SERMON XIV. ACTS XXVIII. 3d and following VERSES. And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand: And when the Barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said, this man is a murderer. But when they saw no 1 harm happen to him, they changed their minds, and said he was a God. THIS lively picture of the judgments of the people of Melite, is a fair example of the general disposition of all multitudes, to ascribe the striking events of life to a par ticular Providence; to believe that every instance of prosperity is a reward sent from God; and every example of adversity a punishment emanating from his anger: The attack of the serpent, the Barbarians could not attribute to accident; the slow effect of its poison, upon the body of the apostle, they were equally disposed to consider as miraculous; an action natural, (though extraordinary) it could not be, but as the event varied its aspect, the unconscious animal had fastened upon a murderer, or wounded a god. Such has been the disposition of mankind, in all ages, to judge of the interposition of the Deity: We must all remember, that at one period of our own history, a regular appeal was made to the immediate judgments of Providence, for the establishment of innocence, or guilt. Such an appeal became the established law of the land; and the magistrate looked on to behold the innocent man, walk upon the summit of the waters, or trample unhurt upon the burning iron. It has, in fact, ever been the tendency of human nature to liken divine justice, to human justice |