is accused have his accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself:" Hence resulted the awful scene before Felix, and the splendid scene before Festus and Agrippa. In the issue, Paul is sent to the Imperial City, to spread the plague of virtue there!-to harrow in the seed which he had sown by his Epistle to the Romans, which contains the greatest, the brightest summary of the "foolishness of preaching" that ever came from the wisdom of God! We may see also in the philosophic Gallio, the brother of Seneca, the softening power of philosophy, when united to authority. While we lament that he "cared for none of the things of God," as the great Ethiopian did, we must admire his clear views of his duty as a Magistrate, and his resolution to maintain it. "If it were a matter of wrong, or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you. But if it be a question of words, and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters. And he drave them from the judgment-seat.”—He ordered his lictors to clear the Court. We have heard a cry about the British eagle making a swoop through the East, and subjugating mighty empires; and a proof has been given by the opposers on this subject, that still the “ spi rit of man lusteth to envy." But those who have been happily subdued to God can see a mighty reason for it. They "see the rod, and Him that it; hath appointed it ;" and they know that "the Root of Jesse" is in it. These are the fleets and armies of Jehovah, and the cross follows with humble, but mighty, energy. The petty "thrones are cast down," and "the kingdoms of the world" are claimed for our Emmanuel," and "“he shall reign for ever and ever." In vain hath infidelity raised its voice, and striven to intimidate "the powers that be," and that “ are ordained of God," as well for this, as for other purposes. In vain has been the cry, "You will destroy your rising empire: You will weaken your authority over the people: You will paralyze your merchants: You will undo all that has been done!" "He that sitteth in the heavens laughs" at this interested and grovelling wisdom. Not only the Gospel has free course, even as ministered by those among whom most of its original reproach is found, but an Establishment has been given to British India, that will extensively promulgate the "foolishness" contained in the Articles, Homilies, and Liturgy, of our Church, a foolishness second to none, excepting only that which is contained in "the oracles of God," and which men of God will yet make the Creed of that new empire; and this "foolishness," when established in the hearts of men by faith, will be found, as of old, to be "the power of God, and the wisdom of God," to their salvation Here a glorious scene opens to our view. “The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." He will thus make wars to cease in all the earth. His quiet and peaceable reign shall be in mercy established below. Truth and love shall be seen triumphant in the earth, and righteousness looking down from heaven. It is as yet, however, after all that has been done," the day of small things." But "who hath despised the day of small things?" You are not among the number. You see "the grain of mustard-seed," and your "faith" already beholds "the great tree." The Lord could do this great work without you; and he will do that which angels and men cannot do. But he will work by his people; he has always done so. He will put this honour upon them. He that raised the dead, and fed five thousand with a few loaves, in order to faith, would not work a miracle to sustain his own fainting nature. He would keep the ground that Adam lost: He would not be independent. He was supported by his people; and "so he has ordained" in all his Churches. You see your calling, and your bright Example. When He needed an ass, to fulfil a prophecy, he only said, "The Lord hath need of him," and straightway the owner let him go. The Lord hath need of your supplies: Lay them at his feet, as the disci |