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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 
incarnate 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 
heayen.. 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 and 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 — 
8 glory 
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 obhgation 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 divme 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 
