The Empires and Dominions of This World Made Subservient to the Kingdom of Christ

A true Copy of Record, Examined, by

George Wyllys, Sec.

AN ELECTION SERMON.

In the days of these Kings, shall the GOD of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; but it shall break in pieces, and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

WHEN our LORD JESUS was about to ascend from earth to heaven, having finished the glorious work for which he came, he gave in charge to his immediate followers, to go forth and disciple all nations. This commission he was pleased to preface with these words:

All power in heaven and in earth, is given unto me.

THIS same divine person many ages before, appeared to Moses, the Hebrew law-giver, and p. 6spake from the burning bush, when he gave him commission to go for the redemption of his people from their severe bondage, by the name of "I AM THAT I AM:" And told him to say "I AM" hath sent me. It was HE also who, many years after, appeared to Joshua, the commander in chief of the Hebrew bands, by the name of the "Captain of the Lord's host."

IN the Proverbs of king Solomon, divinely dictated, under the name of Wisdom, this same divine Being makes no hesitation to declare,

By ME kings reign and princes decree justice; by ME princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

HIS holy apostle declares that

God hath exalted him far above all principality and power, and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

that

all things are put under his feet,

and that

he is given to be head over all things to the church.

FROM all which we safely conclude, that absolute DOMINION belongs to the LORD JESUS CHRIST. And that all the limited authority, dominion and power, to be found among men, is, either mediately or immediately derived from him.

THE power of those who are exalted to seats of government,

said a venerable father on a like occasion, almost a century past [Rev. Mr. Bulkley's Election Sermon.]

is p. 7from HIM. Whatever the particular instruments or means of conveying this power, and vesting it in these and those particular persons, may be: yet the power itself is from GOD, a ray of His. In elective states where persons are advanced by the suffrages of others, to places of rule, and vested with civil power; the persons chusing, give not the power, but GOD. They are but the instruments of conveyance, and do but design, i. e. nominate, the persons that shall receive it from Him.

p. 7HENCE it is HE, who in his holy providence, putteth down one, and setteth up another. HE exalted even heathen princes—raised up a Pharaoh, called Nebuchadnezzar his servant, and Cyrus his shepherd and his anointed.

THIS divine IMMANUEL was pleased, in the visions of the night, to give to an heathen despot, some intimations of the glory and success of HIS KINGDOM on earth.

IT is hoped it will not be thought unseasonable, if the speaker humbly invite the attention of this very respectable auditory for a few minutes, to that KING and KINGDOM which hath no end. Especially when it is remembered that it is his duty and business, to study its laws and maxims, to endeavor to proclaim its beauties, and to persuade his fellow-men, to seek first its righteousness, prosperity and glory.

THE context, it is presumed, is so well remembered p. 8by all who consult the sacred pages, that it precludes the necessity of any rehearsal. The image that appeared to stand before the astonished prince, is so particularly described and so minutely interpreted, as renders a repetition needless. Great numbers in this auditory have, no doubt, received profitable instruction, as well as pleasing entertainment, in reading in antient history, a more full account of the prophet's prediction, of which this chapter contains only the out-lines.

WE may observe therefore, from the text, that a glorious kingdom is to be set up; and that it is to be set up, in the midst of the changes and overturnings of earthly dominion and greatness. Agreeably to the prophet Ezekiel, who was contemporary with the one who gave us our text. "I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, i. e. dominion, and it shall be no more."

THUS the Chaldean dominion was transferred into the hands of the Persians; thence into the hands of the Grecian conqueror, and from the Greeks to the Romans. This last empire arriving at the highest pinnacle of earthly glory: HE, whose right it is, even the LORD from heaven—the LORD JESUS appeared to lay the foundation of this kingdom spoken of in our text.

p. 8BE pleased further to observe, that this kingdom shall never be destroyed. While the formidable empires and mighty kingdoms of this world, in their turn, rise and fall, yea, become p. 9extinct and forgotten; this kingdom shall abide and remain—shall out live and be an attendant on the funeral of all the short-lived dominions of the earth. Moreover, that it shall brake in pieces and consume all those that are in opposition to it; or bring into it, crowns and sceptres—absorb all earthly powers, and make them contribute to its progress, advancement and glory.

I HAVE now to ask your attention, to the supreme RULER in this kingdom—The nature of its laws and maxims—and the character of its subjects.

THE supreme ruler in this kingdom is none other than the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He who made all things, and by whom all things consist. He who thought it not robbery to be equal with GOD: but made himself of no reputation, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And this, that he might erect a kingdom on earth, and with such subjects as a lapsed world is composed of; even sinners and transgressors against their GOD.