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which appertains to him as GOD. It is a kingdom peculiar to the new relation which redemption has formed,
and is dispensed in the most perfect harmony with the other. - It has pleased the Father and the Son
[Colos. i. 197.]
And because he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
GOD hath also highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name,
that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the
glory of GOD the Father.
[Phil. ii. 8, 9, 10, 11.]
The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands.
[John iii. 35.]
All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth.
[Matt. xxviii. 18.]
The union of two natures in CHRIST, renders the independent and the delegated power perfectly consistent.
Nothing contradictory or improper is implied in committing the twofold administration to the same hand. -
What is peculiar to either nature, is always in scripture ascribed to the whole person of the REDEEMER.
To inculcate the mystery of GOD manifest in the flesh more forcibly, things are frequently predicated,
with the mention of one nature,
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which can of necessity be applicable only to the other. Thus GOD is said to have purchased
the Church "with his own blood."
[Acts xx. 28.]
And thus, it was no robbery in CHRIST to be equal with GOD, while at the same time, he was a man,
a servant, made under the law and amenable to its demands. And hence also, he may possess an
independent and divine right to the government of providence, and yet be cloathed with a delegated
authority expressly committed to him as mediator.
The origin, nature, and dignity of this kingdom which CHRIST administers, may be sufficiently
gathered from the terms by which it is distinguished in scripture.
It is called the kingdom of God,
[Psal. xiv. 6. Isai. lii. 7. Luke xvii. 20.]
because GOD is the immediate author and founder of it.
[Daniel ii. 44. Psal. cx. 1.]
- GOD himself is the king - and the perfections of GOD are more displayed in this, than
in all his other works.
It is called the kingdom of heaven,
[Matt. iii. 2.]
because it is great, precious and excellent - more spiritual under the New Testament
than it was under the Old - approaches in its privileges and benefits as near to the worship
and joys of heaven, as it can on earth be brought - and because
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