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centercenterTable of Contents TOC \h the ...ADVERTISEMENT. ...THE ...SECTION XVII. ...SECTION XXV. ...SECTION XXVIII. ...SECTION XXXIII. ...50 ...SECTION I. ...SECTION XXVI. ...SECTION XXXI. ...' ...THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS. ...SECTION III. ...SECTION VI. ...I ...SECTION XVIII. ...SECTION XXI. ...THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS. ...SECTION VI. ...THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS. ...SECTION IV. ...SECTION XI. ...SECTION XIII. ...THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIAN3. ...SECTION III. ...I ...I ...SECTION I. ...SECTION III.' ...THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ...SECTION VIII. ...THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY. ...SECTION IV. ...SECTION VI. ...THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY. ...SECTION II. ...THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS. ...THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON. ...[Here ends the fifth volume of the original work.] ...) ...SECTION VIII. ...SECTION XII. ...SECTION XIV. ...SECTION XVI. ...SECTION XX. ...THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. ...THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER. ...SECTION II. ...-: ...? ...THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER. ...SECTION III. ...divine word and providence, which our weak and defective organs ...SECTION V. ...THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN. ...THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. ...THE EPISTLE OF JUDE. ...THE REVELATION OV JOHN. ...SECTION XXIV. ...: ...About this Book - From Google The FAMILY EXPOSITOR ABRIDGED: ACCORDING TO THE PLAN OF ITS AUTHOR, THE Rev. P. DODDRIDGE, D. D. IN TWO VOLUMES. BY S. PALMES. TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED, MEMOIRS OF DOCTOR DODDRIDGE. VOL. II. All scripture is given by inspiration of God; and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. iii. 16,17. Mv$t american CDitfom HARTFORD: PRINTED BY LINCOLN & GLEASON. 1807. ADVERTISEMENT. THOUGH the author, if his life had been spared to publish this Abridgment himself, intended to have left out all his Introductions to the several Epistles, it has been thought advisable to give the reader a concise abstract of them, so as to convey an idea of the occasion on which these Epistles were written, and the leading objects which the writers had in view. With regard to some of the longest of them, especially that to the Romans, the editor has thought something further was desirable, and therefore has abridged the whole of the Introduction, so as to form a concise Analysis of the Epistle, apprehending that this will serve to throw considerable light upon various passages. In the doctrinal part, where the sense appeared to be attended with difficulty, more of the author's paraphrase is retained, than in the rest of this volume; in the far greater part of which the sense seemed so obvious as to need no explanation. There are perhaps fewer Notes in this volume than some readers might have wished and expected, but there are as many as the prescribed limits of the work would admit, or as appeared needful for answering the design proposed, and more than the author himself intended: the practical Reflections being the things which he and'the promoters of this undertaking considered as of the principal importance to the generality of private Christians, and especially to Christian Families. :/':December 9, 1800. 'J: THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS.'HIS epistle was written from Corinth, about the year of our Lord SS,-* which was the 4th of Nero. The design of it was, to fix on the mind* of the Christians at Rome a deep- sense of the excellence of the gospel, and to engage them to act in a manner agreeable to their profession of it; particularly to compromise the differences between the Jewish and Gentile converts, of which this church consisted.—After a suitable introduction, the apostle proves the excellence of the gospel, as the means of salvation, by shewing, 1. That the world needed such a dispensation, the Gentiles being fallen into a most abandoned state (Ch. i. 18—) and the Jews being no better, as their own scriptures testify (Ch. ii.1—2. That Abraham and David sought justification in such a way as the gospel recommends, viz. by faith (Ch.iv)-.—S. Tlmt hereby believers are brought into so happy a state as renders afflictions the occasions of joy-(Ch. v. 1—11).—4. That the evils brought on the seed of the first Adam by his fall, are gloriously repaired by the second Adam, to all who by faith become interested in him (v. 12)—5. That the gospel, far from dissolving, increases our obligations to holiness (Ch. vi).To take off the Jews from a fond attachment to the Mosaic law, now they were married to Christ, he represents tlie inefficacy of its motives to obedience, compared with those of the gospel (Ch. vii. viii. 1, 2.) and displays the blessings of grace and glory which it secures (3—39).It being implied that, as all believing Gentiles would sliare in these blessings, so all unbelieving Jews must- be excluded*from them, the apostle employs three chapters in discussing this important topic. Having declared his affection to the Jewish nation (Ch. ix. 1—5) he shews, 1. That a part of the seed of Abraham had actually been rejected (v. 6—13).—2. That the sovereign choice of some to peculiar privileges, to which none had any claim, and the appointment of some from among many criminals to exemplary punishment, was consistent both with reason and scripture (v. 14—24).—3. T/mt the reception of the Gentiles when Israel should be rejected, was foretold by Hosea and Isaiah (v. 26—).—4. That the gospel salvation is offered both to Jews and Gentiles on tlie same easy terms, though Israel by a bigotted attacliment to their law had rejected it (Ch. x).—5. That the rejection of Israel, though general, as foretold, is not total (Ch. xi. 1—10).—6. That neither would it be final, but the'. Jews would at last be brought in a body into the church of Christ (v. 11—31).—7. That in the meani time their obstinacy, and their rejection, are happily over-ruled, so as to display the unsearchable wisdom of God (v. 32).—The remainder of the epistle is taken up in a -mriety of practical instructions, and exhortations, particularly (Ch. xiv. xv.) to mutual candour between those who did, and those who did not, tliink themselves obliged in conscience to observe the ceremonies enjoined by the law of Moses. SECTION I.Paul, in his salutation to the Christians at Rome, asserts his apostolic com? ? mission. Ch. i. 1—7. 1 "TJAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle*, '2 J~ separated to the gospel of God, which before was promised3 by his prophets in the holy scriptures of the Old Testament, relating to his son Jesus Christ our Lord: who was born of the seed4 and family of David according to the flesh, but determinately marked out as the son of God with power, according to the operation of the spirit of holinessf, in the resurrection from the dead:5 by whom we have received grace and an apostolical mission, that out of regard to his name, all nations might be brought to the6 obedience of faith: among whom are ye Ramatis also now the7 called of Jesus Christ: To all in Rome, who are beloved of God, called and holy ; grace. be to you and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. .REFLECTIONS.Let us begin the perusal of this excellent, though in many passages obscure and difficult epistle, with paying our humble acknowledgments to the divine goodness, that we are favoured with so valuable a part of scripture as that contained in the apostolical epistles. How happy are we, who read from the pen of those holy men the sentiments they entertained of Christianity, under the full illumination of the sacred Spirit; and so learn what were the leading affections which prevailed in their minds. By these letters, they open all their hearts to us, amidst their labours and sufferings* that we also may have fellowship with them in those important things in which their communion was with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ. With particular pleasure let us peruse the writings of Paul, who ivas, in so peculiar a manner, called. to be an apostle, andscparated to the * As the judaizing teachers disputed Paul's claim to the apostolic office, it is with great propriety that he asserts it, in the entrance of an epistle in which th<^ pnnciples were to be overthrown; and that he introduces the views viiidi the Jewish prophets had given of the gospel, the descent of Christ fromDavid, &c.| Or the Holy Spirit, to which the production of Christ's body is ascribed.See Luke i. 35. gospel of God. He gloried in the name of a servant of Christ, and let us emulate it as the greatest honour. Let us be animated to exert ourselves to the utmost under that character; since God hath been pleased to bring us, though originally sinners of the Gentiles, to the obedience of faith, and to reveal unto us the'gospel of his Son; that glorious gospel predicted by the prophets, and opened by the apostles, yea, by their divine Master.—May our hearts adore the great Emaftuel, who though he condescended to be made of the seed of David, according to his flesh, had a divine nature infinitely superior to il. Let us often reflect on that glorious display of the power of the Holy Ghost, in his resurrection from the dead, by which he was marked out as the son of God; and yielding to the force of such a demonstration, let us confide in him as Jesus our Saviour, and obey him as Christ our Lord. We are called to partake of the privileges of Jiis people ; we belong to the society of those who are eminently beloved of God, and . who lie under obligations, as they are called an holy nation, a peculiar people, to be indeed saints, to be holy in all manner of conversation,**' as being entirely devoted to God and the Redeemer. May such grace be imparted to us from God our Father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord, that we may not dishonour the sacred community to which we belong; that we may not with millions be cast out at last infamous and abhorred, but may enjoy its most important privileges, in that state of final and everlasting glory in which the kingdom of the Son ef God shall terminate!SECTION II.The apostle strongly expresses his affection for his Christian friends at Rome. Ch. i. 8—15.8 TN the first place, I thank my God through Jesus Christ, for X you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world.9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his sen, is my witness, how incessantly I make mention of you before him: 10 always entreating in my prayers hie permission to corns unto you, if by any means now at length I may have a prosperous11 journey unto you by the will of God. For I desire greatly to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may12 be established in your faith, and fortified against temptation, that is, in other words, I desire that while I am among you, we maybe comforted together by the mutual faith both of you and mc.IS And I would not have you ignorant,brethren, that I have often been proposing to come to you, though I-have hitherto been hindered, that I might have some fruit of my labours among you also, even14 as I have had among the rest of the Gentiles. For I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the learned and the15 ignorant: therefore according to my abilities, I am ready and%ery desirous to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome, though at the expense of my reputation, my liberty, or life. REFLECTIONS. Happy is the church of Christ, when its ministers are thus conscious of the excellency of the gospel, and thus earnestly desirous, in the midst of reproach, persecuiion, and danger, to extend its triumphs; 'when they can thus appeal to God, that it is with their spirit that they serve him in the gospel of his Son. This will give them a largeness of heart well becoming their office. Devotion will then flourish in their secret retirements, as well as be maintained by them in public assemblies; and the concerns of the churches, and sometimes of far distant churches, will have a place in their thoughts and prayers at such solemn seasons.—May they ever remember that, as the servants of Christ, they are to be the friends of mankind; and that their Master has laid such obligations upon them, that for his sake they are debtors to the whole world, in every office of Christian friendship, and especially as to any spiritual gift which by their ministration they may be instrumental in imparting. The more they exert themselves in such services, the more will their own faith and comfort, as well as that*of their people, be confirmed.—But in whatever station we are, let us be* forming schemes for the service of God, and good of men; projecting our journeys and visits on that plan, yet always with a becoming sense pf our dependance on the smiles of heaven, for prosperity and success; and as dutiful children, referring it to the infinitely superior wisdom of our heavenly Father, to put a negative, at his sacred pleasure, upon those purposes which lie nearest to our hearts, and in which we most sincerely intend his glory.SECTION III.Paul declares his readiness to preach the gospel at Rome; and he shews that the world greatly needed such a dispensation, from the abandoned state into wliich the Gentiles were fallen. Ch. i. 16—32.16 r I "'HERE is nothing that I more earnestly wish than to preath I the gospel at Rome, the capital city of the world; for, with whatever contempt it is treated, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God for salvation, to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek, the Gentiles of 17 every nation. Fo|>4n it the righteousness of God, his appointed method of becoming righteous, by faith, is revealed to our faith: as18 it is written (Hab. ii. 4.) "The just shall live by faith." For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of men, who restrain the truth in unrighteousness.19 For what is to be known of God is manifest among them, for God20 hath shewed it to them by the universal light of nature. For those things of him which are invisible, are from the creatimi of the world (being duly attended to) clearly seen by the Jhings which are made, even his eternal power and divinity; so that they are21 without excuse: because knowing God, they have not glorified him as God, neither were thankful; but they became vain in their reasonings; and their unintelligent heart was more and more ini 22 solved in darkness. Professing themselves to be sages, or lovers 23 of wisdom, they became fools: and they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the representing image of corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and reptiles, such as serpents 24 and beetles. God therefore in righteous judgment withdrew from them, and delivered them up to uncleanness, in gratifying the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their bodies among them25 selves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie*, and -worshipped and served the creature to the neglect of the Creator, who is26 blessed for ever. Amen.f [Therefore God abandoned them to the most infamous passions: for their women changed the natural27 use to that which is against nature. And likewise their males, leaving the natural use of the female have been inflamed with desires towards each other, males with males perpetrating that which is most shameful, and receiving in themselves the just recom28 pence of their error.] And as they were not solicitous to retain God in their knowledge, God delivered them over to an undiscern-*29 ing mind, to do things most inexpedient and enormous: according ly, the whole of their discourses and actions shewed that they were full of all injustice, lewdness, mischief, covetousness, malignity; filled with envy, murder, contention, fraud, inveteracy of evil SO habits; whispering, backbiting, haters of God, violent, proud,31 boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents; without understanding, implacable, without natural affection:):, breaking treaties, unmerciful. This character generally prevailed among the 32 heathen, who though they knew, the righteous judgments of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only do these things, but agree together with, and have complacency in those that do them.\*- REFLECTIONS. When we dwell on the representation of that character which this humane and candid apostle gives of the heathen world, with regard to their idolatries, impieties, and other immoralities, what reason hfcve we to ble$s God for the dispensation of the gospel; which hath wrought so effectually for the reformation of thousands, who might ~* ? otherwise have been as deeply drenched in all these enormities as the vilest of them ! For we know, that it was not the barbarous nations alone, but some.of the politest, who in neglect of all the opportunities they had of knowing better, and in opposition to that better knowledge which some of them actually obtained, were often distinguished for the superstition of their worship, and the scandal of their lives ; so that the chief illustrations of this sad subject-are to be borrowed from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. * Eisner shews thaUAe tru.U of God here signifies what he really was, and s lie, a false representation of him. Idols are often called lies. t The Reader in a Family will probably deem it prudent to omit these two verses.% Exposing infants, and killing aged parents, were common in the heathen world. §Vol. II. B Let us learn, not only to guard against the vices for which the heathens are here branded (knowing that the practice in us will be yet more criminal) let us cultivate the opposite virtues of justice and temperance, benevolence and contentment, peace and charity, sincerity and humility; and let us cherish the natural tender affections. I? offences arise, let us-always be ready to hearken to terms of reconciliation, and faithfully observe our engagements; taking the greatest heed, that knowing so clearly as we do the judgments of God, we do not, by any means, give countenance to, and seem-to join in a confederacy with sinners.Let us bless God for all the capacities and opportunities he hath given to the heathen nations of coming to the knowledge of himself by the things that are made, which declare his eternal power and Godhead, and render inexcusable both atheists and idolaters among them. But when we recollect how many either entirely lost the truth, or imprisoned it in unrighteousness, let us be most affectionately thankful for so superior a light; for that gosfiel which is to every believer, without exception, the power of God for salvation, and which declareth the righteousness of God, as the object of our faith. . May we properly receive it, and so escape the terrors of that divine wrath which is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness cf men.—To this revelation let us give the most attentive heed, and.be much upon ouiguard against those vain and sophistical reasonings, to which they. who knowing God, neglect to glorify him as God, are so ready to fly; lest we approve ourselves fools in proportion to the degree in which we profess to be wise, and provoke God to give us up to an injudiciousmind, and to leave us to that reciprocal influence which evil principles and evil actions have to render each other more inveterate and incurable.SECTION IV.Ttie condemnation of those who know their duty, and yet act contrary to it > the Jews charged, above all others, as answering that character. Ch. il 1—16.1 "VTOW if the heathen were justly condemned, for acting so contrary to their natural light; therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou j.udgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou who judgest and condem-' 2 nest others, dost the same things.* For we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against all those who do such things.2 And reasonest thou thus, O man, who judgest those that do such things, while thou doest them thyself, that thou shouldest escape4 the judgment of God? Or dost thou despise the riches of his gentleness, and forbearance, and long-suffe; ing ; not knowing that the5 goodness and gentleness of God lcadeth thee to repe'ntance? But by this hardness and impenitence of thy heart, art treasuring up* That this was the case with the Jews, Josephus. has testified ; but the apostle doth not directly speak cf them till v. 9. to thyself a store of wrath in the day offinal wrath, and the rcvcla6 tion of the righteous judgment of God; who will then rccom7 pense every man according to his works : to those that by a patient course of well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immor8 tality, eternal life : but to the children of contention, who quarrel wifh the merciful dispensation which should have saved them; who are disobedient to the truth, but obedient to unrighteousness, he 9 will render indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul tlf man who worketh evil; to the Jew first, nvho has had 10 superior advantages, and then also to the Greek. Hut glory, honour, and peace shall he to every one who worketh good; first to11 the Jew, and then to the Greek : For there is no partial acceptance12 of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without the wriiten law, shall without the law perish. And as many as have sin13 ned under the law, shall be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall beI 4 justified. For when the Gentiles, who have not the law, do by nature the duties required by the law, these having not the benefit \5ofa revealed law, are a law unto themselves: who shew the work . of the law written upon their hearts; their consciences joining to bear witness, and their mutual reasonings among themselves acI6 cusing or defending them. On this equitable principle will all be treated in that day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.REFLECTIONS. Let us revere the righteous judgment of God, which is here laid before us in so particular and affecting a manner; remembering we are each of us to have our part in that day of final retribution, and that the secrets of our hearts will then be made manifest. Let us often reflect upon the awful result; and consider, that indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish will be our portion, if we are contentious and disobedient to the truth, yea, if we do not, by a patient continuance in. well-doing, seek the promised glory, honour, and immortality: which, if we do, we shall, through the grace of God, secure everlasting life. Vain will our knowledge and our profession otherwise be, and our testimony against the sins of others will only inflame the guilt of our own.Let it ever be remembered, that the goodness of God, which we have such daily reason to acknowledge and adore, gently takes us, aswere, by hand, and leadeth to repentunce; and while we continually live upon it, let us not act in contempt of it, or abuse it to our own inconceivable detriment. Is the wrath already laid up so small, that -we should be increasing the treasure ? Increasing the terrors of the day of wrat/[, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God? It -will be a most impartial, as well as important day. Nor are we concerned to know how the heathen will fare in it : let it suffice us, that if they are condemned, they will be righteously condemned; not for remaining ignorant of the gospel they never had an opportunity of healing, but for violating those precepts of the divine lair which were inscribed on their consciences. Let us bless God that he has written it there, and reverence the traces of his hand on our own minds; always remembering, that the discoveries of revelation were never intended to erase or discredit the dictates of nature, but to illustrate and confirm them.—We shall be judged by the dispensation we have enjoyed ; and how devoutly soever we may hear and speak of it, shall be condemned, if we have not acted agreeably thereto. The Lord grant that we may all find that mercy of the Lord, which we shall every one of us need in that day; and that we may find it, may 'we keep that day continually in view, and direct all our actions with a regard to its grand decisions.' SECTION.V.The Jews being sinners as well as the Gentiles, stood in equal need of justification by the grace of the gospel. Ch. ii. 17, &c .17 T) EHOLD, thou bearest the name of a Jew, and thou reposest JTj thyself on the knowledge and profession of the law; and thou18 gloriestin the true God ; and that thou knowest his revealed will, and discernest things that differ, being from thine infancy instruct19 ed out of the law, and art confident that thou thyself art fit to be a guide of the blind, a light to them that are in heathen darkness,20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of babes, having a form or summary of the knowledge and truth, which is in the law.21 Thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?22 For instance; thou that preachest, a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that forbiddest a man to commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou that dost abominate idols, dost thou23 commit sacrilege? Thou that gloriest in the law, dost thou by the24 transgression of the law dishonour God? For " the name of God is by your means blasphemed among the Gentiles," as it is writ25 ten in your own scriptures. * Circumcision is indeed profitable, if a man keep the law : but if thou be a transgressor of the law,26 thy circumcision is in effect become uncircumcision. And therefore if the uncircumcision + observe the righteous determinations of the law, though without the book that contains them, shall not27 his uncircumcision be imputed as circumcision ? Yea the uncircumcision that is by nature, (one who continues as he was born, without this rite) accomplishing the law, in its great moral purposes, shall judge and condemn thee, who by the % letter and cir28 cumcision art a transgressor of the law. For he is not a Jew, who is so in outward shew, neither is that the true circumcision, which* Tup " For," here, as in many other places, like "now," is little more than an expletivef That is, an uncircumcised person.X i. e. 'Vtio though acting according to the letter of its ceremonial precepts, yet.iu more essential matters art, &c . 29 is apparent in the flesh: But he is a Jew, who is one in the hidden part; and acceptable circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.REFLECTIONS.Let our hearts be always attentive to these lessons of inward religion which the sacred oracles fail not continually to inculcate. It is the praise of God that is in question : and who can be so lost to all true greatness of mind, to all generous ambition, as that he should not long, and even burn to obtain it? Or who can enjoy, or attend to the praise of men, while he has any reason to fear that God condemns? To have the name of a Jew, or of a Christian, how little will it signify? To boast in an external and temporary relation to God, if we are such as shall finally be disowned by him, will make us the more -wretched. To have known his will, to have distinguished things tliat differ, and set up for instructors or reprovers of others, will only fur.ih out matter of condemnation from our own mouths ; if, while .aching others, we teach not ourselves. Well may the punishment be aggravated, where the guilt is so great; when it brings so peculiar a reproach upon religion, and in effect dictates so many blasphemies against the name of God, at the very time it pretends to exalt it.We pity the Gentiles, and we have reason to do it; for they are "Nmentably blind and dissolute: but let us take heed, lest those apl. Frances of virtuel which are to be found among some of them, condemn -us, who, with the^e^er of the law and the gospel, and with the solemn tokens of a covenant-relation to God, transgress his precepts, and violate our engagements to him; so turning the means of goodness and happiness into the occasion of more aggravated guilt and misery.SECTION VI.After removing some objections, the sad case both of Jews and Gentiles is further illustrated, and proved from scripture. Ch.iii . 1—19.1 TQ UT some may object, If it be so, What then is the advantage JLJ of the Jew, or what the profit of circumcision ? I answer, 2 Much every way: chiefly in that they who have received it have been intrusted with the oracles of God, the divinely inspired scrip3 tures. And what if some believed them not? Shall their unbelief4 disannul the faith or fidelity of God? God. forbid! Let God be acknowledged true, though every man be esteemed a liar, as it is written, "That thou mightest be justified in thy words, and5 mightest overcome, when thou art called to judgment." But a Jew may further object, If our unrighteousness recommend the righteousness of God, and illustrate his perfections in tliat way of becoming righteous by faith, what shall we say and expect? Is not God unrighteous, who infiicteth wrath/or rejecting it? I now speak6 as a man disposed to cavil. God forbid! how then should God7 judge the world? Such a caviller might as well say, For if the truth of God hath abounded to his own glory by means of my lie, or in 8 iquity of any kind, why am I called into judgment as a sinner'? And why may I not say (as we are calumniated, and some affirm that we maintain) let us do evil, that good may come? Whose condemnation is most apparently just.—But to return to the question: 9 What then? have we Jews the advantage of the Gentiles? so as to claim justification by our obedience? Not at all; for we have be10 fore proved that Jews and Gentiles are all under sin; as it is writ11 ten*, "There is none righteous, no not one: there is none that understandeth; there is none that seeketh after God. They are12 all declined; they are altogether become useless; there is none13 that practiseth good, not so much as one. Their throat is an open sepulchre ; with their tongues they have used deceit; the venom14 of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and15 bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Ruin and misery 17 are in their ways: and the way of peace they have not known. 19 The fear of God is not before their eyes."—Now we know thatwhat the law f saith, in such passages as these, it saith to those, that were under the law; God's professing people: so that every mouth must be stopped, and the whole world stand convicted before God.REFLECTIONS. Who can read this melancholy picture of human nature, copied by the hand of an apostle from the lines first drawn by inspired prophets, without deep humility and lamentation? To this was it sunk, that there was none righteous, no not one; none disposed to seek after God, or to cultivate his fear. And from this bitter root, the apostasy of our nature from God, what detestable fruit proceeds! The throat which is like an open sepulchre, the deceitful tongue, the envenomed lips, the malicious heart, the murderous hand! And who can wonder, that such rebels txl their heavenly Father should sometimes prove ruffians to their brethren !—Let us bless God that we have been preserved from falling into such enormities, and from falling by them. His grace has restrained us from sinning aguinst him in such an aggravated manner; his providence has guarded us from those whose feet are swift to shed blood, and in whose paths there is destruction and misery. Let us remember the view in which these instances were brought; even to evince this deplorable, but undeniable truth, that Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. The purpose of conviction therefore being answered on our hearts, let1 us humble ourselves before God, as those that stand guilty in his presence, and obnoxious to his judgment. Thankfully let us own the inestimable goodness of God in having favoured us with his sacred oracles, and endeavour to improve in the knowledge of them. Thus instructed, let us be careful to form the most honourable notion of God, as the worthy and universal Judge, who will never fail to do right; and .may these views of him produce an abhorrence of every thing evil which must necessarily be* Ps. xiv. 1—3. liii. 1—3. cxl 3. x. 7. Prov. i. 16,18, &c.7 The word Law sometimes signifies the Old Testament ii> general displeasing to him. Nor let us ever allow ourselves to be brought under the influence of those fallacious and pernicious maxims which "would persuade us, that the goodness of the intention sanctifies the badness of the action; or that the pretended benevolence of the end will justify irregularities in the means. God's judgment and decision is final; and an inspired apostle's authority is an answer to a thousand subtilties, which might attempt to turn us from the strictest rules of that immutable rectitude on which it always proceeds.SECTION VII.From the guilt and misery of mankind, the apostle deduces the necessity of seeking justification by the gospel, and the excellency of that dispensation. Ch. iii. 20, &c.20 * I THEREFORE, since it has been proved that all mankind are J_ guilty before God, it is evident no flesh shall be justified before him by works of the law. For by the law is only the knowl21 edge of sin. But the righteousness of God, his method of becoming righteous, without that perfect obedience which the law requires, is now made manifest, being attested by the whole tenor of the law22 and the prophets: even the righteousness of God by the faith of Jesus Christ, to all, and upon all them that believe; for there is23 no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory24 of God; and all are justified freely by his grace by virtue of that25 redemption which is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath proposed in the gospel as a propitiation by faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness in the remission of sins which are past, ac26 cording to the forbearance of God; for a demonstration, I say, of his righteousness in this present time; that he might be and appear just and yet the justifier of him, whosoever he be, who is of27 the faith of Jesus. Where then is boasting? It is excluded.By what law? By the law of works? No s but by the law of faith.28 We therefore are come to a conclusion, that a man is justified by29 faith without the works of the law. And now does any one ask, Li God the God of the Jews only, and not also of the Gentiles?30 Surely he is the God of the .Gentiles too: so that it is one God, the same unchangeable Jehovah, that will justify the circumcision (viz. the Jews) by faith, and the Gentiles or uncircumcisionSI through the same faith. But do we set aside the law by faith? God forbid: nay, we more firmly establish the law.REFLECTIONS. Let our whole souls rejoice in this glorious display of the divine mercy, in so beautiful an harmony with divine justice, in our redemption by Christ! to which the apostle in this section bears so noble a testimony. We are all become guilty before God; so that if he should mark iniquity, no flesh living could be justified before him: let us therefore with all reverence and esteem, and with all joy, embrace the- righteousness of God., as now attested by the lav and prophets, by Christ and his apostles; which shall be upon all believers without any difference: humbling ourselves deeply in the presence of God, as those who have sinned, and come short of his glory: and seeking to be justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. To him let us continually look, as the great propitiation ; exercising faith in his blood, and rejoicing that those which seemed to our feeble apprehensions the most jarring attributes, are now reconciled and glorified. Let us readily acknowledge that boasting is excluded; and in the grateful overflowings of our souls, fall down before that throne whence pardons are dispensed, and confess "that this act of grace is our only plea;" and that we must remain humble before God for ever, in a sense of the demerit of our sins and the abundance of his mercy.—Let Jews and Gentiles unite in thanksgivings to God, and in love to each other, as having been all involved in the same condemnation, and all partakers of the same compassion. And let Christians remember, that God intended by this illustrious display of grace, not to supersede, but to establish his law. May we therefore make it our concern, that not only the actions of our lives, but the sentiments of our hearts, be directed and determined by it; as it is now enforced by more powerful motives than when it appeared in its unallayed terrors. SECTION VIII.The apostle shews that Abraham and David sought justif cation in the gospel way, viz. by faitlu Ch. iv. 1—12.1 f7l OR the illustration of this doctrine ofjustification, let us consider J_ the instance of the holy patriarch. What then shall we say that Abraham our father according to the flesh hath found effectual 2 in this respect? For if Abraham were justified- by works, he hath something in which he may glory: but yet he hath not any thing 3 to boast in the sight of God. For what saith the scripture ?" Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteous4 ness." (Gen. xv. 6.) Now to him who worketh all that was required, the reward is not charged to account, as of grace, but of5 debt. But to him, who, in this sense, worketh not, but believeth on him who justifieth the ungodly, that repent and return, his6 faith is imputed to him for righteousness.