this world had seized hold of the church: but the time came, bringing not only the imagination of such a kingdom, but also the spiritual head and sovereign of the kingdom: and, be sure, the ensigns of his royalty are not wanting in the letters missive from his throne; and his decrees of council end not with a simple piece of friendly advice: "If ye observe these things, ye shall do well:" but with a broad and deep curse upon any man, who shall do, or say any thing to the contrary of this decree. "If any shall do or say contrary to this, let him be anathema."

The Roman mistakes the Holy Teacher given in Jesus' name, not to rule this world, not to subdue the world to the obedience of the gospel; but to prepare a people for the Lord, and to make straight the path of his return. The Roman has thought to rule the world by the sovereign counsel of the Holy Ghost; and still hopes to recover the Protestant nations, and to conquer the heathen. Protestants themselves are confidently anticipating for themselves, a similar victory, without taking into account the necessity of some form of a Pope to the perfection of their scheme; although they justly refuse the Roman. But we have all come under one condemnation, Jew and Gentile, Roman and Protestant: for we have regarded our Comforter and companion of heart, our Teacher and kind Reprover and Monitor, as one not caring for every soul of man; but rather for such as the council should commend to his notice; and as the Pope should bless with his hands. We have slighted this Holy Teacher, we have forsaken this Heavenly Teacher, therefore, we are scattered, divided, apostate, and fallen, warring about words, and rending and devouring our brethren in their good name, and in their honest, if yet mistaken zeal; until there is much reason to exclaim amidst all the triumph of glorious expectation, in that the millennium is at hand: "How is the gold become dim; the most fine gold changed!"

There will ever be mountains to flee to, for all the anointed of the Lord, until the Son of Man come. In the mean time, the Holy Spirit is the earnest of his coming the Spirit of Truth testifies of Jesus, that Jesus is the anointed king, on the holy hill of Zion; that Jesus the crucified is "the appointed heir of all things;" and that he will surely come quickly into the possession of the inheritance of his everlasting kingdom, in the resurrection of the dead, which is the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and the restitution of all things. If we will return unto the Holy Teacher, he will return unto us; for he abideth for ever: and in him our faith will again become one, even as our Lord is one, and our baptism one, the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.

"His own soft hand shall wipe the tears
"From every weeping eye;

"And pains and groans and griefs and fears
"And death itself shall die.

"How long, dear Savior, O how long
"Shall this bright hour delay?

"Fly swifter round, ye wheels of time,
"And bring the welcome day."

Enough has been said to arouse the attention of the reader to the immense interest and value of the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven at hand. This is my sole object. He that would understand the doctrine, must learn it, not of my page, but out of the Holy Scriptures.

I would not encumber the glorious promise with my words, therefore, I refrain for the present from speaking of its practical value in expounding the doctrines of repentance, faith, salvation, and the resurrection of the dead; and simply ob

serve of its practical value generally, that it is paramount to all other doctrines and considerations in the believer's mind : because he that watches, not knowing when the time is, will be afraid to smite his fellow servants, or to indulge with the glutton, and the drunken, and the wanton; but he will rather be a faithful and wise servant, in all matters entrusted to him of the Lord, having it written on his heart: "Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods." (Mat. 24: 46, 47.)

"Take heed, watch, and pray for ye know not when the time is." (Mark 13.) This is the practical value of the doctrine, to excite in men a careful, watchful, prayerful spirit ; and to lead them in a peaceable, benevolent, and righteous and holy life. You can see that for yourself, kind reader; and, therefore, I shall commend to you the doctrine, and endeavor to show with you the practical illustration of its ines. timable value and worth. If you find it beget this good spirit, and this desire after holiness of heart and of life, you will cherish it; otherwise, there is some mistake about it; and, therefore, search for yourself the Holy Scriptures, committing your open heart to the Holy Teacher sent down in Jesus' name; and I fear no evil in the doctrine you will thus learn: for these are the appointed and chosen and infallible means of grace, which the pure mind and lowly, the humble and child-like spirit, may use with the most perfect confidence of being led thereby into all truth.

But if the vacillating spirit, which is in the world, rashly takes hold of this doctrine, and regardless of the word, "Ye know not when the time is," determines that it is enesteken, right upon us; and that it will be this year, or the next, or some other certain time; then extravagances follow, which make the holy grieve, and afflict the children of the kingdom of heaven. Extremes often follow each other: and while I protest with earnestness against that which post

pones the coming of the Lord to the judgment, until after a thousand years of peace and safety; and while it is plain, that many prophecies conspire to show the coming of the Lord, to be indeed upon us very soon; yet I am sure the experience of the past is sufficient to inculcate the lesson of moderation; moderation, in the exhibition of the great truth ; for that delay, which seems to prolong the promise of his coming, may yet be greatly extended through the infinite power of the Father, who has expressly reserved the times in his own power. (Acts 1: 7.) It will certainly be fulfilled at the last with the celerity of the lightning, like the unexpected coming of the flood in its day.

"Let your moderation be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand." (Phil. 4: 5.) Use not the terrors of the Lord rashly; but rather to persuade men; and above all, hold up to the famishing, suffering, distressed, and afflicted poor of all nations, who now groan under the yoke of the god of this world, the glorious promise, (and, to all sufferers in the flesh, most precious promise,) of the kingdom of Jesus and of heaven at hand; "and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And he that sat And upon the throne said: Behold, I make all things new. he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful." (Rev. 21: 4, 5.)

The word of God is a sword, which requires to be handled carefully; especially by the young and inexperienced: and if taken up and handled rashly, will it not wound quicker, than any blade of steel, him that mistakes its keen point for its hilt? Zion bleeds from self-inflicted wounds. But, if wielded skilfully by the faithful soldier of the cross, present. ing the point, which the Lord has made of heavenly-tempered command "Repent," to the heart of the unbeliever, and bursting through his seven-fold shield of incredulity, with the

overwhelming news: "For the kingdom of Jesus and of heaven is at hand!" and the holy word will be found at this day, to be the sword of the Spirit, quick and powerful, as ever, "piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb. 4: 12.)

This weapon is in all the household of faith, in the hands of every man. It is for the most part, however, hung up for Sunday, when it should be daily handled. Then, so many would not be unskilful in the scriptures; mistaking the edge of the sword for its broadside, and sometimes seizing it by the sharp part, instead of the inflexible hilt; and thus deeply wounding, not the scornful foe, but their own right hand.

CHRIST OUR PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING.

"Jesus, I love to trace

Throughout the sacred page "The footsteps of thy grace,

"The same in every age!

"O grant that I may faithful be

"To clearer light vouchsafed to me."

With these simple views of the subject, accord the offices of Christ, who is declared to be a Prophet, and a Priest, and lastly a King; and is so presented by the fathers to the children, in their catechism.

He was a prophet in the day of his humility; and he prophesied of the kingdom of heaven continually. But in that day he did not officiate at the altar, or in any manner discharge the duty of high priest, or the office of a priest, at all; until he laid down his life on the cross, having closed his prophetic office with the public and solemn declaration : "It is finished ;" and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Certainly, in the day of his humility, he wholly de