good, and not flatter ourselves that we can cover our crimes from that piercing eye to which nothing is concealed with the cloak of hypocrisy.

At these discourses, the people could not fail of being astonished, as they had always considered their teachers as the most righteous among the sons of men; nay the persons themselves, against whom they were levelled, were confounded, because their own consciences convinced them of the truth of every thing laid to their charge. They therefore knew not what course to pursue; and they let Jesus depart without making any attempt to seize him, or inflict on him any kind of punishment, being prevented from putting their wicked purposes in practice until the work was finished for which he was sent of his Father into the world to do.

CHRIST valueth the poor Widow's two Mites above all the gifts of the Rich: He foretelleth the destruction of the Temple; sheweth what signs and calamities should go before, and what should happen at the time of his coming: He delivers the parable of the ten Virgins; and of the Talents, which a king distributed among his servants, to be improved by them and in a third parable, delivered at the same time he gives a description of the last Judgment.

AFTER our dear Lord had exposed the secret practices of the Scribes and Pharisees he repaired with his disciples unto the court of the women, called the treasury, from several chests being fixed to the pillars of the portico surrounding the court for receiving the offerings of those who came to worship in the temple. While he continued in the court" He beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury; 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. Mark xii. 41, 42, 43, 44.

This poor widow's offering was, in itself, very small, yet, in proportion to the goods she enjoyed, it was remarkably large; for it was all she had, even all her living. In order, therefore, to encourage charity, and shew that it is the disposition of the mind, not the magnificence of the offering, that attracted the regard of the Almighty, the Son of God applauded this poor widow, as having given more in proportion than any of the rich. Their offerings though great in respect of her's, were but a small part of their estates, whereas, her offering was her whole stock. And from this passage of the gospel, we should learn, that the poor, who in appearance are denied the means of doing charitable offices are encouraged to do all they can; for how small soever the gift may be, the Almighty, who beholds the heart, values it, not according to what it is itself, but according to the disposition with which it is given. On the other hand, we should learn from hence, that it is not enough for the rich, that they exceed the poor in their gifts of charity, they should bestow in proportion to their fortune; and they would do well to remember, that a little given where a little only is possessed, appears a much nobler offering in the sight of the Almighty, and discovers a more benevolent and humane temper of mind, than a greater sum out of the abundance of the rich.

Our Lord having declared, at the conclusion of his pathetic lamentation over Jerusalem that the temple should not any more be favoured with his presence, till they should say, Blessed is be that cometh in the name of the Lord." which declaration greatly surprised his disciples; and there+ fore, as he was departing from that sacred structure, they desired him to observe the beauty of the building, insinuating, that they thought it strange be should intimate an intention of leaving it desolate, that so glorious a fabric, celebrated in every cornet of the earth, was not to be deserted rashly; and that they should think themselves supremey happy, when he as the Messiah, and descendent of David, should take possession of it, and erect his throne in the midst of Jerusalem: “ 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 ! The eastern wall of the temple, which fronted the Mount of Olives, whither the disciples, with their Mas ter, were then retiring, was built front the bottom of the valley to a prodigious height, with stones of an incredible bulk, firmly compacted together, and, therefore, made a very grand appearance at a distance. This eastern wall is supposed to have been the only remains of Solomon's temp'e, and had scaped when the Chaldeans burnt it: but this building however costly or strong it appeared, our Saviour told them should be totally destroyed: "Seest thou," said he, these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." Mark

xiii. 2.

This venerable structure which you behold with wonder, adorned with huge stones of amazing beauty, shall be razed to the very foundation. The disciples, therefore, when they heard their master affirm, that not so much as one of these enormous stones. that mocked the fury of Nebuchadnezzar's army, and survived the destructive hand of time, was to be left one upon another, they perceived that the whole temple was to be demolished, bu did not suspect that the sacrifices were to be taken away, and a new religion introduced, which rendered the temple unnecessary. They therefore, flattered themselves, that the fabrick then standing, however glorious it might appear, was too small for the numerous worshippers who would frequent it, when all the nations of the world were subject to the Messiah's kingdom, and was, therefore, to be pulled down, in order to be erected on a more magnificent plan, suitable to the idea they had conceive ed of his fature empire. Filled with these pleasing imaginations, they res ceived the news with pleasure, meditating, as they walked to the moun. tain, on the glorious things which were shortly to come to pass.

