preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ*." He shewed them,
1. Concerning the kingdom of God —
[This kingdom had been distinctly spoken of by the prophets, as to be established in due time : and the Gentiles, as well as Jews, expected the erection of it about that time. The person to whom the throne of David belonged was now come ; and, though rejected and crucified by his own subjects, he had set up a kingdom which should never be moved. His empire indeed was not like those of the world, but was alto- gether spiritual ; it was established in the hearts of men, and was founded in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Into this kingdom all are called ; and all who would be saved must become the subjects of it, giving up themselves to Christ, as their only Governor and Redeemer.
This is the instruction which ministers in every age must give to those whom they address in the name of Christ. None can properly be called the natural subjects of this kingdom : for all by nature are subjects of Satan's kingdom, and must be conquered by divine grace, before they will submit to the government of Christ : as the Apostle expresses it, they are " delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son." This then is the message, which, as God's ambassadors, we declare to you in his name : you must all throw down the weapons of your rebellion, and submit yourselves to Christ, to be saved wholly by his grace, and to be governed wholly by his laws ]
2. Concerning the name of Jesus Christ —
[To the Apostles this name was more precious than words can possibly express : it was the foundation of all their hopes, and the source of all their joys. They had seen the efficacy of this name to produce the most astonishing effects ; and they knew that " there was no other name given under heaven whereby men could be saved." Hence they strove to commend the Lord Jesus to the whole world, proclaiming him in all his offices, and magnifying him as the Saviour of a ruined world
And what other theme is there so delightful to his
ministers in all ages ? To honour him, and exalt him, and commend him to the world, is the great office of a minister ; and then is his ministry most successful, when he can be in- strumental to the making Him known and loved and honoured by the world at large ■]
3. That Christ had now established his kingdom upon earth —
a ver. 12.