the greater display of his own pomp and authority, he summoned all his nobles, his officers civil and military, from every part of his extensive dominions, to attend at the dedication of this image. When collected together, a proclamation was issued to all the people, that, of whatever nation or language they were, at a certain signal of music given, they must fall down and worship this new-formed deity; but in case any should refuse compliance, they should immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. Think for a moment on such a mandate as this: it was unreasonable in every view: it was arbitrary and cruel in the last degree. And was the object of this imperious prince attained? Did he secure universal compliance? No: these three youths, mentioned in the text, dared to refuse. Immediately, information of this was carried to the king, and their disobedience stated in the strongest terms: "There are certain Jews, whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon- these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up*." Had these accusers spoken fairly, they would have represented this refusal of the young men as the result of religious scruple; as proceeding from conscientious motives, not from contempt of the king's authority, or from any disposition to rebel; but their object was, the utter ruin of persons whom they both envied and hated, and they sought their ruin by the most likely means. "Then Nebuchadnezzar, in his rage and fury---" Very unfit companions for a king! How little qualified was this man to rule mighty nations, who * Dan. iii. 12. had no rule over his own spirit!" In rage and and fury," he commanded the young men to be brought before him. His word was instantly obeyed, and he addressed them thus; "Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego? Do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready, that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made, well; but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." He speaks, at first, as if he could hardly believe the report which he had heard; or as if the disobedience had been rather from inadvertency, than from design. There is also a semblance of lenity in what he said, proposing to give them another trial; but at the same time warning them, that, should they again transgress, it was his firm determination that they should suffer the severest vengeance. Even tyrants may have some regard to the appearance of things; but still," the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." He concludes with this affecting sentence of insolence and impiety: "And who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" This worm of the earth sets himself in competition with Jehovah! He challenges the Most High, the King of Heaven! He defies the power of Omnipotence! It is the sentiment of an infidel, bloated with pride, and burning with passion. The text follows, and demands our particular at tention. II. THE TEMPER OF MIND discovered in the address.----It possesses uncommon beauty, and is highly instructive. "O Nebuchadnezzar, we are If it be not careful to answer thee in this matter. so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."-Here is, 1. Dignified composure: "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter." There was nothing in the least disrespectful in this sentence: they were not indifferent to their situation, or inattentive to their language and behaviour: it intimates rather, that they were not perplexed about the answer they should give; they had not their reply to seek; they needed no time to deliberate; their sentiment was already settled, and they had no hesitation in avowing it: "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter." The king was exceedingly agitated, but we see nothing of agitation in these young men they were perfectly collected and composed. They did not begin to declaim against the idols of Babylon, or against the iniquity of this sanguinary edict; they used no flattering compliments, or cringing supplications, to mollify the king's displeasure; but they plainly and calmly uttered the feeling of their hearts. We notice here the influence of genuine religion : it is the same in all ages, and in all countries. So far as it is possessed, it quiets the mind; it preserves it unruffled it subdues those angry passions which disturb the breast of many when their will is thwarted, when their inclination is crossed. Do you complain of the want of self-possession, and of command of temper in the presence of those who revile and persecute you? Think of these young men; see how religion operated, and produced its effects; seek earnestly the influence of the same religion on your hearts be not satisfied with the low attainments you have already made, in the knowledge of our Christ *."-Here is also, but " grow in grace, and Lord and Saviour Jesus 2. Decided piety.-In the presence of an imperious monarch, who was addicted to the practice of idolatry, and determined on reducing all about him to the same way, these youths explicitly avow "the God whom we serve." They would not worship a god of gold, yet they would have Nebuchadnezzar to know that they were not atheists: there was One, who was their own God; him they boldly acknowledged, and cordially served. Yes, the man who loves God in his heart is not ashamed of his attachment, nor is he afraid to declare it on every proper occasion. Decided piety is productive of Christian courage: and this does not consist in rudeness; it does not oblige a man to intrude religious talk into every company, and at every turn; yet, when his principles are violently attacked, when the honour of God and of the Gospel is insulted, the true Christian will not be cowardly, but decided and firm. An excellent writer remarks, "There are nobler ways of exercising courage than even in the field of battle; of shewing spirit, than by sending or accepting a challenge. To sustain a fit of sickness may exhibit as true heroism as to lead an army; to bear a deep affliction well, calls for as high exertion of soul as to storm a town; and to meet death with Christian resolution, is an act of courage in * 2 Pet. iii. 18. which many a woman has triumphed, and many a philosopher, and even some generals, have failed." Holy courage will produce a dignity, which scorns every mean compliance; a firmness, which gives consistency to conduct; a boldness to follow convictions wherever they may lead; a resolution to persevere in the path of duty, whatever reproach may be endured, whatever suffering may be sustained. Beg of God to strengthen this heavenly principle in you, to fortify your hearts and minds, to preserve you from sinful shame, to make you decided and valiant for the truth as it is in Jesus. 3. Believing confidence is remarkably evident: "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king." They seem to have had a secret expectation, that, should Nebuchadnezzar be suffered to carry his threats into execution, their God, by some means, would rescue them. Whether they had any intimation of this given them from Heaven, we are not certain; but the vast numbers who would witness the contest between Jehovah and this haughty idolater, and the bold defiance of the Most High which he had uttered, might lead to such expectation. He had said, "Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?" They reply, "Our God, whom we serve, is able” to do it. You perceive their confidence increases; whether he deliver us from the furnace or not, will"-they were certain of out of thine hand, O king." but he cannot utterly destroy; he may kill the body, but he cannot injure the soul, nor can he for a moment disturb its serenity and peace. "When God giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?" You "he it-" he will deliver us A tyrant may torment, |