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6. Now when Jesus was in Bethany,' in the house of Simon the leper,

7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

2

St. John tells us, that this was Mary, sister of Martha and of Lazarus. She had always shown peculiar attachment to our Lord, and to his instructions: she had "sat at his feet, and heard his word." 3 And this had been lately increased by the wonderful restoration of her brother to life. So she seized the opportunity of testifying her reverence and love in a manner which proved its overflowing fulness. According to the custom of that age and country, she could have given no higher token of her respect, than by pouring out upon his head this "ointment of spikenard, very precious." To our habits, the action appears extraordinary: but it was well understood by those who witnessed it. Perfumed oil, or ointment, was poured upon the head of kings and priests, and other distinguished persons, at sumptuous feasts, as well as on solemn occasions; and hence became the common emblem of gladness, wealth, and plenty. Where David is recounting the mercies of God, he says, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest mine head with oil; and my cup shall be full."" When

At this period, he visited Jerusalem in the day-time; and in the evening returned to lodge at the neighbouring village of Bethany.

2 John xi. 2.

John xi. 43.

3 Luke x. 39.

5 Ps. xxiii. 5.

the blessings of unity and concord are to be extolled, they are compared to the precious ointment which was poured upon the head of Aaron. And among the ways in which cheerfulness is to be shown, and the ostentation of repentance to be avoided, our Lord himself had said, "Thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, that thou appear not unto men to fast." 6

Mary, therefore, in making this use of the alabaster box of very precious ointment which she had in her possession, did the greatest thing in her power to display her attachment and admiration of our Lord.

part:" and she knew led her to choose it, Were there no other

She had reason. She was persuaded that he was the Christ, the beloved Son of God, the Saviour of the world. Therefore, no sign of respect could possibly be too great for him. But, further, she had particular and personal obligations to him. He had exercised his power as Son of God, as Saviour, in restoring her dearest relation. And, beyond all, she had "chosen the good within herself, that he had and enabled her to keep it. proofs of the excellence of religion and piety, it is sufficiently declared by the gratitude which the pious and good feel towards those who have been instruments of spiritual improvement to them. Whilst the affections are still entangled with things below, and sinful or worldly objects have the chief hold upon the mind, all exhortation, and warning, and instruction, is indignantly rejected. Men refuse to "hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never

6 Ch. vi. 17.

so wisely." But whenever the Spirit of God has effected a change in this respect, then no expressions of thankfulness, and no return of kindness, seem sufficient to satisfy the feelings of the heart towards any who have contributed to produce it. When the ways of wisdom are experienced to be ways of peace and pleasantness, those become dearest to our thoughts and feelings, who have been the means of turning our feet into such pleasant paths.

Conduct, however, which is both well meant and well directed, does not always meet with its due acknowledgment. This action of Mary's, like many other actions, might be taken in two ways: might be applauded as a sign of love, or might be blamed for its extravagance. And there is not universally that charity which "hopeth all things.”

8. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

10. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

12. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

13. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial for her.

Our Lord well knew, that in two days from the hour in which he was speaking, his body would be taken down from the cross, and laid in the tomb.

And he well knew that his apostles then would never grudge or complain of any respect that could be shown to his memory. Mary, unknown to herself, had anticipated the embalming of his body. She had done it for his burial.

And he also

many of the and said, have

This he prophetically declared. prophetically declared, that though things which he himself both did not been recorded,' this good work should be recorded, and told for a memorial of her who wrought it. So it has proved: and wherever it is told as a memorial, it assures us of this, that God will behold with approbation the things which are done in a desire to show him honour; and is more likely to excuse zeal than coldness. Whatever is designed for the service of God, and intended to promote his glory, let it be well considered, lest it mar the cause which we desire to serve. But with this due caution, the effect of love towards God, shall resemble the effect of love towards our fellowcreatures; where no one is afraid of betraying too much ardour, but all the apprehension is, lest our expressions or our services should fail in doing justice to our feelings. There is nothing in what Mary did, but what might have been done on the justest principles of prudence. This alabaster box of very precious ointment was reserved for some occasion of extraordinary hospitality or festivity: for a marriage-feast, or a guest of unusual dignity. Where could it be better used, than to honour one who was to her more than guest, or friend, or brother, or husband? And we may as justly consider, that the proper employment of God's gifts of for7 See John xx. 30.

tune, or of faculties, of influence, or of knowledge, is in promoting the glory of Him who bestows them. Whatever sign of gratitude we show, we shall not exceed the rule of the commandment, which enjoins us to "love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind."

LECTURE CVI.

JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS.-THE SACRAMENT OF

THE LORD'S SUPPER INSTITUTED.

MATT. xxvi. 14—29.

14. Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

15. And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray

him.

This is one of the many passages of Scripture which show us how the counsels of God are accomplished through the natural dispositions or passions of men. The Son of man was to be betrayed into the hands of sinners: so he had frequently foretold. But if he was to be betrayed, there must needs be a traitor. Among the twelve apostles, is one whose heart had never been so far converted by all that he

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