Acts 25:8: While he answered for himself t Neither, &c

The' unrighteous world with malice blind.
Against the real Christian speak
Evil and lies of every kind,
And madly our destruction seek:
Accused of every wicked cul
Their hatred we repay with love,
"Not guilty " to their slanders plead,
And challenge them the charge to prove.

To envy's general calumny
An answer short, yet full we give,
Stand fast in our integrity,
Sober and just and godly live:
A general answer may suffice, —
Preserved from every moral stain,
Our country, church, and king we prize,
And keep the laws of Cod and man.
Wilt thou in that bloody place
Before the elders stand,
Tempt the persecuting race,
The sworn assassin band?
There the hellish spirit maintains
His court to after ages known,
There the ancient murderer reigns,
As on his favourite throne.