of that which Christ and His apostles sanctioned; Second, To mark what modern form most closely conforms thereto. Careful consideration that the answer be conformable to truth, hearty adoption, energetic and faithful operation, can alone make this inquiry promotive of the glory of God and the good of man. Others Many have, by birth and training, a goodly heritage, but rest content, without proof of right, by reference to the titledeeds. Most men hold their opinions on this, as on other subjects, simply because their fathers maintained them. Searching investigation is beyond their resolution. Bound to a church by many ties, others shrink from inquiry. They fear the discomfort of a discovery that proper authority is wanting. Others, again, cast about for that church which, in government, as in doctrine and worship, lies nearest to the Word of God. still, pronounce that their hill-side is the whole mountain range. Surrounding hills cannot be parts of the whole, being destitute of their high peaks and deep clefts. The Christianity of many is even denied, because wanting their peculiar form. In their ever-thickening mist of scornful denunciation, perplexed travellers stumble and lose their way. For the relief of such travellers, it would be well to have a finger-post erected, pointing out the proper path. Christian men are too apt to put questions of church government aside, and to reckon these subordinate, if not wholly needless. Doubts are allayed by the declaration that this is a matter of small importance. But it must be asked, Can any revealed truth be unimportant? Some truths alone are absolutely essential for salvation; but every revealed truth is essential to some end. There is, certainly, an immense advantage in being well assured that what we profess to hold has a solid foundation in the Divine Word. Whatever is true is then more firmly possessed. To handle the legal documents, to put your finger on the very words of conveyance, confirms your assurance of possession. In this matter, according as views are unsteady or settled, so will they influence other views of truth and duty. This government is but the outer court of the temple. There may meet with your Great High Priest; there His sacrifice › appropriated; from thence, by Him, you may be led within the holiest of all. Entering boldly, you may obtain mercy and find grace in your every time of need. The Lord Let not the outer court be despised, disowned. Himself hath planned it. According to His pattern He commanded its construction. He qualified and authorised its builders and instructors. This is a very large part of God's own house. To it all Israel have free and continual access. Because there the Lord hath recorded His name-comes and blesseth His people-let it have at least some reverential regard. There is, doubtless, an ever-growing tendency to put the mere forms of an outward organization in the stead of spiritual life. It is a possible thing to have the utmost purity of creed and of church government, and yet to have no part in Christ—as, grace being sovereign, it is a possible thing to be saved without these privileges. But they are privileges, nevertheless, and perfectly consistent with, and promotive of, the highest development of living faith. Godly jealousy is necessary to prove that our souls are indeed united to Christ; but that possession of a vital union renders responsibility all the greater that our church government be that which He has prescribed. We must buy the truth, and sell it not.' Prone to look through the magnifying-glass of prejudice, and so to pronounce and act, let us 'put on-bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,'—avoid harsh denunciation,—restoring in the spirit of meekness. If connected with a branch of the Church of Christ whose polity as well as doctrine will stand the test of Scripture, then, instead of despising others, 'let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall;' and, when grieved with evils and inconsistencies in churches, as in individuals, let us carry these burdens to the divine footstool, with the cry, O Lord, revive Thy work-in wrath remember mercy.' QUESTIONS. 1. What interrogations are put regarding church government? 2. State two methods of reply, and say which is to be followed here, with the leading aims to be kept in view. 3. Give reasons why this inquiry should be earnestly prosecuted. 