—And this is agreeable to what we read elsewhere; as in Psal. xxxii. where David described! the blessedness of the man to whom God imputeth right7 eousness without works. "Blessed are they whose iniquities are8 pardoned, and whose sius are covered: blessed is the man to whom9 the Lord imputeth no sin." Now this blessedness, doth it come upon the circumcision only, or also on the uncircumcision ? For when we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness;10 howa?rf when was it thus imputed? When he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Truly not in circumcision, but in un11 circumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, die seal of the righteousness of that faith, which he had in uncircumcision: that so he might be the father of all thosc-who believe in the state of uncircumcision, that righteousness may also be imputed 12 unto them. And he received this rite, that he might also be the father of the circumcision to those who were not only brolight under this external ceremony of circumcision, but who also walk in the foot-steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision.REFLECTIONS. If there be indeed such a thing as happiness to be enjoyed by mortal man, it is the portion of that man of whom David speaks, even of him whose iniquity is pardoned, and whose sin is covered, and who enjoys the manifestation of that pardon. Well may he endure the greatest afflictions of life with cheerfulness, and look forward to death with comfort; when the sting of all these evils is taken out, and the returning tokens of the divine favour convert them into blessings. O let us earnestly pray that this happiness may be ours: that the great and glorious Being whom by our sins we have offended, and in whom alone the right and power of pardon resides, would spread the vail of his mercy over our provocations, and blot them out of the book of his remembrance! Let us, on the one hand, fix it in our mind, that it is the character of that man to whom this blessedness belongs, that in his spirit there is no guile; and on the other, let us often reflect, that it is in consequence of a righteousness which God imputes, and which faith receives and embraces. We are saved by a scheme that allows us not to mention any works of our own, as if we had whereof to glory before God, but teaches us to ascribe our salvation to believing on him who justifieth the ungodly. Nor need we be ashamed of flying to such a method to which Abraham the father of the faithful had recourse himself, and on which he built his eternal hope. May we share his disposition of mind, that we may inherit the same promises; walking in the footsteps of our father Ajraham. So shall we also be called the friends and children of God, and sit down with Abraham^ Isaac, and Jacob, in his heavenly kingdom.S E C T I O N IX.Believing God's promises was an illustrious act of faith in the great patriarch Abraliam, in which he was an example to us. Ch. iv. 13, &c.13 T HAVE spoken of Abraham as the Father of uncircumcised believ" X. ers, as well as those of the circumcision: For the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, was not by the law, being prior to it; but by the righteousness of faith.14 Now if they only who are of the law, are heirs, faith is made use15 less, and the promise made to it is, in effect, abrogated. For the law itself, worketh only wrath: for where there is no law, there is 16 no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be of grace; that the prprnise might be secure to all the believing seed }Vol. II. C not only to that part of his posterity which was of the Jewish lawT but to that which is his spiritual seed, by virtue of the faith of Abraham, who is in this view the father of us all, of every nation 17 (as it is written, "I have made thee a father of many nations," Gen xviu 16.) even like God himself the father of all good men, in whom he believed, as reanimating those who- are dead, and calling things that are not as those that are*. Let me speak a little 18 further on the faith of this great Patriarch, Who against hope, believed with hope, that he should be a father of many nations according to that which was spoken to him (Gen. xv. 5.) "So shall19 thy seed be." And not being feeble in faith he considered not his own body now dead, as to the probability of issue, being about an30 hundred years old; nor the deadness of Sarah's womb. He objected not to the promise of God through unbelief, but was21 strengthened by faith, giving glory to God; and was persuaded22 that what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore, so acceptable was this faith to God, that it was imputed to23 him for righteousness. Neither was it written with regard to him24 only, or to do him honour, that it was imputed to him; but also for our sakes, to whom it shall also be imputed, if we believe, with the like faith, in him who raised Jesus our Lord from thedead; who was delivered for our offences, and raised again forr our justification.REFLECTIONS. Let us continually bear in our mind the great and venerable exam-ple of our father Abraham; labour to the utmost to trace his steps;and havefaith in God, who at his pleasure quickeneth the dead and calleth things -which are not as if they were. If sense were to judge, it would pronounce many of these difficulties invincible, which lie in the way of the accomplishment of his promises ; but they shall all be fulfilled in their season. Let us therefore be strong in faith, remembering! that thus it becomes us to glorify that God who condescends so far as to engage the honour of his word for the support of our souls. He who hath promised is able to perform, for with him all things are possible. Already hath he done that for us which he had much less reason to expect, than we now have to hope for any thing that remains. He delivered his son Jesus for our offences, to redeem us by his blood from final and everlasting ruin.—Let it be our daily joy that he was raised again for our justification; and let his resurrection be continually considered as a noble argument to establish our faith in him who performed this illustrious work of power and mercy. So shall it be imputed to iis likewise for righteousness i yea, so shall the righteousness of our Redeemer be reckoned as ours, to all the purposes of our justification and acceptance with God. And though, by our transgression of the law, we can never inherit by any claim from that, which only worketh wrath and condemnation, in consequence of our breach of it; yet shall we, by believing and obeying the gospel, find the promise sure to us, as* i. e. as Eisner has proved, summoning them, as it were, to rise into being, and appear before him. the spiritual seed of Abraham, and be for ever happy in the enjoyment of the better Canaan; when every earthly inheritance shall be no more found.SECTION X.That believers are brought by the gospel into so happy a state, s turns afe 'factions into an occasion of joy. Ch. v. 1—10.1 X ET us now refect on the benefits consequent on that faith which 1 A has been described, both to Jews and Gentiles. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord2 Jesus Christ; by whom we have been introduced, by means of faith, into that state of grace, in which we now stand, and boast3 in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we also glory4 in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and5 patience experience, and experience hope; and this hope doth not shame us, because the love of God is poured into our hearts by his Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.—Now these privileges ?6 and hopes are to be traced up to the death of Christ: For when we were yet weak, and unable to deliver ourselves from our guilt and 7 misery, Christ seasonably died in the stead of the ungodly. Now scarcely would one die in the stead of a righteous or just man; if perhaps in the stead of a good man, a benevolent and generous per8 son, one would even dare to die. But God hath recommended his love towards us, in that when we were yet sinners, Christ died9 in our stead. Therefore much more being now justified by his10 blood, we shall be saved from wrath by him. . For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, how much more being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.REFLECTIONS.With what extasies of holy joy may wc justly survey these inestimable privileges, and blessed consequences of having embraced the gospel, and being justified by faith unfeigned! How great a happiness to have peace with God; with that omnipotent Being, who can at pleasure arm all nature against us, or for us! To have access to him by Jesus Christ, and daily converse with him as our Father in heaven 1 To rejoice in an assured hope of enjoying glory with Christ, in his presence; yea, of enjoying the God of glory: To see all afflictions not only disarmed, but turned into matter of Triumph, while tribulation worketh experience, patience and hope I So may all our tribulations work, and be they ever so severe, they will be reasons for our joy and praise. The pain of them will soon be over; the happy consequences of them will be as lasting as our immortal souls.Let us endeavour to dilate our hearts, that we may receive the largest effusions of the love of God, to be shed abroad there. The love of God ! That plant of paradise, which will spring up into eternal life. And to excite it, let us be daily meditating upon the rich wonders of redeeming love and grace; adoring that seasonable interposition of divine mercy, that when we were weak and guilty creatures, when we lay for ever helpless under a sentence of everlasting condemnation, that is, when we appeared thus in the eyes of him who beholdeth things which are not as if they were, Christ diedfor us, and gave a token of his love even for the worst of sinners, which few among the children of men are willing to give, with respect to the most upright and benevolent of their brethren. Since the love of God comes thus recommended, let us cordially embrace- it, and awaken all the powers of our souls to a diligent care to secure the happy fruits; that we may not receive the grace of God in r<ain.— If we do indeed experience in ourselves, not only that there is a foundation laid for our reconciliation, but that we are actually reconciled to God by the death of his Son, our hopes may rise high, that we shall much more obtain consummate salvation by his life. For surely it is infinitely more astonishing, that the Son of God should die to reconcile enemies, than that, having subdued their hearts by his dying love, and received them to friendship as the purchase of his blood, he should employ his recovered life and extensive authority for their protection, and complete salvation. SECTION XI.That the calamities brought by the first Mam tn his seed, are gloriously repaired to all who by faith become interested in I he second Adam. Chv. 11, &c.11 /"\N these divine principle*do we rejoice in tribulation. And not V/ only so, but we also boast in God, as our covenant God and Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom we have now received the reconciliation, and all the blessings of his fricndshifi. 12 Therefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, [fKenJ * so death passed upon all men, unto which (i. e. death) 13 all have sinned. For until the time of giving the Law, as well as after it, sin was in the world, as appeared in the punishment of it 14 by death : but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those, infants as well as others, who had not sinned in their own persons, according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who was15 the figuref of him who was to come. Yet the free gift of God under the gospel is not limited as was the offence. For if by the offence of one (viz. Mam) many died, much more hath the grace of God, and the gift which is granted by grace in one man, Jesus Christ,16 abounded to many. And this in iwo respects: the gift is not merely as the ruin, by one that sinned: for the sentence of but one offence passed upon us to condemnation ; but the gift of grace is * " And" here seems redundant A. [It renders the scntcr.ee complete.]f Or model, of die Messiah, in respect to the extent of his actions to all his seed. 17 effectual to justification from many offences*. Moreover, if by one man's offence death reigned by one over all his posterity, they who receive the abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness, shall much more reign in life by one, even Jesus Christf.18 Therefore \ as the consequence of one offence extended to all men, to condemnation; so also the consequence of one act of righteousness19 extended to all men who embrace it, to justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man many were constituted sinners, so by the obedience of one many shall be constituted righteous.20 But the law made a little or partial entrance, among a small number of mankind, for a few ages, that the offence might the more abound||. Yet where sin abounded, grace hath superabounded:21 that as sin had reigned in death, so grace might reign to eternal life, through righteousness, by Jesus Christ our Lord.REFLECTIONS.Let us daijy remember our relation to God by Christ Jesus, and glory in this relation ; saying frequently, " He is indeed our Father. This God, with all his adorable, unfathomable, immutable perfections, is our God: he will be our Guide unto death, and our portion for ever. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord. What relation can be so honourable, what can afford such an unfailing spring of perpetual joy !"—Let us honour him in all his dispensations; even those which may appear the most mysterious. In this number we are undoubtedly to reckon his constituting Adam the covenant-head of his posterity, and involving our life or death in him; yea, adjusting the relation so, that our spiritual state should be greatly affected by his conduct, and we should by his transgression become the heirs, not only of death but of moral pollution, and ultimately by virtue of our descent from him, be shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin. It is a consideration which must carry awe and solemnity, grief and lamentation, throughout all ages, that by one man sin entered into the world, and death made such a progress by the entrance of sin, as to pass upon all men in consequence of that act. O Cod, how terrible are thy judgments! and yet how rich thy compassion, in appointing the second Adam to repair the ruin and desolations of the first! Yea, more than to repair them ; to deliver us from all our most aggravated transgressions, if we believe in him, and receive the gift of righteousness! to cause us to reign in life by him ! to bring us to a more exalted and secure happiness than Adam himself enjoyed in the day in which he was created, or than Eden, the garden of God, could afford I—Let us adore these super aboundings of divine grace, * i. e. It not only delivers us from the sentence to which we were liable from our birth on account of Adam's sin, but from the more dreadful one brought on us by our many personal transgressions./ i. e. Believers shall be brought by him to a more excellent life than that from which Adam fell, and \?hich they lest in him.% This 18th v. is connected with the 12th, and all the intermediate verses are a parenthesis.j| liy|the Law. many things, before indifferent, became criminal, and the guilt of moral ofiences was aggravated. and its reign unto eternal life. And let all our knowledge of the law of God, our distress under a sense of having broken it, and being thereby exposed to its condemning sentence, be considered as illustrating the riches of that grace whereby we are saved, and so animate us to returns of the humblest gratitude, and a persevering obedience. Amen.SECTION XII.That the gospel, far from dissolving our obligations to holiness, strongly increases them. Ch. vi. 1—14.1 "\\ THAT shall we say then concerning the practical inferences VV to be drawn from this doctrine of justification by faith? Shall 2 we say, Let us continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! we who by profession and the most sacred engagements, are3 dead to sin, how shall we yet live in it? What, know ye not, that as many of us as have been baptized into the faith of Jesus Christ,4 have been baptized into his death 1 Therefore we are buried with him in baptism into his death, that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walk in new5 ness of life. For if we are made to grow together in the likeness of his death, so also shall we be in the likeness of his resurrection:6 as we know this, that our old man, the whole system of our former corrupt dispositions, hath been crucified together with Christ, that so the body of sin might be enervated, that we might no longer7 be in bondage to sin. For he that is thus dead with Christ, is set8 at liberty from sin. And we believe, that if we be dead with9 Christ, we shall also live with him: as we know that Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death no more reigneth10 over him. For whereas he died, he died once for all as a sacrifice 11 for sin; and as he liveth, he liveth to God: so do ye also reckon yourselves to be dead unto sin, and alive to God in Christ Jesus\ 2 our Lord. Therefore let not sin reign in your mortal bodies, to13 obey it in its licentious desires; neither present your members to sin, as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members to God, as instru14 ments or weapons* of righteousness to fight his battles. Nor fear the tyranny of your former master ; for sin shall not have dominion over you, as you are not under the law, but under grace.REFLECTIONS. Let our hearts rise with indignation at the thoughts of so ungrateful an abuse of the divine goodness, as to take encouragement from the aboundings of grace to continue in sin. Are not we likewise by profession dead to it? are not we bound by our baptismal -vow, as the ancient Christians, to whom Paul addresses himself, were? Or has the use and purpose of baptism been since altered, so as to allow a covenant * Oavto which in this sense has a beautiful propriety. with sin, an agreement with hell, even to those who are listed under the banners of a Saviour? Is Christ then become the minister of sin, or shall his death lose all its effect, while we profess to honour the solemn memorials of it ? Recollecting that we are not under the law, but -under grace, let so glorious a dispensation animate us to resolutionsproportionably heroic and may the remembrance of the death of the Son of God, in concurrence with that of his rc&urreclion, engage usto walk in newness of life, if we desire another day to be planted into the likeness of that resurrection, and to rise victorious and triumphant from the grave.No more let us return under the power of that spiritual death, from which Christ, at the price of his own life, hath delivered us; but let us live to God ; 'solemnly presenting our bodies and our souls to him, to be honoured as the instruments of his service, and employing each of our members, according to its proper office, for his glory. We are alive from the dead, we are raised by a divine power. Let us therefore daily set ourselves, as in the presence of the God of our renewed lives, and account- that time lost in which we are not acting from him. Without this, in vain do we know the vital truths of his gospel, in vain do we plead for them, and amuse ourselves with a sanguine hope of bearing the image of Christ in glory, if all these powerful arguments cannot now engage us to bear it in holiness. SECTION XIILThe apostle urges on Christians that holiness to wliich the gospel oblige*them. Ch. vi . 15, &c.15 TTI THAT then are we to infer? shall we sin because we are16 V V not under the law, but under grace? God forbid !. Know ye not, that to whomsoever ye present yourselves as servants to obey, his servants you are whom you obey either of sin to deaths17 or of obedience to righteousness and life? But thanks be to God, that whereas you were once the servants of sin, ye have obeyed from the heart the model of doctrine into which ye were yet delivered, as into a mould, that you might be fashioned into a confor18 mity to it. And being thus made free from sin, ye are become19 the servants of righteousness. I speak as a man, upon the common principles of equity, because of the weakness of your flesh, and the temptations arising from it. As ye have, while ignorant of the gospel, presented your members servants to uncleanness, and to iniquity of other kinds unto iniquity; so now present your mem20 bers servants of righteousness in order to universal holiness. For when ye were servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.31 Consider therefore, what fruit did you then derive from those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those22 things is death. But now being set free from sin, and engaged to God as his servants, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the ""23 end eternal life. For death is the wages of sin: but eternal life ic the gift of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.. REFLECTIONS.Being set at liberty from the condemning sentence of God's law, Jet us charge our souls, by all the ties of gratitude, that we do not turn his grace into wantonness; or deceive ourselves with vain words in a matter of infinite importance. We cannot be at the same time the sewants of God and the servants of sin; and certainly our understandings must be darkened to infatuation, if we can long doubt whose service we should prefer. The work of righteousness is peace, the effect of it quietness and assurance for ever; but death is the wages of sin, and it shall be repayed to all that go on in it. And O what, and how terrible a death! rtl be cast into the lake which burnetii with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. How merciful are B11 the repeated admonitions which warn us to flee from it! Let us all judge, that it is already too long that we have yielded ourselves the servants of sin: too long that our members, made for the service of their Creator, devoted perhaps with great solemnity to our Redeemer, have been abused and prostituted, as the instruments of unrighteousness. Surely it is too much time that we have already spent, too much vigour that we have already exerted, in so base a servitude. For the future let us act as those who are made free from siit. And to animate us to it, let us often reflect how unfruitful the works of darkness have been found ; 'in what shame they have already ended; in what shame and everlasting contempt they must end, if they shall be finally pursued. And let us daily direct our eye to that everlasting life, that crowns the happy prospect of those who have their fruit unto holiness. Blessed effect of serving God now, to serve and enjoy him- for ever! to enjoy, through eternal ages, the pleasures of a nature thoroughly sanctified, and the sight and favour of that Godl who is the original source and pattern of sanctification! It is the glorious mark at which we are aiming. Let us pursue it steadily and resolutely; yet always remembering that it is the gift of God, and never presuming to think of so glorious a remuneration as the wages of any duty we can perform. Alas! the imperfections of our best services daily forfeit the blessings of time: how impossible then is it, that the sincerity of them, amidst so many frailties and defects, should purchase the glories of eternity!SECTION XIV.The apostle attempts to take off the believing Jews from their attachment tm the Mosaic law, now they were married to Christ by the gospel. Ch. vii. 1—6.1 T> UT know ye not, brethren (for I am speaking to those that are JLJ acquainted with the law) that the law ruleth over a man only 2 so long as it liveth*? For, to illustrate this by a parallel case, the married woman is bound by the law to her husband, while he alive ; but if her husband be dead, she is set at liberty from the* i. e. The Law, which when abrogated may be considered as dead. 3 law of her husband. Therefore if she become the property of another whilst her husband liveth, she carrieth the name of an adulteress ; but if her husband be dead, then she is set at liberty from the law, so as to be no more an adulteress, though she become4 the property of another man. Thus ye also, my brethren, are dead to the Mosaic law by the body of Christ, who by his death has abrogated its authority, that ye might be married to another, that is, to him, who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth5 fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, sinful passions by the law were active in our members, so as to bring forth fruit6 to death. But Bow, we are set at liberty from the law (that in which we were held being dead) so as to serve God in the newness of the spirit, according to the spiritual meaning of the law, and not in the oldness of the letter: these literal, ceremonial precepts being antiquated and out of date. REFLECTIONS. God hath conferred upon all Christians this singular honour, that the whole body of them should be represented as espoused to Christ. Let us alway remember, how we are engaged by that sacred relation, to bring forth umt) God. And may the remembrance of the resurrection of Christ put continual vigour into our obedience, while we regard him as the ever-living Lord, to whom our obligations are indissoluble and everlasting. Too much have sinful passions reigned in our flesh, during our unconverted state. In too many instances have they wrought effectually to bring forth fruit unto death. And we owe it to the wonderful mercy and forbearance of God that death, eternal death, hath not long since been the consequence. Being freed from the yoke of the ceremonial law, being freed also from the condemn ing sentence of that moral law, under the obligations of which, by the constitution of our intelligent and rational nature, we are all bom; let us thankfully acknowledge the favour, and charge it upon our grateful hearts, that we serve God in newness of spirit and of life. To engage us to this, may we experience more abundantly the renewings of the Holy Ghost; and the actions of our lives will be easily and delightfully reduced to the obedience of these precepts which his omnipotent and gracious hand hath inscribed on our hearts!SECTION XV.The motives of the law ineffectual to produce holiness, in comparison with' a lively faith in ihe gospel. Ch. vii. 7, &c. viii. 1—i. 7 TI7HAT shall we say then? Shall we infer from the foregoing V V representation that the law is sin? or adapted to lead men into it? God forbid! Indeed I should not have known what was sin, but by the law which forbids it: for instance, I had not known lust, or the sinfulness of irregular desires, unless the law had said," Thou 8 shalt not covet*." But sin taking occasion from the commandment, wrought powerfully in me all manner of concupiscence r because while I was without the law of tiod, ignorant of its strict demands, sin teas, in my view, dead: / was not aware of any danger 9 from. it. For I was once alive, cheerful and happy, while- without the law: But when the commandment came, and I saw its purity and 10 extent, sin came to life again, and I died. And the commandEl ment, which was intended for life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me into a persuasion that I could be no worse, and thereby it slew me, and 12 rendered my case more desperate. So that the law is holy, and the13 commandment holy, just, and good. Was then that which was good in itself made death to me? Shall I charge my ruin upon the law? God forbid! but upon sin. So that it appeared to be sin working death in me, by means of that which is good ;. that so sin might, by the commandment thus perverted, appear- exceedingly sinful, and stand forth in all its native and detestable colours* 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, and lends to purify the soul; but I am carnal, and sold under sin, which tyrannizes over me as its15 slave. For that which I do, I approve not: for I practise not' that which I will: but the things which I hate, those things I16 ofien do. Now if I do that which I would not, I consent to the17 law, that it is good. But now, it is no more I myself that do it,18 but sin which dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh, the corrupt degenerate self) nothing that is good dwelleth: for to will is indeed present with me, but I find not ability to19 perform that which is good. For I do not the good that I will;20 but the evil, which I will not, that I frequently do. If therefore I do that which I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that21 dwelleth in me. I find then a law constraining me, that when I22 would do good, evil is present with me. For with' regard to the inner man, ihe nobler powers of my mind, I delight in the law of23 God. But I see another law in my members, making war against the law of my mind, and captivating me to the law of sin,24 which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! who shall.25 rescue me from the body of this deathf? I thank God throughJesus Christ our Lord, by whom he delivers me from this bondage. * The apostle here. by a dexterous turn, changes the person and speaks as of himself, as he elsewhere does, Rom. iii. 6; 1 Cor. x. 3C. iv. 6, when he is. only personating another character. The character assumed here, is that of a man, first ignorant of the law, then under it, and sincerely desiring to please God, but rinding to his sorrow, the weakness of the motives it suggested, and the sad discouragement under which it left him; and last of all, with transport discovering the gospel, and gaining pai-don and strength, peace and joy by it. But to suppose he speaks all these things of himself, at the time he wrote this epistle, when he was a confirmed Christian, is contrary to the whole scope of his discourse, as well as to what he asserts, ch. viii.2.| Odious as a dead carcase; alluding to the cruelty of some tyrants to their captives in tying dead bodes to the living. [The author quotes no authority, but Val. Max. Virgil, and others,- mention the horrid fact. Jed.]. In the next verse, some copies read n Me grace of God.' So then, whereas I myself with my spirit serve the law of Cod, -viii. though with my flesh the law of sin; * there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but2 after the spirit. For the law -of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus3 hath set me at liberty from the law of sin and death. For God hath done what it was impossible lor the law to do, in that it was weak through the flesh: he by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to be a sacrifice for sin, hath condemned sin4 in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.REFLECTIONS.Admirable and adorable indeed were the condescensions of the .blessed God, in sending his own Son in the likeness of our sinful flesh, stript of its original glories, that he might become an expiatory sacrifice for sin. Let us remember the grand purpose for which he did it; that he might condemn sin in our flesh, that .he might enable us to do execution on sin as a condemned malefactor. In his name therefore let us pursue the victory, and rejecting every overture of accommodation, with determined zeal do justice upon it. And may what we have been reading, establish our resolution of walking, not after the flesh, but after the Sjiirit, since we are now delivered from the curse ?of a broken law, and blessed with a dispensation so properly called the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus: a dispensation, by attending to the peculiarities of which, we may be enabled to extend our conquests over sin in the most effectual manner, and to attain heights of virtue and piety to which no legal considerations and motives alone could raise us.—But O, what reason of humiliation is there, that we improve it no better, and that these melancholy strains should so well become us! Tftat instead of pressing forward daily to fresh victories, and making new improvements in the divine life, we should so often complain, and have so much cause to complain, of a law in our members, not only warring against the law of our minds, but even, in many instances, bringing us into captivity to the law of sirt and death; so that we Christians should ciy out, like those under the Mosaic oeconomy, O wretched men, that we are, who shall deliver us! Let renewed -views of Christ Jesus animate us to renewed vigour in this warfare; Jest when we are delivered from those servile terrors which the legal dispensation, under a consciousness of guilt, might have awakened, sin, no longer able to take this occasion from the law, should appear yet more exceedingly sinful, by taking occasion, in another view, even from the gospel itself; which in many instances it seems to do.Let us remember, that the law of God is holy, just, and good; delighting in it more and more after our inner man, and taking heed, that we do not deceive ourselves by such a passage as this, into a secret, but vain and fatal hope, that because we are convinced of our duty, and feel in our conscience a sense of the evil of sin, we might be said* The common division here, is very unhappy, being in the midst of a sen* itence. to ?<rrf the law of God, while, by abandoning ourselves to known acts of wilful transgression, we are in our flesh serving the law of sin. Habitually to allow ourselves in neglecting the good we approve, and committing the evils we condemn, is the readiest way that hell itself can point out for the ruin of immortal souls; in such a case, all that we know, and all that we feel, concerning the obligations of duty, and the excellence of holiness, aggravate rather than extenuate our failures ; and though the sublime views which eminently good men under the gospel have of religion, may sometimes incline them to adopt such complaints as these, in reference to the unallowed and lamented deficiencies and infirmities of a truly upright and pious life; it remains an eternal truth, which instead of being abrogated under the New Testament, is most expressly confirmed,that he who do-h righteousness is righteous, and not he that merely wishes to do it: and he who committeth sin, is of the devil, even though he should speak against it like an apostle, or an angel. It is indeed impossible exactly to lay the line that separates the boundaries of the kingdom of Christ and of Satan; nor is it by any means a desirable thing, that we should know the low?st state of weakness and degeneracy into which a Christian may fall, while he continues in the main a Christian. We have great reason to doubt -whether we be really Christians ourselves, if for our own sakes [only] we wish to know it. Our calling obliges us to aspire after the most eminent attainments in religion; it obliges us never to rest till we find ourselves dead indeed unto sin, and alive to God through Jesus Christ; so as to abound in all the vital fruits of righteousness unto his praise and glory.SECTION XVI.The obligations ofthegospel to a holy life further argued, especially from the communication of the S/drit. Ch.viii. 5—1!^.5 TT is with reason that I mention this distinction in the characters JL of men, a.* of the highest importance: For they who are after the llesh, do mind and pursue the things of the flesh ; but they who6 are after the spirit, do mind the things of the spirit. Now the minding of the flesh, the preferring its interests, is death, whereas the minciing and pursuing the interests of the spirit, it life and7 peace: because the carnal mind is enmity to God. For it is not8 subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be so. So that they who are in the flesh under the government of a carnal princi9 pie, cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if the Spirit of God dvvelleth in you. And if any man10 have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in ycu, the body M indeed dead because of sin; yet the spirit is 11 life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ iron) the dead- will also quicken your mortal bodies by that Spirit12 which dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not unto the flesh, that we should live after the dictates of the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye, through the14 Spirit, do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, resigning themselves to his 15 guidance, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear, which ye felt under the Mosaic dispensation; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, by which we approach God as children, and unite to cry Abba Father.16 For the Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we17 are the children of God. And if we are his children, then we are heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ : provided that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.REFLECTIONS.. Well may we rejoice in privileges like these ; well may we be astonished to think, that they should be bestowed on any of the children of men .' That any of them should be heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; the adopted children of an heavenly Father, and marked out by the communications of his Spirit for an inheritance which he hath prepared ! That they should be fitted and enabled to approach him with that endearing compellation, Abba, Father, in their mouths! O that every one of us may know by experience, which alone can teach us, how sweet it is ! and if we would obtain and secure this witness, let us see to it, that we be obediently led by the Spirit of God; for that Spirit is not where he does not effectually govern ; and if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of Christ's disciples, nor is he entitled to any of the privileges of his people.