METHODIST MAGAZINE, DESIGNED AS A COMPEND OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE, AND OF RELIGIOUS AND MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE, FOR THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1827. VOLUME X. New-York, PUBLISHED BY N. BANGS, AND J. EMORY, FOR THE METHODIST 14 CROSBY-STREET. Azor Hoyt, Printer. NO. 1.] FOR JANUARY, 1827. DIVINITY. [VOL. 10. CHRIST'S KINGDOM NOT OF THIS WORLD. A Discourse delivered before the Legislature of Vermont, on the day of General Election at Montpelier, October 12, 1826. BY THE REV. WILBUR FISK, A. M. JOHN Xviii, 36. Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. Ir has been to the discredit of the Christian religion, and to the detriment of those nations who have embraced it, that the true relation existing between this religion and civil government, has not been generally understood. The Jews supposed, when the Messias came, he would exert his power and exercise his authority for their worldly advancement, and national aggrandizement. They supposed, in short, that he would come in the manner and with the authority of an earthly prince. But because Jesus of Nazareth came not thus, they would not acknowledge him. In vain did he endeavour to convince them by his spiritual teaching, his miraculous and divine power, and his benevolent works, that he was just such a teacher as they needed; and that, in his own way, he could bestow the greatest possible blessings upon their nation. They would not receive him. Their language was "we will not have this man to rule over us." In vain did he endeavour to correct their views, and bring them to a true sense of his government and authority, not only by his manner of asserting and exercising his authority, but also by expressly declaring to them, "the kingdom of God is within you." Or as in the language of the text, "My kingdom is not of this world." With a wicked consistency, they rejected both him and his saying. Thus their pride and worldly ambition deprived them of their only Saviour and rightful Governor, and proved, in the end, their overthrow and dispersion. With less consistency, but we fear, in many instances, with no less criminality, various nations since that time, have professedly received Christ, but rejected his saying. They acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, but they deny that his "kingdom is not of this world." In their zeal, and in their professed attachment for Christ, they have come like the multitudes in the days of his flesh, to "take him by force, and make him an earthly king." They have introduced his authority into civil government, and made use of his name to serve their worldly views, and carry on their political operations. In this way they have done great injury both to the cause of Christ and of civil government. The former has £70783 degenerated into a mere system of outward forms, superstitious rights and disgusting bigotry; the latter has become oppressive and tyrannical; lording it not only over men's civil rights, but also over their consciences. Against all such unholy prostitutions and sacrilegious connexions, this saying of our Lord still stands opposed. "My kingdom is not of this world." Of this, the more judicious among modern politicians have become convinced and have made some successful efforts to break this unauthorized and unholy connexion, between church and state, and place each on more independent ground. In doing this, however, there is great danger of varying from the true point, by passing over to the other extreme. For the mind, in its changes, is like the vibrations of a pendulum, constantly, when it has left one extreme, tending to the opposite, with a momentum proportioned to its former distance from its proper point of rest. In breaking the improper union which has existed, in most Christian governments, between church and state, men are in danger of losing sight of the true relation which exists between them. They are apt to allow religion no share in the establishment and preservation of good civil government. On this side, our danger as a nation, lies. We have not, it is true, in rejecting from our government a national hierarchy, and all ecclesiastical establishments, rejected, like some others, Christ and his religion altogether. But it is to be feared our politicians are not sufficiently aware how much they are indebted to Christ's kingdom for those excellent principles which form the basis of our political fabric; nor do they seem to be fully aware of the vast influence of this kingdom in preserving this fabric from ruin. The sentiment seems to be imbibed by many, that however true religion may be, and however good in its place, it is of little or no use to the politician or his cause. Against this idea, as well as the opposite, the words of our text may be directed. For it is because Christ's kingdom is not of this world, in its origin, operations, influences and retributions, that it is of such eminent service in all good governments. If it were of this world, it could only accomplish what the governments of this world can, and in the same imperfect way; but because it is not of this world, but of higher origin and nature, therefore it possesses superior advantages and superior influence to settle, regulate and enforce the mutual rights of those who govern and of those who are governed. And on this, the well being of political society entirely depends. To guard us against a criminal and dangerous indifference to the kingdom of Christ, in our political operations, by pointing out the proper relation between Christ's kingdom and the kingdoms of this world, so that the rights of each may be distinctly marked, their due share of independence recognized, and their alliance defined, will be the design of the present discourse. |