blessing, and are walking in happiness and security through his mercy, that they should give him glory; to ascribe to Christ Jesus all the blessings which you really enjoy, and praising him day by day, still to seek higher blessings from his hand; that the world may be obliged to confess how mighty and beneficent his grace is, and may be ready to apply to him through your happy experience. And, lastly, if there are any that receive these blessings from Christ, and know the blessings he gives from day to day, surely it is your duty to employ your experience of the past to help your brethren that are likewise in trouble. Our Lord has given us two directions, in the beautiful address he made to Peter shortly before his crucifixion. We read in Luke, xxii. 31, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you"-to have you all, to have all my disciples-" that he may sift you as wheat:" he wished that he might be permitted to have them, that he might assail them with such severe and numerous temptations, that every corruption of the heart and character might be brought out, and that nothing might be left behind but the pure grace of Christ-he hath "desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:" they would pass through that ordeal; and among them Peter would be tried; but Peter who would have a severer experience of Satan's malice and his own inconsistency, received likewise that gracious help, which the prayer of Christ would bestow; "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted,”—that is, when he was changed from those peculiar weaknesses, and those peculiar propensities that were to be eradicated, for he was already a child of God—" when thou art converted," when those besetting evils are gone, which he must escape by passing through these severe trials, then "strengthen thy brethren." Thus it may be that some of the children of God, here, have been likewise sifted as wheat, experienced these assaults of Satan, and have learned their own inconsistencies by many and bitter trials. If so, it is not charitable that you should withhold from others the benefit of your own experience: pity those that are weak in faith, and those that are young in the Christian life; warn them of the power of their own corruptions, which they have not yet duly estimated, and the wiles and subtlety of Satan with whom they have to contend, and the power of that ensnaring world, in the midst of which they live: teach them by your own fall, what they must expect, and by your own rescue, what they may have from Christ: give them the benefit of your personal doubts, and fears, and agitations, and conflicts, and your prayers and successes: let them find that Christ in you is able to save the weak, and that the believer is weak alone, and that his own strength only is in his Saviour: and that thus, many who are ready to rush into evils, from want of experience, may be by you guided, and that the blessing bestowed on you, may be communicated to them. What a pleasing state, when those who have experienced most of Satan's power, and the power of Christ, are thus like parents watching over their children, and guiding those inexperienced and weak to a better condition; imitating therein the very grace and mercy of the Lord, who is occupied daily in gathering the lambs into his bosom, and gently leading them along the rugged wilderness of life, to that garden of delight and glory, where all his people shall lie down for ever in the richest pastures, and beside the purest waters, and where they will no more sorrow, because there will be no more sin.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

REV. W. B. LEACH.

ROBERT-STREET CHAPEL, GROSVENOR-SQUARE, JANUARY 6, 1833.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."-MATTHEW, vi. 33.

WHEN a person of distinction in society addresses us, whose rank is sustained by real excellence of character, he is entitled to our attention: his opinions and advice are supposed to be the result of wisdom, experience, and discernment; whilst the position from which he speaks, causes his sentiments and lessons to fall upon the mind with considerable profundity and weight. Hence the importance which is attached to the writings of the Apostles and Prophets, the reference which is frequently made to the opinions of the pious fathers of the church, and to those Christian sages and philosophers who were taught by the Spirit of God, and whose instructions, and whose sayings, are to be revered by every pious and Christian mind.

Now, my young friends, let us apply this remark to the subject before us: and oh, what a Teacher addresses us this evening in the language of the text! In point of dignity and elevation, he is "higher than the kings of the earth;" in point of wisdom and excellence, he is "the only wise God, our Saviour," to whom "every knee shall bow." In regard to his grace and love, never man spake like that man, with so much fidelity and condescension, with so much affection and fervour; and for the weight and importance of his instructions, they are really "like apples of gold, in a frame-work of silver."