—Let the matter therefore be seriously examined: and let it be determined by inquiry, whether we do on the whole walk after the flesh or the Spirit. Let us guard more and more against that carnal mind which is enmity against God, and cannot be subject to his law, nor leave room for us to ptease God, while it presides and governs in us. Let us often reflect upon that death which would be the consequence of our living after the flesh ; and never conceive of ourselves upon any occasion as persons, who in consequence of something that has already passed, have found out a way to break the connection here established, and in the nature of things essentially established, between a carnal mind and death. May our spirits be more and more enlivened by that vital union with a Redeemer which may give us a part in the merit of his righteousness, and in the life it has secured for all true believers; and may the efficacy of his Spirit to raise our souls from a death of sin to a life of holiness, be in us a blessed earnest, that he will complete the work, and at length quicken our mortal bodies by his Spirit which dwelleth in us. When flesh and sense can administer a consolation like this, let us hearken to them: in the mean time, let us always remember, how much we are debtors to the Spirit; and let us endeavour to act according to these immense obligations. SECTION XVII.The prospect -of consummate glory wldch the gospel sets before us, for wldch the creation seems to wait: The consolations derived from the assistances of the Spirit in prayer. Ch. viii. 18—27.18 A MIDST present sufferings, let us often contemplate these _Z"JL glorious prospects. I have been wont to compare them together; and I find upon computation, that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy of any account, when set against that19 glory, that shall be revealed to us. For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the revelation of the sons of God:20 (for the creation was-made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by21 him (Adam) who subjected it by his transgression ;) in hope that the creation shall in ages to come, be set free from the bondage of corruption, and be brought into the glorious liberty of the sons of22 God. For we know that the whole creation groanetli together, and travaileth together in strong pangs until now, to bring on this 23 important birth. And not only so, but even we ourselves, who have received the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our bodies24 from the grave. For we are saved by hope: but hope which is seen, that which relates to visible objects, is not hope. For what25 a man seeth, how doth he yet hope for it? But since we hope for26 what we see not, we patiently wait for it. And moreover, the Spirit lendeth us his helping hand under our infirmities: for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself manageth affairs for us, guiding our minds to suitable peti27 Hons, with unutterable groanings. But though we cannot speak these desires, he who searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, for he managcth affairs for the saints according to the will of God, and therefore we cheerfully expect a -suitable answer. REFLECTIONS. For ever adored be the Divine Goodness, in sending down his Spirit on such sinful creatures, to help our infirmities ; to implant, and to excite graces in our hearts, to be a source of present delight and of eternal happiness. May we feel him helping our infirmities, and imploring our joy in the Lord, to such a degree, that all our devotions may be animated sacrifices. Let not the want of expression in that case trouble us ; these unutterable groanings are sometimes the sweetest music in the ear of God. Well may such ?fervent groanings be excited, when we view that great and glorious Object which the gospel proposes to our hope. Let us encounter the sufferings of the present time, with a fortitude becoming those that see them so short and so far overbalanced by the immense and boundless prospects which lie beyond them; prospects of unclouded lustre and unmingled felicity When we consider the state of that part of the world in which. Christianity is unknown, or of those among whom it is a mere empty form; when we consider the vanity to which that part of God's creation is subject, let it move our compassion, and our prayers, that the state of glorious liberty into which God has already brought those who by faith in Christ are his children, may become more universally prevalent Mr and the knowledge of the Lord cover the earth as the water* cover the channel of the seas. O that divine and omnipotent grace may give a birth to that grand event, in the expectation of which nature seems in pangs ; such a birth, that nations might be bom in a day; and where the children are born, may it give a more abundant growth and more happy increase.—We have received what the travailing creation has not, the first-fruits of the Spirit, and they must surely excite us to groan after the redemption of our bodies: yet still with humble submission to the will of God, waiting his wisely appointed hour for the dissolution, and for the restoration of them. That God, inwhose hand these important events are, best knows how long to exercise our faith? whether in this mortal world, or in the intermediate state ; nor should any delay be esteemed long- by those wh? have so. cheerful an hope of enjoying God for ever.SECTION XVIII,The eternal, gracious plan which God lias laid for our happiness, in pursuance of which he hath already done such great tliings for his people, that they may be assured, no accusation or temptation s/iaU prevail against them. Ch. viii. 28, &c .28 A NI> though our afflictions may be heavy, and continue longT Jljl. we know that all things work together for good to them that29 love God, and are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he did also predestinate to be made conformable to the image of his- Son, that he might be the first born among manySO brethren. And those whom he predestinated, he hath called; (or will call) by his word and Spirit; and whom he hath called, he hath justified ; and whom he hath justified, he hath also virtually 31 glorified What shall we therefore say to these things? If God32 be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own sonr but delivered him up to agony and death for us all, how shall he not with him freely grant us all other things subservient to our truest 33 happiness? Who shall lodge any accusation- against the elect of34 God I Is it God ? he who justJfieth ? Who is he that condemneth? Is it Christ I he who hath died ? Yea rather, who is risen again! who-is now at the right hand of God, and is also making interces35 sion for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall afflictions, or straits, or persecutions, or hunger, or naked38 ness, or peril, or sword? (As it is written, " For thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are accounted as sheep destined to 37 the slaughter.") Nevertheless, we do in all these things more 33- than conquer, through him who. hath loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor infernal angels, nor principalities, nor powers of any rank, nor things present, nor things 39 future, nor height of prosperity, nor depth of adversity, nor any other creature in heaven, earth, or hell, shall be able to separate us from the love of God* which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. REFLECTIONS. O blessed souls indeed, who having been in the eternal counsels of the divine love foreknown and predestinated, are, in consequence thereof, called and justified, as the earnest of being ere long glorified! Who would not desire to see his own title to privileges so inestimable as these? And how shall we know that we have our part in them? How, but by securing an evidence, that we love God? Then may we be assured that all things shall work together for our good, and glory in it, that we are the elect of God; to whose charge therefore nothing shall be alleged, since God justifieth; whom none shall condemn, since Christ died to expiate our sins, and is ascended into heaven continually to intercede for us. In cheerful dependance on his patronage and care, let us bid defiance to all our enemies, and be willing to submit to the greatest extremities, since they shall not be able to scparate us from the love of Christ, even though for his sake we should be killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter—O blessed souls, whom neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor any other creature, shall be able to divide and cut off from the love of God! What then can harm us? what evil can we then suffer? what good can we want? When God is for us, and when we are sensible of his love in giving us his Son, how can we allow ourselves to suspect his readiness with him to give us all things truly reasonable or desirable? All other blessings, when compared with these, will appear unworthy of a mention; and we should have great reason to suspect, that they were not ours, if we did not find a heart superlatively to value them above every thing else.SECTION XIX.Paul, with the tenderest affection for the Jews, treats of their rejection, and shews thai a part of the seed of ylbraham, even of the posterity of Isaac* had been actually rejected. Ch. ix. 1—13.1 T EST any should suspect me of ill-will towards my countrymen I A the Jews, from what lam now going to declare, I assure them of the contrary. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not; my conscience2 also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, that I have great grief and incessant anguish in my heart, when I think of what hath happened, and will happen to them, in consequence of their op3 position to the gospel. For I could wish that I myself were made an anathema * after the example of Christ, for the sake of my* Exposed like him to the execrations of an enraged people, and even to the accursed death of crucifixion. 4 brethren, and kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites, whose the adoption is, being called the children of the most high; and the glory, which in the Shechinah resided visibly among them, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of 5 God, and the promises respecting the Messiah: Whose are the fathers of the world and the church and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ himself descended, who is above all, God bles6 sed for ever. Amen.—Not that I woidd insinuate by any means, that the word of God hath fallen to the ground. For all are not7 Israel, who are of Israel: Neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but (as it is said, Gen. xxi. 12.)8 "In Isaac shall thy seed be called." That is, not the children of the flesh are the children of God, but the children of the promise9 in one peculiar line, are accounted as the seed of Abraham. For this is the word of the promise (Gen. xviii. 10.) "According to10 this time I will come to thee, and Sarah shall have a son." Nor was this the only instance of the kind; btft Rebecca, when she was11 with child by one man (our father Isaac;) while the children were not yet born, and had done neither good nor evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works,12 but of him, who calleth; it was said to her, "that the elder13 should serve the younger:" as it is written (Mai. i. 2, 3.) "I have loved Jacob, and hated Esau ;" that is, I have greatly prefer' red the former to the latter, bestowing many peculiar privileges on the posterity of Jacob, which I have denied to that of Esau. REFLECTIONS.Let that affection which the apostle expresses for the Jews, his countrymen and brethren according to the flesh, and the tender and pathetic representation which he' makes of the privileges which they once enjoyed, awaken in our hearts an earnest solicitude, that they may by divine grace be brought back; that they may again be adopted into the family from which they have been cut off; again clothed with the glory which is departed from them; that, through him who was given for a covenant to the people, they may receive the law of life and grace, be formed to that spiritual service which it introduces, instead of their pompous ritual, and embrace the promises, on which the faith and hope of their illustrious fathers was fixed. Let it likewise teach us spiritual compassion for our kindred, who are strangers to Christ, and let us be willing to submit to the greatest difficulties, and think nothing too much to be done or borne for their recovery.Let our souls pay an humble homage to him, who is, in such an incommunicable and sublime sense, the Son of God, as to be himself over all, God blessfd for evermore. With prostrate reverence let us adore him, as- our Lord, and our God, and repose that unbounded confidence in him which such an assemblage of divine perfections will warrant, putting our most hearty amen to every ascription of glory, to every anthem of praise, addressed to him.—And since we see that many of the children of Abraham, and of Isaac, failed of any share in the special promises of God, let us learn to depend on noVol. II. E privilege of birth, on no relation to the greatest and best of men. May vic seek to be inserted into the family of God, by his adopting love in Christ Jesus, and to maintain the lively exercise of faith; - without which no child of Abraham was ever acceptable to God, and with which none of the children of strangers have ever failed of a share in his mercy and favour.SECTION XX.The sovereign choice of some to peculiar privileges, to which none /:adclaimr and the appointment of some among many criminals, to exemplary punishments, consistent with reason and scripture. Ch. ix. 14—.24.14 X7[7"E have seen that the posterity of Ishmacl and of Esau were V V cut off from the promises of God. What therefore shall15 we say? Is there unrighteousness in God? God forbid! For he saith to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomsoever I will have mercy, and will compassionate whomsoever I please to compassionate (Gen. xxv. 23.) Esau, after he had sold his birth-right, ran eagerly to obtain his father's blessing, yet it was bestowed upon Jacob. 16 It is not therefore you see of him that willeth, nor of him that17 runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. Moreover the scripture saith to Pharaoh (Ex. ix. 16.) "For this cause have I raised thee up, that I may shew forth my power in thee, and that my18 name may be celebrated through all the earth."' So then he hath19 mercy on whom he will, and he hardeneth whom he will*.—But thou wilt say to me, if God acts thus, why doth he then find fault?2Q who hath resisted his will? Nay, but, O man, who art thou whoenterest into a debate with God? Shall the thing formed say unto21 him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over his clay, out of the same mass to make one ves22 sel to honour, and another to dishonour? What if God resolving to manifest his wrath, and to make known his power, hath endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruc23 tion? And what if, that he may make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of his mercy, he long endureth those, whom24 he hath previously prepared to glory I even us, whom he hath called, not only of the Jews, but of the Gentiles. Shall he make an apology to thee O man, that dealing thus mercifully with some of Jacob's race, [wh-*e he justly rejected others] he hath added to their number some from Gentile iialioiis? Know thy place, and acquiesce in humble silence. REFLECTIONS. Let us learn from the memorable section which we have now beer* reading, humbly to adore the righteousness and holiness of God, in all the most amazing displays of his sovereignty, which we are sure are* When God is said to liardcn Plmraoh's heart, that he should not let Israel go, it only means, that he took such measures as he knew would be attended?with that effect. always consistent with it. Let us own his right to confer on whom he pleaseth, those favours which none of us can pretend to have deserved; and adore his wonderful goodness, in choosing to exercise mercy and compassion on any of the children of men, yea on many, who must own themselves in the number of those who had the least claim to it. He hath of his mere goodness given us those privileges, as Christians, and as Protestants, which he hath with-held from most nations under heaven. And if we improve them aright, we have undoubtedly reason to look upon ourselves as vessels of mercy whom he is preparing for eternal glory. Let us adore his distinguishing favour to us, and arrogate nothing to ourselves. It is neither of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, and worketh in us both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure. Long did his patience wait on us; and let that patience be for ever adored. It shall be glorified even in those that perish: for he is€k> far from destroying innocent creatures, by a mere arbitrary act of power and terror, that he endureth with much long-suffering, those who by their own incorrigible wickedness prove vessels of wrath, and whom the whole assembled world shall confess fitted for the destruction to which they shall finally be consigned. That after long abuse of mercy they are hardened, and perhaps after long hardness are at length destroyed; yea that some of the vilest of men are exalted by providence to a station that makes their crimes conspicuous, as those of Pharaoh, till at length he shows forth his power the more awfully, and maketh his name the more illustrious by their ruin, is certainly consistent with that justice which the Judge of the whole earth will never -violate. But if in tracing subjects of this kind, difficulties arise beyond the stretch of our feeble thought, let us remember that we are men, pxA let us not dare to reply against God. Retiring into our own ignorance and weakness, as those that are less than nothing and vanity, before him, let us dread by any arrogant censure to offend him who has so uncontroulable a power over us. Jls clay in the hand of the potter, so are we in the hand of the Lord our God. Let us acquiesce in the form he has given us, in the rank he has assigned us; and instead of perplexing ourselves about those secrets of his counsels, which it is impossible for us to penetrate, let us endeavour to purify ourselves from whatever would displease him; that so we may, in our respective stations, be vessels of honour, fit for the use of our Master now, and entitled to the promise of being acknowledged as his, in that glorious day when he shall make up his jewels. SECTION XXI.T7ie admission of the Gentiles to the privileges of God's peculiar people, when Israel should be rejected, was foretold both by Hosea and IsaiahCh. ix. 35, &c.YE who are Jews need not be surprised at God's calling Gentiles by the grace of the gospel, and appointing impenitent Jews to be monuments of his wrath, since there are so many hints of 25 it in the divine oracles. As in Hosea (i. 10.) he hath also said, "I will call them my people, who were not my people; and her,26 beloved, which was not beloved : and it shall come to pass, that in the place, where it was said to them, Ye are not my people,27 there shall they be called the sons of the living God." Also Isaiah crieth concerning Israel (x. 22.) " Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant only 28 shall be saved. For the Lord is finishing and cutting short his account in righteousness; for the Lord will make a short account29 upon the earth." Isaiah hath also formerly said (i. 9.) "Except the Lord of hosts had left us a seed, we should have been as Sodom, we should have been made like to Gomorrah:" So that you see, it is no unexampled thing that the main body of the Jewish nation should revolt from God, and become the object of his sore disS&pleasure. What shall we then say in the conclusion of the argument? Surely this: That the Gentiles, who pursued not after righteousness, have now attained to righteousness, even the right31 eousness which is by faith. But Israel, pursuing the law of32 righteousness, hath not attained the law of righteousness. And wherefore did they not? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as by the works of the law. For they stumbled and fell at33 that stone of offence which lay in their way. As it is written, "Behold I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence r and every one who believeth in him, shall not be ashamed." is. viii. 14. xxviii. 16.? REFLECTIONS. How can we sinners of the Gentiles ever sufficiently acknowledge the goodness of God to us, in calling us to that full participation of" gospel-blessings which we enjoy! That in our native lands, where the name of the true God was so long unknown, we should have the honour of being called his children! O that we may indeed be so, not only by an external profession, but by regenerating grace ! May we be of that remnant, that little remnant, which shall be saved, when numbers countless as the sand of the sea, which had only the name of God's Israel, shall perish, even in the day when his work shall be cut short in righteousness .'—Blessed be God that there is a seed remaining. It is the preservation of the people among which it is found, and had it not been found among us, we had probably long since been made a seat of desolation. May it increase in the rising age ! that the pledges of our continued peace and prosperity may be more assured, till our peace be like a river, and our salvation like the waves of the sea. It will be so, if we be awakened seriously to inquire how we may be justified before God, and seek that invaluable blessing in the way here pointed out; if we seek it, not as by the works of the law, but by faiih in Christ, as the Lord our righteousness. He hath, in this respect, been to many a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence. May divine grace teach us the necessity of building upon him, of resting upon him the whole stress of our eternal hopes. Then shall they not sink into disappointment and ruin ; then shall we not flee away ashamed in that awful day, when the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters of that final deluge of divine wrath shall overflow every hiding-place, but that which God hath prepared for us in his own Son. S E C T I- O N XXII.That God hath offered solvation on the same equitable and gracious terms to all ; though Israel, by a bigoted attachment to their o-wn law, rejected it. Ch. x. 1—13.1 X) RETHREN, the affectionate desire of my heart, and my sup11 plication before God concerning Israel, is for its salvation.2 Fori testify of them, that they have a very ardent zeal for God;3 but it is not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God4 exhibited in his Son. For Christ is the end or scope of the law for5 righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness, which is by the law, when he saith, "The man6 who doth them, shall live by them." (Lev. xviii. 5.) Hut the righteousness which is by faith speaketh thus, (Deut. xxx. 11.) "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven?" that is7 to conduct Christ down with him from thence: "Or, Who shall descend into the deep I" that is, to bring Christ again from among8 the dead (as I may accommodate those words of Moses). But what saith he afterwards ? (v. 14.) " The word is nigh unto thee, even in thy mouth, and in thine heart." And that is the case with 9 the word of faith, which we preach : for if thou confess with thy mouth Jesus the Lord, and believe in thy heart that God hath10 raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is11 made to salvation. For the forecited scripture saith, " Every one12 that believeth in him, shall not be ashamed." For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. For the same Lord of all dis13 playeth his riches and bounty to all that call upon him. Tat (as the prophet Joel testifies, ii. 32.) whosoever shall invoke the name of the Lord, shall be saved.REFLECTIONS. Let our hearts, after the example of St. Paul here before us, be overflowing with love and compassion to our brethren ; and let us be earnestly interceding with God for their salvation. Where we see a zeal for God, let us pay all due regard to it, and compassionate that ignorance which may sometimes be mingled with it; especially if it affect so important an article as that of our becoming righteous before God by a better righteousness than our own. Let us pray that God would teach us, and would enable us- according to our respective situations, in a proper manne'rto teach others, that Christ is indeed the end of the law, of all the laws which God ever gave to fallen manybr righteoustiess ; all were intended to convince men of their need of coming to him, that righteousness and life may be obtained. Great reason have we to adore the divine goodness, and to congratulate ourselves, and one another, upon our great happiness in this respect, that God hath given us a revelation, so obvious and intelligible in all the grand points of it. We have indeed no necessity, no temptation to say, Who shall go up into heaven ? "or, Who shall descend into the deep ? or, Who, like the industrious, but bewildered, sages of antiquity, shall cross the seas, to bring that knowledge from distant countries, which is wanting in our own? The word is nigh to us: It is indeed in our mouth: O that it may be in our heart too. We know a descending, a risen Redeemer. He still visits us in his gospel, still preaches in our assemblies, and stretches out a gentle and compassionate hand, to lead us in the way to happiness. May our profession of faith in him be cordial; and then it will be open and courageous, whatever sacrifices we may be called to make. Believing on him, we shall not be ashamed; calling on his name, we shall be saved; though we can meet with nothing but despair from a dispensation, that saith, The man who perfectly doth these precepts, shall live by them. SECTION XXIII.That the gospel liad been widely diffused through the Gentile world; though according to the prophecies, the Jews had rejected it. Ch. x. I4, &c.14 r | THEREFORE, since salvation is promised to all that call upon 1 the name of the Lord, attend to the inference, to justify us in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. For how shall they call on him, on whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe on him, of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear15 without a preacher? And how should they preach [who sustain tliat character] except they be sent? Without such a commission, we should never have thought of carrying to the Gentiles those glad tidings, which should be we welcome to all that hear them. As it is written. " O how beautiful are the feet of those, who bring the good tidings of peace? who bring the good tidings of good things?"16 Is. lii. 7. But all have not obeyed or received the gospel. For17 Isaiah saith (liii. 1.) " Lord, who hath believed our report ?" Faith indeed cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word or express com18 mand of God. But I say, though many have rejected the gospel, Have they not heard it? Verily / may say of the preachers of it, what David does of the celestial luminaries (Ps. xix. 4.) "their voice is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end19 of the world." But I further say, Hath not Israel known ihat this should be the case? For first Moses saith, "I will raise your jealousy by those who were not a nation, and your anger with a foolish20 people (Deut. xxxii. 21.) And Isaiah hath the boldness to say (lxv. 1, 2.) "I was found of them, that sought me not; I was21 made manifest to them, that inquired not for me." Whereas with relation to Israel, he there saith, "All the day long have I stretched out mine hands to a disobedient, and gainsaying people." So that, you see, I assert only what the prophets plainly foretold. REFLECTIONS. Blessed be God for the preaching of the gospel, so absolutely necessary to that faith 'without which we can have no well-grounded hope of salvation. Blessed be God therefore for the mission of his ministers, and for his abundant goodness in sending them to us sinners of the Gentiles. Let us give them a respectful and attentive hearing, and say, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that preach salvation, that publish peace! And let us take great care* that we do not only speak respectfully of their doctrine, but that we comply with the purposes of their embassy.—It is matter of continual joy to reflect, not only that God hath afforded to all men such means of attaining divine knowledge, by the intimations of it which he hath given in the constitutions of the heavenly bodies, and in the whole frame of visible nature ; but also, that he hath sent the express messages of grace to so many millions, in the extensive publication of his gospel. Let us rejoice in the spread it hath already had; and let us earnestly and daily pray, that the voice of those divine messengers that proclaim it, may go forth unto all the earth, and their words reach in a literal sense to the remotest ends of our habitable world. Let us pray, that wherever the word of God hath a free course, it may be more abundantly glorified; and that its ministers may not have so much reason to say, Who hath believed our report.? and to complain of stretching out their hands all the day long to a disobedient and gainsaying people. Exert, O Lord, thine almighty arm, make it bare in the sight of all nations. Shed abroad thy saving influences on the hearts of multitudes, that they may believe, and turn unto the Lord! May the great Saviour of his Israel be found of those that seek lum noty and by the surprising condescensions of his grace, may he manifest himself to those that do not inquire after him. And may his ancient people not only be provoked to anger, but awakened to emulation too; and put in their claim for those blessings which God has by his Son vouchsafed to offer to all the Gentiles. SECTION XXIV.That though the rejection of Israel be general, it is not lota!; there being a number of believers among them. Ch. xi. 1—10.1 TJ UT though I speak thus of the calling in of the Gentiles, do I 11 say then, that God hath entirely rejected his people ? Godforbid! For I also am an Israelite myself, of the seed of Abraham,2 of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not rejected those of his people, whom he foreknew, but hath still a chosen seed. Know you not what the scripture saith in the story of Elijah (1 Kings xix.3 14.) when he pleadeth with God against Israel, saying, " Lord they have slain thy prophets, and they have digged up thine altars; 4 and I am left alone, and they seek my life ?" But what saith the divine oracle to him ?" I have reserved unto myself seven thou5 sand men, who have not bowed the knee before Baal." And so also in the present time, there is a remnant according to the elec6 tion of grace. And if it be of grace, then it is no more of works, else grace is no longer grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more of grace, else work is no longer work. But to return: 7 What then do we conclude but this, that Israel hath not obtained that justification which it hath sought: but the election hath obtained it; whereas the rest were blinded by their own fatal prejudices. 8 According as it is written (Is. xxix. 10.) " God hath given them a spirit of slumbering ; eyes that they should not see, and ears9 that they should not hear unto this day." And David hath said, "Let their table become a snare, and a trap, and an occasion of10 stumbling, and a recompence to them. Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and keep their backs, continually bent down under a perpetual weight of sorrows, as a just punishment for rejecting so easy a yoke." (Ps. lxix. 22.).REFLECTIONS.Let us learn from the answer of God to Elijah, wheti he thought himself left alone, and knew nothing of the seven thousand which God had reserved; to encourage ourselves in a secret hope, that there may be much more goodness in the world than we are particularly aware of. The numbers of those that constitute the invisible church, are unknown to us, but they are known to God. They are all registered in the book of his remembrance, as they are all reserved unto himself by his grace ; nor shall his people whom he hath foreknown be castaway. May we be of that blessed number ; and may the degeneracy, which we see so prevalent around us, animate us to a holy zeal, to hold fast our own integrity: yea, to seize the occasion of approving it in a more acceptable manner, from a circumstance, fn every other view, greatly to be lamented.Let us often reflect upon this great and important truth so frequently inculcated upon us in the word of God, that it is to his grace, and not to any works of our own, that we are to ascribe our acceptance with him. And let the ministers of Christ be ready, after the example of the apostle, sometimes to turn, as it were, out of the way, to dwell a little on a thought, at once so humbling, and so reviving.We seethe miserable circumstances of God's ancient Israel, given up to a spirit of slumher, to blind eyes, and to deaf ears. O let us take heed that we do not imitate their obstinacy and folly; lest God make our own wickedness our destruction; lest he send a curse upon us, and curse our blessings, so that our table should become a snare to us, our temporal enjoyments, or our spiritual privileges. Lord, let us often say, Give us any plague, rather than the plague of the heart; and bowdown our backs under any load of affliction, rather than that which shall at last crush those who have refused to accept of thy gospel, and to take upon their shoulders, the light burden which a gracious Saviour would lay upon them. SECTION XXV.That the rejection of Israel is not final; but that the Jewish nation shall at length be brought into the church of Christ. Ch. xi. 11—24.11 "T\ O I then say of the Jewish nation, they have so stumbled, \J that they should fall into irrecoverable ruin ? God forbid ! But by this fall of theirs, salvation is come to the Gentiles to provoke12 them to a holy emulation of sharing the same benefits. But if their fall be the riches of the world, and their diminution the riches of the Gentiles ; how much more their fulness: the bringing in the 13 whole body of the Jewish nation*?—,-For I now speak to you Gentiles, as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, and I extol this my14 office ; that I may excite to emulation them, who are dear as 15 my own flesh, and may save some of them. For if their rejection were the reconciliation of so great a part of the heathen world, what will the reception of them be but life from the16 dead? For if the first fruit be holy, so is the lump; and if the17 root be holy, the branches are likewise sof. For if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, O Gentile, being a wild olive* wert grafted in among them, and art with them partaker of the18 root and fatness of the good olive; boast not thyself against the natural branches; and, if thou boastestl remember that thou bearest19 not the root, but the root thee. Wilt thou therefore object and say, 30 The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in? Well;but remember they were broken off for their infidelity, and thou standest in their place only through faith. Be not high-minded21 then, but fear. For if God spared not the branches, which were according to nature, neither will he by any means spare thee,12 if thou resemble them in unbelief. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God ! Towards them that fell, indeed, severity 1 but to thee goodness, if thou continue in his goodness. Else thou23 also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, shall be grafted on again: for God is certainly 24 able again to ingraft them. For if thou wert cut off from the olive-tree, which was naturally wild, and contrary to the process of nature, wert grafted on the good olive-tree ; how much more shall they, who are the natural branches, be grafted on their own olive, and restored to the privileges of their birth-right? REFLECTIONS. Let us set ourselves seriously to pause upon the conduct of God towards the Jews and Gentiles in that part of it which the apostle here describes, and rejoice with trembling in it. Let us reflect on the. * This event, with the restoration of them to their own land, will afford such a demonstration of the truth of revelation, as will be the means of a more extensive propagation of the gospel, and of recovering multitudes who had rejected it. N. B. v. 13,14. are a parenthesis.f q. d. I look upon the conversion of some few of the Jewish nation as an earnest of the conversion of all the rest; and the rather when I consider how dear to God the Patriarchs were, from whom they descended. Vol. II. F divine severity to them, and the divine goodness to us. What immense goodness! That we should be taken from that wretched condition in which we were utterly ignorant of the great author and end of our being; of the nature of true happiness, and the way of obtaining it; that we and our offspring might be grafted on the good stocky be called to the most important of those privileges and hopes with which the seed of Abraham were honoured and enriched. We partake of the fatness of the good olive; may our fruit abound to the honour of God, to the benefit of mankind.