From the miracle thus illustrated we may,
II. Found upon it some profitable advice —
1. Was the Lord Jesus thus poor? Let us learn contentment with our lot, however poor and afflicted it may be —
[The Lord's people are often most destitute and afflicted. But shall any one repine at poverty when he reflects on the
d 1 Cor. viii. 13.
condition of our blessed Lord ? Though he was Lord of all things, yet had he not a place where to lay his head, or a piece of silver to pay his tax. Let all then be satisfied with their lot, however humble. Let us not judge of God's love to us by the outward dispensations of his providence. Let us re- member that, if God be our God, we are rich indeed, however poor our outward circumstances may be. The state of Lazarus was infinitely better than that of his rich ungodly neighbour. The true believer, though visibly he should " have nothing, yet in fact, possesses all things." In fact, if we look at the state of our blessed Lord, we shall see, that the character most dignified on earth is that of a poor pious man : and he who best sustains it, is most conformed to the image of God's only dear Son.]
2. Did Christ, to avoid giving offence, pay a tax, from which he was exempt ? Let us not only pay cheerfully our just dues, but rather wave our strict rights, than, by rigorously insisting on them, give rise to clamour and contention —
[Our Lord submitted cheerfully to all the ordinances both of God and man ; nor would he needlessly give offence by rigorously insisting even on liis just rights. Alas ! how different is the conduct of many who profess themselves his follow^ers ! He paid a tax which was not really due, rather than contend about it ; whereas they clamour about the taxes which are legally due, and use every mean artifice to evade them. He paid notwithstanding he was constrained to work a miracle in order to gain the money, when he would have violated no law if he had withheld the tribute; while they, without any such urgent necessity, violate the most express commands of God, in refusing to " render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's," and to " pay tribute to whom tribute is due." More especially, did he act thus in order " that he might not give offence?" Let us avoid a contentious spirit; and, instead of joining in the clamour which ungodly men are ever raising against their governors, determine ever to be found among them that are " quiet in the land." We cannot doubt how Christ would conduct himself if he were now living amongst us: let it then be seen that we, all of us, " walk as he walked."]
3. Did he, under the pressure of want, supply the necessities of himself and Peter by a miracle ? Let us trust in him for a supply of all our wants in the time of need —
[To what situation can any one be reduced, wherein Christ will not be able to discern and to supply his wants ? Are we