When we consider such sad figures on the page of history, we may have, I say, all respect for their private virtues.  We may accept every excuse for their public mistakes.  And yet we may feel a solemn satisfaction at their downfall, when we see it to have been necessary for the progress of mankind, and according to those laws and that will of God and of Christ, by which alone the human race is ruled.  We may look back on old orders of things with admiration; even with a touch of pardonable, though sentimental, regret.  But we shall not forget that the old order changes, giving place to the new;

   And God fulfils Himself in many ways,
   Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.

And we shall believe, too, if we be wise, that all these things were written for our example, that we may see, and fear, and be turned to the Lord, each asking himself solemnly, What is the system on which I am governing my actions?  Is it according to the laws and will of God, as revealed in facts?  Let me discover that in time:  lest, when it becomes bankrupt in God’s books, I be involved—­I cannot guess how far—­in the common ruin of my compeers.

What is my duty?  Let me go and work at it, lest a night come, in which I cannot work.  What fruit am I expected to bring forth?  Let me train and cultivate my mind, heart, whole humanity to bring it forth, lest the great Husbandman come seeking fruit on me, and find none.  And if I see a man who falls in the battle of life, let me not count him a worse sinner than myself; but let me judge myself in fear and trembling; lest God judge me, and I perish in like wise.

SERMON XXI.  THE WAR IN HEAVEN.

REV.  XIX. 11-16.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:  and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:  and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:  and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Let me ask you to consider seriously this noble passage.  It was never more worth men’s while to consider it than now, when various selfish and sentimental religions—­call them rather superstitions—­have made men altogether forget the awful reality of Christ’s kingdom; the awful fact that Christ reigns, and will reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet.