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THIRTEENTH DAY.-MORNING.

'Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.
For there is no power but of God; the powers
that be are ordained of God,' Rom. xiii. 1.
WE meditate, this morning, on the duties of sub-
jects to their civil rulers.

On this point scripture is full
and express.
'Let every soul be subject unto
the higher powers,' or superior authorities. We
should hold a very high standard of submission
to civil governors. The only limitation is when
they require what is contrary to the will of God;
then it becomes not only lawful, but a positive
duty, to refuse to comply; and in such instances
of disobedience, instead of being guilty of any
thing that deserved to be stigmatized as rebellion,
men of God have exhibited some of the noblest
examples of human virtue and religious courage.
Such noble examples were furnished by those who
would not destroy the male infants of the Israel-
ites at the command of Pharaoh king of Egypt;
by the three Hebrew youths, who said to Nebu-
chadnezzar, 'Be it known unto thee, O king, that
we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the
golden image which thou hast set up;' by Daniel,
who, when Darius had made a decree that whoever
should ask any petition of any god or man for
thirty days, save of Darius himself, should be
cast into the den of lions, paid no attention to the
decree, but went on to worship the Lord as before;
and by the apostles, who, when they were strictly
commanded, by the supreme council of the nation,
not to teach in the name of Jesus, proceeded to
preach notwithstanding, and when called to
account for doing so, answered, 'We ought to
obey God rather than man.' Nothing, however,
but such strong and conscientious grounds as
these can be fairly pleaded in defence of not sub-
mitting to the decrees of supreme rulers, judges,
and magistrates. We are sacredly bound to obey
them, in a free country, as long as they act
agreeably to the laws, within the limits of their
own jurisdiction, and in a way not requiring of us
what is sinful.

2. Honour, or civil respect. Though rulers may not be personally characterized by special excellence, their station and rank are entitled to honour. Render to all their dues;' 'fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.' This precept seems to discourage that stiffness, which, under the pretence of Christian simplicity, by disputing such forms, may rather indulge pride, and occasion reproach.

Payment of taxes. Christians should act
ly in this respect, and by no means be

guilty of smuggling, or conveying away clandestinely goods for which the legal tribute has not been paid. For this cause pay ye tribute also; for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render, therefore, to all their dues; tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom.' We are not at liberty to refuse to pay, on the general plea of being displeased with the application of taxes; they are due on our part, if they be actually demanded according to law and the existing constitution. When Christ was asked if it was lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, the heathen emperor, he answer in the affirmative, and enjoined it, in the words, ‘Render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto God the things which are God's.'

4. Prayer. God alone can qualify rulers for their office, and direct and prosper them in it. I exhort therefore,' says the apostle Paul, 'that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life all in godliness and honesty.'

These are the chief duties of subjects to rulers; and it is to be observed that they are not limited to any one form, but applicable to every form of government; they are due to 'the powers that be, to the existing authorities. There are, in free, or comparatively free countries, constitutional means of improvement. What degree of tyranny can justify open resistance is a very delicate question. Surely there is nothing in the word of God which can be fairly interpreted as intended to check the progress of national improvement, to rivet the chains of despotism, and to keep the sword in the hand of merciless tyrants that would oppress, and even slay, the servants of the Lord.

While such are the duties that subjects owe to the authorities that already exist, they have also, in free countries, like ours, a very important duty to perform with regard to the election of rulers and legislators, whose appointment depends on their voice. They ought to choose men of good principles and good character, men of piety and morality, who are disposed to respect all the laws, civil and ecclesiastical, already made, and, (if they are to have legislative power), disposed to support measures for the the real good of the people. but surely they should aim fixed determination to choose virtuous men. In cases where they cannot find men in every respect to their mind, they should take those who come nearest to the proper standard.

glory of God, and Electors may err; right, and have a

Strong reasons exist for subjects carefully ful

kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink; lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.' Diligence is also needful to the good management of public affairs, the intense and persevering application of the mind and powers to the various important subjects which fall to be settled. The honour of kings is to search out a

matter.'

