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This condition of things, for our results are the results of 

 facts, shows that we are brought into immediate contact 

 with our King, and are able to render as true and immediate 

 obedience to Him as to any human monarch ; and it is specially 

 worthy of remembrance that, when the Son of God became 

 incai'nate and appeared as the Saviour, He commenced His 

 ministry by declaring that the kingdom of heaven was 

 at hand. He was sought by the Persian Magi as he who 

 was born king of the Jews, and His entire work and influence 

 was described by John as the coming of the kingdom of 

 heaven. The title which Pilate in derision put on the cross 

 was true, not only with respect to the Jews, but to all people. 

 Because " He humbled Himself and became obedient unto 

 death, even the death of the cross ; therefore, God also hath 

 highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above 

 every name ; that at the name of Jesus every knee should 

 bow, of things in heaven arid things in earth and things under 

 the earth ; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus 

 Christ is Lord," that is Ruler or King, " to the glory of God 

 the Father." Thus it appears that the establishment of an 

 economy of salvation does not relax the bonds of authority 

 nor contract the range of responsibility, but intensifies both 

 by transferring the dominion to His hands, who, by reason of 

 His death, has spiritual power to recover the disobedient and 

 bring the rebellious into subjection. 



We can only conceive of salvation as recovery, as deliver- 

 ance from the power and practice of sin. And this, according 

 to the Christian scheme, not only involves the breaking up of 

 the power of habits of disobedience, but the mastery over all 

 sinful inclinations and dispositions, and the establishment of 

 reverence, filial fear, submission and love to God, as the ruling 

 principles of the soul. But this is a condition in which a sense 

 of responsibility becomes actual and active, to the extent of 

 directing the whole life. But this subjection, when most per- 

 fect, is felt to be simply natural. No individual power is 

 suppressed or weakened, no social obligation is forgotten or 

 violated ; all find scope, and all operate without friction or 

 pain, because all is felt to be right. And in this testimony of 

 the conscience is a strong, honourable, abiding joy, most 

 sustaining and strengthening to the soul, which now feels that 

 the only means of increased honour and strength, is a more 

 perfect subjection to the divine King, and obedience to the 

 law of the spirit of life written on the heart. 



But, if the above be the result of the recovery in those who 

 experience the salvation of the Gospel, then it is evident 

 responsibility to the Author and Sustainer of our nature is a 



