Examples Paper

The Kingdom and the Church

Paul to the Romans 14, 17, describes its nature in a few words. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit." By these marks and attributes this kingdom is known, and distinguished from all others. Righteousness is supreme love to God, and love and benevolence to man; this we may call inward righteousness, the fountain of all righteous acts towards God and man: for if we love God in heart, we will be led to unreserved obedience to all his commands; for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." And if we love our neighbor, we will be led to do unto him, as we would he should do unto us.

Peace is another property and mark of the kingdom of God. Peace and righteousness are twin-sisters--they always dwell together, and are never separated. The Righteous have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ--They have peace in their own hearts, "for there is no condemnation to them, who are in Christ Jesus.--They are led to live peaceably with all men, as much as in them lies, because they love peace. They endeavor to make and promote peace, and "quench the coals of growing strife." Peace is the darling attribute of God himself; he is called "The God of peace." It is the attribute of the great Mediator; he is called "the prince of peace." It is also the attribute of his church and people, for they are called "the kingdom of peace, the children of peace," and the gospel, the word of reconciliation is called "the gospel of peace."

Were it possible for an unrenewed soul to be admitted into the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, could he see, or enjoy it? could he relish its spirit and enjoyments? Impossible. "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with and infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" With such a person there could be no fellowship, no enjoyment. Attempting to admit into the church such members has /30/ been one cause of her glory departing from her, of that discord, strife and division, which had so long disgraced her in the eyes of the world. O when shall Zion's glory be restored! One thing is certain, her glory will not be restored till a reformation of these evils be effected-- till the church be purged from idolatry, or the service of mammon--from seeking the friendship and honor of the world--from union with the States and Kingdoms of the world--from the vain desire and work of legislating, in order to check and destroy the reigning corruption of mankind--from the vain attempts to have better laws, and better rulers in the civil government to the neglect of the king and kingdom of ...