As soon as they arrived at the mount of Olives, and their master had taken his seat on an eminence, from whence they had a prospect of the temple & part of the city, his disciples drew near, to know when the demolition of the old structure was to happen, and what were to be the signs of bis coming, and of the end of the world: “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be and what shall be the signs of thy coming, and of the end of the world. ??? Matt xxiv. 3.

It is probable the disciples meant what signs should precede the erection of that extensive erapie, over which they supposed the Messiah was to reign for they still expected he would govern a secular kingdom. They therefore, connected the demolition of the temple with there Master's coming, though thy had not the least notion that he was to destroy the nation, and change from the religious worship. They, therefore, meant by the end of the world, or, as the words should have been translated, the end of the age, the period of the political goverement then executed by Hea. then procurators, and considered their Master's coming to destroy the cone - i stitution then subsisting, as a very desirable event: they aslo thought the demolition of the temple proper, as they expected a larger and more

superb building would be erected in it's stead, in propotion to the number of the Messiah's subjects.

It will sufficiently appear, that this is the real sense of the disciples ques tion, if we consider that they were delighted with the prospect; whereas, if they had meant by the end of the world the final period of all things, the destruction of the temple would have exhibited to them à melancholy prospect, which they could not have beheld, without a deep concern, in their present temper of mind.

Therefore, our blessed Lord was careful to couvince them of their mistake, by telling them, that he was not come to rule a secular empire, as they suposed, but to punish the Jews for their perfidy and rebellion, by destroying both their temple & nation: “Take heed," said he," that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many." This caution was far from being unnecessary. because, though the disciples were to see their Master ascend into heaven, they might take occasion from the prophecy, to think he would appear again on the earth, and therefore, be in danger of seduction by the false Christs that should arise: And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass; but the end is not yet. Before this nation and temple are destroyed terri ble wars will happen in the land: "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines, and pesti. lences, and earthquakes, in divers places."

These things are but the beginning of a long series of calamities: which shall fall upon the nation; at the same time you shall meet with hot per secutions; walk therefore, circumspectly, and arm yourselves both with patience and fortitude, that ye may be able to perform your duty through the whole course of these persecutions; for you shall be brought before the great men of the earth for my sake: But when they shall lead you and deliver you up, take no thought before hand 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. Mark xiii. 11.

Our Lord told them, during this time of trouble and confusion, the perfidy of mankind shall be so great towards one another, that 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." The unbelieving Jews and apostate Christians, shall commit such crimes, that the very idea of which, shall excite horror in the most barbarous nations. It is, therefore, no wonder that the perfidy and wickedness of such pretended Christians, shall discourage many disciples and greatly hinder the propagation of the gospel: but he who supports his faith during these persecutions and is not led astray by the seductions of false Christians, shall escape that terrible destruction which will overflow the land like deluge.

My disciples shall be scattered by these persecutions and tribulations, and shall preach the gospel in all parts of the Roman empire; and then shall the period you now inquire after arrive: then shall the Almighty arise to vengeance, and consume in his anger, this stiff-necked generation.

At the time when Jerusalem shall be surrounded with armies, Pagan ars mies bearing in their standards the images of their gods, the abomination of desolation, mentioned by the prophet Daniel; then let him who readeth the predictions of that prophet understand, that the end of the city and sanctuary, together with the ceasing of the sacrifice and oblation there predicted, is come, and of course, the final period of the Jewish government. "Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains ; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out. Luke xxi, 21. Let him which is on the house top, not come down to take any thing out of his house; neither let him which is in the field, return back to take his clothes,

Matt. xxiv. 17, 18. For the Almighty will now punish this nation for it's sin: these are the days of his vengeance when all the threatenings of the prophets, especially those of Daniel, shall be ‘inflicted on this obstinate and Rebellious people.

The women who are with child, and they who have infants banging at their breasts, shall be particularly unhappy in those days of vengeance, be cause they cannot flee from the impending destruction: But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter," when the badness of the roads and the rigour of the season, will render speedy travelling very troublesome, if not impossible; neither on the Sabbath day," when you think it unlawful; for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor never shall be." This is confirmed by what Josephus tells us: for he says, "that no less than eleven hundred thousand perished in the seige."

