pectation was grounded on the prophecies which had expressly foretold the certainty, and accurate ly stated the time of his coming. But the prophecies, which described the manner of his appearance, were grossly misapprehended by most of the Jews, and especially by the Pharisees. The grand and lofty figures representing the power of his doctrines, they understood as expressing the majesty of his temporal dominion, and the splendour of his earthly court.

They demanded of Jesus, when the kingdom of "God should come; meaning, when would the Messiah come to erect his kingdom in Judea, and to de liver the Jews from the oppressions of a foreign pow er. Jesus had declared himself to be the promised Messiah. But there was nothing in his condition, which answered to their ideas of his temporal reign. Instead of that wealth and power, that splendid court and numerous host, with which they expected he would be attended, they saw him poor and humble, and only accompanied with a few disciples of ordinary birth and character. They therefore demand of him, "When is that kingdom of God to be erected, which the scripture foretels?"-Are you the Messiah ?Where is your kingdom? Can you be the important person, who is the subject of so many notable predictions? Was all that pomp of prophetick language wasted only to point out a man like you?.

Jesus tells them, they wholly misunderstood the intention of prophecy, which was to foretel, not a temporal, but a spiritual kingdom. The kingdom of God cometh not with observation, or with external parade and show; but with moral and internal power and influence. Neither shall men have occasion to say, Behold, it is here; or behold, it is there. It will not, as you imagine, be confined to Judea, or to any particular place:For behold the kingdom

of God is within you, or among you: And it will be extended wherever my doctrines are preached. It will reach from one part under heaven, unto the oth er part under heaven. So he adds, verse 24,-This kingdom is already begun among you, being preach ed by me and my disciples, and confirmed by the evidence of my works; and soon it will spread a round, and bless other nations of the earth. Seek it not in this, or in that particular place; know that it is come to you already: Submit now to its authorSty; secure its blessings, where ye are.

The illustration of these words-The kingdom of God cometh not with observation, will lead us to some important thoughts on the nature and design of the gospel, and prepare our way for some useful reflections.

1. The manner, in which the gospel was first introduced, was without external show and ostenta tion.

Wondly kingdoms are usually erected and supported by the power of arms. The princes of the world, the better to command the respect and obedience of their subjects, are distinguished by riches, splendour and equipage. But the kingdom of Christ was introduced without any of these forms of pomp and grandeur.

He came, meek and lowly, publishing peace, and bringing salvation to mankind.

John, his forerunner, appeared in the wilderness, preaching repentance, and warning men to flee from the wrath to come. His humble habit, and austere manner of life, were suited to the doctrine which he preached.

Jesus himself was born in an obscure family, and educated in a manner below the common rank of people. He grew up as a root out of dry ground. There was in him no form or comliness to captivate the admiration of earthly pride. He entered on

his publick ministry with solemn fasting; and was consecrated to his work by the washing appointed for the priests under the law. To prove his divine authority, he performed many miracles; but these were of the mild and benevolent, not of the showy and ostentatious kind. He exerted his heavenly power, not, as a worldly conqueror would wish to do, in overturning kingdoms, and spreading destruction among his enemies; but in relieving the distressed, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and giving sight to the blind. He was not attend ed with armed bands to defend his person, but with a few disciples to assist in spreading his doctrines. He laboured, not to raise himself to wealth and pow er, but to promote truth and righteousness among our degenerate race. He displayed his dignity, not in revenging injuries, but in continual exercises of mercy and forgiveness; and gained subjects, not by the force and terrour of the sword, but by the persuasive influence of reason and goodness. He clos ed the scene, not by dealing death among his enemies, but by dying for their salvation. His last prayer was, not for vengeance, but for pardon to those who compassed his death. And when he ascended on high, the language of his lips was in blessings of peace, not in imprecations of wrath." 2. The external dispensation of Christ's kingdom

is without ostentation.

His laws are plain and easy to be understood, and delivered in language level to common apprehen sion. The motives, by which obedience is urged, are pure and spiritual, taken not from this, but the future world. His institutions are few and simple, adapted to our condition, and suited to warm and engage the heart.

When the law was given from Sinai, the people prayed-Let Moses speak, and we will hear; but Let not God speak, lest we die. The pomp and ma

jesty, with which the law was proclaimed, struck. them with terrour. They desired to receive it in a gentle manner. In the gospel dispensation, God has condescended to the weakness of our nature. In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, who is indeed the brightness of his glory, but has veiled this glory in human flesh, being made in all things like unto us, that he might be a merciful high priest. And those whom he has appointed to administer the affairs of his government, are men of like passions with ourselves. The Apostle says, We are ambassadors of Christ, as though God did by us beseech you; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. In regard of the mildness of the gospel dispensation, compared with the law, the Apostle says to the Hebrews-Ye are not come to the mount, which might be touched, the sensible, tangible mount-and which burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they who heard could not endure; but ye are come to mount Sion, and the city of the living God, the general assembly and church of the first born, to God the Judge of all, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant: We have received a kingdom, which cannot be moved. Let us therefore have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

3. The virtues, which the Gospel principally inculcates, are without observation, distant from worldly show, and independent of worldly ap plause.

The kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. The religion of Christ consists not in those actions, which glare in the eyes of the world, and strike the minds of men with admiration; such as courage in war, conquest over enemies, acquiring territory and spread

ing dominion; but in sincere piety, humble deve tion, lively faith, strict sobriety, patient self-deni al, extensive charity, and contempt of the world. These are modest virtues, remote from ostentation. They seek not applause from men, but only the silent approbation of God and the heart.

The kingdom of God is received with faith. This is the great principle of obedience. This was the doctrine with which Jesus began his ministry-The kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Faith is not only a persuasion of the truth, but also a submission to the authority of the gospel. As it supposes a conviction of personal guilt and unworthiness, so it implies a godly sorrow for sin a reliance on the mercy of God, through the Res deemer, for pardon-a desire of his sanctifying and assisting grace-and a resolution to walk in newness of life. It is accompanied with a hatred of sin, a watchfulness against it, and earnest breathings after holiness. These operations of faith come not with observation. Though they are powerfully felt in the believing soul, they are not seen by others. They become visible only in their effects.

Where the kingdom of God takes place, there is a great change in the temper and disposition of the mind.If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; and this is a humble creature. We must receive the kingdom of God as little children, as new born babes.-Except ye be converted, says the Saviour, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven; but whoso shall humble himself as a little child, the same is greatest in that kingdom. The gospel, where it comes with power, mortifies the pride of the heart, humbles the soul at the foot of a sovereign God, casts down imaginations, and every high thing which exalts