have been for the peace of the world, if they had been more carefdily weighed and more wisely applied !
The attempts of the civil power in some countries to control men's conscience by intolerant interference, and the attempts of the church in other countries to interfere with the action of the civil power, have repeatedly led to strifes, wars, rebellions, and social disorder. The injuries which the cause of true religion has received from morbid scrupulosity on one side, and servile obsequiousness to state demands on the other, have been neither few nor small. Happy is he who has attained to a sound mind on the whole subject ! To distinguish rightly between the things of Csesar, and the things of GFod, — and to pay to each their real dues regularly, habitually, and cheerfully, is a great help towards a quiet and peaceable life.
Let us often pray that we may have wisdom from above, in order ^ answer rightly, when perplexing ques- tions are put to us. The servant of Christ must expect a portion like his Master. He must count it no strange thing, if the wicked and worldly-minded endeavour to '' entangle him in his talk," and to provoke him to speal^ unadvisedly with his lips. In order to be prepared for such occasions let him often ask the Lord Jesus for the gift of sound wisdom and a discreet tongue. Li the presence of those who watch for our halting, it is a great thing to know what to say and how to say it, when to be silent, and when to speak. Blessed be God, He who silenced the chief priest and scribes by His wise answers, still lives to help His people and has all power to help them. But He loves to be entreated.