redemption hath an end. The mediatorial reign will continue in the present state of things until the fulness of the time, when, as we read, the Lord, who is not slack concerning his promise, will cause the heavens and the earth which now are, to pass away, bringing in the promised change, 2 Peter iii. 7, 9, 13; but that change also will yield to another dispensation, when, at the close of one thousand years, the kingdom shall be delivered up: according to 1 Cor. xv. 23; " Every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterwards they that are Christ's, at his coming;" (agreeing with Rev. xx. 4, 6.) "Then cometh the end," (agreeing with Rev. xx. 5.) "when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father, when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet." See 1 Cor. xv. 23-28. The mediatorial kingdom, therefore, hath an end : and whatever may be the intention of God respecting the continuance of the earth as a redeemed world; at the close of the thousand years, we clearly learn that the great end for which it was created will have been answered, and the whole plan of redemption have been consummated by the completion of the number

of the sons and daughters of the Lord, Rev. xx. 7, 10, 11, 15. But for these sons and daughters there is an eternity of blessednesstheir redemption is an everlasting redemption; they are "bought with a price" to be the peculiar treasure of the Redeemer; He maketh them kings and priests unto God they shall reign with him forever, and they shall appear as a royal diadem in the hand of their God.

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In respect of these the redemption is of vast extent. They are themselves the subjects of this work of grace; body and soul are alike interested in the purchase, "Ye are bought with a price, wherefore glorify God in your bodies and in your spirits, which are his." Their inheritance is likewise a redeemed possession, procured for them and held for them by the Redeemer, who has for us entered in once into the holy place with his own blood, as the Forerunner of his people, and as their accepted representative on high. Their present privileges are likewise redeemed enjoyments: He hath redeemed them from the curse of the law, that they might receive the adoption of sons; and having the spirit of adoption, be privileged to cry Abba, Father. He is already glorified in them; although not sufficiently indeed in the eyes of the world,

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yet in the world of spirits they are the objects of perpetual interest, being "a spectacle to angels,"-ministering angels of light delighting to behold them as the purchase of the blood of their adored Lord-and assailing spirits of darkness receiving through them perpetual shame, and abiding foretastes of the final triumph they will obtain. The divine presence, too, is turned upon them with complacent love, they are accepted in the beloved;" and as the monuments of grace shewing forth the virtue of redeeming blood, they are looked upon with rejoicing by Jehovah himself, "He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." Zeph. iii. 9. The glory of Christ's inheritance in his people is not therefore wholly hid, nor wholly reserved for the coming day when he will be glorified in his saints, and admired in them that believe, for even now his praise is heard in the invisible world, angels uniting with the departed spirits to cry, "Hallelujah "—" Blessing and glory and honour be unto the Lamb."

It is reasonable, however, as well as scriptural, to expect a yet more glorious manifestation. The redemption is a work too vast, too marvellous, too divine, to be veiled. Every eye must see him who died to save. The in

fidel, the scoffer, the contemptuous must feel their shame and proclaim their confusion. The decree is written, "Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Heb. i. 13. "He shall break them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Psalm ii. 9. They shall say to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." Rev. vi. 16. "He shall arise, and his enemies be scattered." Psalm lxviii. 1. The shame and calumny now cast upon the cross will then be rolled away; its wonders and virtues will then be unquestionable; and the redeemed of the Lord will then "look forth like the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Can. vi. 18. All the relative wonders belonging to the redemption of the Lord's inheritance will be revealed. Every promise

made in the oath of the covenant will be fulfilled, and whatever belongs to the Redeemer's triumph for his people in heaven, earth, or hell-or in his people in body, mind, or soul-will break forth in glory and power, attended with the groans and shrieks of vanquished enemies, and with the shouts and hosannahs of crowned friends. "I heard a

great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Hallelujah! salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: he hath avenged the blood of his servants, Hallelujah! Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready." Rev. xix. 1-7. In the prophetic warning and counsel of our Lord, this prospect is so used by him for his people, "Then lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke xxi. 28. Then will our Lord appear in his glory, the glory he had before the world was in this his relation to creation, and in this his unchangeableness to his church,-and delivering in the portion committed unto him, will say, "Here am I, and the children whom thou hast given me." And " of them which thou gavest me, have I lost none."

It will not be suitable in this chapter to anticipate the doctrines we propose to examine, by entering further into this branch of the