364 HARMONY OF ALL RELIGIONS. after his resurrection he completed the form of the first sacra- ment or baptism, wherein our regeneration by the Holy Spirit is represented, and the Holy Spirit is expressly named. III. The kingdom of Christ, therefore, or the ehristian dis- pensationwas not properly set up in all its forms, doctrines and duties, till the following dayof Pentecost, and the pouring down of the Spirit upon the apostles from our risen, ascended and ex- alted Saviour. It was just before his ascension, that our Saviour told them, that they should preach his gospelto all nations, when they had received the promised Spirit, and they were to tarry at Jerusalem, till they had received this power; Luke xxiv. 42. The preachingof Christ, and his life, his death and his resurrec- tion, laid the foundations of his kingdom, but it was the preach- ing of the apostles, after he ascended to the throne in heaven, that actually set up his kingdom here on earth. IV. The three or four years of Christ's personal ministry upon earth, were a sort of medium, or a hour of twilight be- tween the darkness of Jewish veils or types, and 'theclear day- light of the gospel or christianity: It was rather a removing away the rubbish of traditions, superstitions, and corruptions of truth and duty, &c. as a preparation for the kingdom of Christ, in the world, than the very constitution, of that kingdom. Ac- cordingly the preaching of Christ ran thus ; Mat. vi. 17. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. And the petition in the Lord's prayer corresponds with it. Mat. vi. 10. Thy kingdom come. He himself preached only to the Jews and Samaritans, and forbid his apostles to go quite so far at that time ; for as he would not sutler them to preach to the Gentiles; so neither to carry their ministry into Samaria; Mat. x. 5. whereas his gospel was designed for the heathensalso, even for all mankind. This be often intimated in parables, during his public ministry on earth. He foretold them also, that he had many things to say to them, which they could not bear at that time. See John xvi. 12. And several other things which they heard and saw in secret, which related to the setting up of his kingdom, they wera charged not to declare, till the Son of man was risen from the dead. Mat. xvi. 20. and xvii. A. andwhat they heard from him then in the ear, they should afterwards publish, as upon the house-tops. V. Thence it follows, that in order to learn all the doctrines and duties of the christian religion completely, we must not only consult the history of the four gospels, which contain the life of Christ and his personal ministry, but we must also consult the Acts of the Apostles after his ascension, together with their epis4 ties to the churches: for therein, this our holy religion is more completely discovered and explained in many particulars, rela-
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