Religion and Theology: A Sermon for the Times

venteenth century, or of the twelfth century, or of the fourth century. No primitive Christian would have fully understood Athanasius in his contest against the world. It was very easy at one time to chant the Athanasian hymn--it is easy for some still; but very hard for others. Are the latter worse or better Christians on this account? Think, brethren, of St Peter and St Andrew taken from their boats; of St Matthew as he sat at the receipt of custom; of the good Samaritan; the devout centurion; of curious Zaccheus; of the repentant prodigal; of St James, as he wrote that a man is "justified by works, and not by faith only;"[5] of Apollos, "mighty in the Scriptures," who "was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord," and yet who only knew "the baptism of John;"[6] of the disciples at Ephesus who had "not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost;"[7] think of all the poor and simple ones who have gone to heaven with Christ i