Ill. IlIB MARTYR'S SPIRIT DOES NOT ALLOW HIM TO LEAD A LIFE OF EABE AND INDO- J,EN0F., I-le is rcndy nt the call of the Church to undertake any office or work, however burdensome or responsible, for the good of the whole body and the comfort of the brethren. He does not seek dignity, or emolument, or the praise of men, as the price of his Jabour, but simply gives himself as Christ's servant to work for Christ and for Christ's people. Impartial, fair, equal, and kind in his administration, he soothes irritation, allays jealousy, and promotes peace and love. IV. His BPIBIT KINDLES WITH BIB WOBK. Being placed on a higher platform, he sees more of the spiritual wants of men around him. Having received hi"her "ifts he looks for wider opportunities of exercising them. Every soul won to Christ is ~s f,;el to the flame of his love. Every victory over Satan stirs him up to war more resolutely as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Failures do not daunt him, and success cheers him on. Nothing seems impossible with Christ on his side.. Everything must be attempted which may snatch the prey from the destroyer and enlarge the kingdom of light. V, BUT BOON THE RISIN0 OPPOSITION OF THE ADVERSARIES OF CHRIST BARS HIS ONWARD PROGRESS. The wisdom of the world crosses swords with the wisdom of the spirit. Formalism, Pharisaism, priestcraft, superstition, self-righteousness, self-importance, ignorance, combine to resist the gracious teaching which would strip men of selfishness to clothe them with Christ. At first it is argument against argument and reasoning against reasoning. But when the sword of the Spirit begins to cut through the shiekl of carnal disputation, and the sword of the worldly logic becomes blunted against the martyr's shield, and the Word of truth becomes too strong for the lying lips to answer, then begins a new form of contest. The defeated disputant throws aside his rea.sooings and his cavillings, and takes up the weapons of force and fraud. Prison and rack, fire and faggot, the wild beast and the sword, shall answer the arguments which were too strong for the reasoner. And how then will the martyr act? Will be be silenced and dismayed, or will he stand to his truth and die? He gathers up his courage, he looks up to God, he confronts his accusers, he lifts up his calm voice, and his speech is as the song of the dying swan. For- VI. IN THAT HOUR OF DANGER AND TRIAL HIS CLEAR AND UNTROUllLED MEMORY GATHERS UP THE TESTIMONIES TO THE TRUTH OF ms DOCTRINE WHICH ARE SCATTERED ON THE PAGES OF HOLY SG:IPTCIBE. Has he preached Jesus Christ whom they denied? Did not their fathers deny Moses their lawgiver and deliverer from Egypt? Had be said that the majestic presence of the living God was not confined to the walls of temples made with hands? Did not Isaiah say the same? Had he denounced the vanity of sacrifices and offerings when offered by uncircumcised hearts and unclean hands? Had not their prophets dooe so likewise? He could not retract what he had spoken according to the oracles of God. He had spoken the truth, and by the truth he would stand. But were they there to judge him i Nay, but he would judge them. They had, indeed, received the Law, but they had broken it. 'l'he Holy Ghost had spoken to them, but they had resisted him. God's Christ had come to save them, nnd they had betrayed and crucified him. Let them fill up the measure of their fathers ; he was ready to receive death at their hands. VII. And then comes THE CLOSING SCENE. The faith as firm as a rock with the waves dashing upon it; the vision of invisible glories swallowing up all things in its brightness; the rapturous confession of Jesus Christ ; the calm comwittal of his spirit to his safe keeping; the free forgiveness of his cruel murderers; the devout prayer of his parting breath ; the peaceful death like an infant's sleep; earth exchanged for heaven ;-and the martyrdom fa complete. Complete, but not ended ; for the witnessing voice is still ringing in our ears, and tells us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that wo have life through his Name.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS.
Vere. 1-7.-Living faith. Abmham ie well called "the father of the faithful;" nowhere, in the Old Testament or in the New, do we meet with any one whose life was such an illustration of implicit trust and holy confidence in God as was his. If faith be 22-4 THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. [orr. vn. 1-60,