Lord." But of the wicked and slothful one, the King

shall also say, "Cast ye him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Concerning those His enemies who would not that He should reign over them, He shall issue His command, "Bring them hither and slay them before me." When He shall behold those who despised his law, who set at nought all his counsel, and shall then be filled with anguish and distress, He shall but laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh. Truly the Lord God is a great King, a mighty and a terrible!

But in tracing out also the relationships of subjects to their king, and their several duties involved therein, one cannot but be struck with the close analogy that subsists between them, under every revolving circumstance, and those of the Christian to his Lord and Governor. It is the pleasure of an earthly monarch to issue a decree which may seem hard and causeless to his people! yet still, though many personal deprivations may arise from the observance of it, and much self-denial must be exercised in the obeying of it, if he be a sovereign who has gained their love, and trust, and confidence, one who, they are assured would not lay one yoke or tax on them, unless it were in some way needful for their good, and tending to their prosperity; they will with cheerful alacrity and obedience fulfil the royal mandate.

Is the soldier called upon to leave home, and friends, and country, to go forth and fight the enemies of his country he murmurs not; he rather longs for the trumpet note that call him to the battle field, and rejoicingly marches in the ranks, with quick step and beating heart, at the thought that now the time is come, when he can prove his love and loyalty; and if, per

chance, his life-blood flows, even that he minds not, should he be but conqueror in that mortal strife.

Is he a subject to whom his sovereign has entrusted some of the offices of state? should he be faithful to his trust, what vigilance, what zeal, what devotedness he will display seeking to use every talent and every energy, in the fulfilment of the several duties devolved upon him; and ever watchful, lest by any means he should be tempted to use unlawfully, or turn to his own advantage or aggrandisement, any of the royal gains or gifts committed to his charge and safe keeping.

And oh! in the breast of every loving, loyal subject, what loyalty, what devotedness, what self-sacrificing affection dwell towards their monarch's person! strange, yea, passing strange as it may seem to be, the very humblest peasant who comes beneath the royal influence, experiences a sentiment of veneration and attachment, even although he may never have looked upon his face; and it were but a waste of words to tell how thousands and tens of thousands will flock together from place to place, traversing many a weary mile, and depriving themselves of many a needful comfort, to gain one look, one passing glimpse, of their sovereign king ! And how greatly will this feeling be enhanced, should their beloved monarch have been absent long, in a far and distant land, and now returning to receive the homage of his people. Oh! how would the air be rent with shouts of joy, with words of welcome, and many and heart-felt blessings.

In the characters here drawn of faithful subjects, may not some of the distinguishing traits that belong to the subjects of the King of kings be seen?

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They have learned to say of all His laws, we esteem

all thy precepts concerning all things to be right, and therefore we feel Thy yoke to be easy and thy burden light; and though in the keeping of Thy laws we must be ready to deny ourselves and take up our cross, yet still we do so cheerfully, from the deep heartfelt assurance that our wise and gracious King will never impose upon us one task of difficulty, or one hour of painful service, unless it were in some measure (though we may not at all times be able to judge how,) to tend to our soul's good throughout eternity.'

As soldiers of the cross, they willingly endure all hardness and suffer all privations; they go forth to the battle against the enemies of their Lord, strong in His strength, and assured of victory through His might, feeling that, when arrayed with the breast-plate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, and having put on the whole armour prepared for them, they shall be more than conquerors, even though they wrestle not only against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in heavenly places : and even though life itself must be laid down, they count it all joy to them, knowing that they are thus sealing with their blood their allegiance to their heavenly King.

And those among their number, to whom much has been given, to whom talents have been entrusted, upon whom duties involving much responsibility have been laid; how careful and how diligent are they to employ the intellect, the energy, the influence, the riches, and every other gift He may have bestowed upon them, in the service of their King; ever remembering that they are not their own, that all they have, and all they hope

throughout eternity to enjoy, they owe to His sovereign love and faithfulness.

And does not the spirit of love and loyalty burn in their breasts? oh, yes! it is as a vehement flame, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it; they long to behold their glorious King, whom not having seen they love, and it were vain for human tongue to essay to tell the raptures that will fill their hearts in that day, when these words shall be echoed from pole to pole, "Behold, your King cometh." With what thrilling delight will they respond; "Hosannah! hosanna! to the Son of David! hosanna in the highest ! blessed be the King of Israel who cometh in the name of the Lord."

Dear reader, pause-one word of exhortation before we part,―lay not aside this paper without looking into your own heart, and asking and receiving an answer to these solemn questions.

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Is the law of the King of kings my delight? Do I esteem his statutes above gold, yea, above much fine gold? Have I enlisted myself under the banners of the Lord, and am I fighting the good fight of faith? Am I faithful in the use of the several gifts committed to me, and diligent in the discharge of the several duties laid upon me? Do I continually bear in mind those words, Occupy till I come"? Does my heart glow with loyalty and love to my heavenly King? Do I long for his appearing, in assurance that when he does come, I shall lift up my head, knowing that my redemption hour is indeed arrived? Yes; these are solemn questions. And know, dear reader, that unless now they find a fitting answer, your never-dying soul is indeed in peril; for be it remembered that as amongst the subjects of earth's potentates there are found rebels against

the laws-deserters from the ranks-unfaithful ones who have embezzled their master's goods: so also amongst those who profess to number themselves amongst the subjects of the King of heaven, will be found the rebel, the deserter, the unfaithful steward, who, instead of hailing the arrival of their King, shall but go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of His majesty.

Does your heart tremble and sink within you at the thought of these things? then go to the throne of grace, and with bended knees and earnest heart, implore for pardon, mercy, grace, and strength, that so you may be enabled to serve the King of righteousness in faithfulness and truth, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. But should you be one of those who look, and long, and wait for the appearing of Him who is the chiefest among ten thousand, the altogether lovely, oh, suffer not your desire, your hope, to fail; hope on, hope to the end, for yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Should troubles, perplexities, sorrows and disappointments, strew the path allotted for you to walk in, faint not, nor be discouraged, for the time is short; a few more years at most, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away, for thou shalt behold the King in His beauty, and shalt see the land that is very far off, when He whom thy soul desireth, shall come forth crowned with many crowns. Till then, surely the heart of every loyal subject will echo back these words:

"Come then, and added to thy many crowns
Receive yet one, the crown of all the earth,
Thou who alone art worthy! it was thine

By ancient covenant, ere nature's birth;
And thou hast made it thine by purchase since,
And overpaid its value with thy blood.