His enemies, however, were resolved that he should speak on this subject; and they chose for this purpose some of their own disciples, and associated with them the Herodians. How strange is this! No contraries held more antipathy than those who were thus united in this attempt. The Pharisees hated the Roman government, as having broken the sceptre of Judah, and introduced the Heathen into the inheritance of the Lord. Hence their aversion to the publicans, who were the taxgatherers appointed by that power, and who were looked upon as the badges of the slavery of Israel. The Herodians, on the contrary, were courtiers, peculiarly attached to Herod, and consequently zealous for the interest of the Roman government, which was the main support of his family. But these implacable enemies to each other united together against an excellence which condemned the vices of both, without ministering to the views of either party.

These wolves now came to him in sheep's clothing. "Master," said they," we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth; neither carest thou for any man: For thou regardest not the person of men." (What a testimony! So the devil can speak truth for his own purpose.) "Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute to Cæsar, or not?" Here was a masterpiece of the wisdom from

beneath! How shall he extricate himself from this dilemma? If he said, "Yes," the Pharisees would have accused him to the people as a betrayer of the liberties of his country, and an enemy to the expected kingdom of the Messiah. If he said, "No," the Herodians would have accused him to the Roman governor.

"But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought to him a penny,"

"-a denarius, a Roman silver coin, about seven-pence halfpenny in value. "He saith to them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say to him, Cæsar's;" plainly acknowledging, by their having received his coin, that they were under his government. And this is a standing rule. The current coin of every nation shows in whom the government is vested. "Render therefore," says our Lord, "to Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God, the things that are God's." And hearing it, they marvelled at the wisdom of his answer, and that he should thus escape out of their hands. "And they left him, and went their way." And thus to all who learn of him, "he will give a mouth and wisdom, that all their adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist."

"One is our Master, even Christ." He says, "Learn of me ;" and the eternal Father declares,

"This is my beloved Son; hear ye him." It is only thus that we can avoid those snares which "the god of this world" lays in the path of those who are enemies to his kingdom. Men of the world, who fear not God, will always act as passion, appetite, or pride excites them. The things that are God's are of no moment with them. Every consideration gives place to the ignorant or interested clamour of the day; and God must be worshipped or obeyed, as comports with their ideas of worldly prosperity. On the other hand, it must be confessed that many who have known God, have not in this respect kept themselves pure. Many of them have given place to that notion, that" dominion was founded in grace; and on this account they have acted as though "the kingdoms of the world were" already "made the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ," and that he was come his ancients gloriously!"

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to reign before

The histories of the world and of the Church have given us melancholy examples of those who have erred in these points, on the right hand, and on the left. What then shall those do who would avoid both extremes, and keep a conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men? them learn of their Divine Master this two-fold duty," to render unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things which

Let

are God's." Let us calmly consider these two precepts.

I. At the time when our Lord spoke these words, "the sceptre," according to the prophecy of Jacob; "had departed from Judah;" and Tiberius Cæsar governed the Jews, by Herod a tributary King, and Pontius Pilate, a Roman Officer. CESAR had become the common name of the Roman Emperors, as PHARAOH had been that of the Kings of Egypt. By CESAR therefore we may understand our Lord to mean, when speaking to all his people, the supreme civil power in any nation of the world.

This differs in various places according to the providence of God, who has disposed it in such an order as shall be best for the people, for whose sake he has established magistracy in its various forms. Our Lord's command therefore to all his followers is, First, that they should reverence this power, which the present state of the world so greatly needs; and, Secondly, that they should contribute cheerfully towards its support.

How this command was enforced and obeyed, in the earliest and purest ages of the Church, we learn from the New Testament. The first Ministers of Christ were shining examples of this duty. It was said of them, that "they turned the world upside down;" so great was the power which accompanied their word, and so different were the right ways of the Lord which they taught

and enforced, from the wisdom and ways of this world! But did those men who "approved themselves the Ministers of God by signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds,"

Who spake the dead alive, and living dead!

did they interfere with the civil government in any nation? Certainly, had it been the will of their Divine Master, the powers of the world had all been humbled at their feet; that Scripture would have been fulfilled to them, " One of you shall chase a thousand, and two of you shall put ten thousand to flight." But their commission did not extend thus far. Their ministry was "a ministry of reconciliation." They proclaimed a suffering Messiah, who "was bruised for our iniquities,” and "who bore the punishment due to our sins in his own body upon the tree." And when they were persecuted by the civil government, the same mind was found in them which was also in Christ Jesus: For their Master's sake they were content "to be killed all the day long, and counted as sheep for the slaughter."

And how did they teach those who received their word? Herein we have line upon line, and precept upon precept. Hear the great Apostle of the Gentiles: "Let every soul be subject to the higher powers: For there is no power but of God: The powers that be are ordained of God.