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 them- selves, 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 sub- jects, " 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 kingdom8."]
2. It is also an everlasting kingdom — [Other kingdoms have perished, and shall perish : but this shall endure for everh. Though it is as " a stone cut out without 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 vip and utterly dissolved," this kingdom shall continue in its utmost vigour; nor shall its pro- sperity languish as long as God himself shall endure.
What a theme for praise is liere ! O reflect upon it, all ye who believe in Jesus ; and sing of it, all ye, who have sworn allegiance to his name.]
The Psalmist proceeds yet further to notice, III. The operations of his grace —
Here the influences of the Holy Spirit come more immediately to our view. It is he who carries on the whole work of grace in the hearts of men, and fits them for the enjoyment of that kingdom that is prepared for them. Behold his operations ;
1. How gracious ! [There is not a saint on earth whom he does not aid, ac- cording as his situation and circumstances require. " Are any fallen ? he upholds them ; and raiseth up all that are bowed down," whether with sin or sorrow. " The eyes of all are directed to him" as the only source of spiritual nourishment and strength ; and " he gives them such a portion as they need, in the very season " that they need it. Yes ; as in the kingdom of nature, God, as the father of all, " opens his hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing," so, in the kingdom of his grace, he administers to every saint whatever is necessary
s ver. 11, 12. h ver. 13.