—Let us cherish the most benevolent and tender disposition towards the house of Israel, to whose spiritual privileges we are raised; and let us earnestly pray that they may be awakened to emulation: especially as their fulness is to be the richness of the Gentiles, and the receiving them again, as life from the dead to the languishing and decaying churchIn the mean time, as the gospel comes to us in so awful a manner,vindicated from the contempt of former despisers, let us solemnly charge upon our souls this lesson of holy caution, these salutary words, (O that they may be continually present to our thoughts !) Be not high-minded, but fear :- whatever our privileges, whatever our experiences are, whatever our confidence may be, let us dwell upon the. thought; for there is no Christian upon earth that hath not reason to fear, in proportion to the degree in which he feels his thoughts towering on high, and grows into any conceit of himself. Daily let us recollect what we were in our natural estate; and what* with all our improvements and attainments, we should immediately be, if Godshould forsake us< Let us pray therefore that we may continue in God's goodness: and whoever may continue to fall from it, let us not" glory; but rather mourn over them, and pray for their recovery and salvation to that God who is able to recover from the most obstinate infidelity and impenitence, and to graft on not only foreign branches^ but what may seem yet more wonderful, those that have appeared; more than twice dead. SECTION xxvr.The future conversion of the Jews, whose obstinacy, in the meantime, is overruled to display the unsearchable wisdom of God. Ch. xi. 25, &c.25 T> RETHREN [of the Gentiles'] I would not have you to be ig81 norant of what respects this mystery, (lest you should havetoo high an opinion of yourselves) that blindness is in part happened unto Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles shall be brought in;26 and so shall all Israel be saved. As it is written, "A deliverer shall come out of Sion, and he shall turn away impiety from Ja27 cob: and this is my covenant with them, when I shall take away28 their sins*." With respect to the gospel, they are enemies for* Isa. lix. 20. This text in the Heb. seems different from the sense in which it is here quoted. But if Christ be foretold as a Deliverer to the Jews, it is sufficiently to the purpose. Yet the lxx. agrees better with the words of the quotation. your sakes who are received in their stead; but as for the election, the chosen remnant, they are beloved for their fathers sakes, tliat .29 some of their seed may always continue in covenant: For the gifts and calling of God are not to be repented of: he doth not resume 30 his gifts, nor retract his calls. As then ye Gentiles were once disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by means of their31 disobedience; so they also, having been disobedient on occasion of your finding mercy, shall also at length obtain the mercy they en32 vied you. For God hath at different times shut up all under diso33 bedience, that he might have mercy on all.—O the depths of the riches, and wisdom, and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments! and his ways such as cannot be traced out!$4 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been his 35 counsellor? Who, whether Jew or Greek, hath first given any thing to him? Let him make out the claim, and it shall be repaid .36 him again. For of him, and through him, and for him are allthings. To him be glory for ever! Amen*.REFLECTIONS. Let Out whole souls be engaged to glorify this great and blessed <God, from whom, and through whom we, and all creatures exist. O that it may be our eternal employment to render adoration, and blessing, and glory to him ! To him, whose counsels none can trace: to him, who hath prevented us all with the blessings of his goodness; so that, far from being able to confer any obligation on him, for which -we should pretend to demand a recompense, on the contrary, we must own, that the more we are enabled and animated to do for him, the more indeed are we obliged to him. We cannot pretend to have known the mind of the Lord in all its extent, or to have been admitted into his secret counsels. He is continually doing marvellous things, which we know not: yet surely we know enough to admire and adore. We know enough to cry out in raptures of delightful surprise, 0 the depth of the riches, both of his wisdom and goodness .'—-One instance, though but one of many, we hav? here before us, in his mysterious conduct towards Jews and Gentiles j in which, occurrences that seem the most unacoountable, and indeed the most lamentable, are over-ruled by God to answer most benevolent purposes: That the sin of the Jews should be the salvation of the Gentiles, and yet the mercy shewn to the Gentiles, in its consequences the salvation of the Jews; and so both should be concluded under sin, that God might more illustriously have mercy on both i O that the blessed time were come, when all Israel shall be saved: when the Deliverer, who is long since come out of Sion, shall turn away iniquity from Jacob; and the fulness of the Gentiles come in, so that from the rising to the going down of the sun, the Lord shall be one, and his name one. Our faith waits the glorious event, and may perhaps wait it even to the end of life. But a generation to be born shall see it: for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. Let our* Here ends the argumentative part of the epistle. assured confidence in the divine promise travel on, as it were, to the accomplishment, over mountains of difficulty that may lie in our way; and let our hearts be cheered with this happy prospect, under all the grief which they feel, when we see how few now believe the report of the gospel, and to how few God hath revealed his arm. While the glorious, expected event is delayed, let us add our fervent intercessions with God, to these prayers, by which the church has in every age been endeavouring to hasten it on. They are all written in the book of God's remembrance, and shall all be reviewed and answered in their season. Let us in the mean time comfort ourselves with this reviving thought, that the covenant which God will make with Israel in that day, is in the main the same he has made with us, to take away sin. Eased of such an insupportable burden, that would sink us into final ruin and despair, let us bear up cheerfully against all discouragements, and glory in the gospel which brings us this invaluable blessing; how long, and how generally soever, it jnay be to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks, foolishness. SECTION XXVII.Practical exhortations and directions to Christians to act in a manner Too?>thy of the gospel, particularly by a faithful improvement of their various talents. Ch. xii . 1—11,1 T ENTREAT you therefore, brethren, by the tender mercies I of God [which I have thus displayed] both to Jews and Gentiles, that instead of animal victims, you present your bodies (i. e. your whole persons ) a living sacrifice, holy, wellrpleasing to God, as 5 your rational service. And be not conformed to this world; but be transformed, in the renewing of your mind; that you may experimentally know that will of God, which is good, acceptable, and -5 perfect. And I say further according to that grace which is given to me, as my particular charge to every one that is among you, not to arrogate to himself above what he ought to think, but that he think of himself with sobriety and modesty, according to the mea4 sure of faith, which God hath distributed to every man. For as in one body we have many members, but all the members have5 not the same use : so we, though many, are one body in Christ,6 and every one members of each other. Having therefore gifts different according to the grace given unto us ; whether it be prophecy to foretell future events, or discourse for the edification of the church, let us be employed in it according to the proportion7 of faith that is in us: Or having the office of ministry, as deacons, let a man be active and faithful in ministration: or if he be an in8 structor of catechumens, in teaching ; or an exhorter of the breth^ ren, in exhortation. He that giveth charity, let him do it with simplicity : he that presideth in the distribution of charities, with diligence: he that sheweth mercy to special objects of compassion, let 9 him do it with cheerfulness. Let love be undissembled. Abhor JP that which is evil; adhere to that which js good, In brotherly-. love, be mutually full of tender affection; in honour preferring } 1 one another. Be not slothful in business : be fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.REFLECTIONS.How rich were a Christian in practical directions for the conduct of life, even if this excellent chapter were his only treasure of this kind. Let such scriptures as these be -welcome to us; the scriptures that teach us our duty, as well .as those that display before our eyes the richest variety of spiritual privileges. Indeed it is one of our greatest privileges, to be taught our duty, if at the same time we are inclined by divine grace to perform it; and if we are not, we have no privileges that will prevent, none that will not increase, our ruin. Wisely does the great apostle lay the foundation of all virtue in a principle of unfeigned piety towards God : in presenting before him our bodies as living sacrifices. How great an honour and happiness will it be to us, to do it .' That we may be engaged to this, let us often think of his tender mercies, so many and so great ; and especially, of that most illustrious of all mercies, his redeeming us by the blood of his Son, and calling us into the Christian covenant. Can there be a more reasonable service than this? that we should be consecrated to our Creator, to our Redeemer, to our Sanctifier, to our constant Benefactor, to our supreme end and happiness ?—The world indeed neglects him, yea, even what is called the Christian world, neglects him, to such a degree, as if we did not continually see it, we should not suppose to be possible. But let us not in this instance be conformed to it. O that divine grace may so transform and renew our hearts, that we may not! Nothing but experience can teach us, how good, and perfect, and acceptable, the will of God is, and how happy a thing it is to be governed, in every respect, by its unerring declarations.Let us remember, that as our sanctification, so also our humility and our usefulness are his will; and therefore, let us endeavour to conquer every high conceit of ourselves, and every sordid and selfish sentiment. Let us often reflect, that we are all members of each other; and being so happily united in Christ, have all but one interest, which is that of the body, and of its glorified head. Whether our station in the church be more public, or private; whether our capacities and endowments be more or less distinguished: let us all be faithful, be affectionate, be disinterested, be active; endeavouring to serve Christ, and even the poorest of his people, with simplicity, with diligence, with cheerfulness : preferring others to ourselves; abhorring that love which is spent in hypocritical words and unmeaning forms; cultivating that which gives to the soul tenderness, condescension, and vigour. In a word, let us remember we are serving the Lord, the Lord Christ; and doing all in his name, and for his sake; let this add fervour to our spirit, zeal to our diligence, and abasement to our humility; for nothing surely can be so animating, nothing so melting, nothing so humbling, as to recollect, on the one hand, how much we owe him, and on the other, how little we are able, how pmch less we are careful, to do for his service. SECTION XXVIII.Exhortations to cheerfulness, patience, hospitality,' mutual sympathy, humility, a peaceful temper, and a readiness to forgive injuries. Ch. xii. 12, &c.I2 T FURTHER exhort you brethren, guard against that dejection 1 of spirit which would enervate your holy activity and zeal. Be always rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing IS instant in prayer: communicating to the necessities of the saints;14 pursuing hospitality. Bless them who persecute you: bless, and15 curse not. Rejoice with them that rejoice; and weep with them16 that weep. Be entirely united in your regards for each other. Affect not high things, but condescend to men of low rank. Be17 not wise in your own conceits. Render to none evil for evil.18 Provide things reputable in the sight of all men. If it be possible, and at least to the utmost of your power, live peaceably with all19 men. Beloved, revenge not yourselves on such as have injured ycu, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written f Deut. xxxii. 35.) " Vengeance is mine; I will recompence, saith the Lord.".20 Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for by doing this, thou shalt heap coals of fire * on hisHI head [and melt him into tenderness]. Be not on any occasion overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.REFLECTIONS. Surely if any thing consistent with the burdens and sorrows of mortal life can inspire constant joy, it must he the Christian hope; the hope of our calling. Surely with a joy thus supported, no tribulation can be too great to be endured with patience: yea with cheerfulness; since, whatever it be, the glorious object of our hope, far from toeing endangered -or diminished by it, shall rather be secured and in?creased. Let us therefore continue instant in prayer, that our minds may be so fortified and ennobled, that we may dwell upon these "views.—Well may they keep the heart in so serene and pleasant a 'state, as to make us ready to do every act of kindness to our fellow?reatures; but especially to those who are heirs with us of this hope; whom we ought to esteem it our great honour and privilege to be able in any measure to assist and accommodate, while they are travelling through this too often inhospitable wilderness, in the way to that kingdom they are going to receive. It is no wonder, that as we are not of this world, but are choseii and called out of the world to so glorious a prospect, the world should hate and persecute us: but let us neither be dismayed, nor in any degree exasperated, with the ill usage we may meet with. Rather with unfeigned compassion and goodwill to the most injurious of our enemies, let us not only refrain from* The sense cannot be, thou shalt consume or punish him : this would be getting that revenge which is forbidden. It intimates how tenderly human ?atnre is affected with acts of kindness from one who had been considered faiid treated] as an enemy. * repaying evil with evil, but render them blessing for curses, and benefits for wrongs; since we have ourselves found such mercy, and are called to inherit such a blessing. Let us cultivate those kind and social affections which this great proficient in them all so forcibly inculcates ; that tender sympathy which may teach us to share in the joys and sorrows of all about us: that candid humility, which shall, with graceful, unaffected freedom, stoop to the lowest and the meanest, and while it stoops, rise in unsought honours: that distrust of ourselves, which shall cause us to cease from our own wisdom, that we may repose ourselves upon the unerring guidance of- our heavenly Father : that kindly obstinate attachment to peace,. that heroic superiority, which melts down with kindness the heart that but a little before was glowing with rage. And on the whole, that resolute perseverance in goodness, which must be finally victorious,and will assuredly rise with a new accession of strength and of glory, from every defect.SECTION XXIX.The apostle urges obedience to magistrates ; justice in all its branches: love,as the fulfilling of the law ; and universal sanctity. Ch. xiii. 1, &c.I" T ET every soul among yoube in subjection to the superior civil I L authorities*. For there is no legal authority but from God. The authorities, that exist under one form or another, are dispo-2 sed and established by Godf. He therefore who sets himself against the authority possessed by magistrates, withstandeth the disposition of God : and they who withstand, shall receive to them-3 selves condemnation. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wouldest thou not therefore be afraid of the authority? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from it r4 for he that possesses it, is to thee the servant of God for good. But if thou dost evil, be afraid; for he holdeth not the sword in vain r for he is as the servant of God, an avenger to execute wrath.5 against him that doth eVil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only out of regard to wrath, but also for the sake of6 conscience. On this account you also pay tribute to magistrates; for they are the ministers of the providence of God, continually applying themselves to this one affair in serving the public, and 7 have a right to be honourably maintained by it. Render therefore to all their due: to whom tribute is due, render tribute : to whom custom, custom^.: to whom reverence, reverence: to whom hon* [There was a peculiar propriety in these admonitions to the Jews, as} they were strongly prejudiced against the thought of submitting to Heathen governors.f This is true of all the forms of government in the world, but this cannot make what is wrong and pernicious in any of them sacred and immutable. Kotliiiii can be justly urged from these passages in favour of unlimited passive obedience. The author has other valuable notes on this subject. Xti.e. Taxes upon Merchandize. 8 our, honour. Owe nothing to any, but to love one another: for9 he that loveth another, hath fulfilled the law. For that {prohibition^ " Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shall not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet;" and any other command, if such there be, is summed up in this precept, -Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no evil to one's neighbour : therefore love is the accomplishment of the law.11 And all this I the rather urge on you, knowing the present season, that ii is high time now to awake out of sleep: for our salva12 tion is now nearer, than when we first believed. The night is far advanced ; the day is drawing near ; let us therefore put off the13 works of darkness, and put on the armour of light. And as [?? respect to gospel light, we are] in the day, let us walk honourably and gracefully ; not in rioting, and drunken debauches; not in chambering,* effeminacy, and laciviousness; not in contention, and14 emulation. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, [be clothed ??'fAj /lis temper, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil its irregular desires, nor be intent in pleasing the senses, in things not directly criminal. REFLECTIONS. While subjects learn reverence and obedience to their magistrates* not only for wrath, but for conscience sake, may magistrates learn a correspondent care to answer that end of their office, which the apostle makes the foundation of such precepts as these, and to be indeed the ministcrs of God for good, a terror not to good but to evil works.—GreatBritain, while I write this,f is happy in a government to which this character may justly be applied. Its subjects are under the greatest obligations to the divine goodness, in having so remarkably overthrown the attempts of those who would have left us little use of the scripture ; but would themselves have abused it, to have riveted on the heaviest fetters, by perverting this passage of St. Paul, as if he had intended to subvert every free constitution under heaven, and to put a sword into the hand of merciless tyrants, to kill and take possession of the heritage of the Lord, counting his people but as sheep for ihe slaughter. —While we are thus happy, we shall be doubly inexcusable, if we fail of rendering both honour and tribute, where they are so justly due.May we extend our care to the universal law of love; and may it be so deeply engraven on our hearts, that the practice of every social virtue may become easy and delightful.—And on the whole, being animated by the approach of salvation, may we awake to the vigorous discharge of our duty, and while the light of the gospel scatters about* Leigh explains this of lying long in bed. Though the author does not defend this sense, he introduces here an observation too important to be omitted. —" The difference between rising at five and at seven o clock for forty years (going to bed at the same time) is nearly that of an addition of ten yean to a man's life."| Anno Domini 1749. us so bright a ray, may we walk, in every respect, worthy of it, that we may have no reason to wish for the veil of darkness to cover our shame. May we not only abstain from the vices which are here branded with the infamy they deserve; but distinguish ourselves in cultivating the contrary virtues. And that we may do it effectually, may we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, remembering continually the obligations we are under to consider his life as the model of our own. So shall we make the gospeWay yet brighter In the eyes of all around us, and anticipate, while we are here in this world of comparative darkness, the lustre, with which we hope, through his influence and grace, to shine forth in the celestial kingdom of our Father. SECTION XXX.Mutual candour between those Christians who did, and those who did not, think themselves bound to observe the Mosaic ceremonies; enforced by the prospect of the great tribunal. Ch. xiv. 1—12.1 T TIM that is weak in the faith, still retaining his Jewish prejudiX X dices, ye Gentiles receive, in friendship, and not to debate2 about matters in doubt. For one believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak, eateth only herbs, or -vegetables. 3 Let not him that eateth all things freely, despise him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not, judge him that eateth; for4 God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? To his own master he standeth or falleth: yea, he shall be upheld in his christian profession, for God is able to es3 tablish him.—One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man freely enjoy his6 own sentiment*. He that regardeth a day, regardeth it to the Lord; and he that regardeth not a day, it is to the Lord that he doth not regard it. He that eateth freely, eateth to the Lord, and giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not what ihe law forbids, t to the Lord he eateth not, and he also giveth God thanks. For none of us Christians liveth to himself; and none of us dieth to8 himself: But if we live, we live to the Lord; or if we die, we die to the Lord; so that whether we live, or die, we are the9 Lord's. For to this purpose Christ both died, and rose again, and contintieth alive that he might be Lord both of the dead, and10 of the living. But why dost thou O Jewish convert, judge thy Gentile brother? Or why dost thou O Gentile believer, set at11 nought thy Jewish brother? For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ: as it is written (Is. xlv. 23.) "As I live, saith the Lord, surely every knee shall bow unto me, and every tongue12 shall confess to God." So that every one of us all shall render an account of himself to God.* Literally, let him go on in his own way, without impediment. A ?trong text in favour of the right of private judgment.Vol. II. G REFLECTIONS.Let all the different sects and parties of Christians study to imbibe more of the equitable ami lovely temper which the apostle here expresses in so genuine a manner. The divisions of the church are not to be healed by imposing our own sentiments, phrases, and forms, and censuring and harassing those that will not acquiesce in them. Such a temper will only ingender strife, and mutual provocationswill produce mutual increasing resentment.—Let us receive our weaker brethren with tenderness- and respect; not despising those who scruple what we practise, not judging those who practise what we scruple. God may receive the one and the other: yea, the different practices of both may proceed from the same general principles, a desire to please him, and to approve ourselves in his sight—In thi* we all may unite, in a concern that we may not live, or die, to ourselves, but to Christ. His dying lave, lib living care, may surely challenge this. Worthy is he who died, and rose again, and revived, to be adored and obeyed, as the Lord, both of the dead and of the living. And such, in one view or another, he will finally appear. We shall know it in that day when we shall be called before his judgment-seat. Conscious of so many crimes, and even in our best days, of so many imperfections, how shall we dare to appear before him; especially, if wc should then receive judgment -without mercy- Let us not tempt it, to our own everlasting confusion, by shewing no mercyLet us not add to all the offences which may justly cause us totremble before his tribunal, the criminal arrogance of usurping the place and prerogative of our Judge. Let us remember our relation? to him, and to each other, and act in a manner becoming it. Let u& diligently judge ourselves as those who must be judged of the Lord; so thinking of that grand account, as with an increasing solicitude to prepare for it. The Lord grant that we may find mercy of the Lord in that day! The Lord grant that it may also be imparted to many of our brethren, who have differed most from us; yea, and through the indulgence of our compassionate Saviour, to many who have been, prone to censure and condemn us for those things which he knows \vp have done from a desire to please him, or refused to do from a fear of offending him!SECTION XXXLMutual tenderness and candour recommended, by the hvc of Christ, and the nature of his religion. Ch. xiv. 13, &c .io INCE we must all shortly appear before the tribunalof Christ, Let KJ us not therefore any longer judge one another, but rather judge ye this, not to lay any stumbling-block or scandal before a14 brother. I know and am persuaded, by the Lord Jesus Christ, that nothing [which wc cat] is unclean of itself; But * to him that ac15 counteth any thing to be unclean, it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved, being led into sin, by thy meat, thou no longer walkest according to love. Do not destroy him by thy meat, for whom*" Unless." D. "Yet."M.W. 16 Christ died. Let not then your liberty, which is itself good, be17 slandered. For the kingdom of God consisteth not in meat and drink, but in righteousness, and peace, and joy* in the Holy18 Ghost. And he that in these tilings serveth Christ, it acceptable19 to God, and approved by men. Let us therefore pursue the things20 which tend to peace, and mutual edification. Do not for the sake of any kind of meat destroy thy brother, the noblest work of God. Indeed all things are in themselves pure ; yet that meat u evil to a21 man who eateth with offence, to ihe ensnaring of others. It isgood neither to cat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any ihing by22 which thy brother is scandalized or weakened. Thou hast faith (Or a just persuasion of ihe indifference of these things which others scrufUe) : have it to thyself before God. Happy is he, who doth23 not condemn himself in the thing which he alloweth. But he that maketh a difference between one sort of food and another, is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not with faith ; for whatsoever M not of faith, or full satisfaction of mind, is sin.REFLECTIONS. Still let that great and final account which each must render of himself to God, be kept in our mind; that we may learn obedience to him, candour to each other, and a tender care to avoid every thing that might give unnecessary offence to our brethren. And in the views of it, let us learn always to reverence our own consciences, so as never to be engaged to do what we suspect to be unlawful; since no consideration can ever balance the infinite evil of offending God, and bringing guilt on our own souls. That is to us unclean, which we esteem to be so, and what is not of faith, is sin.—Let us also be cautious, that we do not incur guilt and condemnation, even by things which we allow, as in the main lawful; solicitously attending, not only to the general nature, but the probable consequences of our actions. And where there is danger of injuring the souls of others, let us often reflect, that Christ died for them; and estimate, so far as we can conceive it, the value of souls, by the value of that blood by which they were redeemed. Let us also take great heed, that we do not give occasion to others, by our imprudent conduct, to speak evil of that which is in itself good. And that we may not do it, let us study those great and generous notjons of religion which this excellent passage of scripture gives us. Let it be written upon our hearts, that the kingdom of God is not meat or drink ; that it doth not consist in a zeal for, or against, any of the little distinctions by which Christians have been so often divided, and which have been too frequently the occasion of mutual alienation in their affections. Let us study and prac.tise more righteousness, and peace, and joy in'the Holy G/iost. The a/iprobation of God, consequent on this, may well support us, though men should censure us as lukewarm; yea, perhaps as hypocritical, and interested too, in the candid regards we shew to those which differ from each other, and from us.* That is, I think, with Dr. Scott, a cheerful temper, supported by a consciousness of strict integrity. God will remember their rashness and forwardness to these uncharitable'censures ; but let#us rather (say, "May he cure and forgive them."Yet while we cultivate the amiable temper here set before us, bad as the world is, we may hope that we shall be accepted by many; and indeed, in proportion to their knowledge of our real character, by all whose acceptance and friendship is most to be valued. Let us not therefore be discouraged at any ill usage which, in particular instances, we may meet with; but still follow the things that make for peace, and conduce to mutual edification: and theGod of peace will be with tis, and Jesus, the great Lord of the church, which is his house, will smile on our attempts to build it up into one united and beauteous edifice, till he calls us to his temple above, where all is order, and harmony, and love for ever.SECTION XXXII.Mutual condescension urged by the example of Christ, and the goodness of God to all, both Jews and Gentiles, in sending the gospel to them, accords ing to the tenor of the prophecies. Ch. xv. 1—17.1 r I THEREFORE we who are strong, ought to bear the in?2 JL firmities qf the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For3 Christ pleased not himself; but as it is written (Ps. lxix. 9.)" The reproaches of those who reproached thee, are fallen upon me." For4 whatever things were formerly written were written for our instruction, that we through patience and consolation of the scriptures,5 might have hope.—.Now may the God of patience and consolation give you the same mutual affection, according to Jesus Christ;6 that with one mind, and one mouth ye may glorify the God and7 father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive ye one ano-* ther, as Christ hath received us to the glory of God.S Now I say this to you Gentiles [to excite your candour to the prejudices'] of your Jewish brethren, that Jesus Christ, as he was born a Jew, was made a minister of the circumcision, being sent to the house of Israel, for the truth of God, to confirm the promise made 9 to the fathers of that nation. And / would remind Je wish believers, that he also came that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy, ingranting them the same privileges : as it is written (Ps. xviii. 49.) "For this cause will I confess to thee among the Gentiles, and10 sing praises unto thy name." And again he * saith," Rejoice, ye11 Gentiles, with his people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all12 ye nations, and repeat his praise, all ye people." And again Isaiah saith, " There shall be a root of Jesse, and one arising to13 rule over the Gentiles, and in him shall the Gentiles trust." And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in beT lieving, that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.* The scripture saith. W. Deut. xxxii, 43. Fsal cxvii. I. Isa, xi. JO 14 * And I am myself persuaded concerning you, my brethren, that ye are full of goodness, being filled with all knowledge, and15 able to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written, the more boldly to you in this part of my epistle, as stirring up your remembrance because of that grace which is16 given to me of God, that I should be the servant of Jesus Christ unto the Gentiles, administering to them the gospel of God ; that the offering the Gentiles to him may be an acceptable sacrifice to17 God, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. I have therefore matter of boasting in Christ Jesus with respect to the things of Godf, and tlie office which I bear in his church, REFLECTIONS.May the abundant communication of the Spirit that is in JesusChrisl, form us more to the amiable temper here recommended! That we may prove the distinguished strengih of our minds, by the superior fortitude with which we bear the infirmities of our weaker brethren, and may seek the nobler pleasure of pleasing our neighbours for their good, and to their edification. Let the generous self-denial of our great Lord be, in this view, before our eyes: and let us endeavour to feel the reproaches which are cast upon God, much more sensibly than those which immediately fall upon ourselves.—Happy are we in the scriptures, which through divine providence and grace have been written for our instruction. May they inspire us with patience and consolation, and establish our souls in humble hope! May our hearts be cemented in the bond of mutual love, that with one mind and one mouth we may glorify God, and receive each other, with an endearment like that, with which, if we are true believers, notwithstanding our smaller dirFerences, we are received by him. Mercy is communicated by Christ to Jews and Gentiles, who therefore are justly required to unite their praises to the root of Jesse. Let us all trust under the shadow of this pleasant plant, and may we be filled with joy and peace in believing. What can furnish out so calm a peace, so sublime a joy, as the christian hope? May we all abound in it by the power of the Holy Ghost! And surely if we are filled with such joy and hope, we must be filled with all goodness too; with a truly benevolent temper towards others, which a sense of our own happiness lends most powerfully to promote. We Gentiles have been presented to God as a holy offering; may we be sanctifed more and more by the spirit l and established in a firm confidence in Christ, that he will transact all our concerns with God, under the character of the great Mediator ; esteeming that the most happy and glorious circumstance in the station which providence may have assigned to us, which gives us the greatest opportunity of spreading the honour of so dear a name, and of presenting praises and services to God through him.'* " However." M. f Alluding to sacerdotal affairs. SECTION XXXIII.The Jpostle mentions the extent of his own labours, and Jus purposes of further journien, in w/iich he hoped to visifrthe Romans ; in the mean time, earnestly desiring their prayers. Ch. Xv. 18, &c .18 T HAVE indeed catise to rejoice and boast in what relates to my X ministry: For I will not dare to speak of what Christ hath not wrought by me, to bring the Gentiles into obedience, both in word19 and deed, by the energy of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that I have fully preached the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem round about, even as far as Illyricum.20 For it hath been the object of my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, lest I should build upon ano21 other man's foundation* : but as it is written (Is. lii. 15.)" They, to whom nothing was declared concerning him, shall see, and they,22 who have not heard, shall understand." Therefore I have been23 long hindered from coming to you. But now having no longer place in these Grecian climates, and having a great desire, for ma24 ny years, to come to you; if I go into Spain, I will come to you in my way; for I hope, as I pass by, to see you, and to be brought forward by you in my way thither, if I may first be in some de25 gree satisfied with your company. But I am now going to Jerusa26 lem, ministering to the necessities of the saints there. For it hathpleased the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain37 collection for the poor saints that are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them I say, and indeed they are their debtors: for if the Gentiles are made partakers of their spiritual things, they ought to28 minister to them in their carnal things. Having therefore dispatched this affair, and sealed to them this fruit of their love, I29 will come by you into Spain. And I know that when I come among you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gos30 pel of Christ. But I beseech you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love which is the fruit of the Spirit, that you31 join your strength with mine, in your prayers to God for me ; that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea; and that my32 ministration at Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints: that so I may come to you with joy, by the will of God, and that I may be33 refreshed together with you. And may the God of peace be with you all ! Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let us behold with pleasure the modesty and humility which is joined with all the zeal of this holy apostle, while he thus obliquely* Probably, in mentioning this, Paul may glance at those false apostles who crept into churches which he had planted, and endeavoured to establish their own reputation and influence there, by alienating the hearts of his own converts from him, their spiritual father ; while like some in our own days, who have trod most exactly in their footsteps, they built on his grand and noble foundations, an edifice of wood, hay, and stubble. owns, in a manner which shews how familiar the thought was to his mind, that all he had done in the christian ministry, and for the propagation and advancement of the gospel, was only what Christ had done by him, to procure such obedience of the Gentiles, both in word and in deed. Adored be the grace that made his labours so successful, and sowed the blessed seed so wide by his diligent hand, from Jerusalem unto I/lyrieum. Most divine instructions did he give them in matters of faith, and taught them to express that faith by their works. While he was dead to all thoughts of enriching himself, and in some instances, chose rather to maintain himself by his own labours, than to subsist on the bounty of others, his liberal soul devised liberal things for his necessitous brethren. He raised a noble collection, and was much concerned, not only that it might be safely, but acceptably delivered.Well may our souls be edified, by observing the things which lay nearest the heart of this generous apostle, that coming to his christian friends at Rome, he might come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christy and that if he was spared through their prayers, it might be tor public usefulness. St. Paul, dead as he was to human applause, was, from much nobler motives, solicitous about his acceptance ; and he shews by his manner of speaking, what a sense he had of the degree in which it depended upon the turn and disposition which God should be pleased to give to the spirits of men : may this just and pious thought frequently dwell upon the hearts of the ministers of Christ!Some of the prayers, which the apostle so affectionately bespeaks? were answered; and some seemed to be forgotten : Yet did God make, what seemed the rejection of some, the means of answering the rest. He was for a while delivered into the hands of those in Judea who believed not; and this providence, which might have seemed an invincible obstacle to his design, proved the occasion of bringing him to Rome, and promoted the success of his ministry there. Let us adore the God of grace and peace, who works the most important ends, by methods to us untliought of; and let us be greatly cautious, that we do not rashly judge that he hath rejected our prayers, because we do not see them answered in that particular way which might have been more agreeable to our own wishes.SECTION XXXIV.By -way of Postscript, the Apostle recommends Phmbe to the Romans, and salutes several rf his friends resident among them. Ch. xvi. 1—16.1 T RECOMMEND to you Phcebe, our sister, the bearer of this _L epistle, who is a servant or deaconess, of the church in Cen2 chrea*; that you entertain her in the Lord in a manner becoming saints, and assist her in any thing in which she may need it of you; for she hath been an helper of many, and of myself in3 particular. Salute Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow labourers in* Cenchrea was in the suburbs of Corinth, and the church here was distinct from that in the city. 4 Christ Jesus; persons who for my life have laid down their own necks; to whom therefore I do not only owe my own thanks, but5 also all the churches of the Gentiles: Likewise salute the church that is in their house. Salute also my beloved Epenetus, who is6 one of the first-fruits of Achaia to Christ. Salute Mary, who7 hath taken a great deal of pains on our account. Salute Andronicus, and Junias, my kinsmen, and once my fellow prisoners; who were early in reputation among the apostles, and were also in the 8 church of Christ before me. Salute Amplias my beloved in the9 Lord. Salute Urbanus my fellow labourer in Christ, and my be-*10 loved Stachys. Salute Apelles long approved in the cause of11 Christ. Salute those of the family of Arislobulus. Salute my cousin Herodion, and those belonging to the household of Narcis12 sus, who are believers in the Lord. Salute Try plwena and Tryphosa, who have laboured in the service of the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, who distinguished herself by having laboured much13 in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and likewise his14 mother and mine, she having shewn me a maternal care. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas,Patrobas, Hermes, and the breth15 ren with them. Salute Philologus and Julias, Nereus, and his16 sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them. Salute one another at your assemblies with a holy kiss*. All the church' esof Christ in theseparts salute you.REFLECTIONS. Though so much of this section be a mere catalogue of names, IX is not without its moral and religious instruction. We see in it the good heart of the apostle; how full he was of the sentiments of christian friendship; how solicitous he was to express his esteem and love, for his brethren in the Lord. And God hath made him the means of transmitting to posterity, the memorials of many excellent persons, of whom we no where else read, or hear, any thing: of whom all that we know, is, that they were such as deserved the particular affection of Si. Paul, and were professors of the gospel at Rome, in the reign of a very worthless and wicked prince, under whom it is highly probable, that some of them suffered martyrdom for Christ. His large heart opened to embrace them all, whether by birth Jews or Gentiles; and as they shared in his salutations, we cannot doubt, but they shared in his prayers too. We find some of these pious, and much esteemed friends of the apostle were women, of whom he speaks with great regard, as of persons whom divine grace had made very useful in the church; who had been helpers of many, and particularly of him; who had laboured, yea had laboured much, in the Lord. Let not that sex therefore think that it is cut off from the service of Christ, because the ministry is appropriated to men. Eminently useful have many of them been. The most valuable ministers have often been assisted by them, in the success- of their work, while their pious care, under the restraint of the strictest modesty and decorum, has happily and effectually influenced children* * This custom was borrowed from the Jewish Synagogue. servants, and young friends; yea, has been the means of sowing the seeds of religion in tender minds, before they have been capable of coming under ministerial care.Generous was the zeal which Aquila and Priscilta shewed in exposing even their own lives in the defence of this holy apostle. Great obligations did they, thereby, lay upon all the churches of the Gentiles, and on us, who, at this distance of time, reGeive so many blessings from the long continuance of St. Paul's life, which they were ready so heroically to defend at the hazard of their own.—Truly valuable were these mutual friendships, of which, zeal for Christ was the common bond; lasting, and indeed everlasting. These excellent persons are doubtless the companions of Paul in glory now, and will many of them be his crown in the day of the Lord. Some of them indeed were in Christ before him; and he speaks of it as peculiarly to their honour. Let those, who were early in Christ, rejoice in the thought. Let those who came later into his church, be exhorted to exert themselves with the greater vigour in his service, that they may recover the time they have lost: and let us all learn to esteem it, as the most substantial proof of our love to those who are peculiarly dear to us, to shew, upon all occasions, how sincerely we wish, that they may early form an acquaintance with Christ; that they may constantly walk in him, and grow up in all things in him, as our common Head.SECTION XXXV.The apostle concludes with other salutations; a caution against those who would divide the church, and a suitable doxology. Ch. xvi. 17, &c.17 "^JOW I exhort you, brethren, to mark out those which cause JLAI divisions and offences among you, contrary to that doctrine18 which you have learned; and avoid them. For such serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by fair speeches, and flattering forms of address, deceive the hearts of the intio19 cent. * Your obedience is come abroad unto all; therefore, I rejoice on your account. But I am desirous you may be wise with respect to that which is good, and simple with regard to that20 which is evil. And the God of peace will quickly bruise Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you ! Amen.21 Timothy my fellow-labourer, and Lucius, and Jason and Sosipater, messengers of the Church at Beroea, and my kinsmen, sa22 lute you. I Tertiusf, who wrote this epistle, do also salute you23 in the Lord. Gaius, my host, and that of the whole church, saluteth you, and Erastus the steward of the city, also saluteth you;24 and Quartus, a christian brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.* "For"D.ET."Now"M. _ f Paul seems not to have been well versed in the Greek characters, Gal. vi . 11. 1 Cor. xvi. 21. He therefore made use of the hand of Tertius, or Silas. Q. whether some of the intricate and unfinished sentences in these epistles might not be owing to this method of writing by an Amanuensis. Comp. Jcr< xxxvi. 17, 1&Vet. II. H 25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you, according to my gospel, even the preaching of Jesus Christ (agreeable to the rev26 elation of that mystery, in ancient times kept in silence, but now made manifest by * the prophetic scriptures, according to the commandment of the eternal God, to all nations for the obedience27 of faith) to the only wise God be glory by Jesus Christ, to endless ages. Amen.N. B. The notes at the end of this and other epistles are of no authority. REFLECTIONS. Worthy are these concluding words of being deeply engraven on every heart. The gospel was a mystery long concealed in the breast of the divine wisdom, and opened but by imperfect hints, even to the church itself, in former ages. Let us be humbly thankful, that it is now made manifest; and that we are among the nations who are called to the obedience of the faith. Let us be solicitous to answer that call; and if we have already done it in any measure, let us remember, we are still surrounded with many snares and dangers; so that we have continual need of being strengthened and confirmed by him who hath done us the honour to call us into the fellowship of his gospel. Let us walk worthy of it, and faithfully endeavour to advance its interests, in a noble superiority to all those secular and mercenary motives, by -which bad men, under a christain profession, are often influenced, and in consequence of which, they often abuse even the ministry of religion to the most infamous purposes.—Let us shew, how thoroughly we have imbibed the spirit of this divine dispensation, by the generosity of our sentiments; guarding both against scandals and divisions; and aiming in wisdom, integrity, and love, both to unite and edify, the body of Christ. Satan will indeed lay discouragements and stumbling-blocks in our way, and perhaps may sometimes use very subtile arts to promote discord and division among those who ought to be most dear to each other in the bonds of the Lord. But let us use a holy caution, and commit ourselves cheerfully to the divine keeping; and we may humbly hope,- that the God of peace will make us victorious over all the artifice and power of our spiritual enemies, and will shortly bruise Satan under our feet. Let us hope that, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, in virtue of that great original promise (Gen. iii. 13.) which was given to cheer our first parents, when they lay under their deep distress, and heavy load of new-contracted guilt. And as we see how God hath taken the- subtile in his own craftiness, and triumphed over Satan, by that event which he laboured to accomplish, as his own triumph, even the death of our divine Redeemer; let us ascribe to him, as the only wise God, everlasting glory. And O, that we may join with all the redeemed world in this ascription, when the accuser of the brethren, the great enemy of God and man, with all his adherents and instruments^ shall be cast out for ever! Amen.* "'According to."D. "By the commandment of the eternal God, in the prophetic writings—in order to—" M? 50THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS.CORINTH was a city of Achaia, on the isthmus which joins 'Peloponnesus (now called the Morea) to the rest of Greece. It abounded in riches, which led its inhabitants into luxury and all manner of vice. Paul's ministry here was so successful that he planted a numerous church, cliiefiy of Gentile converts, and he continued among them near two years.—About three years after he left Corinth, to preach the gospel in other parts of Greece, he had occasion (o write this epistle to the members of this church, from Ephesus, about the year 57, the 3d of Nero. His first object was, to correct some abuses and disorders with which they were chargeable. He insists—1. On the parties and factions into which they had fallen, and the opposition made by some of them to his own apostleship. He argues the unreasonableness of setting up ministers as the heads of parties, and of indulging that regard to eloquence and philosophy to which some of their teachers made such high pretensions, but which he himnelf had despised, as unbecoming the simplicity of the gospel, and the servants of a crucified master. Ch. i. iv.)—2. The case of a notorious offender among them, who was guilty of incest. (Ch. v.)—3. Their litigious temper, by which they were led to prosecute their brethren in the heathen courts. (Ch. vi. 1—11.)—4. The sin of fornication, to wliich they had been addicted in their Gentile state, of the enormity of which some of them were not sufficiently convinced- (v. 12—1.The apostle then proceeds to answer certain important questions which the Corinthians had proposed to him, viz.—1. Those which related to the marriage-state, about which difficulties naturally arose among the first coniierts. (Ch. vii.)—2. How far they might comply with their heathen neighhours in eating, at their feasts, things sacrificed to idols. (Ch. viii.) Having urged condescension, in this matter, towards weak brethren, he mentions his own, in declining the support which he might have claimed as his light (Ch. ix. 1—14.) and insists on the necessity of self-denial; which he illustrates by a simile taken from the combatants in the Grecian games (v. 15—) and enforces by the punishment of the Israelites for indulging their luxurious desire*. (Ch. x. 1—13.) He cautions them against all approaches to idolatry (v. 14—22.) and gives further directions on the subject ofthe inquiry- (v. 23 —)-—3. Concerning the manner in which women should deliver any tiring in public, when under a divine impulse, and insists on the indecency of having their heads uncovered. (Ch. xi. 2—16.)—He then introduces a discourse on yet greater abuses among them, respecting the Lord's supper (v. 17—) and likewise their spiritual gifts (Ch. xii.) and recommends Charity as superior to them all, giving a lovely description of that grace (Ch. xiii.) adding further directions and cautions respecting the gift of tongues. (Ch. xiv.)As some of them denied and others doubted of the Resurrection of the dead, lie proves and illustrates that doctrine. (Ch. xv.)—And concludes with some advices respecting a collection for the poor saints in Judea, and some general exhortations to fortitude and love. (Ch. xvi.) SECTION I.The Apostle congratulates the Corinthians on the gifts and graces bestowed upon them; and animates their hope of continued favour in Christ, till his final appearance. Ch. i.1—9.1 TJ AUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of2 XT God, and Sosthenes * a brother, to the church of God which is in Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints ;f and to all that in every place invoke the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,3 their Lord and ours: may grace and peace be with you from God4 our father, and from Jesus Christ our Lord.—I always give thanks to my God on your account, for the grace of God given unto you5 in Christ Jesus; that in all things ye are enriched in him, particu6 larly in all utterance, and in all knowledge of divine things; as the testimony of Christ which I bore was confirmed among you by 7 such various communications of the Spirit. So that you are deficient in no gift to render you useful, while you are waiting for the8 manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ: who will confirm you to the end; so that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord9 Jesus Christ. For God is faithful, by whom you were called into the communion of his son Jesus Christ our Lord.REFLECTIONS.Let us remember, that we also are sanctified in Christ, and saints by our calling. Though we are not enriched with such extraordinary endowments as those which were bestowed upon this primitive Corinthian Church, yet we call on the name of the Lord Jenus Christ ; and let it be considered as a band of love to all those who join with us to acknowledge him under the character of their Lord and their Saviour. Let it engage us to pray, that the same grace and peace may be with them from God our Father, and from Christ Jesus our common Lord which we wish for ourselves.Let our hearts be ever open to such noble sentiments of christian love; not envying the gifts or endowments of others, but rather rejoicing in them, blessing God for them, and praying that they might be largely increased; that so the testimony of Christ may be confirmed, by the flourishing state of religion among his followers; than which no confirmation will probably carry a stronger and more affecting conviction into the hearts of those who observe it.—To quicken us to this, let us be continually waiting for the revelation of Jesus C/trist / thinking seriously, how certainly and how quickly, he will be revealedfronn heaven, to bring us and all our brethren, to an account for the improvement we make of the various favours he hath conferred upon us: of which, surely to be called into the fellowship of Christ, and the participation of spiritual blessings by him, is to be reckoned among* A Corinthian minister, who attended Paul in his travels. Acts xviii. 17. f Notwithstanding some irregularities among them. the apostle consideredthem as a body of sincere Christians, and the exceptions comparatively few. the chief.—Let us rejoice in the fidelity of those promises which encourage us to hope, that he whose grace hath called us to a participation of the gospel, will confirm us blameless, even until the day of Christ: and, as we have such prospects of present support and comfort, and of final and complete salvation from him, let us, like this blessed apostle, take a pleasure in sounding forth his name, and in keeping up a most affectionate remembrance of him, even of Jesus Christ our Lord and our Saviour, in our own minds, and in those of our Christian brethren.SECTION II.Paul greatly concerned for the factions in the church of Corinth, expostulates with them on setting up christian ministers as heads of parties. Ch. i . 1C—17.I 0 T NOW beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord JesusX Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there may be no schisms among you; but that ye be all knit together in theII same mind, and in the same sentiment* ; because it hath been certified to me, my brethren, concerning you, by those of Chloe's fa12 mily, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you lists himself under some favourite name: One, for insiance, saith, I am for Paul, and a second I am for Apollos, and a third I am for Cephas (that is Peter ) and a fourth says I am 13 for Christ. Is Christ then divided? Was Paul crucified for you?14 Or were you baptized into the name of Paul? I thank God I bap16 tizednoneof you, except Crispus and Gains; lest any should16 say, that I had baptized into my own name. / recollect that I baptized also the family of Stephanus; and I know not whether17 1 baptized any other; for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.REFLECTIONS. While we live in the midst of so much darkness, and continue obnoxious to so many prejudices and errors, it will be absolutely impossible for us, so to speak the same thing, and so perfectly to be joined in the same mind and judgment, as that there should be no diversity of opinion, or expression. But let us labour to obey the apostle's pathetic exhortation, so far as the imperfection of this mortal state may admit. Let us be entreated in the name of our Lord Jcius Christ, that venerable, that endeared, that sacred name,' that there be no schism among us, no mutual hatred or animosity, no uncharitable contentions, no severe censures of each other. And as we desire that there may not, let us take care, that we do not impose upon our brethren indifferent things as necessary; and thereby drive them into a sepa* It was morally impossible that they shculd all agree in opinion—the words therefore must import that peaceful and unanimous temper which christians of diffei'ent opinions may and ought to maintain towards each other, which is more honourable to the gospel than the most perfect uniformity imaginable. ration for conscience-sake; and tempt them, at the same time, by our ill usage, to that bitterness of resentment, which would make them, what the mere separation would not, transgressors of this precept; and us partakers of their sins.—On the other hand, let none of us be disposed to dispute merely for the sake of disputing, nor unnecessarily oppose the judgment or taste of our brethren, out of an affectation of singularity, or a spirit of contention. But let us rather labour, so far as with a safe conscience we can, to keep the unity of the Sfiirit in the bond of peace. And while we do this, if our brethren will exact such submissions from us, as they are not warranted by God to require, and as we cannot in conscience pay, let us follow conscience whithersoever it leads us; taking all necessary care, that it be rightly guided ; <and if in that circumstance our brethren viill cast us out, and say, Let the Lord be glorified; and if to the rest of their unkindness, they will add the further injury of branding us with the odious names of schismatics, or of heretics; let it be a light thing to lis, to be judged of man's judgment. Let us not render railing for railing, nor injury for injury, but rather, by our meekness, endeavour to overcome their severity; and wait for that happy time, when more of the spirit of knowledge and of charity, shall dispose them to throw down those middle walls of partition, by which the temple of God is straitened and defaced, and the convenience, the symmetry, and grandeur of its original plan, so lamentably spoiled. Above all, let us wait that day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be made manifest; and that world, where they who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, shall retain no remembrance of the controversies that once divided them; unless it be to balance the alienations of time with the endearments of eternity.In the mean while, let us avoid, as much as possible, a party-spirit; and not be fond of listing ourselves under the name of this or that man, how wise, how good, how great soever. For surely if the names of Peter and Paul, were in this view to be declined, much more are those which, in these latter days, have so unhappily crumbled the Christian and Protestant interest, and have given such sad occasion to our enemies to reproach us. Christ is not divided; nor were Luther, or Calvir, or even Peter, or Paul, crucified for us; nor were we baptized into any cf their names. Happy shall that disciple of our compassionate Lord be, whom he shall most eminently own in healing the breaches which the artifices of the tempter, too often abetted by the infirmities of Christ's faithful servants, have already made in the Church, and which the great enemy is continually endeavouring to multiply and to widen! Happy he, who reverencing and loving his Master's image wherever he sees it, shall teach others to do so too! And who, being himself an example of yielding, so far as he conscientiously can, and of not taking upon him to censure others, where he cannot yield to them, shall do his part towards cementing, in the bonds of holy love, all the children of God, and the members of Christ! How unsuccessful soever his efforts may be, amidst that angry and contentious, that ignorant and bigoted crowd, who miscall themselves christians; or_ by whatever suspicious and reproachful names his moderation may be stigmatized; his divine Master will neither fail to consider it in its true view, nor to honour it with proportionable tokens of his acceptance and favour. Love is the first and greatest of his commands; and after all the clamour that has been made about notions and forms, he who practises and teaches love best, shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. SECTION III.The apostle shews how little stress was to be laid upon eloquence and philosophy, since God had chosen gospel-preachers quite destitute of them.— Ch. i. 17, &c.17 r | "*HE principal object of my commission was, not to baptize, but1 to preach the gospel: and that not with wisdom of words, the niceties of philosophy and rhetoric, lest the cross of Christ18 should have been rendered vain. For the doctrine of the cross is indeed folly to them that are perishing; but to us who are saved,19 it is the power of God. For it is written (Is. xxix. 14.) "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and abolish the sagacity of the20 prudent." Where is the wise*? Where the learned scribe? Where the disputer of this world? Hath not God made the wis21 dom of this world foolish? For since, in the stupendous displays of the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the folly of preaching to save those that believe.22 For whereas the Jews demand a sign from heaven, and the Greeks23 seek wisdom and philosophy; we nevertheless preach Christ crucified ; to the Jews indeed a stumbling-block, and foolishness to24 the Greeks: but to those who are called by divine grace, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.35 Because the folly, as the world esteems it, unworthy of God, is wiser than men; and the weakness of God stronger than men.26 For behold your calling, brethren; consider the state of your fellow-christians, and of your ministers: there are not among them many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many no27 ble. But God hath chosen those who are esteemed the foolish things of this world, that he may shame the wise : and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may shame its28 mighty tliings: and ignoble things of the world hath God chosen, and things set at nought, and things which are not, being overlooked as if they did not exist, that he may abolish things that are29 in the highest esteem : that no flesh might boast in his presence.30 For of him ye are in Christ Jesus, who is made of God unto ul wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:31 that, as it is written (Jer. ix. 33.) "He that boasteth, let him boast in the Lord."* Th's is an allusion to It. xxxiii . 18. REFLECTIONS. May divine grace form the taste of ministers, and their hearers, more to this doctrine of Christ crucified I May he every-where be preached; and that be accounted the truest wisdom of words by which his cross may become most efficacious. There cannot be surely a more evident demonstation of folly, or a more dreadful token of approaching ruin, than despising the wisdom of God, and the power of God. If we are ever shaken by that contempt for the gospel which so many are continually ready in our age to express, let us recollect what glorious effects it hath produced; whilst in the midst of such illustrations of the wisdom of God, the world by all Us wisdom knew not its Maker; how many believers have been saved, how many by believing are daily brought into the way of salvation! In this view let us triumphantly say, Where is the wise, the scribe, the disputer of this world? What has wisdom, learning, disputation done, in comparison of what the plain and simple doctrine of a crucified Saviour has wrought, and is continually vvorking? Let us earnestly pray, that God would, by the power of his grace, disperse the prejudices of men; that the Jews may not so demand a sign, as that Christ crucified should be a stumbling-block to them, nor the most learned of the Gentiles so seek after science, as that the wisdom of God should seem foolishness to them; but that both may join in feeling, and owning, how divinely wise, and how divinely powerful, the dispensation of the gospel is.—Let us not be offended with our catting though so few of the wise, the mighty, and the noble, partake of its benefits. If God hath chosen the weak things, they shall confound the mighty; and the foolish, shall shame the wise. Never shall we find ourselves truly happy, till we come to feel that we are naturally foolish and guilty, polluted and enslaved; and that our wisdom and righteousness our sanctifcation and redemption, are in Christ, who is made unto us of God all this, and indeed all in all. Then shall we know, and not till then, what true glory means, even when we can abase ourselves to the dust in his presence, and have learned only to glory in the Lord. iSECTION IV.The reasons for wliich Paul had declined all ostentation of eloquence, when he came among the Corinthians : the doctrines he taught were to be traced up to the immediate teachings of the Holy Spirit. Ch. ii. 1, &c.1 A ND I, brethren, when I first came among you, came not .Xi. with the pomp of language, or worldly wisdom, declaring to2 you the testimony of God: for I determined I would seem to know, and would make known nothing among you, but Jesus Christ,3 even that; crucified person. And I was with you in weakness, and4 in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not in the persuasive discourses of human wisdom ; but it was in the demonstration of the Spirit, and of power attended 5 with convincing evidence both from prophecies and miracles; that your faith should not depend on the wisdom of men, but on the 6 power of God.—Nevertheless we speak the truest wisdom among those, who are perfect *: but not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world; who nevertheless shall be brought down.7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery; that wisdom which was long hidden which God from eternal ages pre-determined8 for our glory; a wisdom which none of the rulers of this age knew: for if they had known it, they would not by any means9 have crucified the lord of glory. But this is as it is written (Is. lxiv. 4.) "Eye hath not seen, neither hath ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared10 for them that Jove him." But God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, even the deep things of11 God. For who of mankind knoweth the things of a man, the secret recesses of his mind, unless it be the spirit of a man which is in him? So also no one knoweth the things of God, but the12 Spirit of God himself. Now the spirit which we have received, is not that of the world, but that spirit which is from God; that we might know the things which are freely given us by God:13 which we also speak to others; not in words dictated by human wisdom, but in those dictated by the Holy Spirit; explaining14 such spiritual things by spiritual words. But the animal man, who continues under the influence of his \corrupt\aptietite\, receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned.15 But the spiritual man rightly discerneth all things, while he himself is discerned by no man: those who censure him are blind to 16 what he clearly sees. Nor need you wonder at this: for who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath instructed him? But we apostles have the mind of Christf.REFLECTIONS. Let it be the resolution of every Christian, and especially the determination of every minister, with St. Paul, to know nothing but Jesus Christ, even him that was crucified: to esteem this the most important of all knowledge, to cultivate it in their own minds, and endeavour to propagate it to others. With this divine science shall those ministers of the gospel, who know least of the excellency of speech and the enticing words of man's wisdom, do more important things for the reformation of the world, and the salvation of souls, than without it, the greatest masters of language, or adepts in philosophy, will ever be able to effect. Let the princes of this world boast of the knowledge and refined policy which is so soon to perish, by which so many of their subjects perish, and sometimes themselves before their time. In how many instances does it leave them to imitate the destructive maxims of those, who, under pretence of pub* To those who are completely initiated into these divine mysteries. [Those so initiated into the Heathen mysteries were called Tcaeiw perfect. M.]| The same word is rendered sensual, Jam. iii. 15. Jude 19.% q.d. And therefore are not to be cajled to the bar of those who censure us merely on the ground of human reaso^ Vol. II. I lie good, but really under the instigation of the basest private passions, crucified Jesus, the adorable Saviour, the Lord of glory. 34ay God teach us more of that hidden wisdom which they who are truly initiated into real Christianity know, and which opens upon us views and hopes, beyond -what eye hath seen, or ear heard, or it hath particularly and fully entered into the heart of man to conceive. There is no need we should distinctly conceive it: it is enough that we know in the general, it is what God hath prepared for them Chat love him; which consideration may surely teach us to trample under our feet that which he so often bestows on them who hate him, and are abhorred by him; on those with vjhom he is angry every day. May that Spirit which searcheth all things, even the hidden things of God, give us more deeply and affectionately to know the things which are freely given us of God, and to adore that free grace from which we receive them! These things we learn with the highest advantage from the holy scriptures, where they are delivered in words which theHoty Ghost taught: in words therefore, the most admirably adapted to express those spiritual and' sublime ideas they were intended to communicate: in which words consequently, we learn to speak of the things of God with the exactest propriety and the truest edification. May -we be enabled spiritually to discern them, with whatever contempt they may be treated by natural, that is, by animal men; by those, -who, though conceited of their rational powers, can relish little or nothing but what relates to this low and sensual life. Conscious of that inward- discerning, which discovers all thing's to us in their true light, even things of infinite importance, may we pity that undiscerning rashness of blind arrogance and pride, with which some, who think themselves the wisest in proportion to the degree in which they are the most wretched of mankind, may treat us, and not only us, but that gospel which is our glory and our joy. We have the mind of Christ delivered to us by his holy apostles, who were intimately and miraculously instructed in it. Let us humbly receive the oracles they deliver; and whilst others arc presuming haughtily to censure them, may we think ourselves happy, if, with meek subjection to their unerring authority, we may sit at the feet of sach teachers, and regulate our lives by their instructions!SECTION V.He reproves their carnality in contending ubout human teachers, and urgec many considerations to cure them of it. Ch. iii. 1—9.1 \ ND I, brethren, could not speak unto you when you were ±X. converted to Christianity, as unto spiritual persons, but as2 carnal; even as babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, and not with strong meat; because ye were not able to bear it; nor indeed 3 are ye yet able, for ye are many of you yet carnal: for while there is emulation, and contention, and faction among you, are you not4 carnal? and do ye not walk as unregenerate men? For when one saith I am for Paul, and another, I am for Apollos, are ye not carnal and like your heathen neighbours, who have their favourite philosophers and orators. 