228

and

Reflections on the kind acceptance of the smallest charity.
SECT. Smallest pieces of brass coin then in use, called
elix. mites, which both taken together only make a
Mark farthing of the Roman money.

XII. 43.

44

Mark

no

she threw in [thither] two mites, which make a farthing. [LUKE XXI. 2.]

43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them,

Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow bath cast more in, than cast into the treasury. [LUKE XXI. 3].

all they which have

44 For all [these] did cast in of their abundance unto the

And our Lord was so pleased with this generous action of hers, that he took particular tice of it, and even called his disciples to him, to hear his remarks upon it; and as they stood about him, he says to them, Look upon yonder woman, and observe the greatness of her piety and zeal; for assuredly I say unto you, That this poor widow, however she may seem to men to have given but a very little inconsiderable matter, has appeared in the sight of God to have cast in more than all they who have thrown such 'sumptuous gifts into the treasury: And, in proportion to her circumstances, it is much more; for all these, who had presented such offerings of God:] large sums, threw in, comparatively, but a little but she of her [penu part of their superfluity and redundancy of pos- she had, even all her sessions into the offerings of God; but she, in living. [LUKE XXI. the midst of her poverty, and the daily straits to 4.] which she is exposed, has cast in all the little stock of money that she had [even] all that she had by her for her living; not knowing where she should get the next mite for herself to furnish out the necessary supports for her humble and indigent life.

IMPROVEMENT.

ry] did cast in all that

OUR Lord Jesus Christ had his eye on those who were bringing Sii. 42. their gifts unto the sacred treasury. Let us remember his eye is also upon us, to observe in what degree we are ready, on proper occasions, to contribute for the glory of God and the good of mankind; and in what proportion to the ability which God has 42 given us. Let not the poorest be discouraged from doing something for these good purposes, however little they may have it in their power to perform; since Christ may acknowledge the noblest charity in the smallest gift, as wherever there is a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. (2 Cor. viii. 12.)

43

Let us imitate the candour of our blessed Redeemer, and be ready to be pleased with little services. The circumstances of mankind are such that few have it in their power to do great matters frequently for the service of others: but the desire of a man is his kindness, (Prov. xix. 22.) the principles and circumstances of an action recommend it more than the appearance it may make; and a multiplicity of little kind offices, in persons frequently conversant with each other, are the bands of society and friendship.

The stately buildings of the temple shewn him.

229

clix.

friendship. We ought therefore to preserve an habitnál tender-. SECT. ness and generosity of mind, and be mutually willing to oblige and to be obliged by them.

To conclude; let us not despise the poor, since there are many 44 of them who will in Christ's computation be found eminently rich in good works; many whose mite will, in the treasury of God, have the value of a talent, and will condemn the sordid parsimony with which many of the rich and great have cast their presents into it; while what the latter part with out of their abundance bears no proportion in the account of God to what the former freely spare from their necessity. Happy is it for every truly pious and benevolent mind that it is to give up its final account to him who searches the heart, and who is witness to those devout and charitable purposes which will always stretch themselves out beyond the limit of actions, and engage the charitable soul to wish more good than the power and revenues even of kingdoms could effect.

SECT. CLX.

Our Lord foretells the approaching destruction of Jerusalem, and here insists on the remoter signs of its approach. Mat. XXIV. 1-14. Mark XIII. 1-13. Luke XXI. 5—19.

MAT. XXIV. 1.

AND Jesus went out, and departed from

the temple: and his

buildings of the ten

MAT. XXIV. 1.

AND when Jesus had thus confounded his SECT. adversaries, and had foretold the desolation clx. disciples came to him that their aggravated sins would shortly bring Mat. for to shew him the both on the city and the temple, (Mat. xxiii. 38,) XXIV.1 ple; [LUK F, and p. 226,) he left the place, and going out from as some spake how it thence, departed from the temple, where he had adorned with been discoursing to them. And as he was going gifts,] [one of them away, his disciples came to [him], and took that saith unto him, Mas- occasion to shew him the splendid buildings and ter, see what manner magnificent decorations of the temple and some buildings here.] observing what a noble structure it was, and [MARK XIII. 1. speaking how it was adorned with beautiful stones, LUKE XXI. 5.]

was

goodly stones and

of stones and what

are

of a prodigious size, and with costly gifts,
which many persons, in accomplishment of their
vows for deliverances received, had hung up on
the walls and pillars of it, besides what was laid
up in its treasures; one of [them] says unto

a Beautiful stones of a prodigious size.] Josephus says that some of them were forty-five cubits long, five high, and six broad: (Bell. Jud. lib. v. cap. 5 (al. vi. 6.) $ 6.) See his large and beautiful descrip

him,

tion of the whole temple in that chapter,
which is one of the most entertaining pas-
sages of such a kind I ever met with.

b Costly gifts, &c.] Hanging up such
avainpala, or consecrated gifts, was com-

mon

230

clx.

Mat.

Jesus foretells its approaching destruction.

SECT. him, Master, behold what vastly large and curious stones, and what stately edifices [are these.] And Jesus replying, said unto them, [As for 2 And Jesus [an XXIV.2 these things which ye behold with so much admi-swering,] said unto them, [LUKE, As for ration, do you not see the splendour and magnifi- these things which ye cence of all these great and pompous buildings behold,] See ve not which are the pride of the Jewish nation, and all these [great buildings Verily I say the wonder of all the rest of mankind? Yet unto you, [LUKE, the notwithstanding all the present grandeur of this days will come, in the stately temple, verily I say unto you, That the which there shall not be left here one stone days will quickly come, in which a victorious upon another, that enemy shall profane its sanctity, and deface its shall not be thrown beauty, insomuch that there shall not be left one down.] [MARK XIII. single stone upon another here, that shall not be entirely demolished, till no remains of any part of it shall be preserved.

3

2. LUKE XXI. 6.]

of

and

And when he was retired from the city, as he 3 And as he sat sat down upon the mount of Olives, which was upon the mount over-against the temple, and commanded the Olives [over-against finest prospect of it from the east, the disciples, ciples [Peter, the temple,] the disPeter, and James, and John, and Andrew, who James, and John, and were favoured with a peculiar share of his inti- Andrew] came unto macy and confidence, came to him privately, say- [LUKE, Master,] tell him privately, saying, ing Master, we entreat thee that thou wouldst us when shall these tell us when these awful things shall happen? and things be? and what what [shall be] the sign of thy second coming coming, and the end when thou wilt execute thy vengeance on these of the world, [when thine enemies and of the end of the present age all these things shall and dispensation, when all these things shall be be fulfilled? [MARK

mon in most of the ancient temples. Ta-
citus speaks of the immense opulence of the
temple at Jerusalem; (Histor. lib. v. § 8.)
Amongst others of its treasures there was
a golden table given by Pompey; and se-
veral golden vines, of exquisite workman-
ship, as well as immense size (for Josephus
tells us, in the chapter cited above, § 4,
that they had clusters [avopomixes] as tall
as a man; which some have thought re-
ferred to God's representing the Jewish
nation under the emblem of a vine; Isa.
v. 1, 7. Psal. lxxx. 8. Ezek. xv. 2, 6.-
And Josephus likewise assures (ibid § 6.)
that the marble of the temple was so white
that it appeared to one at a distance like a
mountain of snow; and the gilding of se-
veral of its external parts, which he there
mentions, must especially when the sun
shone upon it, render it a most splendid and
beautiful spectacle.

c There shall not be left one stone upon ano
ther, here, &c.] It seemed exceedingly im-
probable that this should happen in that
age, considering the peace of the Jews

accomplished,

shall be the sign of thy

XIII.

with the Romans, and the strength of their citadel, which forced Titus himself to acknowledge that it was the singular hand of God which compelled them to relinquish fortifications which no human power could have conquered. (Joseph. Bell. Jud. lib. vi. cap. 9. al. vii. 16,) § 1.) (Com. pare note b, on Luke xix. 43. p. 162.)— Bishop Chandler justly observes that no impostor would have foretold an event so unlikely, and so disagreeable. Defence of Christianity, p. 472, 473.

d The end of the present age.] So hence to aLLYDS may well be rend red. Compare Matth. xii. 32. Rom. xii. 2. 1 Cor. x. 11. Eph. ii. 2, 7. Heb. vi. 5. ix. 26. in all which places ay may be rendered age.-Archbishop Tillotson, and many other excellent writers, would retain our translation, and suppose here are two distinct questions: What should be the sign of his coming to punish the ungrateful inhabitants of Jerusalem? and What the sign of his final appearance to the universal judgment? And that Christ answers the

His disciples asking when these things shall be.

