Various · Ephesians 6.

The Apostle's doctrine has lost none of its importance, nor of its moral bearing on its subject, although the circumstances have, in many respects, greatly changed. The place of the servant is still one of submission and fidelity. The grace of God, which brings salvation to men of all orders and degrees, prescribes no necessary change of station, but teaches how we may adorn them all. Its efficacy is evinced by severing from the world the heart in which it dwells, and knitting it to Jesus in the heavens. If, therefore, Christian faith be lively, its practical effect will be to afford a special testimony in the presence of those circumstances which form the particular occasion of its exercise. It is of Christ that men are forced to think, when they see His people blamelessly and cheerfully discharging, for His sake, the more difficult and wearisome duties of life. What men are incited to do well by motives of self-interest, should be done better, because more sincerely, by a Christian for the love of Christ. Believing servants should ply their vocation "not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good-will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not to men." The Spirit reckons on our good-will to Him who has redeemed us. It is the maintenance of this principle of devotedness to Jesus, that alone sanctifies to the believer any relation of the present life.