This Teacher is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ," in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." For the best interests of the young, he was tenderly concerned; aware of the many snares to which they were exposed, and the peculiar adaptation of his Gospel to promote their safety and happiness, never has he remitted, never for one instant resigned that merciful regard which he was pleased to display whilst here upon earth. He still pities you, he still addresses you from his high throne of glory; oh, listen to his voice while he says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." And let the injunction of the Most High, as it issues forth from the excellent glory, have its weight upon your mind-"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased hear ye him."

Placing ourselves, then, in the attitude of hearing at the feet of this great and kind Teacher, let us endeavour to notice, first, the objects which he here presses upon our attention-"the kingdom of God and his righteousness:" secondly, the priority of their claim-“seek first:" and thirdly, the particulars of the promise" and all these things shall be added unto you."

First, THE OBJECTS WHICH ARE PRESENTED TO OUR ATTENTION-" the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.”

My young friends, these are valuable considerations, these are noble points of attraction; compared with which every other is inferior and valueless. You are invited to seek a kingdom—not a mere province, not a limited territory; and a kingdom which cannot be lost either by fraud, or usurpation, or conquest, or the inroads of death; never can be moved by persecution, by artifice, by the vicissitudes of time, or by decay. What in the estimation of human pride is deemed of so vast amount as this? You recollect, my young friends, what exertions have been made, what sacrifices have been endured, what rivers of blood have been shed, what sums of money have been expended, what dangers have been encountered, to gain a kingdom, a throne, a sceptre, a mere tract of land. And yet what are earthly acquisitions, however splendid and costly, when compared to these that are announced in the text? They at best are only the kingdoms of men, this is called "the kingdom of God." They are constantly liable to change and fluctuation; and you know well how they pass from hand to hand, from possessor to possessor: whilst this is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;" it cannot be changed, it must remain. These earthly kingdoms can never secure to those that enjoy them, tranquillity and happiness, but are the constant sources of anxiety and care; whereas this is sure to impart to you peace, and safety, and holiness, and blessedness.

Who then can wonder at the frequent invitations, at the pressing solicitude of Christian parents and Christian ministers, for the welfare of those who as yet do not seem to inherit such a kingdom? Who can be surprised at the earnestness of mind, the strength of affection, the fearless decision, the unbending integrity, nay, the bitter sufferings and martyrdom of the saints in all ages, rather than give up such an acquisition as this? They hear the voice, they know the propriety of the injunction, of Him who says, "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown;" and sooner than lose that they would lose their lives.

And what is this kingdom? It is the power of religion in the heart, the dominion of Christ in the world, and the realms of glory in heaven hereafter.

By the power of religion in the heart, we briefly mean, that peaceful and holy influence which the blessed Spirit of God possesses and exerts within, when the enmity of the carnal mind is subdued, when the love of the world and of sin is translated into the love of holiness, and when the powers of the soul are brought into implicit subjection to the sceptre, the law, and the authority of Jesus Christ; "for he must reign till all his enemies become his footstool." Then we experimentally understand what that Scripture means which says, "the kingdom of God is within." It is, in fact, the heart, long usurped by the spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience, given up, surrendered, consecrated to the Great Redeemer, that he may come and take up his abode there, and sway his sceptre over every faculty and power of mind, "to will and to do of his good pleasure."

The expression includes the kingdom of Christ in the world. To establish this our blessed Saviour came down from heaven, assumed our nature, laid a broad and durable basis (which he compared to a rock for its adhesion, strength, and perpetuity)-died upon the cross for the redemption of men, rose from the

dead, ascended to heaven, sits at the right-hand of God, "gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers;" that that kingdom being thus founded might be carried on till at last it was consummated in glory.

Of this kingdom in the world, as you well know, Christ is the sovereign (for he is King of Zion), believers are the subjects, this inspired volume is its code of laws, and the blessings of the Gospel are its privileges. For the promotion of this kingdom in the world, we are taught to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven;" and to extend it from the east to the west, from the north to the south, is the great design of the preaching of the Word, of Bible societies, of missionary societies, tract societies, educational societies, and other schemes of benevolence.

