and etrife, l11shed them into madness. And so it is with ourselves. In wnr in po_lil:ics, in pri~ate quarrels,_ though_ we may begin by bein~ in the l'igh~, yet' the ongmal ceuB~ ~s often lost eight of m the progress of the s_tr1fe, nnd new JenlousieA, personal enm1t1es, selfish resentments, and unwarrantable violence of feeling, which spring up, as it were, by the way, are allo,ved to get possession of us, and hurry us on to injustice nnd wrong. But especially does this pa_inful nai:rative eug~est a caution to those who take upon themselves to be the champions of ng·ht as agamst wrong to be very careful that no mere passions mix themselves up with their cham~iionship. We would sny to every Christian brother, Be very zealous for right against wrong. Be 't'ery zealous for truth against falsehood. HAVE NO RESPECT OF PERSONS; and be as firm in rebuking wrong· when it is found in those nearest and dearest to you as when it is found in strangers or enemies; and when it is found in the great and honourable, as when it is found in the meanest and lowest of mankind. But be very careful to keep your zeal pure. Let it be a simple zeal for God's honour and glory, and for his law and his truth. It will then never betray you into wrong speaking or v.rong doing; and, moreover, it will effect its purpose among men. It will be a real witness for God, and it will make itself felt. While mere anger and passion are utterly feeble and worthless, and usually injure the cause they are meant to serve, the calm, steadfast opposition to wrong, by word or deed, will always have its weight. Such was the testimony of the words and life of the Lord Jesus upon earth. His zeal for bis Father's honour was as a consuming fire; but it went hand in hand with an inexhaustible patience and gentleness towards men. We always feel in reading the Gospels that his severest rebukes sprang from his hatred for sin, and were combined with infinite love for the sinner. His whole life was a protest against wrong, but as gentle as it was firm, as winning as it was decided. Such should be the rebukes of his disciples-springing from principle, not from passion; severe, yet tender; unflinching, but never given without necessity; not unmixed with sympathy for the pain they cause, and anxiety to add the balm of love and forgiveness so soon as they have WTought repentance ; never aggravated by personal feelings or heat of anger; never uttered in scorn, or with a sense of the rebuker's own superiority; but the outcome of an upright mind hating evil and zealous for God's honour, yet at the same time clothed with humility and tempered with heavenly charity.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 18.-Cf. on eh. i ver. 1.-M. Vers. 26-28.-The difficulty of pun-ishing evil-doers. It is a desperate strife. The avengers are at first pwrished more than the guilty. Yet they continue stead- fast, and humiliate themselves before God. I Pnrv ATE WRONGS .ARE PUJILIC MIBFOBTUNEfl AND DANGERS. It was a peril to all pea~e-loving citizeDB that one of their number should strlfer outrage. Yet also was ' 1t a further trouble and loss to punish such transgressors. How many will rather strlfer wrong than take the trouble to bring it to justice I This is treason to the commonwealth. IL How HARD IT IS TO BOOT OUT AN INDIVIDUAL on NATIONAL BIN. How many are found to sympathise with or condone the deed, and to shield the transgressor I What ties connect the transgressor with ourselves I Ill. THE SIN OF ONE 18 OFTEN DUE TO THE GENERAL SPIRIT AND CONDITION OF THOSE A.ROUND HIM. THEY ALSO A.RE GUILTY WITH HIM. Benjamin is but an exaggeration of the 'prevalent tone and, ma~ners of the time .. Many cri1!1es and sins of individuals may be traced up to wider mfluences. The BID or the righteousness of our brother is, in a measure, our own. Vicarious suffering and atonement. IV. THE DUTY OF BIGHTING WRONG MUST BE CARRIED OUT AT WHATEVER EXPENSE OF TROUBLE AND Loss. The humiliation of Israel. Defeat only nerves them to a higher and more heroic struggle. Religious principle and feelfng are more influen- tially present. The absolute claim of God's righteousness. Like ~srael the Church bas to right a great wrong; but in a different way. Freriuent discomfiture. The Olt, XX. 18-48.] 'l'HE BOOK OF JUDGES. 207