cerned. The origin, or beginning of the world - the divine nature-the duties of man--the real welfare of man,-all these things were settled for the Jewish people by their scriptures; but all these things were matter of doubt and dispute among the Athenians; and their philosophers, and the strangers who resorted thither for instruction, spent their time in nothing else but either to hear or to tell some new thing.

It pleased God that one from a distant and obscure country should be now sent to declare to them truths which, with all their wisdom and searching, they never had discovered.

22. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.3

23. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I saw an altar with this inscription: To the unknown God. Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

The heathen people worshipped various gods, whom they called by different names, as appeared before at Lystra. To these gods they raised altars, and offered sacrifice; and the altar was inscribed with the name of the god who was worshipped there. Paul, however, had observed an altar with this inscription, To the unknown God. He skilfully takes advantage of this circumstance, and introduces the knowledge which they had not

3 Or, as the phrase might be translated, ye are disposed to venerate the powers above.

reached by their philosophy, but he had received by revelation.

24. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands:

25. Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things:

26. And hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitution;

27. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he is not far from every one of us :

28. For in him we live and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

In these few words, does Paul instruct the ignorance and refute the errors of these heathens.

Was the world made, or has it existed for ever? This was one of their questions. God made the world and all things therein.

How is he to be worshipped? Will he inhabit the temples built in his honour? will his favour be conciliated by the precious gifts which are offered at his altar?

He dwelleth not in temples made with hands: neither is worshipped with man's hands, as though he

needed anything, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, and giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. They who worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth."

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Does it concern mankind that there is a God? Are they bound to reverence him, to consult his will? This the Epicureans denied.

He has made men for this very purpose, and determined the bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him.

Does he notice men's conduct? are their ways seen by him, and regarded by him?

Your own

He is not far from every one of us. writers acknowledge this; for they say, We are his offspring. If then we are his offspring, he is not like unto gold or stone; he is a living God: and in him we live, and move, and have our being.

Thus does the apostle lay the foundation. He sweeps away the errors, that he may establish the truth. And then he proceeds to the more immediate subject of his ministry.

30. And the times of this ignorance God winked at ; but now.commandeth all men everywhere to repent:

31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Till now, God had not seen fit to interpose, and make himself manifest to those who "did not like to retain him in their knowledge:" who gave no

sign that they were really seeking after him, and desiring to find him. Now however, the time of ignorance was past. God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. They are no longer to walk after their own desires: they are no longer to make to themselves gods which are no gods: or think by an outward formal worship to pay that reverence which the divine Majesty requires. He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness: he "will render to every man according to his deeds: to those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil.”

But this judgment is to follow death. And they would ask, What can follow death?"Man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?"

God, who reveals this purpose, has given also evidence of his purpose. He has given assurance of it in that he hath raised from the dead that man whom he hath ordained; and who shall come again to judge the world in righteousness. If Christ be not raised, then are our words vain. But Christ is risen; and by his rising has left a testimony of God's intention, and a proof of his power.

Thus does Paul, like the Baptist John, prepare the way for the Redeemer. The Baptist said, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at

♦ Rom. ii. 7—9.

hand." Be warned to "flee from the wrath to come." And so Paul acquaints the Athenians, that God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness.

Are we surprised that here is yet no gospel, properly so called? No mention of the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world?"

These hearers, as yet, were conscious of no sinfulness; needed no tidings of salvation, because they felt no sense of danger. We must first enact the law; we must first erect the tribunal; we must first give authority to the judge; we must first show that the result is, life or death; before the criminal will seek an advocate, or desire a mediator. And so far Paul has gone: he has made known to them the Governor of the world he has declared the law: he has revealed the judgmentday. Let them be awakened to their real state; let them be" pricked in their hearts," and say, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Let them ask, Who shall stand when he appeareth?" Let them inquire, "Wherewith shall I appear before the Lord ?" Then, how gladly would he proceed to preach unto them "a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord :" how gladly declare the truth with which he was entrusted, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”