The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-30
For THE CEyTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
HOW MUCH owEsT THOU ?

Dear reader, the present appeal is made
to you as professor of religion. AS such,
you are the subject of spiritual kingdom,
and bound by certain spiritual obligations,
We desire to direct your attention to one
particular duty, which is neglected by many
who bear the Christian name. And we
earnestly pray that, whilst you read these
lines, the Spirit of God may incline you to
a faithful consideration of the truth, and a
candid comparison of your conduct with its
requirements.
1t is expected of every good citizen who
claims the benefit Of human law, that he will
regularly "pay las tares,' for the support
of the government under which he lives
No man who is able to meet this obligation,
and yet fails to discharge it, can rightfully
demand the protection of the civil power.
For society is compact, in which certain
advantages are secured to the individual on
certain conditions. If one party fails to
fulfil its engagements, the other is thereby
released
Let us apply this principle to the Church
of God. 1t is the spiritual kingdom of the
Lord Jesus Christ You have voluntarily
submitted to his dominion, and bound your
self most solemnly to obey his laws. In
your Gaze, there has been no compulsion of
force, ISoHiolence of conquest, no extortion
af-allegiance by the bsyonet or Fhe,sword-
In compliance with the invitation of the Re-
deemer, in whom God is reconciling the
world unto himself, you think you have con-
fessed your guilt and asked forgiveness
at his footstool. Attracted by his love, you
surrendered yourself into his hands, and
dedicated your life to his service If you
were intelligent and sincere, what twas implied
in this sacred covenant?
You recognized several fundamental truths
of revealed religion, as the ground of your
obligation. One of these is Gods natural
sovereignty. You willingly admitted that
the created universe belongs to him as his
property, and that all responsible, moral
agents, are rightfully subject to his control.
AS matter of course, you were included.
And this authority of God is absolutely un-
limited. 1t extends to all our outward acts,
and to all our thoughts, feelings, purposes,
and desires. This you acknowledged with
out reserve, and bound yourself to respect,
in all your future course.
1t is also implied in the covenant you
made, that the will of God is perfectly right
and holy Human laws may be subject to
criticism; but the Divine law is above the
reach of our Judgment, and too sacred to be
questioned by the creature. You engaged
to submit to this law as the supreme stand
ard of Justice, and to seek to conform your
conduct and character to it.
As Jesus Christ was "God manifest in the
flesh, and came into the world to reconcile
sinners to himself by the blood of his cross,
you cordially accepted his offered grace, and
consented to be subject of his mediatorial
kingdom. In this act, you acknowledged
that you were not only bound to the service
of God by nature, but "being bought with
price, you we're drawn by a new and more
affecting motive to the duties of the Chris
tian life. You recognized both the humani-
ty and deity If the Redeemer, and entered
into covenant with him that, by his grace,
you would be forever his faithful friend, and
dutiful disciple and servant. You came, as
it were, to his altar, and offered up yourself
as "a living sacrifice" that you might, from
that hour, "lie passive in his hand, and know
no will but his"
And now let us ask your attention to the
nature of this spiritual kingdom to which
YOU belong. 1t is altogether different from
those which men have sought to establish
and render universal. The Saviour express,
ly said, "My kingdom is not Of this wOrzd.''
1t contemplates the establishment of his
authority over all our race, not by conquest,
but by those operations of his word and
Spirit which efectually subdue and control
the hearts of his enemies. He makes them
willing in the day of his power In other
words, the means ordained for the success o.
this kingdom, are those which have been ap
pointed for the conversion and salvation o
individuals; and the reign of Christ shall
be the duration of an era marked by th'
prevalence of righteousness and peace ant