5 Who then is Paul? and who is Apollos ? but ministers by whose means ye have believed, even as the Lord gave to every one both 6 ability and success. I have planted, Apollos hath watered ; but7 God gave the increase. Therefore he that planteth is nothing,8 nor he that watereth: but God who giveth the increase. But he that planteth, and he that watereth, are one, united in interest and affection*; and we shall receive every one his own reward accord9 ing to his own labour. For we are fellow-labourers of God: ye are the husbandry of God, which we cultivate; ye are the building of God, which we endeavour to advance. REFLECTIONS. Who that wishes the welfare of the church of Christ, must not lament those sad remainders of carnality which are often to be found among them who have the greatest advantage for becoming spiritual: while the same contentious principles, fermented, no doubt, by the same malignant enemy of the whole body, breathe in so many of its members, and diffuse a kind of poison, which at once swells and torments it.? What envyings, and strife, and factions, among those who ought to join as brethren, and to know but one interest! What a desire, in many instances, to increase the burdens of each other, instead of bearing them with friendly sympathy! May christians be cured of the dishonourable and fatal attachment to distinguished parties, and human names? May ministers feel more of that generous and noble spirit which this great apostle expresses ! His reasoning hath the same force still. Ministers are still intended to be only the instruments of producing and establishing faith in their hearers, and still depend, as entirely as ever, upon the blessing of God, to give the increase to their labours. To that may they daily look; and be sensible that they are nothing without it; and that with it, their part is so small, that they hardly deserve to be mentioned. May their hands and hearts be more united ; and retaining a due sense of the honour which God doth them, in employing them in his vineyard, and in his building, may they faithfully labour, not as for themselves, but for the great proprietor, and till the day come, when he will remember them in fuH proportion to their fidelity and diligence.SECTION VI.The dfiostle reminds them of that great trial wliich every man's work was to undergo ; the great guilt of defiling God's temple : tlie vanity of human wisdom in the sight of God, and his universal grant to every true believer. Ch. Ul 10, &c .10 TN my first preaching omongyou, according to the grace of God X given to me, in the character of a skilful architect, I laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every one see* This is another cogent argument against divisions. 11 to it, how he buildeth thereon. For [any'] other foundation no one is able to lay, beside what is laid already, which is Jesus Christ.12 If any man build upon this foundation a magnificent edifice adorned with gold, silver, and costly stones; or a mean hovel of only wood,13 hay, and stubble; every one's work shall be made manifest. For" the approacliing day shall lay it open, because it shall then be discovered by fire; yea, the fire shall prove every man's work,14 of what kind it is. If any tnan's superstructure abide, he shall15 receive a reward. But if any man's work, being of mean combustible materials, be then burnt up, he will sustain a proportionable loss: Yet he, being a good man, and having built on Christ as the foundation, shall himself be saved, though as through the16 fire, escaping only with his life.—Know ye not that you are the17 temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any one destroy or defile the temple of God, God will destroy him;18 for the temple of God is holy : now ye are this temple. Let no man deceive himself: if any one of you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool in the estimation of the world, that he may19 be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God; as it is written (Job v. 13.) " He entanglelh the wise in their20 own artifices." Ancjagain (Ps. xciv. 11.)" The Lord knoweth the Si thoughts of the wise, that they are vain." Therefore let noneglory in men, nor divide into parties from an attachment to this or 22 that teacher : for all things are yours: Whether Paul) or Apollos, or Cephas ; whether the world, or life, or death, or things present,23 or future, all are yours ; and ye are Christ's, and Christ i* God's.REFLECTIONS. With what delight may the Christian survey this grand inventory; and, conscious that he is Christ's, call all things his own .' With what pleasure survey the various gifts and graces of ministers, and consider them as given by God for his edification! With what complacency look round on things present, and forward on things to come, in this connection, and call the world his own ; and count not only life, but death, amongst his treasures! Both in their different aspects, are subservient to the happy purpose of glorifying God: and surely, when by death we may do it more effectually, death should be more welcome than life. And welcome it must indeed be to every believer, as the appointed means of transmitting him to the sight and enjoyment of God, and the possession of better blessings than Paul or jtpollos could ever describe, or any thing present, or any thing to come in this world, could ever afford. Let these sublime views elevate the Christian above those occasions of contention, which, for want of ascending to such noble contemplations, are often the source of innumerable evils. And let us add to them that other consideration, that we are the temples of the Holy Ghost; if Christians indeed, we are inhabited by God, even by his Spirit. Let this engage us to take the strictest care, neither to drfite ourselves, nor to injure our brethren; lest, in either view, it should be resented and punished by the holy God, as a sacrilegious profanation. Let us not overvalue the -wisdom of this world, since it is little regarded by God; nor be greatly concerned, if fools account our wisdom folly, and oar life madness. So censured they the prophets and apostles, before us; nor did our Master himself escape the calumny and outrage. We shall be happy enough, if we approve our fidelity to him, and if we build a wise superstructure on Christ, as the great, the only Foundation.—Let his ministers especially, be solicitous, that they may not lose the labour of their lives, by choosing unhappily to employ them, in that which will turn to no account, in the great day of his appearing. Let them carefully examine their materials. Surely if they have senses spiritually exercised, it cannot be hard to distinguish between the substantial and undoubted doctrines of Christianity, which are asg-o/rf and silver and precious stones, and those fictitious, or at best, dubious and intricate points, which in comparison with the former, are but wood, and hay, and stubble. And if in urging these, they passionately inveigh against their brethren, and endeavour to bring them into contempt or suspicion, what do they but cement these combustible materials with sulphur ?—O! let the frequent views of that last searching fire, that grand period of alt, be much in our thoughts: that day, when not only the works of ministers, but every private person, must, as it were, pass through the flames. May we then be saved, not with difficulty, but with praise and honour! May our works of what kind soever they are, abide, so as to be found worthy of applause, and through divine grace receive a distinguished reward!SECTION VII.Further remedies against the pride and faction so prevalent among them: the nature of the ministerial office; the final judgment of God; and their obligations to his distinguishing goodness. Ch. iv. 1—7 INSTEAD then of forming parties under us, learn to form your estimate of us aright. Let a man so accoimt of us, only as the2 servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. *[mjw"\ 3 it is demanded in stewards, that a man be found faithful. For it is with me the smallest thing that can be, that I should be judged by4 you, or by any man's judgment. Nor do I judge myself as if my own sentence -werefinal ; for though I am not conscious to myself of any thing criminal, yet I am not hereby justified: but he that5 judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord shall come, who shall bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and manifest the counsels of the hearts. And then shall every one [who stands the test] have praise from God.6 These things, brethren, I have by a figure transferred to myself, and to Apollos, mentioning our names instead of many more, not on our own account, but for your sakes, that you may learn in us, not to entertain too high an opinion of yourselves! above what is writ* " As for what remains." D. " Moreover" ,C. T. Now M. t" By us, not to esteem Teachers above what hath been (here) written." M. ten, that you may not be puffed up for one teacher against another. 7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou, which thou didst not receive? But if thou hast received it, why dost thou boast as if thou hadst not received it? REFLECTIONS.Nothing can be more conducive to the advantage of Christianity, and by consequence of the world, whose happiness is so much concerned in its support and success, than that its preachers should consider, and their hearers remember, the nature of their office. They are not lords over God's household and heritage, but ministers of Chrisi, whose business it is to promote their master's honour ; stewards of his mysteries, who are to endeavour both to keep and dispense them with all good fidelity. From their master therefore may they take all their instructions, and to him let them refer all their administrations. Various judgments will be passed upon them; and they, who will oppose the attempts of some of their brethren to introduce corruption and confusion into his family, will have many an unkind reflection thrown upon them, and experience the severity of censure, for a conduct which merits the justest approbation. But let them learn by this excellent apostle, to be above the judgment of men, and to keep the judgment of the Lord in view; that they may not only be supported under that petulance of their fellow-servants, but may learn to guard against, what is much more dangerous, the treachery of their own hearts, and the flattery of self-love ; lest they fondly mistake the voice of prejudice for that of conscience, or in other words, the voice of an erroneous conscience, for that of a conscience well informed.Let us often recollect the narrow limits of our own knowledge, that we may learn modesty in our censures to each other. He only can judge, who knoweth the heart; and there is a day approaching, which will manifest all its secrets. While others, with a pitiable mixture of arrogance and ignorance, judge one another, and judge us, let us rather be concerned Aat we may secure that praise of God, which will be heard and felt by the soul, with the highest rapture, and will silence every echo of human applause, or censure.—To conclude; if it hath pleased God, in any respect, to distinguish us from others, by the gifts or graces which he hath bestowed upon us, let us humbly trace these distinctions to their true source: and instead of indulging the least degree of pride on their account, let us rather be the more humble. For surely the more we receive from God, the more we are indebted and obliged; and the more we are obliged to the divine goodness, the greater ought our shame and confusion to be, that we have not answered those obligations by more faithful care, and more constant gratitude. SECTION VIII.The apostle represents to the Corinthians, who were in a state of ease, the hardships which he and his brethren suffered; reminds them of their obligations to himself, arid warns them not to force him to use severities. Chiv. 8, &c.IHAVE. suggested some humbling thoughts which you may not relish, on account of your superior rank in the world; -/br Now you are full; now you are rich; you have reigned* as kings without us: and I wish you did reign in the best sense, that we might also reign with you, 9 and partake of your happiness. For I think God hath exhibited us, the apostles, lastf, as appointed to death : for we are made a speo10 tacle to the world, to angels, and men. We are treated as fools for the sake of Christ, but ye are in your own esteem wise in Christ: we are weak, but ye are strong, having great confidence in 11 yourselves ; you are honourable, but we are despised. Even to - this present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and12 are buffeted, and have no certain abode, and labour, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless: being persecuted, we13 endure it: being blasphemed, we entreat: we are made like the filth}; of the world, or tike the refuse|| of all things to this day.—14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I15 warn you; for if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you have not many spiritual fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have16 begotten you by the gospel. I beseech you therefore, that ye be17 imitators of me. For this reason I have sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who will bring to your remembrance my ways in Christ, as I am every where teach18 ing in every church. Some I hear are puffed up, as if I would19 not come to you, and dare not appear among you. But I will certainly come to you quickly, if the Lord permit; and will know, not the florid speech of those that are puffed up, but the power20 they have to vindicate their pretensions : For the kingdom of God 2*21 not in speech, but in power§. What therefore do you choose?* A proverbial expression to denote great prosperity. [Some suppose the apostle to allude to che rulers of the faccious party.]f Like those gladiators which were brought last upon the stage, either to fight with each other, or with wild beasts, wlui were appointed to certain death. Such shews were common in all; the provinces. The word amhi^n exhibited, and 5e?7j?? a spectacle on the theatre have here a beautifying propriety. The whole passage indeed is highly eloquent.\ The word KuSoc^fuclx has a force and meaning here which no one Word in our language can express. The allusion is to those wretches taken from the dregs of the people, who were offered as expiatory sacrifices to infernal deities, and loaded with curses in the way to the altar.II The very sweepings of the streets and stalls.§ Is not supported by confident assertions, or elegant forms of address, but miraculous gifts of the Spirit. that I should come to you with a rod*, or in love and the spirit of meekness?REFLECTIONS.How adorable is the efficacy of divine grace which bore those zealous and faithful servants of Christ through all their labours and fatigues, when they were made a spectacle to the world, to angels, and men! How glorious a spectacle ! worthy surely, as any thing, since that wonderful scene on Calvary, of the eye of God himself.—How little are we to judge of the divine favour by external circumstances, when those best of men were of all others the most miserable, further than as their heavenly hope supported and animated them ? And when that is taken into the account, who would not emulate their lot, though hungry and thirsty, though naked and destitute, without habitation, without protector, without friends? When we consider their share in the divine friendship, when we consider the blessed effects of their labours, and the glorious crown which awaits them after all their sufferings; surely they must appear happy in proportion to the degree in which they seemed miserable, and glorious in proportion to the degree in which the world held them as infamous!That illustrious person, whose epistles are now before us, knew not the pleasures of domestic life, in many of its most endearing relations. But God made him a spiritual father to multitudes; and no doubt, as he urges the consideration on his children in Clirist, he felt the joy arising from it strong in his own soul, when he said, I have begotten you in 'Christ Jesus by the gospel. Surely it ought never to have been forgotten by them; and if through the artifices of ill-designing men, and the remaining infirmities-df their own character, it was sometimes, and in some degree forgotten now, yet undoubtedly, it would be remembered by them in the heavenly world for ever; even by as many as the Lord his God had graciously given him. And if there be any remembrance there, that they once grieved him, it will be an engagement to all those offices of an eternal friendship, which the exaltation of the heavenly state shall allow. In the mean time, his paternal affection for them wrought, not in a foolish fondness of indulgence, which in the language of divine wisdom, is hating a son ; but in the character of a prudent and faithful parent, who, desirous that his children may be as wise and good as possible, will rather use the rod than suffer them to be undone. Yet when he speaks of using it, he speaks with regret, as one who would rather choose to act in the spirit of gentleness, and without any mixture of severity, how necessary soever. The whole of his subsequent conduct to -the Corinthians, as far as it may be learned from this, or the following epistle, bears a perfect consistency with these expressions, and illustrates their sincerity.—May God give to his ministers more of this truly apostolic spirit, more of those overflowings of holy love, attempering and attempered by that ardent zeal against sin, and that* It is plain from many passages that die apostles had a power of inflicting miraculous punishments on oftenders. firm resolution in the discharge of duty, which shone so brightly inthe apostle, and in which he so freely and justly recommends himselfto the imitation of his children and brethren.'iS E C T I O N IX.The irregularities -wldch prevailed in the Corinthian church; the case of the incestuous person, 'whom they are commanded to separate from their communion. Ch. v.1 TT is generally reported, that there is lewdness among you; JL and that such lewdness as is not heard of among the heathen,2 that a certain person should have his father's wife. And yet ye are puffed up wiih a spirit of pnd: and carnality: and should ye not rather have lamented, that he who hath committed this fact, should be taken away from you, and denied further communion? 3 For I, though absent indeed in body, but present in spirit, have, as if I were present, judged him who hath committed this enor4 mity. And my sentence is this: That ye being gathered together in the name of our LordJesus Christ, and my spirit being present, 5 with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, do deliver such an one to Satan, as the executioner of divine ji^tice, to be chastised by some bodily disease, in order to the destruction of the flesh*, that6 the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your boasting is not good: do you not know that a little leaven leaveneth the whole mass? Thus will evil examples tend to spread in the 7 Church. Therefore purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new mass, as ye are by your profession unleavened. For even Christ our passover was slain for us; that his blood, the price of 8 our redemption, might be the means of our sanctif cation. Let us then keep the feast [of the Christian passover] not with the old leaven, nor the leaven of malignity and mischief; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.'0 I wrote to you in an epistle which I sent before, that you should10 not converse with lewd persons. But / intended, not entirely to forbid all [intercourse'] with the lewd people of this world, or with covetous men, or extortioners, or idolaters; for then you must11 indeeed go out of the world. But 1 have now written" unto you, that if any who is named a Christian brother be a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or extortioner, you should not converse, or so much as cat with sucli an one,12 much less in religious solemnities. For what have I as an apostle to do, to judge those that are without the pale of the church? Do not13 you yourselves judge those that are within? But those, who are without, God judgethf- Therefore take away from among yourselves the wicked person.* This must be understood of some lingering distemper, which might allow ?f space for repentance. Ed. . -f Hence some suppose that the female offender was a Heathen.voi. ir. K REFLECTIONS. Happy are" those churches who have it in their power to exercise godly discipline, and to chase from their communion such members as are its reproach and scandal. Happy they who, having this power* have the courage and fidelity to use it, so as not to be ashamed and condemned by it. Let us not be too much surprised that offences come; and if there are, even in Christian societies, some enormities beyond what are commonly heard of among the Gentiles. It is no wonder if such abandon themselves, yea if they are in righteous judgment abandoned of God, to the uncontroulable rage of their own lusts and corruptions, and the great enemy of souls be fuffered to carry them captive at his pleasure. Let it however be our concern that, when this is the case, the wicked person be taken away. And though the extraordinary power which the apostles had, be long ceased, and we cannot deliver over offenders for correction to Satan, as they did, let us take such methods as are still open, for purging the eld leaven out of our churches; and O that we may be enabled to purge it out of our hearts! remembering Christ our Passover, -who was slain for us; feeding daily upon him by faith, and keeping the sacred festival, at once with joy and gladness, and with simplicity and sincerity of heart.Lamentable indeed is it that somany vices should prevail in human nature; that he, who would avoid all society with persons of a badcharacter, must needs go out of the world. But most lamentable of. all, that any one who is called a brother, should be a fornicator, or covetous, an idolater, or railer, a drunkard, or an extortioner. May Cod preserve us from such detestable crimes, and may he purge out all such spots as these from- our feasts of charity L and to that end, may he quicken our zeal to bear a testimony against them, in every such method as suits our relation and circumstances of life! Above all, let not any ever imagine, that being joined in communion with a Christian churc/i, can excuse the guilt of such immoral and scandalous practices, for which the wrath of God comes even upon the children of disobedience among the heathen. God will have his time to judge them that are without; and not only Christians at large, as some may fondly and perhaps profanely be ready to call themselves, but Mahometans and Pagans too, shall find articles like these, sitting upon their souls with a dreadful weight, and if sincere repentance do not make way for pardon, plunging them into the lowest abyss of misery, into a state of everlasting separation from the blessed God, and. all his holy and acceptable servants.SECTION X.The Corinthians reproved for prosecuting their brethren in heathen courts; and warned of the sad consequences of indulging in their former criminal practices. Ch. vi. 1—11.1 TPV ARE any of you, having any matter of complaint against an\.J other, refer it to the unjust, to heatlien judges, and not to Z the saints? Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, arc ye unworthy of de3 termining the most inconsiderable matters? Know ye not that we shall judge the fallen angels? And are ye not worthy to judge the A affairs which relate to this life? If therefore ye have controversies relating to the affairs of this life, do ye set those to deter 5 mine them, who are of no esteem at all in the church? I speak this to your shame. What! is there not one intelligent person among you, who may be able to determine the cause of a broth6 er? But one brother hath a suit aginst another, and this before in- 17 fidels, who are scandalized at it. Therefore whoever has the right on his side, even this is altogether a fault among you, that y6 have contests with each other. Why do ye not rather endure wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded than seek 8 such a remedy? But indeed you do wrong, and defraud even your 9 brethren, in other instances. What! do ye not indeed know that the unjust shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate persons, norJO abusers of themselves with mankind; nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor rapacious persons, shall inheriti 1 the kingdom of God. And such were some of you in your unconverted state; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of ?our God.REFLECTIONS.Alas! How great a reproach do we bring on our Christian profession, by so immoderate an attachment to our secular interests! How much does the family of our common Father suffer, while brother goes to law with brother! What are these little interests of mortal life, that the heirs of salvation, by whom angels are to be judged, should wrangle about them, and for the sake of them do wrong, and that even to their brethren! Men had need, where such a temper prevails, to examine themselves, and take heed that they be not deceived; for though good men may fall into some degrees of this evil, through negligence or mistake, yet certainly it looks too much like the character of such of whom the apostle testifies, that they shall not inheiit the kingdom of God. Let us observe, that in this catalogue are contained, not only the most infamous and enormous offenders, but some, who perhaps may be tempted, because of their freedom from flagitious crimes, to think much better of themselves than they ought. We find here the effeminate, and covetous, and revilers, and extortioners, ranked with adulterers, and fornicators, with thieves and drunkards, with idolaters and unnatural offenders. We can never be secure from danger of falling into the greatest sins, till we learn to guard against the least; or rather, till we think no evil small; viewing every sin in its contradiction to the nature of God, and in the sad aspect it bears with regard to an eternal state.But how astonishing is it to reflect, that when the apostle is speaking of persons of such infamous characters, he should be able to add, in his address to his Christian brethren at Corinth, And such were come of you I Who must not adore the riches and sovereignty of divine grace? Were such as these the best of the heathen world? were such as these prepared by their distinguished virtues to receive further assistance? let us rather pay our homage to that grace, which went, as it were, into the suburbs of hell, to gather from thence citizens of heaven. And let the worst of men learn, not to despair of salvation, when made sincerely desirous of being washed and sanctified, as well as justified, in the name oj our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. It is that name, it is that Spirit alone, which accomplishes works like these. And, blessed be God, all the wonders of this kind were not exhausted in those early ages, but some have been reserved for us, on whom the end of the world is come: the gospel hath exerted its triumphs in our own days, and they shall be renewed in those of our children. Only let none from hence presume to turn the grace of God into wantonness; lest, instead of being among the few, who are made the trophies of the divine mercy, they should perish with the multitude of the ungodly world, who die in their pollutions, and go down to final and irreversible condemnation. SECTION XI.Some new converts not being duly sensible of the evil of fornication, the apostle, after some refections on tliings indifferent, strongly expresses the heinousness of it. Ch. vi 12, &c.SUPPOSE the things in question to be indifferent: I will grant, for argument sake, that All things are lawful for me ; but you must acknowledge, all things are not convenient: all things are lawful for me; nevertheless I will not be brought under the power of any thing, so as to be subject to animal appeiites. This maxim 13 may be applied to different kinds of food. Ml Meats are for the belly, and the belly for meats : but God will destroy both it, and them. But let not any apply the maxim to patronize lewdness, for the body is not made for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body, he being the saviour of it, as well as of the soul. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord Jesus, and will also in like manner raise us up by his power, and transform these bodies of 15 ours into a resemblance of his.—Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ,16 and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid! What, know ye not that he, who is joined to an harlot, is one body with her? For (say the divine oracles ) "they two shall be one flesh."17 But he that is joined to the Lord, is one spirit with him. Flee18 fornication* and every kind of lewdness. Every other sin, w hich a man practiseth, is v ithout the body, and more immediaiely affects the mind: but he that committelh fornication*, sinneth against19 hisov.n body, polluting and consuming it. What, know you not that your boc'y is the temple of the Holy Glvcst in you, which you* * See Note f Vol. I. page CO. 20 receive of God ? And ye arc not your own: for ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God with your body, and with your spirit, which are God's.REFLECTIONS. How peculiar is the excellence of the Christian religion! With what incomparable advantage doth it enforce all the lessons of moral -virtue, which it teaches! With what holy disdain should we look on the baits of sense, and the pollutions -which are in the world through lust, if we seriously and often reflected on these two things—That our bodies are the members of Christ, and that they are the temples of the Holy Ghost ! Let it be our care, that they may not only be nominally, but really so. That we may by a living faith be united to the Lord, so as to become one spirit with him, animated by that Spirit which resides in him, and dwells in all who are truly his.—Let us, as often as -we are tempted to alienate ourselves from the service of God, reflect upon the price with which we are bought. How great, how important a price, which we should never think of but with secret shame, as well as admiration and love! O Lord! hast thou paid such a ransom for me, and shall I act as if J thought even this not enough ? as if thou hadst acquired only a partial and imperfect right to me, and 1 might divide myself between thee and strangers, between thee and thine enemies? O may we be entirely thine ! and make it the business of the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies and with our spirits, which are his I—Under the influence of this thought, may we effectually enter into the wise and pious suggestions of the apostle *, and guard, not only against things absolutely and universally unlawful, but likewise against those, which, in present circumstances, may be inconvenient. May we be ever ready to exert a holy freedom of soul, and a superiority to whatever may ensnare and enslave us; which we shall mofe easily obtain, if we reflect on the transitory duration of the objects of appetite and sense: how soon the things we enjoy, and those bodies by which we enjoy them, shall be reduced to the dust, out of which they were taken. God destroys fell that is present and visible, that we may look more intensely for a kingdom that cannot be moved. He reduces our bodies to putrefaction, that we may learn to cultivate, with greater care, the interest of a never-dying soul : which if we faithfully and diligently pursue, God, who hath raised up his Son as our Surety and Saviour, will also raise us up by his own power, to enjoyments, sublime, incorruptible, and eternal. O Lord! we would wait for thy salvation, and in the mean time, would do thy commandments ; and animated by so exalted a hope, would purify ourselves, even as thou art pure. SECTION XII*.The apostle proceeds to answer certain questions which the Corinthians had put to him; and first, what related to the marriage-state. Ch. vii . 1—11.1 "^T" OW, concernin g these things -about which you wrote to me: _i.il / begin with that concerning marriage. It is good for a man, in present Circumstances, to have nothing to do with a woman.2 Nevertheless, in order to prevent fornication, let every man [who is married] have his own wife, and let every woman have her3 own husband. Let the husband render due benevolence to the4 wife, and in like manner also the wife to the husband. The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband : and in like manner also the husband hath not power over his own body,5 but the wife. Withdraw not from each other, unless it be by consent for a time, that ye may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer, and ye may come together again, lest Satan tempt you on ac6 count of your incontinence. But I say this by permission from 7 Christ; not by any express command : for I could wish that, in these truing times, all men were even as myself, in regard to continence. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one in this kind, and another in that.S But as to unmarried menf, and widows, I say, it is good for 9 them, if they continue as I do. But if they have not such temperance, let them marry ; for it is undoubtedly better to marry,10 than to burn. But as to those that are married, it is not I who command, but the Lord, that the wife should not withdraw herself11 from her husband. But if she be withdrawn, let her remain [as if] unmarried, or let her be reconciled to her husband: And let not the husband dismiss htiwilefor-any tiling but adultery. REFLECTIONS. The decisions of the holy apostle are here given with such gravity, seriousness, and purity, that one would hope, delicate as the subject of them is, they will be received without any of that unbecoming levity which the wantonness of some minds may be ready to excite on such an occasion. It becomes us humbly to adore the divine wisdom and goodness manifested in the formation of the first human pair, and in keeping up the different sexes through all succeeding ages, in so just a proportion, that every .man might have his own wife, and every tvoman her own husband: that the instinct of nature might, so far as it is necessary, be gratified without guilt, and an holy seed be sought, which being trained up under proper discipline and instruction, might supply the wastes that death is continually making, and be accounted to the Lord for a generation: that so virtue and religion, for the sake of which alone it is desirable that human creatures should subsist, may be transmitted through every age, and earth become a nursery for hea* It may not appear advisable to read this in a Family.-f i. e. To persons who, like the apostle, had buried their wives. Ten.—With these views, let marriages be contracted, when it is proper they should be contracted at all. Let none imagine the state itself to be impure; and let it always be preserved undefiled. Let all occasion of irregular desire be prudently guarded against by those who have entered into it. And let all christians, in every relation, remember that the obligations of devotion are common to all ; and that Christ and his apostles seem to take it for granted, that we shall be careful to secure proper seasons for fasting, as well as for prayer, so far as may be needful, in order that the superior authority of the mind over the body may be exercised, and maintained, and that our petitions to the throne of grace may be offered with greater intenseness, copiousness, and ardour.SECTION XIII.He elehorts Christians not to dissolve marriage on account of difference in religion ; to be content with their stations,andto serve God in them, whether hound or free. Ch. vii. 12—24.12 "^TOW as to the rest of the cases, observe it is I that speak? _LA| not the Lord. If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and13 she consent to dwell with him, let him not dismiss her. And if any christian wile have an unbelieving husband, and he consent to14 dwell with her, let her not dismiss him*. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified to the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified to the husbandf: otherwise your children wereJ 5 unclean, bnt now are they holy. However if the unbelieving party will depart, let him or her depart. A brother, or a sister, is not in bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to16 peace; let us therefore endeavour to preserve it. For how knowest thou, O wife, but thou mayest save thine husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, but thou mayest save thy wife I 17 But, as God hath distributed to every one, let every one so walk even as the Lord hath called him: and thus I command in all18 the churches. Is any one called being circumcised J let him not become as if he were uncircumcised. Is any one called in uncircumcision? let him not think it necessary to be circumcised.—19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing ; but20 keeping the commandments of God. In whatever calling profession or circumstance, any one was called, into the church of 21 Christ, in that let him continue. Art thou called, being a slave t Do not greatly regard it: but if thou canst lawfully be made free,22 choose it rather. Forhe that is called by the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman. And he also that is called, being 23 free, is the servant of Christ. You were bought with a price,* This directly contradicts a notion prevalent among the Jews, that embracing the true religion dissolved all former relations.f So that their matrimonial converse is as lawful as if they were both of the same faith.—The following words I cannot but judge to refer to Infant baptism: the word holy signifies persons who might be admitted to the distinguishing rites of God's people. fix. xix. 6. Vent. vii. 6. Acts.