filling the duties they owe to their rulers. Civil | moderation and self-command. It is not for government, in the general sense, is founded in the will of God, not in an imaginary social compact; and therefore, to disobey, without just cause, is an offence against God. "The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation,' or condemnation. The danger of resistance is great, in all cases, in this world, and in unjustifiable cases, in the next world. Civil government is instituted for good ends. 'He,' the ruler, 'is the minister of God for good,' to be a terror to evil-doers, and an encouragement to those who do well. Disobedience on the part of some tends to a state of anarchy, which is the worst possible state of society, even a bad government being better than none. The happy consequences to the peace and prosperity of a nation, resulting from the discharge of these duties, should weigh powerfully with every good man. Upon the whole, let Christians feel the sacred obligations under which they lie to demean themselves as good subjects; and let them attend to the words of the apostle, ver. 5. 'Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath,' or out of a regard to the displeasure of the ruler, and fear of punishment, but also for conscience' sake.'

THIRTEENTH DAY.-EVENING.

'The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God, 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. WITH what plainness and beauty does king David, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and therefore, in unerring terms, describe some of the chief duties of civil rulers! First. He that ruleth over men must be just.' Justice is an essential ingredient in the character of good rulers. Justice requires them, in the capacity of legislators, to enact equitable laws;-in the capacity of judges, to decide impartially according to these laws; in the executive capacity, to put these laws in force. Rulers must not use their power to injure, or oppress: they must employ it to defend the good, and to restrain the evil; and they must be very conscientious in carrying out the principles on which they are called to act, without any partiality.

In connection with justice, certain other virtues are also requisite to form the character of good rulers. They should be temperate,-characterized, not by excess of luxurious indulgence, but by

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Rulers, to be good rulers, should be pious, ruling in the fear of God.' There is no security for the discharge of any duty whatever without the prevalence of religious principle. Those who fear not God, are very ready to disregard man. The need of religion, however, is peculiarly great in rulers. Their duties are arduous, and their temptations are many: hence the necessity for their being decidedly under the influence of inward and sincere piety. It is their duty to show a good example. Their station is conspicuous; they are like a city set on a hill which cannot be hid. The influence of power, rank, wealth, splendour, and fashion is very great, either for good, or for evil. In whatever way the great lead, multitudes usually follow. It is their duty, without interfering with the spiritual independence of the church, to encourage religion in their official, as well as private capacity. Jehovah says to the church, Kings shall be thy nursing-fathers, and their queens thy nursing-mothers.' And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee.' civil rulers is clemency. Justice should be temAnother important duty of pered with mercy. Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? But princes must take care not to become oppressors. A discretionary power is lodged with them to remit, or mitigate punishments, which should be cheerfully, though judiciously used. They should seek to govern rather by persuasion and love, than by fear and force: and they should be much employed in preventing evil, that there may be but little necessity for punishing it. They should seek to promote, by all proper means, the prosperity and happiness of those who are under them. They should avoid selfishness, and cherish a benevolent spirit, remembering that they are raised up, not that they may receive the incense of flattery, and shine in splendour and gratify their pride and luxury, but that they may be blessings to the community.

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The sweet Psalmist of Israel, guided by the Spirit of the Lord, employs, in the fourth verse, the following beautiful comparisons to describe the

FOURTEENTH DAY.-MORNING.

cheering and happy effects of the government of case; yea, happy is that people whose God is such a just, pious, and kind ruler: He shall be the Lord.' as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds: as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.' It is certain that God, in his providence often blesses nations for the virtues, and punishes them for the crimes, of their princes. What evil may come on nations in consequence of the wickedness of their kings, is exemplified in Jeroboam and Ahab;-what good, in David, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah.

Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds, Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?' Ezek. xxxiv. 2.

WHOEVER enters on the great work of the Christian ministry ought himself to be an enlightened, believing, converted, and truly religious man. 'Unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?' Nay, religion must not only exist, but be in a thriving state, in a minister's own soul, in order to his going on vigorously, and in order to his having a expectation of much success in his ministry. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit; then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee.' Supposing that ministers personally know, believe, and obey the truth, the following are some of the chief duties they owe to their people.