4. Answer the objection that this matter is unimportant. CHAPTER II. THE KINGDOM. A KINGDOM is an organised community, ruled over by a monarch, in order to proper regulation and well-being. The king gives authority to wise and equitable laws. The government is administered by officers of his appointment, and, according to his ordination, courts are held to receive the homage of his subjects, to declare his will, or to exercise beneficial rule. Royal authority is further confirmed by appending the seal of the kingdom to charters bestowed. Because enemies, foreign and intestine, are ever ready to disturb public peace and prosperity, fortifications and strongholds, armies and auxiliaries, are maintained. The kingdom may occupy more than one country, for the community may be widely scattered over land and sea. Wherever the sole authority of one monarch is acknowledged, there exists the one kingdom. Let that monarch be disowned, disorganization prevail, other laws have force, other officers have power, administration be unsettled, the constitution changed,-then, not merely rebellion, but ruin is in store,-the stability of the kingdom is shaken. The Church is the proper kingdom of Christ. This emblem, in every particular, applies. Christ Himself claimed His right of rule. My kingdom,' 'The kingdom of heaven,' 'The kingdom of God.' There is more here than emblematic language. In all essentials the Church is a real kingdom, in which the government of Christ is truly exercised. This, also, consists of a Monarch, an organised community, and laws. His government is exercised by officers in a settled course. They are duly commissioned. All is well and wisely ordered. Irregularities arise from the intermingling of human passions, thoughts, and actions in these affairs. The temporal idea sets forth distinctly the spiritual reality. Foreign foes-the gates of hell-continually seek the overthrow of the Church of Christ. Corrupt members and officers, professedly building the walls of Zion, in reality cause the work to cease. Traitors, deceitful hearts, may be bribed into conspiracy. Nevertheless, the kingdom is secure. Each subject, provided with suitable armour, is enrolled, trained, called out, to fight the good fight. The hosts of heaven are ready with instant assistance. The attributes of the Godhead are strong ramparts,-Salvation, impregnable walls and bulwarks. God is in the midst of her: she shall not be moved.' 6 QUESTIONS. 1. Describe the chief features of a kingdom. 2. Wherein lies the analogy in the Church of Christ? CHAPTER III. THE MONARCH. 'WHO is this King of Glory?' is the question still proposed with reference to this kingdom. The inaugural reply at the dedication of the Temple gives full declaration of His personal and official dignity. 1. PERSONALLY He is glorious: 'THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY,'—almighty to save, almighty to destroy. (1.) Essentially 'He is God over all, blessed for ever.' Possessed of excellences peculiar to none else, His proper Deity is expressly declared. There is no distinctive mark of Deity that is not ascribed to the Lord Jesus Christ. In the beginning with God -He was God-the Alpha and Omega, Almighty—Omniscient, knowing what is in man-Omnipresent, specially present with His Word, ordinances, servants-by whom all things were created -by whom they consist-honoured as all men honour the Father-raising the dead-sovereign Judge of eternal destiniesthe true God and Eternal Life. The highest created intelligences, 6 although glorious, are but ministering spirits. Unto the Son, Jehovah saith, Thy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom.' This is the Sun of the system of grace. (2.) Specially He is the Lord strong and mighty, because God manifest in the flesh.' The foundation of His mediatorial character is laid in His incarnation —‘made of a woman, made under the law.' In fulfilment of the conditions of the Covenant of Grace, He partook of flesh and blood. This is the bush burning, never consumed; celestial fire dwelling in a lowly shrub of earth. This mystical living Person is the glory of Christianity, the Rock on which the Church is. built. Here is found Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill to men,' for He is 'the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, and our Saviour.' 2. OFFICIALLY He is glorious. "THE LORD MIGHTY IN BATTLE.' A great battle was inevitable, Jehovah having determined to deliver the prey from the mighty. By eternal decree, this mighty Lord, the Mediator, was set apart for its accomplishment. In His official glory He was predicted by types and prophecy-The Priest-King, after the order of Melchisedec,' "King of Righteousness, King of Peace'-The Prophet-King like unto Moses, King over Jeshurun, an upright people. —Anointed and victorious King like unto David.—His reign brilliant, peaceful, and extensive, like unto Solomon, having homage bespoke in prophetic song: Go forth, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, and behold King Solomon with the crown.' This great battle and its effects were foretold from the earliest period. He, the seed of the woman, was to bruise the head of the serpent. He is the Shiloh, the Prince of Peace, to whom the people would be gathered, the Star out of Jacob, bearing the sceptre of dominion, the Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been of old, from everlasting.' Lo, He came in the fulness of time, qualified by titles, personal dignity, worth, power, and entered upon that contest, claiming to rule over His kingdom. 'Thou sayest that I am a King: to this end was I born.' To do mighty battle, to destroy the works of the devil, He came forth. This conflict was with the Prince of Darkness. Satan claimed as his right that souls should be held by him in |