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ever, and the Sceptre of whose kingdom is a right Sceptre."

Whilst then we are willing, and rightly willing, as loyal subjects to render due submission and allegiance to "the Queen and all that are in authority under her," and to respect the Civil Magistrate and his Tribunal as the Executive of Justice; it is no less our duty as subjects and citizens, than the Sovereign's on the Throne, and the Magistrate's on the Bench, to remember, that the Supreme Governour of the World, the Chief Ruler in the Universe, is our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Hence He is addressed by the Father in the triumphant language of the Psalm, as the Royal Bridegroom that filleth His throne with judgement, and decketh His court with splendour. And Saint Paul appropriates the very words unto Christ, when he tells the Hebrews that "unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom,-Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed. thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.'"

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Now various are the aspects under which the Redeemer is represented to us in the Bible. We view Him as our Mediator, as our Advocate, as our Intercessor. As our Mediator, He hath stepped in, and "made both one," reconciling the Father unto us, and us unto the Father. As our "Advocate with the Father," He appears, as "Jesus Christ the Righteous," blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was

against us." As our Intercessor, He hath entered into the Courts of Heaven, and there exhibits those wounds, and pleads the merit of those sufferings, which He experienced "for us men and for our Salvation." And then it is that mercy triumphs, and sin and Hell are confounded, at the voice of one who is "able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him, seeing that He ever liveth to make intercession for them." We view Him too as our Prophet, ever ready to teach and instruct His people, in all ages of His Church, by His Word, and by His Spirit.—Consecrated He was even before His Birth, by the assurance of the Angel to His Mother, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon Thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow Thee," and confirmed in His Divine Mission, by the cleavage of the Heavens at His Baptism, by the visible descent of the Holy Ghost upon Him, and by the voice of the Father proclaiming to men and Angels, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased"! We view him as a Priest—yea a great High Priest-who hath once for all entered into the Holy of Holies, having offered up Himself a perfect sacrifice and oblation for sin; And "who needeth not daily, as the Jewish High Priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for His own sins, and then for the People's; for this He did once, when He offered up Himself."

But there is another, and yet more exalted character, in which the Redeemer is constantly represented in both the Old and New Testaments,-it is His

Royal Character,-as a Great and Mighty King, invested with the sway of Universal Empire! Hence, by the frequent mention of His Kingly personage, the Jews were led to expect a temporal Messiah, and looked for the literal fulfilment of the promise made to David, “Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee. Thy throne shall be established for ever." And therefore, when the Prince of Peace did really appear, unattended with martial retinue and regal pomp, and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah arose, they were unable to recognise the symbols of royalty amid the lowliness of the Manger, and infamy of the Cross. They were ill prepared to acknowledge the brow that could be degraded with Thorns, as the Champion of their Nation, the Hero that should lead them on to universal Conquest. They were unable through the obstinacy of their hearts, to trace in the spotless purity and hallowed sanctity of the Redeemer, the elements of that kingdom "wherein dwelleth righteousness,”—a diadem surpassing far all earthly brilliants,-a robe that casteth more honour on its wearer than the purple or the ermine. Yet this was the Prince whom the prophet Zechariah proclaimed, when he called upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion. Shout O daughter of Jerusalem; behold thy King cometh unto thee." This was He for whom the Eastern Magi so anxiously enquired, "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" This was He, who even at Pilate's bar, and as it were within hearing

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of Imperial Rome, when pressed with the question of the Governour "Art thou a King then?"-replied with the language of assurance, "Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness of the truth." This was He whose Royalty was scornfully acknowledged by the Legend of the Cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews"!--And having suffered upon that Cross as a Malefactor, having yielded to the King of Terrors, that " through death, He might destroy him that hath the power of death," yet even in His expiring struggle giving proof of his power as King, by the rending of the vail, and the tearing of the rocks, and the quaking of the earth, and the rifling of the graves,-He rose triumphant as a King, and having "ascended on high, leading captivity captive," "Spoiling principalities and powers," He now sitteth as a King, at the right Hand of Majesty on High, "Angels and authorities, and Powers being made subject unto Him "Whose throne is for ever and ever;-The Sceptre of whose Kingdom is a right Sceptre."

"Thou art the King of Glory O Christ!" This Sovereignty He has by right of Creation. For "by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers,' -He is a King also by right of Redemption. For by vailing the God-head in Human form, and dying for us, He broke in sunder the Fetters of sin and unbelief

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in which every Son of Adam was trammelled, and emancipated him from the galling yoke of tyranny, into the "Glorious liberty of the Children of God."And at His Resurrection and Ascension, the Redeemer entered upon the full plentitude of His kingdom; until as a King, He shall again appear sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the Clouds of Heaven." Then shall He come as a Mighty Conqueror to claim the full rewards of Victory -The Powers of Hell shall be cast down -Sin and darkness scattered-Death abolished, and life and Immortality brought to light-and "The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day." Time shall set no limit to His Empire,-For "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him." And He that is the plague of death, and the grave's destruction, shall reign, till " He hath put all enemies under His feet,"— when circling years have ceased their course, and nought shall be heard, save the Archangel's voice chaunting through the Universe the praises of that King, whose "Throne is for ever and ever,-The Sceptre of whose kingdom is a right Sceptre."

And why have we been thus urgent in bringing before your consideration the Kingly Character of the Redeemer? It is, that by reminding you of our accountability as subjects to Him, we may be led to form a right estimate of our duties, and of that service in which we are engaged both nationally and individually. And this is a point we are all too apt to