end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. i. 7, 8

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crow n of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. iv. 8. See also 1 Thess. v. 2. Luke xxi. 28.

Rom. viii. 22, 23. 1 John iii. 2. Now we beseech you brethen, by the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him. 2 Thess. ii. 1. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Tim. vi. 14. The Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and dead at his appearing, and his kingdom. 2 Tim. iv. 1 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

James v. 8.

At the appearing of Jesus Christ....wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter i. 7, 13

5.-Christ's glorious kingdom and personal Reign on Earth, proved from clear declarations of Holy Scripture.

Nathaniel answered and said unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him thou shalt see greater things than these... Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

John i. 49-51

Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto

them, it is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive powert after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.

Acts i. 6, 7, 8

* Observe that Jesus denied it not, but approved of his faith.

+ Knowledge is often said to be power, but here note that by the word power is meant to be understood knowledge: This question put by the disciples, renders it probable that they were in the habit of hearing Christ conversing about his Kingdom while he was yet with them on earth; particularly as our Lord does not on this occasion deny the truth of his future kingdom, though he had an opportunity of so doing; (as he says in another place "if it were not so, I would have told you." John xiv.2.) but he is here contented simply to rebuke their curiosity as to the fixed time of its taking place.

And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews! And he answered him, and said, Thou sayest* it. Luke xxiii. 3

Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. John xii. 13. Luke xix. 38. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude, said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. ed and said unto them. I tell should hold their peace, the mediately cry out.

And he answeryou that if these stones would imLuke xix. 39, 40

And Jesus said unto them, verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. xix. 28

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me: That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and sit on thrones; judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke xxii. 29, 30

* This is called by St. Paul the good confession.

1 Tim. vi. 13.

+ Observe that Jesus rebuked them not, even tho' the pharisees sought him to do so: for what greater truth could the people utter, than that Messiah was the real King of Israel; The people therefore were warranted in crying out, according to St. Mark xi. 10. "Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord," however future that day might yet be.”

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, shall receive an hundred fold, &c. Matt. xix. 29.

Verily I say unto you, there is no man that has left house or brethren, or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my sake and the Gospel's, but he shall receive an hundred fold now in this time, houses, and lands, (with persecutions ;*) and in the world to come, eternal life. Mark x. 29, 30 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you Father's kingdom.

in my

Matt. xxvi. 29

See also Luke xxii. 15, 16, 18.

And I say unto you that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, &c. Matt. viii. 11

For David speaketh concerning him (see Psalm xvi. 8.) Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God hath sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on

* Observe that the persecutions are to be counted among the privations and losses, which are mentioned in the first part, for these we must be prepared to receive here as part of the boon, if we expect also to receive the good things hereafter, as mentioned in the latter part of the text.

his throne; He seeing this before, spake.... of Christ. Acts ii. 30, 31

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and 1 will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: Acts xv. 15, 16

In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old :

Amos ix. 11 Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

Mark vii. 20

And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them, And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

Ezekiel xxxvii. 34, 35 And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his fa