hither those that were mine enemies, who would not that I should reign over them, and slay them before me."]
2. Those who are endeavouring to fulfil the will of God —
[Thanks be to God ! there are some who " honour the Son even as they honour the Father ;" and whose delight it is to render him the fruits which he requires. Ye, beloved, shall be highly favoured of your God; for he has said, " Him that honoureth me, I will honour." But shall ye receive honour from men? No, verily; for " the servant neither is, nor can be, above his Lord :" " if they called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household." " Marvel not then if the world hate you ; but remember, that they hated Christ before they hated you :" and that, " if ye be hated for righteousness' sake," ye have reason to " glorify God on this behalf." Only seek to express your reverence to Christ, not by needless singularities, but by solid and substan- tial piety; by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness to his praise and glory.]
Mark xii. 1 7. And Jesus answering, said unto them, Render to Ccesar the things that are Caesar s, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.
IT is said of Jesus, that "he spake as never man spake." This was true, as to his general instructions: but it was more especially manifest, when, by the malice of his enemies, he was brought into circum- stances wherein a merely finite wisdom would have been insufficient for his guidance. Such was the occasion now before us. He had spoken a parable which had greatly incensed his hearers, the Scribes and Pharisees. Had they dared, they would have seized him and put him to death : but, fearing the people, they determined to accomplish his ruin in a more specious way. They sent to him persons to ensnare him in his words, that so they might " deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor," and accomplish through him what they dared not to