his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Why he beholds the good, it is needless to declare. For the same purpose that our Lord noticed this poor widow. That he may approve and favour now, and give abundant recompense hereafter. Let us strive to bear in mind that He is always beholding us; that he "compasseth our path, and our lying down, and is acquainted with all our ways." But, to return to the scene before us, let us consider what our Lord, who knew the heart, might too probably observe when he beheld the people as they cast money into the treasury. What was so cast in, was employed for the relief of the indigent, and for the repair and ornament of the temple. It was expected that all should contribute to these purposes according to their ability. One might, therefore, be seen giving, not cheerfully, but of necessity; according as his station, or the example of others, obliged him. "Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." Another might be seen giving, with a liberal hand, but not for a liberal motive; that he might be "seen of men," and be extolled for his generosity. He "has his reward;" but he has it on earth, where he seeks it, where his heart is, and his treasure is. But others would be seen, like this poor widow, casting more in, than they all: casting in, not of their abundance, but of their poverty. The Lord would rejoice to see it, foreknowing her recompense hereafter. She had done 2 Jerem. xvii. 10. it in faith, casting all her care upon God; and great would be her reward in heaven. The example, and the commendation bestowed upon it, speaks loudly to all, "Go, and do thou likewise." LECTURE CVI. THE APOSTLES INSTRUCTED AND WARNED CON- MARK Xiii. 1—23. 1. And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples Matt. xxiv. saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones, and what 1-29. buildings are here! 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? 5. And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 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, Luke xxi. 5-27. 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. 10. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11. 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. 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. 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. Jesus had been led by the remark of one of his disciples, admiring the buildings of the temple, to speak openly of its destruction. He had often alluded to it, but now he spoke in a manner that could not be mistaken. So they ask him privately, when shall these things be? Expecting, perhaps, that they should immediately succeed and avenge his death. He undeceives them, and warns them of a fearful interval, which the counsels of God required. An interval, when nation should rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: when there should be earthquakes, and famines, and troubles. In the midst of these tumults, the gospel should be published among all nations. But those to whom its promulgation was entrusted, must not expect a kind welcome, or an easy acceptance of their mission: they should be delivered up to councils, and beaten in the synagogues, and brought before rulers and kings. To be warned of dangers and difficulties like these, would naturally have the effect of alarming the apostles. They might justly have considered their own weakness: like Moses, who with the evidence of divine power strong before his eyes, still shrunk from the office assigned him and "said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" It was needful that he should be strengthened and supported by the promise, " Certainly I will be with thee." In the same manner the apostles, whilst they are forewarned of danger, are assured of succour and of strength proportioned to their exigency. You shall be brought before councils, and rulers, and kings you might reasonably be anxious what you should speak, being "unlearned and ignorant men:" but take no thought beforehand, 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. So, when family should be divided against family: when brother should betray the brother, the father the son, and the children should rise up against the parents, and when they should be hated of all men for Christ's sake: there was danger of Exod. iii. 2. their supposing themselves neglected of God, and forsaken. It was needful that they should be guarded against this natural, though groundless, fear and be assured, he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. There are those who receive the word with joy, "but when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by they are offended." St. Paul was on this account apprehensive about his Thessalonian converts: (1 Thess. iii. 2:) and expressly sent Timotheus to establish them, and comfort them concerning their faith: "that no man should be moved by these afflictions: for ye yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know." These Thessalonians had "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven." Their first expectation would be, that such conversion would be rewarded with the immediate favour and regard of God. The Jews had been particularly accustomed to consider temporal blessings as the consequence of obedience; and the heathens, no less, expected that the deities which they worshipped should watch over and defend them. Hence the necessity of warning all beforehand, that their faith should be tried by persecution: that "glory, and honour, and immortality," were reserved as the reward of "patient continuance in well-doing :" and that in the midst of a wintry season of judgment and tribulation, the seed of the gospel should take root, |