and derive fresh vigour from the enmity and opposition which were intended to destroy it.

There was no design, therefore, that the Christians, as Christians, should be exempt from persecution. But it was designed, that they should be preserved from the calamities prepared for the Jews who persecuted them. Therefore a salutary warning follows, by attending to which the Christians might escape, and in fact did escape, the miseries attendant upon the destruction of Jerusalem.

14. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judæa flee to the mountains:

15. And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:

16. And let him that is in the field not turn back again to take up his garment.

17. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!3

18. And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.

19. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

20. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

2 Dan. ix. 27. When ye shall see the Roman army encamped about the sacred city.

* To whom flight would be impossible or difficult.

i. e. The whole Jewish nation would be exterminated. But it is the will of God, that a remnant of his elect people should survive.

21. And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:

22. For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

23. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

The instruction here given, that the Christians might escape the vengeance coming upon Jerusalem, is equally applicable to the preparation which all require, that they may be able to "stand before the Son of Man" at his appearing.

Their treasures in the house, their business in the field, were to be alike deserted, lest, while they attended to these, the enemy should enter, and they be taken by surprise. And woe to those whom domestic cares should entangle and impede!

So let nothing delay a man from preparing to meet his God. Let no business, no pleasures, no public or private duties induce him to wait for a more "convenient season," if he is not at the present moment living in the faith of Christ. Whilst he is otherwise employed, life is wearing, and judgment drawing near. "They that are ready," when the bridegroom cometh, "go in unto the marriage: and the door is shut." And the Lord has plainly said, Take ye heed; behold, I have foretold you all things.

The Messiah is appearing to deliver us.

LECTURE CVII.

AWFUL DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM.-WATCH

FULNESS ENJOINED.

MARK xiii. 24-37.

24. But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun Matt. xxiv. shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

29-51. Luke xxi.

25. And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers 28-36. that are in heaven shall be shaken.

26. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

27. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

28. Now learn a parable of the fig-tree: when her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:

29. So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.

30. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.

31. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

32. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the

Father.

Under the image of the failing of the sun and moon, and the shaking of the powers of heaven, the total destruction of Jerusalem is foretold, and the removal of the Divine presence from that rebellious

city. The sun had shone there with a brightness elsewhere unknown; the light of revelation had given its inhabitants a knowledge of God, and instructed them in his will. But now the sun should be darkened, and the moon should not give her light; the law in which they made their boast was superseded; the "oracles of God" were no longer committed to their care. They should see the truth of Christ's words confirmed; they should see the Son of man coming in clouds of vengeance to "burn up the city" which would not have Him to reign over it; and they shall see him coming, not only in the power of a conqueror, but in the glory of a king, to rule over a willing people who hear and obey his word. He shall send his angels, his apostles and evangelists, who shall gather from the uttermost parts of the earth, "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people," redeemed from iniquity, zealous of good works, and waiting for a heavenly kingdom.

All this should happen at the appointed time. They were to expect it, when they saw the first appearance of the signs which he had revealed, as the leaves put forth from the tender branch betoken the approach of summer. And many of that generation, many living when these words were uttered, should survive to witness their truth. So it proved: within forty years the temple was destroyed, the city was laid waste, the people perished, or were carried off as captives; the law ceased to be observed; and they who had been "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and without God in the world," were gathered together into a holy catholic

Church, "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."

With no less certainty shall another event take place, of which the terms of the description here are doubtless intended to remind us. (2 Pet. iii. 10.) "The day of the Lord will come, in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burnt up." "Then the Son of man shall send his angels, and gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity:" and shall gather together his elect, those who have received him and believed in his name, from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth; that where he is, they may be for ever.

We look for these things. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. "What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness?"

The apostles would naturally desire to ask, when these events should take place? What would be the time "of his coming, and of the end of the world."

But of that day and hour, either when the judg ments of God should fall upon Jerusalem, or when all mankind should be summoned to their great account, God did not see fit to make precise revelation. It is among "the secret things which belong to the Lord our God;" which knoweth no man, по not the angels which are in heaven, nei

1 See Eph. ii. 11—22.