most impure of His creatures whether in body or mind.

With us at least, better would it be for us if we ourselves would act a little more on this principle, if we would watch indeed with jealous care over our own purity in body and mind, but that we should at the same time be gentle in our dealings with the fallen, that we should not plume ourselves upon our own supposed superior purity (or perhaps undetected impurity) but try to remember how many we might save from utter ruin, from utter and entire misery, by showing mercy to the fallen. "Unto the pure all things are pure." True purity turns off from itself, and is proof against the contagion or infection of impurity. Purity of mind and body clothes us with a shield of defence, or rather with the "whole armour of GOD," which is the Example of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. To be like Him when He shall appear, we must be like Him, as far as we may, and even now, in purity both of mind and body!

TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER

TRINITY.

CLXII. On our duty to God and to our Temporal Rulers.

S. MATT. xxii. 21.-" Render under Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's; and unto God the things that are God's."

JESUS CHRIST is the Head of the Church, and we are His members. It is fitting that the members should render to their Head what is due. But also we have duties as citizens of the State or country in which we live.

has, or ought to

That State or country have, its head. The head of the State ought to be in subordination to the Head of the Church. But often, very often, in these days it so falls out that he is not subordinate, or even it may be, that he is not only not subordinate but antagonistic or opposed to the Head of the Church, Who is JESUS CHRIST. Hence we may sometimes find ourselves in a kind of difficulty. The demand made upon us by the head of the State may be in direct opposition to our allegiance to the Head of the Church. It is written that the "powers that be

are ordained of GOD." If they are ordained of GOD, it would seem to follow that we are bound to obey them. But supposing that these powers enjoin upon us that which is contrary to the law of GOD. In short, that the law of the State should come into collision with the law of the Church. What ought we to do? Well, then we should "render to Cæsar the things which are Cæsar's, and unto GOD the things that are GOD's."

But a further difficulty may follow, namely, how are we to distinguish between the things that are "Cæsar's " and the things that are "GOD's." Some cases are quite clear, in others it may not be easy to distinguish. If, for instance, in any State there were a Christian Parliament, and the Head of that State were Christian, we should be bound to give great weight to their expressions of opinion, but not even then to accept them as final authority: but, on the other hand, if that State were to have a Parliament composed of every kind of religionist, and people of no known religion whatever, and a Head

of a State who was frequently and avowedly committing overt acts of schism, clearly no weight whatever need be attributed to the decisions in religious matters of such a head, or of such a body. We should be rendering unto Cæsar the things that are GOD'S.

To put the matter still more plainly, if any authority other than rightly constituted ecclesiastical authority were to alter one line or one word, or one rubric, or one passage which affected either doctrine or discipline in our Church or Prayer Book, all faithful Priests, and all faithful laymen, that is, the whole body of the faithful, would be bound to resist, and refuse at all hazards to acquiesce in any such alteration, otherwise they would be

entangled" into rendering unto Cæsar the things that are GOD's. If the law of the land were to force, or try to force, a Priest to reveal any one little word that he knew through Confession, the Priest would be bound to refuse under penalty of mortal sin, and of eternal destruction, though the penalty, however severe, of the

law would be visited upon him. We can none of us transfer to any earthly sovereign the allegiance we owe to the King of Kings. The best Catholics, the best Churchmen are always the best Christians, because they "render to Cæsar the things that Cæsar's," they pay their taxes, they show respect for all in authority from the king downwards, they obey the laws often at much personal loss and inconvenience, but they also "render unto GOD the things that are GOD's," and by so doing transgress less than others the laws of Cæsar. Many a man, for instance, would not be deterred from theft, or adultery, or murder, or rebellion, for fear of detection or punishment, who, at the same time, would not commit suchlike sins because he would remember what he owes to GOD and to His Church.

The Prayer.

O LORD JESU CHRIST, teach me to understand and beware of the crafts of seducers, and always to preserve truth of life, doctrine, and righteousness: Grant me to be