The Reign of Jesus Christ

Oo this auniversary, which is dear to the citizens of this State, I propose to call your attention to the reign of Jesus Christ and to explain the nature of his kingdom, as contrasted with the kingdoms of this world. The nature of this kingdom, we may learn by considering, J. Iti origin. This we we taught by the Son of God, whose language is, " My kingdom is not of this world." It did'not <H*iginate in this world, and is not modelled and controlled by the genius and habits of this world. Hence, the reign of Jesus is essentially different from the reign of any other Monarch. It is true that earthly governments are reared to afiRird to mankind a shelter fron) the many evib to which a people without rulers would be necessarily exposed and subjected. But history teaches Us, that that which ought to afford a covert from the blast of oppression, has in many instances been converted into an engine of cruelty, by which the people have been ilched of their earnings and robbed of their freedom. But however the design of government has teen perverted and detroyed, it is certain that its intention as instituted by Jehovah, is the preservation of the natural rights of men,, whereby they may improve and esrfoy life in " all godliness and honesty." Had the first king of the Hebrews sought the promotion of these objects among his subjects, the purposes of government would have been answered in the reign of Saul ; but when grandeur, induced by a love of power, bore an unrestrained sway in his mind, he could burthen the people with exactions, and even sacrifice the lite of David, to his pride and thirst for * dominion. How often have the reigns of earthly princes originated in conquest, in fraud and in the triumph of the powerful over the feeble ! Within a single century, how many kingdoms have been created which received their existence and were shaped by the hand of despotism and pride, and how little justice or virtue has attended their rise and progress ! While the constitutions of most governments are laid in ambition and tyranny, the foundation of Emanuel's reign is laid in righteousness and benevolence. '' All power," was committed to his hands, because he could be safely trusted with it, and '' all things are put beneath him, because he will make them subservient to the reign of righteousness and true holiness." In Jesus, all the qualities requisite to an empire of benevolence are concentrated, as, perfect purity, consummate wisdom, and almighty power. Hence his reign must be a government of the greatest security and happiness to all who live under it. It is true that his empire is gained by victory, but it is the victory of love. He is the redeemer of sinners, and in the exercise of his mediatorial authority, he is ever giving proof that he is unchangeable in his love to all who obey him, aud that he is worthy to reigi). In consequence of what he did in obedience to the law and what he suffered in his death upon the cross, '' God hath 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 Ood the Father/' This is the occasion of the " heavenly host crying with loud voice. Worthy is the Lamh that was slain to receive power^ and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." As the reign; of Jesus originated in goodness, so the laws of his realm are correspondent, in benevolence. Earthly governments which Jeht>vah instituted, and adapted to the highest earthly advantages and happiness^ are often rendered abodes of wretched*- ness and disgrace by unjust and oppressive laws. But throughout the whole administration of Jesus Christ, his procedure is directed by laws of rectitude, wisdom, and goodness.— <- Nothing is prohibited but what would be produc-* tive of evil, nor any thin^ required but what a re* gajrd to ttke welfare of every subject demands. — ^' The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple, the statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart, the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes." How diflfertek from this are earthjy goternments ! Theit- legislatures, not unfrequently contain corrupt aspiring' men. and sometimes are wholly under the controulof an influence which disregards the prosperity and happiness of the public ; the statutes which they frame look more to the ag fAndize* ment of k few, than to the good of the many* — - In kingdoms, the people have groaned under op-' pressire laws, and even^ in republics, party 4eal and a \hirst for power, have often induced the establishment of laws which hdve opersited unequally and unjustly. But in the ipeign of Christ, it is an important distinction, that all his precepts are frmfed to have an equal bearing upon every individual.—- As all men are the subjects of similar passions and appetites, he requires all to govern themselves by rules which impose like restraints upon a!l. And that every case may be met by an appropriate rule, he requires those who are surrounded with whatever can afford gralificAtifn to the sei^ses. to be temperate in all things — those who have an abundance to be ready to communicate to the wants of the pooi'^^those who are needy, to be reconciled to the Will of providence- — subjects to honor and obey rulers, and rulers to be 'tiprighf and faithful, not ojipressing the poor nor conniving at the faults of the rich. …