13.