LUKE accomplished, to make way for the brighter glo- SECT. ries of that kingdom which thou wilt establish, clx. when all thy sufferings are over, and every thing Mat. which opposes thy triumph subdued ?

And Jesus answering them, began to say, with 4 an air of solemnity agreeable to the importance of the subject on which he was going to discourse; As to the event concerning which you now inquire, let me in the first place caution you, that you see [to it] in the most solicitous manner, that no man deceive you with false pretences to 5 For many shall a Divine revelation and commission. For many 5 come in my name, shall come in my name, and with a title peculiar saying, I am Christ; [LUKE, and the time to me, saying, I am the Messiah; and the time draweth near and, of deliverance, so long promised, and so long shall deceive many: expected by the Jewish people, is now come,

322

cix.

Mat.

He mentions the calamities that would fore-run them.

6.

therefore after them.] [MARK XIII. LUKE XXI.-8.]

SECT. when the yoke is to be broken off from their [LUKE, go ye not neck, and their enemies are to be subdued under them; and by these plausible pretences they XXIV.5 shall deceive many: but do not ye therefore go after them; for all their promises and hopes will be in vain, and sudden destruction will overtake them and their followers.

6

6[LUKE, But when] ye shall hear of wars,

and rumours of wars,
[LUKE, and commoti-
ons,] see that ye be
not troubled [LUKE,
and terrified]: for all

[LUKE, these things]

But when ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars, among the Jews, and seditions raised by them in several places against the Romans, see that you be not troubled [and] terrified, as if the great event that I have now foretold would immediately happen; for all these things must first come to pass, and be the gradual openings of it; must [LUKE, first] but the end of them, in the utter destruction of come to pass; but the end is not yet. [MARK the Jewish state, is not yet: nay, some of you, XIII. 7. LUKE XXI. my disciples, will have several important services 9.] to perform here after these alarms are begun; services which even by means of these alarms you may pursue with some peculiar advantages. 7 And then he further added, and said to them, he unto them,] Na7 [LUKE, Then said Judea shall not be the only seat of war at that tion shall rise against time; for in the neighbouring countries nation nation, and kingdom shall rise up against nation, and kingdom against against kingdom: and kingdoms and partly as the consequence of these ravages and slaughters, and partly by the immediate hand of Providence on sinful men who have rejected the gospel, as also to exercise and fearful sights, and the faith and charity of its professors, there shall great signs shall there be severe famines, and mortal pestilences; and be from heaven.]there shall also happen great and terrible earth- LUKE XXI. 10. 11.] quakes in various places, and troubles and anguish of mind in the apprehension of vet greater calamities. Here at home there shall also be dreadful sights, and great signs from heaven, particularly a comet like a flaming sword waving over Jerusalem, and the appearance of con8 tending armies in the air. But all these things

Nation shall rise up against nation, &c.] Grotius gives us a particular account of several ears of the Jews among themselves, and of the Romans with the Syrians, Samaritans and other neighbouring nations, before Jerusalem was destroyed.-There were also earthquakes at this time in Apemea, Laodicea and Campania: (see Tacit. Annal. ib. xii. § 43, 58; lib. xiv. § 27; lib. xv. § 22; Sueton. Nero, cap. 48; Galb. cap. 18.)-The famine in the days of Claudius is mentioned Acts xi. 28, as well as recorded in history Sueton. Claud. cap. 18,

[are]

there shall be famines,

and pestilences, and [LUKE, great] cartb

quakes in divers places, [and troubles] LUKE

[MARK

XIII. 8.

8 All these are the [be.

and Euseb. Hist. Eccl. lib. ii. cap. 8); and many perished by it in Judea. See Joseph. Antiq. lib. xx. cap. 2, § 6.

h Dreadful sights, and great signs from heaven, &c] Of these appearances, see Joseph. Bell. Jud. lib. vi. cap. 5, (al. vii. 12), § 3, and Tacit. Histor. lib. v. § 13.I cannot here but add an excellent obser vation of Mr. West relating to the authors by whom this prophecy, which is expressed in terms so very plain and circumstan tial, is recorded; that Matthew and Mark were incontestibly dead before the event, as

Luke