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Had he seen this, his next step would have been to Christ. Are we so near the kingdom of God?

34. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

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Christ was only severe to his enemies, he is even willing to teach by his Holy Spirit, the most deplorably ignorant, who are willing to receive the kingdom of God as little children.-Edit.

SECTION XLII.

Chap. xii. ver. 35-44.

CHRIST WARNS HIS DISCIPLES, AND COMMENDS THE CHARITY OF A WIDOW.

35. And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David ?

36. For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

37. David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?

Christ was, as he was a man, the son of David; and as God, he was David's Lord. An ordinary Christian now knows what the learned Pharisees did not. The most important matter for securing our salvation through him, is to call him Lord in spirit. St. Paul tells us,-1 Cor. xii. 3,— that, no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost," i. e. no man can acknowledge him, with a true faith, to be our Lord and Saviour, but by the Holy Ghost.

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37. And the common people heard him gladly.

They may, now, both hear and understand him, if they please, notwithstanding their excuses. They have fewer

hindrances in the way than others, if they would but know it. The will, the will is all: nothing else in rich or poor receives Christ.

In this passage, Christ gives the Jews, and through them all others, a proof of his right to be their Lord; and, withal convinces them of their blindness in the scripture.

38. And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the market places,

39. And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:

Those who are justly entitled to distinction, and a higher place, may take these without sin; the harm is in being fond of them.

40. Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

These scribes, though they had great knowledge, and practised great strictness of devotion, yet they were capable of great enormities: in a word, they were men, and could be nothing else while they were enemies to Christ. Greater condemnation is, however, reserved for them, for imposing on others, and thinking to impose on God, by a show of piety. Prayers for base ends, are confessedly worse than none. But consider whether they are not so with us, a mockery of God, and the greatest cheat we can put upon ourselves, when our heart is not in them.

41. And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast

in much.

42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

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44. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Observe, how Christ's judgment differs from our's: if we were to see a poor man, or woman, doing so, we should be apt to reflect on them, if not call them fools. But Jesus saw her heart, as he does ours, and will judge us according to them at the last day. May God grant, that they may stand the test of that judgment. They will, if Christ be formed in them, the hope of glory.

SECTION XLIII.

Chap. xiii. ver. 1—13.

THE DESTRUCTION OF THE CITY FORETOLD.

1. And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

Little did they think how near the temple and city were to their end. We are also apt to depend upon youth, health, or strength, when death may be even at the door.

2. And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

4. Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

Christ thought it proper in some measure to satisfy their curiosity; but the main drift of his answer was to caution them, and through them, all others, against being surprised or deceived.

5. And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you :

We are under no unavoidable necessity of being deceived, in what concerns our eternal salvation. We are first willing to be deceived, and then it is easy for others to deceive us.

6. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

But not those who know Christ. They have a touchstone in themselves, faith and love, by which to try deceivers, and false doctrines, and God will help them in the use of it. John x. 4,-" The sheep follow him: for they know his voice."

7. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled for such things must needs be; but the end shall not

be yet.

8. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of

sorrows.

9. But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

Such times of trial have, at different periods, awaited the disciples of Christ, and they may come to them again. But let us keep close to God, and then we need not fear. Who knows how near we may be to such a time!

10. And the gospel must first be published among all na

tions.

By the mercy of God it was early published to this nation, and is still preached to us. The Lord make us thankful for it, in our conversion by it. Sad will be our doom, if we do not value so great a blessing, and improve it to our own salvation. We may mention in few words what the gospel is. It is the declaration of God's will to receive all

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returning sinners, and of their acceptance only for Christ's sake. And the end of it is, that we may walk in the comfort of so great a mercy, and in the sense of it live unto God in all holy obedience; knowing that we are thereunto called; and that otherwise we are faithless, and do not receive it in truth and sincerity.

11. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

That is, at such times. Then commit yourselves wholly to God you shall not want help.

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12. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

Hatred of Christ shall get the better of natural affection.

13. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

And is it not so at all times, that the disciples of Christ are hated? Are not men's natures the same now as they were then? Or has Satan lost his will to stir up their hatred of Christ, of his ways, of his people? Let a man stand for Christ, and be more godly than his neighbours, and then see if he will not be a bye-word among them; and be worse used when they have it in their power. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." This is alike true at all times. The end crowns the work. Though we make a beginning with Christ, it will signify nothing, if we do not hold out to the last.

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