prey; but when it made the tiger spring, the expected victim eluded, and was gone. And sometimes, when the defenceless subject was, in all human appearance, absolutely in the destroyer's grasp, turns of circumstances the most improbable have, in an instant, mocked the malice and power; so that the wrath has been reduced to vent itself in vain curses, while the rescued servant of God has in safety been blessing him. In what terms and feelings was he "praised" by the company to which Peter went from prison? And then, again, by his avenging judgments on those who have endeavoured to destroy his people and cause, God has gained himself glory. Every nation and kingdom where this has been done, has, in one manner or another, been the scene of his vindictive visitation. And these manifestations have impressed a reverential awe of him. And there are memorable examples of such visitation on individuals, from monarchs down to the most subordi nate agents of persecution. There have been disastrous turns of events, sometimes precisely and most critically arising from some of their persecuting proceedings;-hideous diseases, desperate remorse and horror toward the conclusion of their lives. And all the while, and in defiance of all, the good cause has been maintained and progressive, in an almost unaccountable manner; when mighty power was against it, as well as all manner of craft and machination; while it had no power, of the secular kind. Thus God has made the powerful "wrath of man" a striking illustration of his power, and of his faithfulness to his promises.

It were a somewhat varied illustration of the text to observe, that God has in some instances suffered "the wrath of man to work on, in a successful process and without any apparent interference or opposition till it was just coming to its natural result; and then, by a sudden inter

position, has caused a result infinitely different. (Instance Haman-Daniel-Nebuchadnezzar's furnace, though in this instance, the process short.) It is striking to conceive of the Almighty as calmly beholding a design, step after step, well devised, with fulness of power and means, and offering no interruption-the triumph of iniquity already beginning -and then!

Another exemplification is, where it comports with his own sovereign designs to permit the operation of the wrath of man quite on to the effect intended; all this being but the train to accomplish a glorious purpose of his own; so that, the rage of iniquity, from first to last, works unintentionally for Him. The superlative example of this is the death of the Son of God. It was a divine decree that this great sacrifice should be offered for human redemption. If we might, for an instant, entertain such a supposition, as that there had not been, in that peculiar people, a wickedness so extreme as would perpetrate the deed,-doubtless it would by other agency have been effected. But there was no need of any extraordinary agency; it was only for Providence to leave human nature to its course, and the deed would be done. There was no creation of a special and extraordinary malignity and delusion to accomplish the object. God only suffered man to evince and display, by the very fact itself, how dreadfully the race was depraved and fallen. The long process of "wrath" went on in desperate malignity; each stage was an advance towards accomplishing the human purpose, but also that of God. There was no extraordinary interposition to frustrate the design. It was accomplished! and the wrath of man triumphed. But, over this temporary and deluded triumph of wickedness was the sovereign triumph of the divine purpose and the divine mercy! And thus that wrath of man is turned,

victoriously, to the glory of God, in the case of every human being that has been, or shall be, saved for ever, through the efficacy of that Sacrifice.

We will only add just one more illustration, and of a different order. God makes use of this great evil, "the wrath of man," to make war on and destroy other great evils in the earth;-he lets it go forth, with his commission as a gigantic Demolisher. One wicked nation has been

made his avenger on the greater wickedness of another. Wars of conquest have been directed by Providence to break up a state of ignorance, and barbarism, which seemed otherwise to have a principle of perpetuity. Furious invasions, iniquitous in their principle, and intended for no good, have had the effect of destroying monstrous tyrannies and direful superstitions. Those formidable invincible. Romans were made such an instrument by Providence. The Spanish invasion of Mexico demolished a superstition, perhaps the most infernal on the globe. And we confidently trust in the Almighty Power and Goodness, that if a mighty design which now agitates the minds of the nations shall go into operation, it will, besides being utterly frustrated in what it does intend, be overruled to accomplish a glorious effect, perfectly foreign and contrary to what it intends.

March 5, 1823.

LECTURE XXVIII.

THE INCREASE OF KNOWLEDGE A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

DANIEL xii. 4.

"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."

ONE word of apology may, perhaps, be thought necessary for taking this passage for our use in the mere, immediate, literal sense of its terms. But the idea which first and immediately occurs to the hearer's thoughts—the superficial meaning, if we may so express it-is what we are willing, in the present instance, to seize upon, as leading to a few observations not altogether, we hope, devoid of instruction.

In several former instances, we have endeavoured to turn to a beneficial account, by religious reflections, circumstances in the economy of nature,-in the condition of human life, and in the state and events of the world. And, we should think it might be well worth while to make the same attempt in respect to one very conspicuous circumstance in the habits of mankind in the present age. The terms of the text may suggest what we are alluding to.

One of the most remarkable characteristics of these late times is a moving, a roving, disposition of mankind. The still and stationary habits of our forefathers are broken up to a wonderful degree. A very great proportion of human beings are seen actuated by a restless impulse, to go hither and thither. An impatience of the sameness of life ;business-friendship-curiosity-the spirit of enterprise— and religious zeal—are carrying multitudes in all directions.

And it is surprising to think how many, of late years, have gone far and wide over the face of the earth,-to all the more accessible parts of the globe, and some that had been regarded as almost inaccessible. This, in the degree of it, is a striking novelty of our age. The consequence has necessarily followed; namely, a very great increase of knowledge. Many, have immediately, in their own persons, acquired this; but also, it has been very widely diffused. through the community.

We would briefly advert to several views, or parts, of this increased knowledge, and to the instruction which it may supply. But, there might, first, be a remark or two on the spirit itself of " running to and fro." We are not to regard it as wholly an improvement in the character of these our times. How many do it from no motive of seeking wisdom or solid good of any kind! Many do it from the restlessness of an empty mind, with an abhorrence of all serious exercise for their own improvement; to amuse and sport away as much of their short life as they can in the mere pleasure of variety; diverted from place to place, and from object to object, without so much as a thought of deriving instruction. And there are some that might actually seem to "run to and fro" for the very purpose of attracting into themselves all the diversified vanities and vices any where to be found. They have a strong magnetism for the attracsion of all congenial evil. They come back as if to show epresentatively, by example, in how many ways human reatures can befool their reason, and rid themselves of heir conscience; and often with a more confirmed and vowed contempt of religion. All this is a perfectly atural effect; for, in traversing the scenes of the world, what should men collect-draw to themselves—but that hich most suits their disposition? And if the great marity of the rovers be (as we suspect they are) destitute of