It is their duty to feed the flock; that is, to instruct them. Knowledge is the food of the mind. Jehovah makes this gracious promise to his people, Jer. iii. 15, 'I will give you pastors

It would tend powerfully to prompt rulers to the faithful discharge of their various duties, were they properly to consider, and habitually remember, that their authority is delegated, that they themselves are the subjects of the King of kings, and responsible to him. They are expressly called God's ministers,' or servants. 'He is the minister of God to thee for good; he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath reasonable upon him that doeth evil.' They are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing:' Rom. xiii. 4, 6. While this relation to God is very honourable to them, the thought of it should keep them humble and dutiful, and remind them that it is his honour and not their own they should seek to promote; his holy will and not their own caprice they should exert themselves to work out. The hour is coming, too, when rulers will have to stand before the bar of Him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than according to mine heart, who shall feed you with the poor. Surely such considerations should lead rulers to study and pray that they may act for the glory of God and the good of man, according to the rules of the unerring word. They should learn a lesson from the command given to the king of Israel, Deut. xvii. 18, 'It shall be when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of his law, and these statutes, to do them: that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment to the right hand, or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.' Happy the king that so acts! for, great as is his honour on earth, it shall be far greater in heaven. Happy, too, the people who are so governed, and who manifost corresponding dutifulness on Christian principle! Happy is that people that is in such a

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knowledge and understanding.' Now, the chief way in which they feed, that is, instruct, or teach, the people, is by the public preaching of the word. Whatever other means may be useful, this is the most useful of all. In order to preaching being effectual, it must be sound, sensible, plain, varied, solemn, earnest, doctrinal, experimental, practical, discriminating, decided, faithful, and affectionate. But it is also the duty of ministers to feed, or instruct, their flock, in private. I have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,' Acts xx. 20. The visitation of families and of the sick, and the religious instruction of the young, are laborious and important parts of ministerial duty. So, also, is personal dealing with individuals, especially such as are under concern about their souls. Remember,' said Paul, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.'

flocks.
them.

Another duty of ministers is to rule their
They have to take the oversight' of
They who speak to the people the word

Ministers should also watch over and defend their flocks. The church, the fold of Christ, is still exposed to be infested by raging lions, and ravenous wolves; still exposed to persecution, and temptation, and to seducing teachers, John x. 12, 13.

of God are said to have the rule over them,' | the properly exercised mind, the most refined and Heb. xiii. 7, 17, 24. They should exercise the exquisite pleasure. Now after forty years preachgovernment and discipline of the church, impar- ing of Christ, I think I would rather beg my tially, firmly, and tenderly. bread all the labouring days of the week, for an opportunity of publishing the gospel on the sabbath, than without such a privilege, to enjoy the richest possessions on earth,' said Mr Brown. ‘I do not wish for any heaven upon earth, besides that of preaching the precious gospel of Jesus Christ to immortal souls,' said Henry Martyn. 'My witness is above,' said Rutherford to his flock, 'that your heaven would be two heavens to me, and the salvation of you all as two salvations to me.' Let every pastor whose heart is in his work, think of these examples, and be encouraged to proceed. Let him think, too, of the example of the holy prophets and apostles, particularly of the apostle Paul. Above all, let him think of the perfect pattern, the chief Shepherd,' the 'good Shepherd, who gave his life for the sheep,' of whom it is said, 'He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.'

Again, ministers owe their people a good example. They should be ensamples to the flock.' 'Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity,' 1 Tim. iv. 12. Every false step a minister takes will bring dishonour on religion, cast a stumbling-block in the way of inquirers, grieve the people of God, and give occasion to his enemies to blaspheme. Whereas, the minister who is very exemplary in his life is likely to be thought in earnest, and to be useful in his preaching.

FOURTEENTH DAY.-EVENING.

'And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake, 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

SUPPOSING ministers to be, with reasonable allowance for human infirmity, enlightened, pious, and faithful, what are the chief duties which their people owe to them?

