way to heaven : whereas Gallic-, with that very instructor in his presence, would not even trouble himself so much as to hear what he had to say. He accounted Christianity as no other than a strife about words, and therefore undeserving his notice. Unhappy man, to have so little concern for thine immortal soul, and such a brutish indifference about thine eternal welfare ! The ox and the ass will condemn thee for thy stupidity and folly.]
Such being our estimate of Gallio's character, we proceed,
II. To deduce from it some lessons of instruction —
His character not being wholly destitute of what, in a comparative view at least, may be approved, we
Shall DEDUCE OUR LESSONS,
1. From the better part of his character —
[Two things we may learn from this ; namely, not to indulge a spirit of intolerance ; and, not to be carried away by popular resentment.
That a political necessity may exist for withholding certain privileges from some, is beyond a doubt: but nothing can justify the inflicting of pains and penalties upon any, on ac- count of their religious sentiments. Man is, not only at liberty, but bound, to worship God according to his con- science : nor is any man in the universe authorized to obstruct him, unless there be something in his conduct contrary to good morals, or to the public peace. In the nation at large, this is well understood and practised : but amongst individuals there are many who would be as intolerant as the Jews of old, if the laws did not protect the persons who differ from them. This however is a hateful spirit, and on no account to be countenanced or indulged.
On the other hand, there are many who are too easily in- fluenced by popular opinion ; and who would rather consent to the oppressing of a religious character, than withstand the public voice in his support. But if we suffer the cause of Christ and his people to be run down, because we have not courage to defend it, we are more guilty far than Gallio : we are like to Pilate, who, to pacify the Jews, and save his own credit with the Roman emperor, delivered up Jesus to the will of his blood-thirsty enemies. True indeed, we ought not to proceed in the violent and haughty manner that Gallio did : there are different ways of doing the same thing: we may act with suavity, though we comply not with the requisitions made to us : and this is the way in which we should act, whenever any attempts are made to prejudice our minds against God