II. THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM 18 III. THE PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM 32 IV. THE SUBJECTS OF THE KINGDOM 50 V. THINGS PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM 66 VI. THE KING ON HIS THRONE 76 VII. THE PARABLES EXEMPLIFIED IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE CHURCH 88 VIII. THE ESSENTIAL UNITY OF THE KINGDOM 99 IX. THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH 121 X. THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS 145 XI. CONCLUSION 160 "_Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on ME through their word; that they all may be one; as THOU FATHER art in ME, and I in THEE, that they also may be one in US; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent ME._"--S. John xvii. 20, 21. "_When THOU hadst overcome the sharpness of death: THOU didst open the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN to all believers._"--Te Deum. "_THY KINGDOM come._"--S. Matt. vi. 10. CHAPTER I. THE KING'S HERALD. "On Jordan's banks the Baptist's cry Announces that the Lord is nigh; Awake and hearken, for he brings Glad tidings of the King...." When the Saviour of the world was about to enter upon His public ministry, the Jewish nation was startled with the cry, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (S. Matt. iii. 2). Such was God's call to His people of old time, to prepare themselves to take part in the fulfilment of the promises, on which their faith and hopes were founded. The fulness of the times had come; and Christ, the long-promised and long-expected Saviour and King, was nigh at hand. And ever since that day, as the good news of the Kingdom has spread from land to land, it has been the portion of the Lord's people to endeavour to realise their high position in that Kingdom, and to discharge their duties loyally to their Heavenly King. But the words--"The Kingdom of Heaven"--are apt to lead away the thoughts from the present to the future, from this world to a better one. And since men are not in Heaven now, but are surrounded with earthly cares and troubles, there is danger lest they should forget or be ignorant of the intimate connection which these words have with their daily life as Christians, and with its duties, privileges, and blessings.