the just claims, which all men have upon those who govern them; and, anticipating the conduct pursued by the most virtuous of their successors, had determined to retain them in allegiance, by carefully inquiring into their wants, and applying the proper remedies; the miseries, which so soon overwhelmed Judea, might, humanly speaking, have been averted, and that unhappy country have long remained a valuable appendage to the empire. But what we would particularly remark, is the power, which this absolute subjection of the descendants of Herod would naturally throw into the hands of the Romans; whilst the distracted state of the community, would still further increase the authority of men, who possessing the strongholds and fortresses, were continually summoned to keep the inhabitants in order. In such a state of society discipline would not be relaxed, nor the army cease to be an honourable profession; and thus, although the private soldiers were now recruited from the humblest classes, and from all parts of the empire; yet the officers were in general men of birth and education; or else, according to the established rules of the service, selected from the ranks for their merit. Mingling then as they did, with the natives, and exercising, by the nature of their occupation, a powerful control over them, we feel a curiosity to know, not only whether the sojourn of a Roman centurion was a blessing or a misfortune to a colony; but also in what degree mankind in general may be edified by their behaviour. Happily that behaviour has been pourtrayed by witnesses of no ordinary veracity: and whilst we thankfully accept the pages of Scripture as an invaluable light to secular history, it gives us a high opinion of that distinguished army, that, whenever its officers are mentioned by the inspired penmen, we look in vain for expressions of censure, whilst some trait is invariably recorded at least of an amiable disposition, if not of nobler qualities. Five times are they introduced in the New Testament, from the beginning of our Lord's ministry to the last journey of St. Paul to Rome, and, whether the dangers and uncertainties of war had awakened them to serious reflection, or disgust at the vices by which they were surrounded, had impelled them to purer things; whether the eager pursuit of distinction had sobered down into a perception of what is really good, or whether the care long paid by the Romans in the selection of their officers, and the strict discipline required of them, had been attended with their Just results; whether the military stationed in Judea were early in imbibing the gentle spirit of Christianity now dawning upon that country, or, lastly, whether the same providence, which had changed war into peace, had been also pleased to signalize its power by converting the hearts of those, who were most closely connected with that exciting occupation-certain it is that, from the specimens preserved in the pages of revelation, they appear to have set a bright example to the colonists; and to have been a polished, benevolent, and in some instances most devout class of men. Two of these centurions are recorded in terms of high distinction; the others incidentally, and rather as if called into notice by their regular discharge of duty, than for any extraordinary merit. This circumstance however rather adds to, than detracts from our favourable opinion of the body; since if the tribunes were in the habit of selecting particular individuals for especial services, it shews what sort of men they preferred employing; and if they were not selected, they may be taken as fair samples of the remainder. It is proposed to consider these in the first place, and then to enter upon the history of the former two: and whether we have any connection with military duties, or not; yet, if we can learn a useful lesson, let us not neglect it, even if it should come from men of a different profession. CONTENTS. The rank of a centurion-The centurion's conduct pre- vious to the arrival at Calvary-The cross laid upon Simon-The fitness of the centurion to judge of the character of Jesus-His anxiety during the crucifixion- His teachableness-The marvels of the crucifixion-His conviction of the divinity of Christ-Consequences of |