preachers of the ~ospel proclaimed Christ, they represented him as "approved of God," who had raised ond exalted him, and had "set him at his own rjc,J,t hand." In the Epistles, as for example in tbo first chapter of tho Epistle to the Hebrews, the approval and favour of the Father are mentioned with the view of inspirin,,. 0 a. just conception of the dignity of the Divine Son. II. GnoUNDB OF THIS ESTIMATION OF CHRIST, 1. His Divine Sonship. 2. His sympathy with the Father's purposes of redemption. 3. Ilis constant and perfect obedieuce to the Father's will. 4. His devotion to the Father's glory. III. PnooFs OF TIIIB ESTIMATION OF CHRIST. These are in some instances intelli- gible to reason, but in other instances they are only to be apprehended by faith. 1. 'l'his accounts for the appointment of Jesus as the Founder and Head of the Church. 2. And for the supernatural indwelling of Christ by his Spirit in his Church. 3. .Aud for the assurance that the kingdom of Christ, in contrast to all others, shall be uni- versal and everlasting. 4. And also for the appointment of Christ as the one great Judge of all mankind. IV. PRACTICAL INl'EBENCEB FROM THIS ESTIMATION OF CnnrsT. It is not a matter of doctrine only. All hearers of the gospel and all sincere and faithful Christians h,we reason to rejoice that their Saviour Jesus is "elect and precious." 1. '!'here is on this account hope for the future of humanity. If God the Father sets such honour upon Christ, there is encouragement to believe that Christ's work shall not fail. 2. There is for each friend and follower of the Saviour a sure prospect of individual salvation. God, who loves and honours the Shepherd, will not suffer the sheep of his flock, for whom he died, to suffer death and destruction, Their security, dignity, and happiness are assured. They are chosen in the Chosen ; they are precious for the sake of the Precious. 3. Most obvious are the sin and the peril of those who despise and reject the Elect and Chosen One, the Honoured of God himself. If Christ be what he is here declared to be, how clear and cogent is the statement of inspiration, "Neither is there salvation in any other" !-J. R. T. Vers. 13-15.-Tlze Christian citizen. The religion of the Lord Jesus entered practically into all the relations and interests of human life. The condition of the world, politically regarded, when the Roman empire exercised universal sway, was indeed very different from that which obtains at the present time. But the principles inculcated in the first century of our era are adapted to guide and govern the conduct of Christ's people through all time. I. THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 1. Regarded in itself, it is a human institution, but it is nevertheless ordained by God. In this respect it is in the same case as the family. 'l'o believe in a Divine Ruler and a divinely appointed order, is to accept tbe state and its ordinances as appointed by the wisdom of God himself. 2. '.l'he Uhristian recognizes the Divine principle of government a.s personified in civil rulers. These are supreme-as kings ; or persons commissioned, and exercising dele- gated power, as governors. 3. The Christian perceives the necessity of those functions which rulers are bound to discharge. There is no government worthy of the name which does not punish evil-doers, and protect, favour, and praise those who do well. II. THE CHRISTIAN'S DUTY TOWARDS OIVIL GOVERNMENT, 1. Generally speaking, that duty is submission, loyalty, and cheerful obedience, When laws are promulgated, the Christian respects and observes them; when taxes are levied, the Christian pays them; when service is required, the Christian renders it. 2. He acknowledges that this course of conduct is supported alike by the example and by the teaching of Christ. 3. Yet this obedience is within certain limits, and is subject to certaiu reservations. No man is under obligation to obey an ordinance of the civil power which is contra- dictory to the express and unmistakable law of God. And when the ruler himself is disloyal, and violates the constitution to which ruler and suoject alike are subject, there are cases in which even resistance is allowable, if not binding. III. 'l'HE CHRISTIAN'S MOTIVES TO OBEY THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT. Re does uot act simply in his own interest, to avoid penalties, to secure place. 1. He obeys for the Lord's sake, i.e. with a Christian aim before him. 2. He obeys because such is the will of God himself. 3. He obeys in order to remove hindrances from the wa.y of the :progress of Ch~is_t_imiity among men. Scalldals ~re avoided, preju<Jices Me over• too THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [oa. u.1-25.
c0me,_ g0od will is conciliated ; and the path is made clear for the progress of the gospel, Loyalty to the state a.ud t-0 the sovereign is loyalty to Christ, to God.-J. R. 'l'.