Now, the consummation of this internal kingdom of grace in the heart, and the external and spiritual kingdom of Christ in the world, is, the glory which is afterwards to be revealed: or, in other words, the kingdom of heaven. This is the final point towards which the conversion of sinners, the increase of our churches, the private and public exertions of Christians, and the multiplication of useful machinery, are tending. Nothing less than that glory will satisfy the goodness and grace of God to bestow upon his people who are here in the wilderness. This is the purchase of the Saviour's blood: and, although, my young friends, you will find that it is through much tribulation you are to enter that kingdom, yet we say to you, "Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." And "as grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life," your faithful Redeemer will not leave you nor forsake you: an abundant entrance shall be ministered to you at the last day into the everlasting kingdom of your God and Saviour; when he will say from his throne, “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Now, my young friends, allow me to ask you, Is not this an object worthy of your highest, your first attention? Is it not infinitely worthy of your constant anxiety and fervent prayers? Does not the world, after such a glistening prospect as this, appear dim, and insipid, and vapid? Do not its riches and its honours, and its pleasures, and its smiles, shrink into insignificance when put into competition with such an attainment as this? Yes; the world resembles a lamp flickering in the socket amidst the full blaze of a summer's sun. That lamp may be valued in the midnight of winter, when we want such assistance; but when we have the sunshine we put it aside; or, as we sometimes sing

"As at the light of op'ning day,

The stars are all concealed;
So earthly pleasures fade away,
When Jesus is revealed."

But this is not all; this is not the extent of the revelation of God which we have to propose for your consideration to-night. The Lord gives liberally, and he upbraids not. Hence the command, "Ask and receive, that your joy may be full: hitherto ye have asked nothing." In addition to "the kingdom of God," here is "his righteousness" spoken of: and these must always go together. We wish you particularly to recollect that the one is the title to the other, the

source of the other, the preparation for enjoying the other. There can be no reign of religion in the heart, there can be no admission into the privileges and immunities of the real kingdom and church of Christ in the world, much less a participation of "the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" in heaven, till you are partakers of the Lord's righteousness: for "heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people."

And what does this mean? It is simply the justifying righteousness of the Son of God and the sanctifying righteousness of the Spirit of God. You are perhaps aware that all that our Redeemer did and suffered here on earth was designed for the benefit of his church and people, for all them that love him, believe in him, and cleave to him with full purpose of heart. His merits are charged to our account, (thus it is called "imputed righteousness,") just as if we had performed them in our own persons. He did the work of obedience and suffering in our nature, in our name, for our benefit, in our room, on our behalf; consequently he became a substitute and a representative; and he is therefore called “The Lord our Righteousness," being "made of God unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." As the Blessed God, therefore, has "made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him," we can adopt the language of the prophet and say, Surely in the Lord have I righteousness and strength; in the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."

This is the justifying righteousness of Jesus Christ which, when received by faith, acquits us at once from condemnation, and imparts "the peace which passeth all understanding." Now, my young friends, is not this worth seeking?

Then intimately connected with this, as a privilege which increases your security from condemnation, is the implanted and imputed righteousness of the Holy Spirit that is, personal holiness, or sanctification. This is your preparation for heaven, your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. To this our Lord refers when he says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness;" that is to say, that are now above all things so anxious to be a pious people, that nothing would gratify them so much as to be "Israelites indeed, in whom is no guile." And when this sanctification of the Spirit is happily enjoyed, our spiritual honours, our Christian privileges are duly appreciated: we then appear as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;" and we "show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light."

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Here then, my dear young friends, are the objects presented to your attention, "the kingdom of God and his righteousness." Think of them, pray over them, never forget them and we are happy to tell you that if you seek them in that spirit you will not seek in vain. Cry, "Remember me, O Lord, with the favour which thou bearest to thy people." Pray with the Apostle, "That I may be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Secondly. WHEN ARE THESE CLAIMS TO BE ATTENDED TO? Immediately— without delay-first : "Seek first the kingdom of God." The expression includes the period of life at which you are exhorted to attend to the great concerns of religion, as well as the manner in which that period is to be improved.