Our dear Lord added, except the days of tribulation should be shortened none of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judea, of whom he was then speaking, should escape destruction. And accordingly Josephus tells us, that the quarrel which raged during the seige, was so fierce and obstinate, both within the walls of Jerusalem, and without in the neighbouring country, that the whole land was one continued scene of horror and desolation * and had the seige continued much longer, the whole nation of the Jews had been totally destroyed according to our Lord's prediction: "But,” added our blessed Saviour, " for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.": By the elect are meant, such of the Jews as had embraced the doctrines of the gospel, and those who were brought in with the fulness of the Gentiles particularly.

During this time of universal confusion, it was natural to think, that the expectations of the whole nation would be turned towards their Messiah ; for if he was ever to appear, it must be then, to deliver them from imp nding destructión. Our blessed Saviour therefore cautioned his disciples, not to listen to any pretences of that kind, as many false Christs would arise, and deceive great numbers of the people. A prediction that was accomplished during the terrible seige of Jerusalem by the Romans : for Josephus tells us, that many arose pretending to be the Messiah, boasting that they would deliver the nation from all it's enemies. And the multitude always too prone to listen to deceivers who promise temporal advantages, gave credit to those deceivers, became more obstinate in their oppo sition to the Romans, & thereby rendered their destruction more severe & more inevitable. And what still increased the infatuation of the people, was their performing wonderful things during the war; and accordingly Josephus calls them magicians and sorcerers. Hence we see the propriety of the caution given by the Son of God, who foretells that, they should shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. But take ye heed; behold I have foretold you all things."

But as it was likely that the partizans of the false Christs would pretend the Messiah would be concealed awhile for fear of the Romans, and the weaker sort of Christians, without this warning, might have imagined, that Christ was actually returning to deliver the nation in it's extremity & to punish it's enemies, who now so cruelly oppressed them, and that he would shew himself as soon as it is proper, our blessed Saviour thought it needfull to caution them against this particular: "Wherefore, if they should say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the East, and shineth even unto the West; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matt. xxiv. 26, 27.

As lightning is swift and destructive, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. But he will not come personally, his servants only shall

come, the Roman armies who shall destroy this nation, as eagles devour their pray, by his command.

Thus having given them a particular account of the various circumstances which should precede the destruction of Jerusalem, he next described that eatastrophy itself, in all the pomp of language and imagery made use of by the ancient prophets, when they foretold the, destruction of cities and kingdoms: "But in those days after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.”;

These expressions are figurative and lofty, and signify the decaying of all the glory, excellency, and prosperity of the nation, and the introdue tion of universal sadness, misery, and confusion. The roaring of the sea and the waves may justly be considered as metaphorical, as the signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars are plainly so. of heaven are meant the whole Jewish polity, government, laws, and reliAnd by the powers gion, which were the work of heaven; these our blessed Saviour tells us should be shaken.

As the disciples, in confermity to the repeated questions of the Pharisees during his ministry, had asked what would be the signs of his coming. Our blessed Saviour told them, that after the tribulation of those days, when the sun should be darknened, and all the enemies of the Messiah should mourn, they should see the accomplishment of what Daniel foretold, by the figurative expression of the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven;" for they should behold the signal punishments executed on the Jewish nation, by the Roman armies sent for that end by the Son of man who shall thus gloriously demonstrate the greatness of his power, and the extent of his dominion: “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn. And they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory."

66

The disciples were to consider the time of their redemption, from the oppression under which they then groaned, as near at hand when these things came to pass: and that they might be certain this prophecy would not long wait for it's accomplishment, he told them the present generation should not all be laid in the chambers of the dust, before these terrible calamities shall fall upon Jerusalem. Adding, that his disciples might sooner expect the dissolution of nature, than that one single circumstance of this prophecy should fail of it's accomplishment: you, This generation shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled.Verily I say unto Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” -If we take the pains to compare the prediction of our Savionr with the history Josephus wrote of the war, we cannot fail of being struck with the wisdom of CHRIST and acknowledging that his prediction was truly divine. For as the Jewish nation was at this time in the most flourishing state, the event here foretold was altogether improbable. Besides, the circumstances of the destruction are very numerous and surprisingly particular; and the whole delivered without any ambiguity. It is therefore a prophecy of such a kind as could never have been uttered by any impostor, and consequently the person who delivered it, was truly divine, and acquainted with the secret counsels of heaven.

But it has been demanded with some assurance, by the enemies to revelation, why should CHRIST order his disciples not to flee from Jerusalem, till they saw it encompassed with the Roman army, when it would then be impossible for them to make their escape? But persons, before they propose such questions, would do well to read attentively the history Jose