SERMON XVIII.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN POWER.

The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.-1 COR. iv. 20.

THE kingdom of God is the substance and the order of the gospel, and of the gospel dispensation. The kingdom itself is "well ordered in all things." The impress of infinite wisdom is visible on all its parts. Sin has been the confusion and the disorder of the creation; and the salvation of the Gospel is the great restorer of order; it brings men and things into subjection, and moulds them into an harmonious whole.

In a kingdom there is connection; the subjects become connected with each other,

and with their king. Salvation connects man with man, and man with God. Salvation has "made one," the things most divided, and most opposed; it has united sinful man with God, and brought together Jews and Gentiles into one body.

In a kingdom there is strength. In this kingdom the power is of the King. Many kingdoms are powerful, but this is more so than the whole of them. The iron in the image was strong; but it was broken by what had greater strength. The kingdom of God will endure for ever.

The kingdom of God is not in word; it is not in "enticing words of man's wisdom.” It is not at all in words as to its truth and its glory, but in power. Words pertain to the kingdom, but they are not its power—words are the clothing; power is in the body where truth lies. The kingdom of God is opposed to mighty powers the angels are mighty, and it has to subdue angels. Fallen angels have possession of man's fallen nature; the angels must be subdued, and man must be changed. What words are adequate for such a performance ?

The kingdom of God is not like the kingdom of men, where the power is in the voice of the people: here the power is in the king, and of the king.

The power of this kingdom is exercised in the people of God, and on their behalf; and also against their enemies.

The power is exercised in them. They are created anew, a new nature is formed in them by an almighty power. "The Son quickeneth whom he will," even those "who are dead in trespasses and sins." "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Hell, and the corruption of the heart, are here alike conquered. "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." The power that will raise the dead in the last day, is now exercised in raising the spiritually dead into a life of holiness. The effect of the power abides upon the soul, to enable the man to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in an evil world. The grace received is not in word, but in power: the man does not talk of repentance merely, but departs from iniquity he does not speak of faith merely, but believes in

Christ, and gives himself to him. His faith is not dead, consisting in words, but is found to be in deed and in truth, purifying the soul, and crucifying the flesh-the powerful flesh. The world makes mighty attempts to bring the soul again captive, but the power derived from the connection with the kingdom of God nails it upon the cross. The power of the kingdom makes strong the weakest. "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." By faith, weakness makes the armies of the aliens to flee. "Love is strong as death;" it makes men break through the greatest obstacles to reach its object. To face the fiery furnace and the lion's den-death in its most fearful forms, was not weakness but strength. It was not in weakness, but in strength that Paul said, "None of these things (bonds and afflictions) move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus."

The power of God in this kingdom acts constantly, and it attains its object it finishes the good work which in mercy it

commences.

Strength according to the day is imparted, and strength makes itself perfect in weakness.

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Hope has power: this sustains the soul when difficulties and dangers abound. Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." The hope of the hypocrite is not strong. "The hypocrite's hope shall perish, and his trust shall be a spider's web."

The power of the kingdom is engaged on 'behalf of the subjects. The power of their King was engaged for the subjects here on earth, when he stood as their surety. He exhibited his strength and his ability to finish what he undertook to accomplish, and to subdue all things opposed to the establishment of his kingdom. He also exhibited the power of holiness. It was this power that sustained him in his sufferings; it was by this that he was kept from failing in the least degree in his perfect love of God. Job shewed great constancy in suffering, but he failed at last in a degree; but here was one, under the utmost weight of suffering, continuing to love God and man with infinite