- x. 28, 8cc. even that of his own blood; do not therefore, if you can lawfully 24 avoid it, become the slaves of men. Brethren, in whatever condition a man was called, in that let him abide with God.REFLECTIONS. Let us learn, from the exhortations and reasonings of the apostle, a becoming solicitude, to contribute as much as we possibly can, to the Christian edification of each other; and especially let this be the care of the nearest relatives in life. What can be more desirable, than that the husband may be sanctified by the wife, and ihe wife by the husband! May all prudent care be taken, in contracting marriages, as to the religious character of the intended partner of life; and in those already contracted, where this precaution has been neglected, or where the judgment formed seems to have been mistaken, let all considerations of prudence, of religion, of affection, concur to animate to a mutual care of each other's soul, that most important effort of love, that most solid expression and demonstration of friendship. Nor let the improbability of success be pleaded in excuse for neglect, even where the attempt must be made by the subordinate sex. A possibility should be sufficient encouragement; and surely there is room to say, How knowest thou, O wife, but thou mayst save him, whose salvation, next to thine own, must be most desirable to thee?Let us all study the duties of the relations in which God hath fix* ed. us; and walk with him. in our proper callings, not desiring so much to exchange, as to improve them. His wise providence hath distributed the part; it is our wisdom, and will be'our happiness, to act in humble congruity to that distribution. Surely the apostle could not have expressed in stronger terms, his deep conviction of the small importance of human distinctions, than he here does; when speaking of what seems to great and generous minds, the most miserable lot, even that of a slave, he says, Care not for it*. If liberty itself, the first of all temporal blessings, be not of so great importance, as that a man, blessed with the high hopes and glorious consolations of Christianity, should make himself very solicitous about it, howmuch less is there in those comparatively trifling distinctions on which many lay so disproportionate, so extravagant a stress!Let Chistian servants (for blessed be God, amongst us we have no slaves) remember their high privileges, as the Lord's freemen. Let Christian masters remember the restraint, as the Lord's semants. And let the benefits of liberty, especially, when considered in its aspect upon religion, be so far valued, as not to be bartered away for any pri.ee which the enemies of mankind may offer in exchange.— But above all, let us remember the infinite importance of maintaining the freedom of the mind from the haulage of corruption; and of keeping, with all humble and cheerful observance, the commandments of God. While many express the warmest zeal for circumcision, or uncircumcision, in defence of, or in opposition to, this or that mode orThis fine remark is Dr" Goodwin's, Vol. I. p. 50. form of external worship, let our hearts be set on what is most vital and essential in religion; and we shall find the happiest equivalent, in the composure and satisfaction of our own spirit now, as well as in those abundant rewards which the Lord hath laid up for them who fear him.SECTION XIV.The inexpediency of marriage, in the circumstances of the church at that juncture: the shortness of time, an argument against undue attachment to any secular interest. Ch. vii. 25, &c.25 TJUT concerning virgins, single persons of either sex, I have Jlj no commandment from the Lord: nevertheless I give my opinion, as one who hath received mercy of the Lord to be faith26 ful*. I apprehend this therefore to be good in the present exigency, while the church is in a state of persecution, that it is best27 for a man to continue as he is. Art thou bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed.' Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife? 28 till the storm is over. Yet if thou dost marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned; yet such will have affliction^ in the flesh: bu* I spare you, by speaking thus ten29 derly. But this I say, brethren, the time of our abode here is contracted; it remaineth therefore, that we should guard against too fond an attachment to any thing in this life: so that they who30 have wives, be as if they had none; and they that weep, as not weeping; and they that rejoice, as not rejoicing; and they that31 purchase, as not possessing; and they who use this world, as not carrying it to an excess: for the fashion of this world passeth off32 like a scene in a theatre. But I would have you without anxiety. An unmarried man careth for the things of the Lord, and is more at leisure to study how he may please the Lord, and advance his 33 kingdom: whereas he who is married, careth for the things of the34 world, and how he may please his wife.—There is just such difference between a wife and a vigin: she who is unmarried, is careful about the things of the Lord, that she may be ' holy both in body and spirit: whereas she that is married, careth for the35 things of the world, how she may please her husband. But all this I say for your own benefit; not that I may throw a snare upt on you, but out of regard t? what is comely and decent in the36 Lord, without violent constraint.—But if any apprehend that he acteth an unbecoming partf towards his virgin daughter or ward if* This passage and some other similar ones, so far from affording any objection against the general inspiration of Paul's epistles, strengthen the proof of it.f There is hardly any passage in the epistle about which I have been more perplexed than this.—M. renders it, "But if any one think he acteth improperly towards his virgin [daughter] if she be above a^e unmarried, and so needs to be Married, let him do what She inclineth [to] he does not sin: let such marry."Vol. II. L she pass the flower of her age in a single state, and if he think that it ought to be so, let him do what he will, he sinneth not. [// he 37 meel'wit/i] a proper partner in life for her, let them marry. But he that hath stood stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath determined in his heart,38 that he will keep his maiden single, doth well. So that he that gives her in marriage* doth well, but he that gives her not in marriage, doth better.S9 The wiiie is bound by the law, as long as her husband livcth, but if her husband be dead she is free, and may marry to whom40 she will; only let her marry in the Lord. But she is happier, according to my sentiments, if she continue as she is. And I appear * to have the Spirit of God.REFLECTIONS.Let us observe th# humility of the excellent apostle with pleasure. When he speaks of his fidelity in the ministry, he tells us, he obtained mercy of the Lord io be faiihful. Edified by such an example, let us ascribe to Christ the praise not only of out" endowments but our virtues; even to him whu worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pii asure. Let us seriously contemplate the affecting lesson which the apostle here gives of the shortness of time ; ami infer how much it is our wisdom to loosen our affections from the things of this vaia world, which are. ready to ingross so disproportionate a share in them. Let us look upon the world as a transient pageant, ami not set our eyes and our hearts on that which is not. We expect, instead of these transitory vanities and empty shews, a kingdom that cannot be moved; in the expectation of which let us be solicitous to please the Lord; making the best of our opportunities, and guarding against all that may unnecessarily divert.our minds, and divide our cares, from what 'will at length appear the one thing needful. Let us attentively reflect upon the advantages and snares of our respective conditions in life \ that we may improve the one, and escape, as far as possible, all injury from the other. Let those who are single, employ their leisure lor God; and endeavour to collect a stock of Christian experience wl.ich may support them, when the duties and difficulties, the cares and sorrows of life, may be multiplied. Let those who are married, with mutual tender regard endeavour to please each otl^ er, and make the relation into which providence hath conducted them, as comfortable and agreeable as they can. And whatever cares press upon their minds, or demand their attention, let them order their affairs with such discretion, that they may still secure a due proportion of their time for the things of the Lord.—If any in their consciences are persuaded, that by continuing single they shall best answer their purposes of religion, and promote the good of their fellow-creatures, in conjunction with their own; let them do it. As for those that mar* "I think." E. T. This is no proof of the apostle's uncertainty: Xuuu e^e/n often signifies the same as e%v. Comp. Luke viii. 18. witk Mat. xiii. 7. 1 Cor. x. 1,2. xiv. 37. ry, -whether a first, or a second time, let them do it in the Lord; acting in the choice of their most intimate friend and companion, as the. servants of Christ; who are desirous that their conduct may be approved by him, and that any avocations and interruptions in his service, which may be occasioned, even in these peaceful times, by marriage, may be, in some measure, balanced, by the united prayers, prudent counsels, and edifying converse of those with whom they unite in this tender and indissoluble bond.SECTION XV.The case of eating things sacrificed to idols. Ch. vifi.1 OW concerning things sacrificed to idols; we know that w? jj^l all have a general knowledge of the vanity of ihese fictitious deities. But knowledge often puffeth up, whereas love edifieth.2 And if any one think that he knoweth any thing, he as yet know?3 eth nothing as he ought to know it. But if any man love God,he is known and approved of him. To proceed to the question, A * concerning the eating things sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing in the world; and that there is no other God but3 one. For though there are those which are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth ; (as there are many gods and many lords :)6 neverthe Jss to us there is hut one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by7 whom are all things, and we by him. But there is not in all men, even Christian converts, this knowledge: but some do, even until now, with consciousness of some religious regard to the idol, eat the things as sacrificed to the idol; and their conscience being8 weak, is defiled. But f meat commendeth us not to God; for neither are we the better if we eat, nor the worse if we eat not.9 But take heed lest this liberty of yours be by any means a stumbi 0 ling-block to the weak, and the occasion of sin. For if any onesee thee, who hast knowledge, sitting down in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him that is weak be encouraged to eat11 of the idol sacrifice? and so shall the weak brother, for whom12 Christ died, perish by thy knowledge; But when you thus sin A against the brethren, and wound their weak consciences, you sin13 against Christ. Therefore if meat scandalize 'my brother, and lead him into sin, I would never as long as I live eat any kind of flesh, that I may not scandalize my brother.REFLECTIONS. Let us learn from this short, but excellent chapter, to estimate the true value of knowledge and to see how worthless and dangerous it is, when, instead of discovering to us our own ignorance and weakness, ic serves only to puff up the mind. Let us rather labour and pray for* " Therefore" D. "Concerning, then, the eating."—M. f " Ye tell me." M. supposing this to be urged by them in defence of their eating of these sacrifices. that love and charity which edificth ourselves and others.; faking heed, that we do not demonstrate our ignorance, by a high conceit of our attainments in knowledge; for nothing can more evidently shew how small those attainments are, than not to know their limits, when these limits so soon meet us, on what side soever we attempt to make an excursion. "Give us, OLord, that love to thee which is the best proof of our knowledge, and the surest way to its highest improvements."Let us always remember the grand principle of the Unity of God; and with the one God and Father of all adore the one Lord Jesus Christ, by -Mom wc exist; setting him in our estimation far above all the powers, dignities, and glories, of created nature.—Belonging to so divine a Master, let us endeavour to learn the most generous principles of true religion. Let us not found our confidence on admitting and contending for, or despising and deriding, this or that particular observance, by which, as it may happen to be circumstanced, God is neither honoured, nor dishonoured, pleased, nor displeased. But let us ever maintain the tenderest concern for the edification and comfort of our brethren; and guard against whatever might either grieve or ensnare them. Let us remember, that Christ died for the weakest as well as the strongest; and let their relation to him, and his tender and compassionate regard for them, melt down our hearts, when seized with that cold insensibility, which, alas, is too ready to prevail amongst Christians! It is Christ we wound, in wounding our brethren; and in smiting them, we smite him. Let us then stay tlf^t rash hand which is so ready in mere wantonness to do mischief; and be willing to deny ourselves in any desire, for ever so long a time, rather than by our indulgence to dishonour God, and injure others. This is the excellent lesson St. Paul often inculcates, of which he-was an eminent and illustrious example. But O, how low are multitudes of Christians, multitudes of ministers fallen, when they cannot deny themselves in what is unnecessary, and even unlawful, where either interest or pleasure solicit the gratification.SECTION XVI.The apostle illustrates his condescension to the weak, by his waving to accept that maintenance to which, as a gospel-minister, he had a right, both from natural equity and scripture-principle. Ch? ix. 1—14.AS to the wrong construction that is put upon my maintaining myself, as if I was not entitled to act otherwise: let me ask, 1 Am not I an apostle? Am not I as free as others? Have not I seen2 Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? If I am-not an apostle toothers, yet I doubtless am so to you ; for ye3 are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my apology4 to those who examine me. Have we not power to eat and to drink5 equally with others ? Have we not power to lead about with us a sister whom we might take for a wife, as some of the other apostles 6 and the brethren of the Lord, and Peter* in particular? Or shall I only and Barnabas not have power to decline working/or a main7 tenance? Who ever goeth to war at his own charge ? Who planteth a vineyard, and doth not eat of its fruit ? Or who feedeth a flock,8 and doth not eat of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things as a man on the principles of reason? and doth not the Jewish 9 law speak also the same ? For it is written in the law of Moses (Deut. xxv. 4.) " Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out10 the corn." Is God so solicitous about oxen only? Or doth he say this on the whole for our sakes? Surely for our sakes was it written; that he who plougheth might plough in hope, and that11 he who thresheth in hope, should partake of this hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it any great matter, that we12 should reap your carnal things? If others partake of this power over you, shall not we rather claim it? But we have not made use of this power; but we rather choose to endure all things, that we may not occasion any hindrance to the gospel of Christ. / may further argue from the provision made for the priests and Leviteg 13 under the law. Know ye not that they who are employed about holy things, are fed out of the temple, and that they who wait14 upon the altar, are partakers of the altar ? So also the Lord hath ordainedf, that they who preach the gospel, should live upon the gospel.REFLECTIONS. May the disciples of Christ learn from these instructions, to honour the Lord with their substance, and the first fruits of all their increase! And may they feel those happy effects attending the ministration of the gospel, and reap such an abundant harvest of spiritual 6lessiiigs, that the imparting temporal subsistence and accommodation, to those who are the instruments of conveying them, may not be matter of constraint, but of free and affectionate choice! May the ministers of Christ, while they thankfully accept of that subsistence, which providence, by the instrumentality of their brethren, sends them, ever act a moderate and generous part, and maintain such a visible superiority to all secular views, as may do an honour to the gospel, and command v eneration to themselves !—May the secular advantages of the office never invite bad men into it; nor its discouragements deter good men from undertaking it. And whatever censures a malignant world, who themselves know not any higher motive than self-interest, shall pass, may the ministers of Jesus ever have a testimony in their consciences, that they seek not the properties, but the souls, of their hearers!Let us attend to the humane genius of the Mosaic law, manifested in the precepts which relate even to the brutes. And remember, that it is the character, and should be the care of a righteous man to extend* Hence it appears that Peter continued to live whh his wife after he became an apostle, and that he had no rights which were not common to Paul: Sl remark utterly subversive of Popery.f " The labourer is worthy of his hire." Compare Matt. x. 10. Luke i. 7. -mercy to his beast. Much more then let us shew compassion to our fellow-men. Let us not desire to enjoy the benefit of their labours, even in the lowest employments of life, without giving them some valuable equivalent. Let us bear towards all, the hearts of equitable and generous brethren, and constantly wish the prosperity and happiness of the human family. On the whole, may there be between the teachers, and those who are taught by them, a continual intercourse of benevolent affections, and friendly actions ; as becomes those who Stand in such an endearing relation to each other, and have, as Christians, the honour of being intimately related to that blessed Redeemer, who sought not his own things, but ours, and hath thereby laid the strongest engagement upon us, if we have any spark of gratitude and honour> not to seek our own things, but his! SECTION XVII.The apostle illustrates his self-denial by an expressive simile, takai from the Grecian games. Ch. ix. 15, &c .) 5 T) UT though I have thoug)it it my duly to plead the right of min_IJ isters to be maintained by the people, I myself have used none of these things; nor have I written thus, that it should be so done unto me. For it were better for me to die through want, than that any man should make my boasting [of disinterestedness] 16 void. For if I preach the gospel, I have no matter of boasting in that; for a necessity lieth upon me, and woe to me if I preach17 not the gospel. If indeed I do this voluntarily, I have a reward: but if unwillingly, a dispensation is intrusted to me, and I must 18 fulfil it? What then is my reward? surely this, that when I preach the gospel of Christ, I may render it unexpensive, that so I may not abuse my power in the gospel to any low secular purpos19 es. For being free from obligation to all men, I made myself the20 servant of all, that I might gain the more. And accordingly, to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those21 under the law: to those without the law, as without the law (yet not without law to God, but under law to Christ) that I might22 gain those without the law. I became to the weak, as weak, that 1 might gain the weak. I became all things to all men, that by23 any means I might save some. And this I do for the sake of the gospel, that I may be a sharer in it*. 24 Do ye not know, that those who run in the racef, all indeed run, but one receiveth the prize? So run ye, [the Christian race] as25 that ye may obtain. And every one who contendeth in these games, is temperate in all things; and this they indeed do, that they may26 obtain a corruptible crown ; but we an incorruptible. I for my* In the pleasure arising from the communications of it. D.—?' A sharer inits rewards." M.f 1'he Stadium, or foot-race, in the celebrated Grecian games. [The several allusions to these games are well illustrated by the author.] part run not as one who is to pass undistinguished, but knowing what eyes arc upon me, and attending to the boundaries marked out, I exert myself to the utmost, I fight not, as one that beateth the air, practising a feigned combat, or that misseth his aim, nor do I 27 allot) mys-lfin a habit of indolence or luxury. But I mortify my body, and bring it into servitude, lest after having served as a herald to others, 1 should myself be disapproved by the final judge - REFLECTIONS.Let us learn, by the example of the apostle, a generous ambition of excelling in religion. Not of doing more indeed, than our duty, for we owe God our best, and our all; but abounding in it to the utmost, carrying our love, our zeal, and our obedience, to the highest degree we can attain, and preserving an honest readiness to know our duty, even in circumstances in which there might be some plausible excuse for overlooking it. In particular let the ministers of the gospel not think it much to their praise, to perform those services which it would be shameful and almost impossible forthem to neglect; but labour to acquit themselves in the very best manner they can; shewing in the whole of their conduct, that they are not animated only, or chiefly, by secular motives, in the labours they bestow upon the souls of men. They are peculiarly concerned to learn and imitate this condescension of the apostle, in becoming all ihings to all men, if by any means he might gain some. But they are not the only persons who are interested in this. It is the duty of every Christian, to endeavour to please his neighbours and brethren for their good; and it will be our wisdom, and happiness, upon such generous principles, to learn to govern and deny ourselves.We are all called to engage in the most important race, in the most noble combat. The children of this world fatigue themselves for trifles, and exert the noble faculties of an immortal spirit, to purposes far beneath its dignity. But all is not vanity: every crown is not withering and corruptible. We have heard of an inheritance incorruptible, undefled, and that fadeth not away. And whatever there was in the prospect to awaken these Corinthians, still remains to awaken and animate us. Let us therefore keep our eyes and our hearts fixed upon it, and be in good earnest in what we do; often looking to the marks which are drawn in the word of God; realizing to ourselves the certain existence, and formidable character, of our invisible enemies; suspecting especially ourselves, fearing the treachery of our own corruptions, and using all that mortification which may promote our spiritual life and usefulness.—Who would not tremble, how high soever his profession, or office may be—who would not tremble, to hear St. Paul insinuate a supposed possibility, that after having preached to others, and made such animating proclamations of the heavenly prize to them, he might himself be rejected*, as unqual* Some have argued against this sense of the passage, [as inconsistent with the apostle's idea of perseverance ;] but it is certain God engages hi* people to persevere, by awful threatnings against apostasy as well as by the promises of eternal life to those who continue faithful. ified to rccieve it? Let us learn from it humility and caution; learn to watch against dangers, which will still surround us, as long as we dwell in this body; and rejoice in the guardianship of Christ, who will at length deliver his faithful servants from every evil -work, and preserve them to his heavenly kingdom. SECTION XVIII.To awaken a holy caution, the apostle represents the privileges -which Israel of old enjoyed, and the divine displeasure brought upon them, by behaving unworthy of them. Ch. x. 1—13.1 VTOW) brethren, to excite your resolution and holy caution, I xN' would by no means have you ignorant how fatally many of God's professing people have miscarried; who were peculiarly favoured. You have heard that all our fathers were under the con2 duct of the cloud i and all passed through the sea; and were all S baptized into the religion of Moses in the cloud and in the sea: and4 they did all eat the same spiritual food; and they did all drink the same spiritual drink*: (for they drank of that spiritual rock, the streams of which followed them; and that rock was Christ: an 5 affecting representation of him.) Yet though they enjoyed such blessings as these, God had no pleasure in the greatest part of them;6 for they were overthrown in the wilderness.—Now these things were types and figures to us, that we might not lust after^evil7 things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters as some of them were; as it is written (Ex. xxxiii. 6, 19.) "The people sat down to eat, and drink (of the idol sacrifices) and rose up to play8 and dance in honour of the idol.—Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed it, o and there fell in one day twenty9 three thousand by the plague. (Numb. xxv. 1—9.) Neither let us tempt Christ, by unbelief, as some of them also tempted him, and10 were destroyed by fiery serpents. (Numb. xxi. 6.) Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by11 the destroyer. But all these things happened unto them, as examples; and they are written for our admonition, on whom the12 ends of the world are come. Therefore let him that thinketh he13 standeth, take heed lest he fall. No temptation hath yet taken you, but such as is common to man. And God is faithful, who will not leave you to be tempted above your ability, but will, with the temptation, provide you also a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.REFLECTIONS. May Christians be always sensible how happy they are in having received such useful hints from the New Testament, to assist them in the interpretation of the Old; and particularly those which are here given. We see in Israel according to the flesh, an affecting emblem* Those miraculous supplies from heaven which were emblematical of sph> itual blessings. of the church in general. We see all their external privileges, though many and great, were ineffectual for their security, when they behaved as unworthy of them. Alas! how affecting is the thought, that some who were under the miraculous cloud, who passed through the waters of the divided sea, who eat of the bread that came down from heaven, and drank of that living stream which omnipotent mercy had opened from the flinty rock, and made it to follow them in the windings of their journey, should yet become, instead of being on the whole the objects of divine favour and complacency, the monuments of wrath. Let us not ourselves therefore be high-minded but fear. Let us mark the rocks on which they suffered this fatal shipwreck, if possible to keep clear of them ; and pray that divine grace may direct our course. Let us avoid not only those superstitious and idolatrous rites of worship, by which, as Protestants, we are in little danger of being ensnared : but also those lusts of the flesh, which must, considering our superiour advantage, be highly displeasing to God; even though they should not rise to a degree of equal enormity and scandal. Let us especially take heed that we tempt not Christ, who has graciously been pleased to take us under his conduct, and to honour his church with so many demonstrative tokens of his presence. Nor let us murmur, if while we are in this wilderness state, we sometimes meet with difficulties in our way. Still let us make it familiar to our minds, that God adjusts the circumstances of every trial; even that God who stands engaged by tire promises of his word, as well as the equity and goodness of his nature, not to permit us to be tempted above what we are able to bear. If we see not an immediate way of escape, let us calmly and attentively look around us, and humbly look up to him, that he may pluck our feet out of the net. .SECTION XIX.■ *C/iristians cautioned against all approaches to idolatry: communion with Christ at his table being inconsistent with having communion with demons. Ch. x. 14—22.'14 T T THEREFORE,-my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as16 VV unto wise men; judge you what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless [at ihe table of the Lord], is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we there break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? the token of our [jointly] sharing in the privileges procured by his suffering. 17 For we, being many, are one bread, and one body; for we are all18 partakers of one bread, and one cup*.—Consider Israel according to the flesh: Are not they who eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar of God? and is not this esteemed an act of communion with him? So they who eat of sacrifices offered to Idols hold a kind of 19 communion with them. What then, do I say that an idol is any thing? or that the thing which is sacrificed to idols is any thing?* So many valuable MSS. have it. Vol.. II. M 20 But that what the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to daemons*, and not to God. Now I would not that you should have communion31 with daemons. Ye cannot [with any consistency] drink of the cup of the Lord, and of the cup of demons: ye cannot be par22 takers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of daemons. Do we mean by such conduct to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? so as to resist the effects of his displeasure? REFLECTIONS. Let us hear and fear: for it is the tendency of every wilful sin, to provoke the Lord to jealousy ; it is a challenge to him, as it were, to let loose the fierceness of his wrath. And alas, hew can such feeble creatures as we, endure its terrors! Let the consideration urged by the apostle, to deter men from partaking in idolatrous sacrifices, be -weighed by us, as extending to every thing whereby God may be dishonoured, and Christ affronted.—They who are Christians indeed, and partake of that feast which the blessed Jesus hath instituted iri commemoration of his dying love, do herein partake of the body and the blood of Christ: Let it be remembered as a pledge of everlasting obedience, since it is a memorial of infinite obligation: it shews that we belong to him, as his willing and peculiar people ; that we renounce all his rivals, particularly Satan, and his kingdom, and whatever favours and supports his accursed cause. Let us be faithful to our allegiance, and have no more to do with any of these abominations.—Let us also remember this as a pledge of exevlastingpeace and love; toe are all one bread, and one body: Let us not envy and proYoke, grieve and revile one another; but study mutual comfort and edification. And when little jealousies arise, and our secular interests seem to interfere, which may often be the case; let us open our minds to those exalted sentiments which our common relation to Christ tends to inspire; and let the sweet remembrance of the communion -we have had with him, and each other, in that holy ordinance, blot out of our minds the memory of every difference which might tend to promote disgust and alienation. ,SECTION XX.fflore particular directions as to the cases in -which things sacrificed to idoh might, or might not, lawfully be eaten: self-denial to be practised for the glory of Gcd, and the good of their brethren. Ch. x. 23.—xi. 1.IT may be replied, that things indifferent in themselves, may be used [innocently^ Granting it i?:-n, that All things are lawful for me; nevertheless all things are not expedient. All things are24 lawful for me, yet all things edify not. Let mo one therefore seek25 his own, but every one another's we/fare. Whatever flesh is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no questions for conscience26 sake, whether it have been part of an Idol-sacrifice or not. For* Infernal spirits, represented by, and supposed to inhabit, those Idols, or to be present at their feasts. Ed. 27 the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. And if any of the unbelievers invite you to his-house, and you are disposed to go, eat whatsoever is set before you, not asking any questions for con28 scienoe-sake. But if any one say to you, This hath been sacrificed to an idol, eat it not; both out of regard to him that shewed thee, and out of regard to conscience: For the earth is the Lord's29 and the fulness thereof*. I say for the sake of conscience: not thine pwn, but that of another- f For why is my liberty30 judged at the bar of another man's conscience? For if I by grace ? J[or favour] am made a partaker of the common gifts of providence, why am I reviled for the free use of that for which I give thanks? SI Therefore, whether ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all 22 to the glory of God. In every respect be inoffensive both to thei 33 Jews, and to the Greeks, and to the church of God: As I in all xi. things please all men, not seeking mine own interest, but that of 1 many, that they may be saved. Be ye imitators of me, as I als? am of Christ.REFLECTIONS. What exalted and generous sentiments are these! Well do they become every minister, yea every disciple of Christ. What a glorious society would his church soon be, if each of its members was actuated by them! not seeking his own things, but those of others; nofc pursuing his own interest, but that of many, that they may be saved. Yea, how happy would each particular person be, in such a wise and tender care of the whole, beyond what the most eager and successful pursuit of a separate interest can render him !—Let us endeavour to steer in the due medium, between the opposite extremes of an excessive scrupulosity, and a presumptuous rashness; and attend to the various distinguishing circumstances which will demand a correspondent difference of conduct, in things which may seem to an inattentive eye much the same: not thinking that attention and caution needless, by which the glory of our God, and the edification of our brethren may be promoted. We may expose ourselves, in consequence of this tenderness of conscience, to inconveniencies, straits, and contempt j but let us commit all our concerns to that divine providence which extends itself to all its works; and rejoice to think, that the earth is the Lord's, and all its fulness; out of which he will not fail to furnish necessary supplies to those who fear him, and are thus solicitous to preserve a conscience void of offence before him. But while we are strictly cautious ourselves, let us not be rash and severe in our censures of others, who stand or fall, to their own master, and who may in some instances have reasons, to us unknown, for a conduct most different from ours.* q.d. And he can provide for thee some other way: [you do not depend on such entertainments for a subsistence.] But some good copies omit these words.f " But, perhaps thou wilt Reply," Why is my, &c.—M. [This seems to make the sense easy. The apostle's answer begins v. 3L] O ! that divine grace may teach us all to govern our whole lives by this extensive important maxim ; that whether we eat, or drink, or whatsoever we do, we pursue the glory of God! Let us dignify and sanctify all the common actions of life, by performing them from these high and holy motives ; and so turning them into sacrifices of devotion and love. Then shall we not only avoid giving offence to others, but shall conduct ourselves in such a manner, as shall make us burning and shining lights in the world, and extend our sphere of usefulness far beyond that of our personal converse, and perhaps beyond the date of our precarious abode in this transitory world.—Thus glorifying our heavenly Father on earth, and finishing the work he hath given us to do, we may hope, through his grace in Christ, to be glorified with him above, and to be brought to a brighter image of that Saviour, who has set us so perfect an example of the temper and conduct here recommended, which even the blessed apostle Paul followed only with unequa' steps.SECTION XXI.The apostle sets himself to reform some indecencies which had crept into the church, particularly that of women prophesying with the head uncovered. Ch. xl 2—16.2 A ND Now, my brethren, I must praise you, [as far as it apXX. pears in your letter] that in all things you are mindful of3 me, and retain the charges, as I committed them to you. But as to your inquiry concerning the manner in which women should deliver any thing in public, when under a divine impulse, I would have you to know, that Christ is the head of every man, and the head of4 the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God. JVbw every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, dishonour5 eth Christ his head ; and every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled, dishonoureth her head, that is the man, by 6 a great indecency, for it is the same as if she were shaved*. Therefore if a woman will not be veiled, let her even be shorn ; but if it be shameful for a woman to have her hair shorn, or shaved off",. 