the payment of this tribute-money. He, who was Son of God, might fairly have been excused from paying for the maintenance of His Father's house. He, who was ^^ greater than the temple,'' might have shown good cause for declining to contribute to the support of the temple. But our Lord does not do so. He claims no exemption. He desires Peter to pay the money demanded. At the same time He declares His reasons. It was to be done, " lest we should oifend them." " A miracle is worked," says Bishop Hall, "rather than offend even a tax-collector."
Our Lord's example in this case deserves attention of all who profess and call themselves Christians. There is deep wisdom in those five words, " lest we should offend them." They teach us plainly, that there are matters in which Christ's people ought to sink their own opinions, and submit to requirements which they may not thoroughly approve, rather than give offence and " hinder the Gospel of Christ." God's rights undoubtedly we ought never to give up ; but we may sometimes safely give up our own. It may sound very fine and seem very heroic to be al- ways standing out tenaciously for our rights. But it may well be doubted, with such a passage as this, whether such tenacity is always wise, and shows the mind of Christ. There are occasions, when it shows more grace in a Christian to submit than to resist.
Let us remember this passage as citizens and subjects. We may not like all the political measures of our rulers. We may disapprove of some of the taxes they impose. But the grand question after all is. Will it do any good to the cause of religion to resist the powers that be ? Are their measures really injuring our souls ? If not, let us 10