ence throughout, and according to which they are so bleuded and intermingled that separation is all but impossible. 2. Practical observations. There is (1) the duty of diligently studying prophecy, as a very important and deeply interesting portion of the Divine Word; thus St. Peter says, “ We have the Word of prophecy made more sure
whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining ina dark place ” (Revised Version). But while the study of prophecy isa pleasing duty, we may not forget that it is attended with special difficulties arising from the very nature of the subject. It is evident that the design of prophecy would be frustrated if it were fully understood beforehand ; in such a case men would be found desirous, some of antedating, others of defeating, the predicted events. (2) In the study of prophecy we must not strive to be wise above what is written, nor lean too much to our own understanding. We are to have in recollection that “‘ the secret things belong unto the Lord: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children for ever.” In our attempts at the interprets- tion of unfulfilled prophecy, in addition to diligent comparison of Scripture under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we are to pursue the study as far as possible along the lines of prophecies already fulfilled. (3) Two uses of fulfilled prophecy are obvious. One is the corroboration of the truth of God’s Word, and so a strong confirmation of our faith in that Word; the second is a guarantee for the future from the past. The predictions which have been already and actually fulfilled warrant the expectation that such as still wait for fulfilment shall one day be most certainly accomplished ; and then shall the light shed by Divine providence shine so brightly on those portions of the Divine Word now mysterious, that they shall appear plain and clear as noonday. 3. Character of the disciples’ observation. The object which the disciples had in view, when they called the attention of their Master to the great stones of the temple, is not quite clear. We may consider their remark a casual one, called forth by the sight of such huge structures—such immense stones, measuring, according to Josephus, some of them twenty-five cubits in length, eight in height, and twelve in breadth; others forty-five cubits in length, five in height, and six in breadth. Or perhaps the numerals in case of the cubits, in both the passages of Josephus, should be the same, namely, twenty- five. The sight of stones of such vast dimensions, of enormous marble blocks, of the gorgeousness and grandeur of the buildings, would justify their remark ; still the sight of all these would not vindicate it from being somewhat superficial and commonplace, natural enough to Galilean peasants, and such as might be made by very unsophisti- cated persons. We may perhaps be warranted, therefore, in reading a deeper meaning into their observation. Might it not be that the thought occurred to them that an edifice of such splendour and magnificence would be no way unsuitable to, nor unworthy of, Messiah’s reign and of the temporal kingdom which they still clung to? 4. The point of time at which the observation was made. Jesus was leaving the temple, and leaving it for the last time. What solemn thoughts must have occupied his mind as he bade farewell to that beautiful sanctuary! How different they must have been from those of his disciples, in whatever way their words are to be understood! He is now turning his back for ever on the national temple, long the centre of Jewish worship, with its august shrine, where the Shechinah glory had appeared above the cherubim, where the Divine presence in visible symbol had been manifested, where the most solemn acts of religious service had been performed, and where the one living and true God had been worshipped, while polytheism had prevailed in the nations all around. Now, however, the spirit of the theocracy was gone, Judaism had fallen into decrepitude, the national temple still stood in all its splendour; but the great Inhabitant was about to take his departure. The Messenger of the covenant had come suddenly to his temple; but with his rejection and death already determined on, life and light and liberty were on the eve of departing for ever, and the kingdom about to pass into other and more worthy hands. The disciples, who, like other Jews, still indulged the daydream of a worldly kingdom and political independence in connection with Messiah, must ] ave been more than surprised by our Lord’s reply. Their pleasant fancies are dispelled ; to their fondest aspirations a rude shock is given. ‘They are startled, stunned, and silenced, Stone not left upon stone that shall not be loosened from its place and thrown to the ground! and all this affirmed with the utmost positiveness of assertion! What can it mean? They roll the matter over in their shoughts; they reflect, but cannot persuade themselves that the words are to be under-
216 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [oun. xm. 1—37,
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