elevation, as Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars.
been wearied, and tired out in battle with sin and Satan, will not a crown be seasonable?
[3] The kingdom of heaven infinitely EXCELS all the kingdoms of the earth.
(1) It excels in its ARCHITECT. Other kingdoms have men to raise their structures—but God himself laid the first stone in this kingdom. Heb 11:10. This kingdom is of the greatest antiquity. God was the first King and founder of it; no angel was worthy to lay a stone in this building.
(2) This heavenly kingdom excels in ALTITUDE. It is higher than any kingdom. The higher anything is, the more excellent it is. Fire being the most sublime element, is most noble. The kingdom of heaven is seated above all the visible orbs. There is—
1. The airy heaven, which is the space from the earth to the sphere of the moon.
2. The starry heaven, the place where the planets are, of a higher elevation, as Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars.
3. The empyrean heaven, which Paul calls the third heaven; where Christ is, there the kingdom of glory is situated. This kingdom is so high that no scaling ladders of enemies can reach it; so high that the old serpent cannot shoot up his fiery darts to it. If wicked men could build their nests among the stars, the least believer would be vastly above them.
(3) The kingdom of heaven excels all others in SPLENDOR and RICHES. It is described by precious stones. Rev 21:19. What