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or the domination of Rome? They are all gone. They are vanished like the empty visions of the night, and barely stalk in history, as the ghosts of fallen empires. Where will be the pomp and power of emperors, kings and republican rulers who now desolate the world, with wars, revolutions and havock? like their predecessors, they will soon be crumbled to the dust, and leave not a wreck behind. - Cities once celebrated for their extent, riches and population, are razed, and the remnant of their ruings scarcely exhibit a proof of their former existence. Babylon, the metropolis of the world, the glory of kingdoms, the queen of cities, is swept by the besom [broom of twigs] of destruction. Her walls and turrets which shadowed the plains of Shinar, her gorgeous palaces, her lofty hanging gardens and sumptuous terraces, are all demolished. It is only known, that amidst the fens and marshes, dragons now howl and satyrs dance, where Babylon once stood. - It is not so with the city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is GOD. It is not so with the kingdom whose government is administered by the blessed mediator. This shall remain and survive all the successive empires and cities on earth. No weapon that is formed against Zion shall prospher. [Isai. liv. 17.]   GOD is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. [Psal. xlvi. 5.]

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The extent of this kingdom will correspond with its dignity and duration. It is a light thing for the glorious REDEEMER to raise up the tribes of Jacob only, he is given also for a light to the Gentiles, to be the salvation of GOD unto the end of the earth. [Isai. xlix. 6.]   All Israel shall be saved and the fulness of the Gentiles also come in. [Rom. xi. 25, 26.]   The heathen are given to him for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. [Psal. ii. 8.]   He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth. [Psal. lxxii. 8, 11.]   The small gleanings from the multitude of sinners which has hitherto been made for CHRIST, cannot comport with the glorious extent intended in these promises. The time will therefore come, when "the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations shall be destroyed." [Isai. xxv. 7.]   When the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. [Isai. xi. 9.]  

It is to effect this interesting purpose, that CHRIST the LORD, the Saviour reigns. For this the government is in his hands. Every event is under his controul. In the administration of providence, he is all and in all.

2. But CHRIST is also the End of providence.