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Gospel-kingdom shall yet fill the whole earth. But whether in its incomplete or complete .state, the subjects of the kingdom are always of one character. They *' serve God without fear." They serve God " in holiness and righteousness."
Let us give all diligence to belong to this kingdom. Small as it seem now, it will be great and glorious one day. The men and women who have served God in *' holiness and righteousness " shall one day see all things put under them. Eveiy enemy shall be subdued, and they shall reign for ever in that new heaven and earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
We should notice, finally, wh(U clear views of doctrine Zacharias enjoyed. He ends his hymn of praise by ad- dressing his infant son John the Baptist. He foretells that he shall " go before the face " of Messiah, and " give knowledge of the salvation" that He is about to bring in, — a salvation which is all of grace and mercy, — a salvation of which the leading privileges are '^ remission of sins," " light," and " peace."
Let us end the chapter by examining what we know of these three glorious privileges. Do we know anything of pardon? Have we turned from darkness to light? Have we tasted peace with God ? These, after all, are the realities of Christianity. These are the things, with- out which church-membership and sacraments save no one's soul. Let us never rest till we are experimentally acquainted with them. — ^Mercy and grace have provided them. Mercy and grace will give them to all who call on Christ's name. — ^Let us never rest till the Spirit witnesses with our i^irit that our sins are forgiven us, — that we