accusing him of a sort of overacted and gratuitous rebellion against the king's decree. He might have appeared too much in the character of an insolent and presumptuous offender. The wisest course was to make no alteration; and this was the course which he pursued. He had been accustomed to pray "three times a day." He continued to do the same still. He had of fered up his devotions his devotions "with his windows open in his chamber toward Jerusalem;" and he could not consent to alter his conduct, in this respect. He would not be ashamed of his country or his God. In all this we behold true wisdom combined with exalted piety.

Wonderful is the effect of piety, when so exhibited; when it is found equally free from cowardice, on the one hand, and from an over-zealous enthusiasm on the other; when it is recommended by calmness and by the " spirit of a sound mind." It then ensures respect from the most immoral and profane. When they behold a devout man yielding nothing on the side of duty, and indifferent about consequences; yet, at the same time, content with adhering to his accustomed rules, and unwilling to sharpen the edge of malice by needless provocation, they cannot but respect the mixture of courage, wisdom, and meekness, which such conduct manifests. They find no occa

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sion against him." His religion triumphs over their rage; and, though from interested motives they may still hate and persecute him, they cannot avoid secretly admiring the dignified moderation of his character.

IV. The piety of Daniel was fearless and resolute. With a perfect knowledge that his violation of the king's decree might expose him to a cruel and tremendous punishment, he made no change in his daily practice. The den of lions was before him, but he dreaded nothing so much as the displeasure of his God. He neither omitted nor abridged his accustomed devotions. If it be said that he probably looked forward to a miraculous preservation, it may be replied that no hint of any such expectation is given in the sacred narrative. He might indeed have entertained a hope of deliverance. The recollection of the three worthies, who had been brought unhurt out of the fiery furnace, might have tended to sustain his courage. The God, who had rescued them, could, if he pleased, deliver him also. Still we have no reason for concluding that he had any assurance of supernatural interference in his behalf.

Were any additional proof wanted to show the firmness of his piety, it might be derived

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from the confession of his enemies. They had sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom." They had scrutinized his wisdom and integrity as a minister of state, but as to this particular they had found him absolutely invulnerable. They then said, "We shall not find any occasion against him, except we find it concerning the law of his God."-" He is blameless with regard to his administration of public affairs. We have no hope of preferring a valid accusation upon this ground. To attack him on the side of his religion will be a far more likely means of compassing his destruction. He is so strongly attached to the law of his God, that no earthly considerations will tempt him to violate his conscience in this particular. He will never be persuaded to slight the God of Israel, by abstaining from his daily devotions; still less will he offer him the greatest of insults, by paying divine honours to an earthly potentate. We shall find no occasion against him, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." A noble testimony to the unbending firmness of his piety! A confession, on the part of his enemies, which ought to have disarmed their malice, and made them fearful of plotting against one who thus constantly implored the protection, and relied on the care of Providence!

Let us then remember that the piety of Da

niel was fearless and resolute, as well as calm, rational, and dignified. Doubtless there may be the marks of sincere piety in the general conduct, where, from the influence of particular causes, we find some want of due courage and constancy in the hour of danger. Good men unquestionably there have been, who have shrunk dishonourably from the attacks of persecution; who, without making absolute "shipwreck of faith and a good conscience," have been withheld by constitutional timidity, or by a want of sufficient confidence in God, from displaying that bold and determined stand in support of true religion which the circumstances of the case, and the importance of the stake at issue, required. They have declined the conflict, when they ought to have braved it; they have retreated, when they ought to have advanced. But it is not the unstable who are qualified to excel. The piety, by which God is glorified, is firm and courageous piety. It is the piety of Daniel, meek and composed, but at the same time fearless and resolute; careful to offer no needless affront or provocation to an enemy, but at the same time prepared to encounter, at the stern summons of duty, all hazards and all adversities. Let this be the model for our imitation. Are we willing to sustain losses and hardships in defence of our civil rights, liberties, and privileges? and shall we

shrink disgracefully from a contest for the support of truth and righteousness? Can we encounter peril and destruction, in the field of battle, for the safety and independence of our country; and shall we refuse to incur an equal risk of temporal disaster for the honour of God, the advancement of his kingdom, and the salvation of our souls? Let us stand resolved, on all occasions, to " obey God rather than men," and learn to fear nothing so much as the loss of his favour and the peril of his frown.

I have thus pointed out the most remarkable characteristics of Daniel's piety, as we find it displayed in the narrative to which the text belongs. The moral of the whole is this; that, where the path of duty lies straight and clear, we are to follow it without wavering, and leave consequences to the supreme Disposer of events. Let this important moral be fixed in our remembrance. Let it influence our future conduct. We may not be exposed to those severe trials of faith and virtue which many saints of old were called to undergo. Neither our lives, nor our liberties, nor our property may be in any considerable danger. For exemption from such perils we are bound to acknowledge the goodness of a gracious Providence. Still, if we be duly sensible of our condition here as it stands connected with an awful futurity, we shall find enough in our Christian warfare, for the

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