The minister, too, who would be useful, must abound in prayer. It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. God only can give the increase. I once said to myself, in the foolishness of my heart,' writes a devoted minister, 'what sort of a sermon must that have been which was preached by Peter when three thousand souls were converted at once? What sort of sermon! Such as other sermons. There is nothing to be found in it extraordinary. The effect was not produced by his eloquence, but by the mighty power of God present with his word.' This can only be expected in answer to earnest prayer. The word of God cautions ministers very strongly against selfishness, and enjoins on them great disinterestedness. They must not 'feed themselves,' or make it their object to 1. They should esteem them very highly:-so secure their own profit, their own aggrandize- the apostle expressly teaches, in writing to the ment, and their own indulgence. On the con- Thessalonians; We beseech you, brethren, to trary, they should aim supremely at the glory of know them who labour among you,' that is, to God and the salvation of souls, and be willing to acknowledge them in their true character, ‘and deny themselves, and to labour, and endure hard-to esteem them very highly," for their work's sake.' ship, and suffer, in the cause. The ridicule, obloquy, hatred, and contempt, with which the ministerial office, and the most faithful men who hold it, are frequently loaded, are preeminently sinful, and ought to fill those who are thus guilty with shame and remorse. Let none think lightly of the ministerial office. very dignified office, as its origin is divine, and as its object transcends in importance that of every other.

How solemn the thought of the infinitely important results of the ministry! They are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one they are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.' Well may they exclaim, And who is sufficient for these things!' The difficulties and trials of the Christian ministry are indeed very great; but so are its comforts and encouragements. In the very midst of its labours and anxieties, it brings along with it, to

It is a

2. People should love their ministers. Their reverence should be not of the nature which alarms and repels, but of the nature which

endears and attracts. As ministers should be the view of bringing the outward means of grace 'affectionately desirous' of their people's welfare, within the reach of the poorest, or by both these so this feeling should be met with corresponding methods conjoined, it is the imperative duty of affection on the part of the people. The relation a Christian people to provide for the maintenis indeed very intimate and very endearing. If ance of the Christian ministry. Justice demands ministers be themselves very affectionate, and this. The welfare of the people also requires possessed of very amiable qualities, they deserve that their teachers should be exempted from the to be loved for their own sake; and if they are in necessity of seeking a livelihood by other means, earnest in their work, they should be loved 'for be at leisure to give themselves wholly to the their work's sake,' and according to the excellence pastoral duties, and be enabled to live in a state and greatness of their labours. If their hearers of decent respectability. Let him that is taught would benefit by their ministry, they must cherish in the word communicate to him that teacheth in this affection to them. Benevolence, too, should all good things.' lead people to do all they can to comfort and encourage their ministers; and it is of great use, in this way, for them to know that their hearers love them.

3. They should attend to their instructions. The minister's, like the priest's lips of old, should keep knowledge, and the people should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.' They should wait regularly on his public ministrations, hailing the return of such seasons, and saying, or feeling as if they would say, 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! They should listen to them seriously, believingly, obediently. They should attend to their admonitions and reproofs. They should suffer the word of exhortation,' and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is able to save their souls.' They should also meet their minister and encourage him in his private labours for their instruction. They should all welcome his domestic and personal endeavours for their good. The young, in particular, should make it a point to attend the meetings he holds

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for their benefit.

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4. They should submit to the government and discipline exercised by the ministers and other office-bearers of the church. Church rulers are not, indeed, entitled to lord it over God's heritage, or to assume 'dominion over their faith:' but they are entitled to obedience in judging and acting according to the word of God. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.' 'Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.'

5. They should see that their ministers receive proper temporal support. Whether it be by the contributions of those only to whom they minister, or by a legal and national provision, with

6. People should pray for their ministers. Whatever exertions may be made, and whatever outward privileges may be enjoyed, all will prove in vain, unless the influences of God's Holy Spirit be bestowed; and these influences are only promised, but positively promised, in answer to prayer. Let all, then, who have any desire that those who labour among them should be of use to them, or to their fellow-worshippers, apply to God, in earnest and persevering prayer, that he would accompany the ministry of the word with that divine power which alone can make it effectual for convincing and converting sinners, and for building up saints in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation. Let there be deeply impressed on their consciences the duty of habitually attending to this exercise, the exercise of express, particular, and full prayer, for a blessing on their ministers, and their labours. Let them attend to this in secret, and in their families; and let them join heartily in those parts of the public prayers that refer to the subject. 'Brethren,' said Paul, 'pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified.' If there were far more true prayer, there would be far more success in particular districts, and throughout the world.

Let every Christian say, and act on the saying, 'For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.' Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.'

FIFTEENTH DAY.-MORNING.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another,Rom. xii. 10.

TRUE benevolence, or love to man, is an essential feature of the Christian character, and a leading

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