But


[     16    ]

But  there  is  one  farther  circumftance  re-
lating to  this  kingdom  which  is  of  the
greateft  confequence.  It  will  be  an  EVER-
LASTING kingdom.  This  my  text  points  out
particularly  to  our  notice,  by  ftyling  it  the
EVERLASTING  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and
Saviour  Jefus  Chrift. — In  the  Epiftle  to  the
Hebrews,  ch.  xii.  and  28th  verfe,  it  is  called
a  kingdom  that  cannot  be  moved;  and  in  the
xith  chap,  a  city  which  hath  foundations  9
ivhofe  builder  and  maker  is  Gad.  This  is  the
circumftance  that  crowns  the  future  hap-
pinefs.  It  will  never  come  to  an  end.  All
earthly  governments  have  in  them  the  feeds
of  decay  and  diflblution.  The  mightieft
empires  have  fallen,  and  the  beft  formed
focieties,  after  enjoying  liberty  and  prof-
perity  for  a  time,  have  been  ruined  either
by  foreign  violence,  or  the  more  flow  ope-
rations of  internal  corruption  ;  nor  is  any
thing  more  melancholy  than  the  reflection
on  the  revolutions  of  this  kind  which  have
taken  place  among  mankind.  But  that
future  government  in  the  heavens,  under
which  the  virtuous  are  to  be  happy,  will  be
fubjecl:  to  no  calamitous  revolutions.  It
will  preferve  for  ever  its  order  and  dignity,
without  the  pofiibility  of  being  difturbcd
by  any  tumults,  or  fhaken  by  any  con^

valfions.