7 let her have a veilf. For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, as being the image and glory of God : but the wo8 man is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman,9 but the woman of the man, being at first taken out of him. Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the10 man. On this account the woman ought to. have upon her head power, that is, a veil, [a token of modesty and subjection^ because11 of the angelsj. Nevertheless the man is not without the woman,* Which was a thing esteemed highly reproachful, being iiiflicted as a punishment on women of abandoned characters.f It is to be remembered that the apostle is all along speaking according to the prevailing ideas and customs of that time and place. Ed. ^ Who are present in religious assemblies, and before whom nothing indecent ought to pass.—Some translate it Spies ; who came to remark the behanor the woman without the man in the Lord, they being mutually 12 dependent on each other ; for as the woman was from the man, so also the man is by the woman ; born, nourished, and at first educa13 ted by her. But all things are of God.—Judge now of yourselves, whether it be decent for a woman to pray to God f in public] with 14 that masculine air which she has when uncovered? Doth not nature itself teach you, that for a man to have long hair, is a disgrace to15 him as being a mark of effeminacy? Whereas if a woman hath long hair, it is a glory to her ; for her hair was given her instead16 of a veil. But if any one appeareth to be contentious, and will dispute this matter, I shall only say further, We have no such custom for women to appear uncovered, neither have any other of the churches of God.REFLECTIONS.Let Christians frequently remember the honourable relation in which they stand to Christ as their Head; and as beyond all dispute, he is, under his mediatorial character, most willingly and joyfully subject to God, let us learn to imitate him in that cheerful and entire subjection, out of love and reverence to him, guarding against whatever is unbecoming, lest he should be dishonoured thereby.—By the passage before us,'we see the force of custom, for determining in many respects, what is decent, and what is otherwise. Let us maintain a proper regard to this ; lest even our good should if, through our imprudence, evil spoken of, and all our infirmities magnified into crimes. Let us often recollect the original dignity of our nature, by which we are the image and glory of God; that, so far as by sin and folly this honour is lost, we may endeavour to regain it ; and where it is not, may think and act more suitably to so high a relation.When in any act of divine worship, we have the honour to approach the blessed God, let us reverence his awful presence, and even that of his holy angels, who attend the assemblies of the saints. We pray, that the will of God may be done upon earth, as it is done in heaven: let us be careful to worship God in such a manner, that these celestial spirits, who ever appear before him with sacred awe, may not be offended at the rudeness and folly of sinful mortals, whom they may well wonder to see admitted, in their best estate, to this divine privilege which they have forfeited by repeated provocations.As for what St. Paul observes of the mutual dependence which the sexes have on each other, let it dispose them to mutual candour and respect; avoiding the cruel tyranny, or the vain affectation, which often arms them, on either side, with ungenerous reflections. And as all things are of God, let it be our concern, that all things be to him; that all things be faithfully employed for his glory; and whatever comforts we receive in relative life, which are indeed many and important, let us adore the wisdom of the divine constitution in the original formaviour of Christians, and would blaze abroad any indecencies observed among them. [Others understand it of the bishops, who are called the angels of the church, to whom such indecent conduct would be particularly disrespectful and offensive]. tion of our nature, and the secret influence and conduct of his provi* dence, in the regulation of our respective circumstances and affairs.SECTION XXII.The apostle, to reform the scandalous abuses of the Lord's supper, in this church, leads back their views to the original institution of the ordinance. Ch.xi. 17, &c.17 TJUT while I am giving you these instructions, [though I have _?3 on some accounts commended you*] I do not praise [but must severely reprove you] that in your assemblies you come together,18 not for the better, but for the worse. For first, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there are schisms, uncharitable disputes and divisions among you, and I do in some respect believe19 it. For there must be even heresies or separations among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you.20 f When you come together into one place, under a pretence of attending this solemnity, it is not really eating the Lord's supper,21 Vbut your o-wn]; and that in a very indecent manner: for every one in eating greedily taketh \ before the other his own supper ; and22 so one is hungry, and another drinketh to excess. What! have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise the church of God, and shame those that have not any provision of their own ? What shall I say to you ? Shall I praise you ? In this o I praise you not, but must blame you, and exhort you [to conform to the 23 original institution]. For I received from the Lord, by special revelation, that whichi I also before delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread;24 and having given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in commemoration of25 me. In like manner also he took the cup after he had supped, saying, This cup is the new covenant established in my blood : this26 do as often-as ye drink it in commemoration of me. You therefore, as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, do shew27 forth the Lord's death until he come. So that whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink this cup of the Lord unworthily||, shall be28 counted guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Therefore let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread,29 and drink of the cup : for he that eateth and drinketh in an .unworthy manneiil, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, exposing himself to the judgments of God, not distinguishing the30 Lord's body from common food. Upon this account many of you are already weak, and sick, and some are fallen asleep in death. * Here seems to be a reference to his commendationV 2.—His saying he did not praise them, is equivalent to a severe censure. Ed. f" Therefore." D. "But." M. X That is, he greedily strives to take, &c. Ed. II i.e. Irreverently, and without due regard to the original puiposeof the institution. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged :' but S2 when we are thus judged, we are only corrected of the Lord, that33 we may not be condemned with the world. Therefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat?i these feasts which precede 34 this ordinance, wait one for another. And if any one be hungry, let him eat at his owi house, that you may not come together to condemnation. And what remains, I will regulate when I come to Corinth. REFLECTIONS. What just matter of thankfulness to our blessed Redeemer, does that account of the institution of the sacred supper afford us, which St. Paul assures us he received immediately from him. Let us often reflect, it was in that very night in which he was betrayed, that his thoughts eo compassionately wrought for our comfort and happiness ; when it might have been imagined, that his mind would be entirely possessed with his personal concerns, with the doleful scene of his approaching sufferings. We learn from this account, the perpetuity, as well as the great leading design, of the ordinance. We shew forth the Lord's death, and we shew it forth till he come. If we do indeed desire to preserve the memory of Christ's dying love in the world, if we desire to maintain it in our own souls, let us attend this blessed institution; endeavouring by the lively exercise of faith and love, to discern, and in a ?spiritual sense to feed upon the Lord's body. Nor let any humble and upright soul be discouraged, by these threatenings of judgment, to the profane sinners who offered such gross affronts to this holy ?solemnity; affronts, which none of us are in any danger of repeating. These scandalous excesses, when they pretended to be worshipping God on this great occasion, might justly provoke the eyes of his holiness, might awaken the arm of his indignation. Yet even these sinners were chastised, that they might not be finally and for ever condemned.—Let not any then be terrified, as if every soul that approached the ordinance without due preparation, must by necessary consequence, seal its own damnation. Thus to attend the table of the Lord is indeed a sin; but, blessed be God, not a sin too great to be forgiven. Let those therefore, who, though they feel in their hearts a reverential love to Christ, yet have hitherto refrained from attending this feast of love, be engaged to come; to come with due preparation, ?nd self-examination, as to their repentance and faith, their love and obedience; then may they, with the most hearty welcome from the great Lord of the feast, eat of this bread, and drink of this cup; receiving it as the memorial of Christ's body broken, and of his blood shed fur the remission of our sins.—Through that blood alone, let us seek this invaluable blessing, without which indeed, nothing can be a solid and lasting blessing to us: and let us, on every occasion, treat our brethren with a tenderness and respect becoming those who have considered ourselves and them, as redeemed by that precious blood, and indebted to it for the hopes of everlasting salvation.—In a word; let us never rest in the external rites or exercises of worship, how decently and regularly soever performed; but look to our inward temper, and to the conduct of our minds, if we desire to maintain their peace, and that our coming together should be for the better, and not for the worse. SECTION XXIII.On spiritual gifts; w/rich though various, all proceed from the same Spirit, and arc for the edification of the same body. Ch. xii. 1—14.1 VTOW concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have2 JJ%| you ignorant. You know that ye were [lately] heathens, carried after dumb idols, just as you were led by your priests. 2 Therefore you ought not to despise any of your brethren for their deficiency in these gifts ; for I give you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God, callcth Jesus accursed : and no one can say sincerely, that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but it is the same Spirit,5 from whom they- are all derived. And there are diversities of administrations, or various distinct services, and the same Lord6 appoints his ministers to them. And there are diversities of operations and effects, yet it is the same God, who worketh all in all.7 But to every one is given such a manifestation of the Spirit, as is8 most profitable. For to one is given by the Spirit, the word of Wisdom *: to another by the same Spirit, the word of knowledge:9 to another, an extraordinary Faith, by the same Spirit: to another,10 the gifts of Healing, by the same Spirit: to another, thertvorking of Miracles of a different kind: to another, Prophecy: to another, the Discerning of spirits: to another, various kinds of Tongues:11 to another, the Interpretation of tongues. But the one and the same Spirit worketh all these, dividing unto every one severally as he thinketh fit.12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, but all the met* bers of that one body, many as they are, constitute but one body:13 so also is Christ: the whole society of which he is the head. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or14 Greeks, whether slaves or freemen: and we are all made to drink into one Spirit f- For as it is in the human body, which is not one member but many, so it is in regard to the body of Christ; what is imparted to one, isfor the benefit of the whole. * There are few texts in theN. T. more difficult than some in this and the 14th chapter, relating to the extraordinary gifts then in the church ; which were at that time so well known, as not to need explication. Lord Barrington, and Dr. Benson, have made it highly probable, that the Word of wisdom was that extensive plan of Christianiiy which was revealed to the apostles by the Holy Spirit. The word of knowledge was probably a lower degree of the same gift. M. Hauriii explains it of discermng mysteries.| q. d. As we drink of the same sacramental cup, so, by our communion with Christ, we all imbibe the influences of the same Spirit. REFLECTIONS.Let us thankfully acknowledge the divine goodness, that we have' not been led on after the example of our Pagan ancestors, to the vain worship of dumb and stupid idols ; but have been taught from our infancy, to adore the living Jehovah. May we, in the most solemn and consistent manner, say, that Jesus is the Lord! And while our actions speak our regard to him as such, may it appear, that our hearts are under the influences of the Spirit of God, by which alone men are brought to that divine temper.Let us often reflect upon - those glorious attestations which were given to the truth of our holy religion, by that diversity of gifts and operations with which its first teachers were furnished and adorned. Let us thankfully receive their testimony, and thereby set to our seal, that God is true. And let a view to that great design, in which all these wonderful things center, engage us to study more a union of heart, with all who in every /dace call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In him Greeks and Barbarians, bond and free, are united. His glory therefore let all unanimously seek ; and while his name is blasphemed by the ignorant and malignant, who cannot bear the purity of that religion which he teaches, may it so be defended by us, as at the same time to be exemplified and adorned.SECTION XXIV.The apostle enforces humility and mutual affection in the use of spiritual gifts, by representing Christians as so united in one body as to lurve entirely the same interest. Ch. idi. 15, &c.TO illustrate and apply the similitude which I have taken from the human body: If the foot should say, Because I am not the16 hand, I am not of the body; is it for this not of the body ? And if the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the17 body; is it for this not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing ? If the whole were hearing, where18 were the smelling? But now God hath placed the various mem19 bers, every one of them, in the body as he hath seen fit. But if20 they all were one member, where were the body? But now as there are many members, there is the union of them all, but yet only one21 body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: and again, the head cannot say to the feet, I have no need of you.22 But those members of the body which appear to be weaker and 23 more delicate than the rest *, are more abundantly necessary; and those which seem to be the more dishonourable parts of the body, those we surroiftid with more abundant honour by the dress we put upon them ; and thus our uncomely parts have more abundant24 comeliness. For our comely parts (the face particularly) have no need of ornament; but God hath so-attempered the severalparts of the body together as to give more abundant honour to that which* Some understand this of the brains or bowels. Vol. II. N 25 is deficient, that there might be no schism in the body ; but that all 26 the members might have the same care of each other. So that if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or if one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.27 Now to apply this: you are all the body of Christ, and members28 each in particular. oGod hath placed some in the church in more eminent ranks: first apostles; in the second place prophets, who forctelfuture events, or speak by immediate inspiration; in the third ordinary teachers; afterwards persons occasionally possessing miraculous powers; then the gifts of healing the sick; helpers;29 governments *; different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Have all miraculoms powers?30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret 1 [Ii is fit that there should be this variety of gifts in the 31 church]. But instead of attending to this, ye contend earnestly about the best gifts, envying those that possess them, [or coveting them yourselves] and yet I shew you a way of the highest excellencef.REFLECTIONS. The wisdom and goodness of God, as displayed in the formation of the human body, is a subject that well deserves our attentive reflection, and humble acknowledgment. All its several parts are useful to the whole ; and the most noble cannot upbraid the meanest as an incum-brance. Each has reason to rejoice in its own situation, as well as in the addition of all the rest; and were the lowest placed higher than it is, it would become useless, burdensome, and monstrous.—Let us acknowledge the same hand in the wise subordination, appointed in civil societies, and in the church of Christ. Let none be discouraged at the low station wherein they are fixed, but rather let all acquiesce in the prudent and gracious disposal of the supreme Lord, and apply themselves to their proper functions. Let each member consider all the rest with pleasure ; and rejoice with thankfulness, in the health and vigour of the other parts, making the proper use of them, and communicating in return its proper services. If any be weak, let all strengthen it. If there be any blemish and imperfection in any part, let all the rest tenderly cover it; unless when a regard to the health and happiness of the whole, requires that it should be laid open; and searched in order to its being cured. And upon the whole, so far as -we can prevent it, let there be no schism in the body. Alas, that there should be so many breaches and contentions! Let us lament them; let each in his place endeavour to heal them; and unite in a sympathizing care of one another. So shall we best express our regard to our common Head; so shall we, in the remotest tonsequences, best consult our own interest and honour.* I think we can only guess at the meaning of these words: perhaps helpers assisted in the management of charities, and governments were persons by whose advice the affairs of societies were conducted.f Or ; Do ye covet the better gifts? I will shew you a still more excellent way, [viz. that of cultivating the Charity described in the next chapter]. Blessed be God, that he hath in his church, given not only apostles, and prophets, but also pastors and teachers. Adored be that bounty with which he hath scattered down his gifts,whether ordinary or extraordinary, on the children of men. Let all be used, not to the purposes of ostentation, but of edification. And let us be desirous of those whereby we may bear most of the image of Christ, and may most promote the great design for which he visited this low world of ours, and was pleased to unite his church unto himself, and its several members to each other, in such dear and indissoluble bonds.SECTION XXV.To engage them to culiivate charity, as more excellent than any of those gifts about which they contended, the apostle gives a description of that grace which, in its duration, exceeds faith and hope. Ch. xiii.THAT which I meant to recommend, as more excellent than any of the gifts about which ye contend, is Love. If I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love to God and men, 2 I am become but as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophesying, and know all mysteries^and all knowledge; and if I have all the most miraculous faith, so as to re3 move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And if I distribute all my goods in alms to the poor, and deliver up my body to be burnt, but have not love, I shall receive no advantage by it in the day of final account. The grace lam recommending hath these charm4 ing properties: Love suffereth long, and is kind: love envieth not:5 love is not insolent; is not puffed up; doth not behave indecently; seeketh not her own things; is not exasperated; imputeth not evil;6 rejoiceth not at iniquity, but rejoiceth with others in the truth;7 covereth all things; believeth all things; hopeth all things ; en8 dureth all things: Love never faileth: But whether [ihere be] prophecies, they shall he abolished : ox whether tongues, they shall cease : and much of our present [boasted] knowledge shall9 be abolished and superseded. For we now know but in part, and10 we prophesy only in part. But when that which is perfect is11 come, that which is in part shall be abolished.—When I was a child, I spake as a child, I was affected as a child, I reasoned as a child : but when I became a man, I put away the things of the12 child. For we now see in an ambiguous and obscure manner, as by means of a mirror; but then we shall sec face to face. Now I know but in part ; but then I shall know, even as also I am13 known. Now abideth these three excellent graces, faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.REFLECTIONS. Surely after having attentively surveyed the beautiful description which the apostle gives us of this divine grace, Love, it cannot be necessary that its cause should be further pleaded. It speaks for itself; speaks to our very hearts. But O, who that enters into the description, must not mourn, that its angelic form is so much a stranger to multitudes who bear the Christian name! So that in many instances it can hardly pass uncensured ; while those extremes which most evidently violate it, are often consecrated under honourable names, and men build much of their hopes of heaven, on breathing what is indeed the ..emper of hell. How many that style themselves Christians, can endure no provocations, can cover no faults of their brethren, can keep themselves -within no bounds, can believe nothing to their advantage, against whom, on party-principles, they have entertained prejudices i They vaunt themselves, they are puffed up with the conceit of their own wisdom; they behave unseemly; they seek only their own' reputation and profit ; they believe the worst they can hear of others, and suspect more than they hear; they envy those whose endowments and stations arc superior to their own; and instead of labouring themselves to excel, they effect by calumny and slander to bring down their brethren to their own level, or rather, as far as possible, below it. Alas, that the dictates of our divine Master, and the genius of our religion, are so little understood, are no more regarded ! and that we so entirely forget the precepts of Christianity, as not to remember even those of common humanity.—Yet surely, if these precepts are wholly forgotten, it is in vain, that we remember, or contend for any of its doctrines and principles. As all languages and gifis, so all knowledge and faith is vain, if it be separate from love, by which true faith always operates. Let us cultivate love more and more ; and so much the rather, as it is a plant of the celestial paradise; which will there for ever flourish when tongues shall cease, and that knowledge, on which men value themselves highly, shall utterly vanish. The ripeness of adult age, and the knowledge of the most improved sciences, human or divine, is but as the trifling of an infant, when compared with that manly and perfect state after which we are aspiring. The dim mirror of faith shall then be laid aside ; and the truth of the objects, now so imperfectly discerned, shall in full lustre be presented to our eyes, purged from every film, "and strengthened for a brightness which would now overwhelm it. In the mean time, attending humbly to the narrow limits, and necessary obscurity, of our present knowledge, let us not be puffed up in ourselves, let us not despise others; but, by a modest estimate and a faithful improvement, of such degrees of light as God shall be pleased to afford us, let us press on towards the regions of eternal day; where in his light we shall see light, and where amidst the fullest communications of his love, we shall for ever love him, and each other, with ardours which the best hearts, in their best moments on earth, can neither attain nor conceive. SECTION XXVI.Cautions against a vain ostentation of the gift of tongues; and Che absurd manner in -which it was abused. Ch. xiv. 1—19.SINCE love is of such peculiar excellence, I exhort you, brethren, eagerly pursue love: desire also spiritual g-//?*, but especially,2 that ye may prophesy and teach in an edifying manner. For he that speaketh in a [foreign] tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God, for no one else understandeth him, though in the Spirit he3 speak mysteries; whereas he that prophesieth (or discourses [by inspiration] on divine things in a known language) speaketh to men4 for edification, and exkortation, and comfort. He that speakethwith a tongue unknown, edifieth himself only ; but he that prophe5 sieth, edifieth the church also. I wish indeed, that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye might prophesy: for he that prophesieth, is greater that he who speaketh with tongues which the hearers do not understand, except he interpret, that the church6 may receive edification. Now, brethren, if I (for instance) come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you * in your own tongue, whether by revelation, or knowledge,7 or prophecy, or doctrine.—So also inanimate things which give a sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a due distinction of8 sounds, how can it be known what is piped, or harped? Moreover, if the trumpet in war give an uncertain sound, who should pre9 pare himself to battle? So likewise- in your assemblies, unless ye utter by the tongue significant words, how shall it be known what10 you speak? For ye shall in that case speak to the air. There may be ever so many sorts of languages in the world, and none of11 them without signification. Yet unless I know the force and import of the language spoken, I shall be to him that speaketh, a12 barbarian ; "and he that speaketh, shall be a barbarian to me. So you alsof) seeing ye desire spiritual gifis, seek to abound in them 13 for the edification of the church. Therefore let him that speaketh in a tongue cmknown to the audience, pray [so] that he f may in14 terpret. For if I pray in a strange tongue, my spirit indeed pray15 eth; but my understanding is unfruitful io others. What then is my duty ? I will pray with the Spirit, but I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the Spirit, but I will sing with the under16 standing also. Moreover, if thou givest thanks in the Spirit, in an unknown language, how shall he thatfilleth up a private || place, say Amen to thy thanksgiving, seeing he know eth not what thou sayest?* " i. e. intelligibly." M. [y. d. to speak otherwise is not speaking To you.]W. translates what is above rendered prophesying, " teaching."f " So then, as ye are ambitious of"—W.% " Pray so as that some one may interpret." M.II " The place of the private person" [the hearers]. It was the custom of the primitive church for the people to express their assent to the public prayers by saying Amen at the close. See JJeut. xxvii. 15. JVch. viii. 6. M. 17 For thou indeed givest thanks well; nevertheless the other is not18 edified.—I thank my God, that I speak with tongues more than you19 all; but in a church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. jn REFLECTIONS. How weak and poor a thing is pride and ostentation, and how wise and honourable, charity and humility! Who, that has a right discernment, would not rather have been the obscurest Christian, that now, almost unseen, joins our assemblies, and in heart at least, humbly puts his amen to the petitions presented there, than the most fluent talker at Corinth; abusing the special gifts of the Spirit, and trifling ?away, in an unseasonable display of his own, then unprofitable, endowments, the precious moments, which were destined to the highest purposes of religious edification? Who must not lament to see pride and vain-glory, so early insinuating" themselves into Christian societies! Who must not, from so sad an instance, learn to be greatly watchful over their own hearts, on a side where they are subject to such dangerous attacks !—Had the most able and zealous Protestant divine endeavoured to expose the absurdity of praying in an unknown tongue, as practised in the church of Home, it is difficult to imagine what he could have written more fully to the purpose, than the apostle hath here done. And when it is considered, how perversely the Papists retain the usage of such prayers, it will seem no wonder they should keep the scriptures in an unknown tongue too. But they proclaim at the same time, their superstition and idolatry in so universal a language, that even a barbarian might perceive and learn it in their assemblies. Let us pity, and pray for them, that God may give their prejudiced minds a juster and happier turn. And since we see the unreasonable and pernicious humour of immutably adhering to ancient customs, prevailing to maintain in the church of Rome, so flagrant an absurdity, as praying in an unknown tongue, let it teach us to guard against every degree of the like disposition; and not so much consider, what hath been the practice of any church, in which we were educated, or have chosen to worship, as what the reason of things, and the authority of scripture concur to dictate.Of this wise and benevolent apostle let us learn, to estimate the value of gifts by their usefulness; and to seek above all things the edification of our brethren: especially if we are providentially called to minister in public. There is perhaps a manner of speaking in an unknown tongue, even when the language of our own country is used; a height of composition, an abstruseness of thought, an obscurity of phrase, which common Christians cannot understand. Let not the ministers of the humble Jesus seek such high things; but in this important sense of the exhortation, condescend to men of lonu estate. If the ignorant may be instructed, if the careless may be convinced, if the ?vicious may be reformed, if the devotion of our Christian brethren may be excited, their love to each other cherished, and their holy resolutions confirmed, the great ends of divine ordinances are answered; and that plainness of speech, which may be most likely to promote them, is rather the glory, than reproach, of the Christian orator. SECTION XXVII.Jldvices for preventing that abuse of the gift of tongues w/iich had been reproved. Ch. xiv. 20, &c.20 T)RETHREN, be not children in understanding: o in malice21 Jj be little infants; but in understanding be perfect men. It is written in the law (Is. xxviii. 11.)" Surely in foreign language, and with foreign lips I will speak unto this people; and even so22 they will not hear me, saith the Lord." So that tongues are a sign not to believers, but to infidels: whereas prophecy is not for23 infidels, but believers. Therefore if the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with unknown tongues, and any uninstructed persons, or infidels come in, will they not say24 that you are distracted? Whereas if all prophesy [in an intelligible manner,] and an infidel, or ignorant man comcth in, he is convict25 ed by all, he is judged by all who thus speak, and thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so falling down upon his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is indeed among26 you.—What a thing is it*, brethren, that when you are come together for social worship, every one of you f hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation, and so all speak together. Let all things be done for edifica27 tion. If any speak with an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three at one meeting, and that by course; and let one28 interpret. But if there be not an interpreter, let him be silent in29 the church, and let him speak to himself, and to God. Let two or three of the prophets speak in one assembly, and let the rest30 judge. But if any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by,31 let the first have done speaking. For by this means ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comfort32 ed. For the spirits, or inspirations, of the prophets are subject33 to the prophets^ (for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace and order) as it appears in all the other churches of the saints.34 Let your women be silent in your assemblies; for it is not permitted to them to speak|| (unless they have some extraordinary * "What then, brethren, is to be done ? When ye come together, hath any ef you a psalm? hath he a doctrine?" &c. W.f i.?. " One hath a psalm, another hath a doctrine," 8cc. M.% Their inspiration is not a wild irresistible impulse, but leaves them masters of themselves. ,|| This seems inconsistent with Chap. xi. 5,13. If the solution in the Parenthesis be not admitted, and the prohibition here be thought universal, I should suppose with Whitby that prophesying, in the former place, signifies, singing psalms and praying, not as leading the devotions, but joining with others. [So the term prophesying is used 1 Chr. xxv.l, 2.1 Kings x\iii. 29. See Dr. M. on Ch. xi. 5. who considers the above as an universal prohibition of revelation) but to be in subjection; as the law also saith (Gen. iil. 35 16.) and if they have a mind to learn any thing, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is indecent for a woman to speak in the church. Some of you I know will oppose these regulations. 36 But let. me ask, What [authority you have for so doing .?] Did the word of God come out from you? Or did it reach to you alone? Are you the first, and the only church in the world, that you should 37 take upon you thus to act? If any of you appear to be a prophet, or spiritual person, endowed with extraordinary gifts, let him as a proof of it acknowledge that the things which I write unto youf33 are the commandments of the Lord. But if any one is ignorant39 of this, let him be ignorant: I shall not debate it with him. Therefore, my brethren, to conclude this discourse, desire chiefly to prophesy, yot forbid not to speak with tongues. But always remember 40 this grand rule; Let all things be done decently, and according to order.REFLECTIONS.How fondly do men flatter themselves with empty appearances I And often, how justly do those deserve the imputation of childish folly, the height of whose temper will least allow them to bear it. Let us dare to examine ourselves impartially, and be concerned that we may not be children in widcrstanding: but forming onr minds on the maxims of scripture, and our lives on the example of Christ, may we grow up in him to the measure of the stature of a perfect man. But let us be children in malice: let us endeavour to be as free from every gloomy, malignant, selfish passion, as newborn infants are. Who can say he has fully attained this happy and amiable character? Yet let us follow after it; remembering, that there is a sense, in which (proud and interested, envious and malignant, as alas ! we too much are) we must become as little children, or we cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Those extraordinary gifts, which suited the first planting of Christianity in the world, are now ceased; but let us bless God, they were ever given; and that we have such an incontestable evidence of the truth of the gospel as this chapter affords. Such endowments must certainly argue a divine power, setting its seal to the gospel ; and the reality of such endowments can never be questioned. when we reflect on the manner in which the apostle here reproves the abuse of them: and that in a society where so many were- alienated from him and his ministry; and consequently, where such appeals, if not founded on the strictest and most apparent truth, must have exposed him to a contemptneverto have been removed.—These miraculous gifts, having abundantly answered their end, are wisely withdrawn; yet still the divine presence is with the church; of which we have this happy proof, that there are those, who find the secrets of their heart made manifest,by the faithful and skilful administration of Christian ordinances: so that if they do not publicly fall down upon their faces, in such exwomen's speaking in public, and he thinks that the apostle in this passage, though-he only exposed the indecent manner of doing it, did not allow of the thing itself. traordinary transports, they inwardly adore the Lord God in their hearts, and acknowledge that he is with /ns church of a truth. May instances of this kind be more frequent, and may the spirituality and fervour with which divine ordinances shall be administered, be such as may afford more reason to expect them!Let us regard God as the author, not of confusion, but of peace; making it our concern to behave in his sanctuary, in a manner agreeable to this view; with such solemn decorum, and with such a tender regard to the edification and comfort of each other, as he may approve. May the God of peace deliver Christians, of every sect and rank, from that spiritual pride which has thrown many religious societies into great disorder. And, to advance to a state so happy, as that of humility and love must necessarily be, may what the. apostles have written, be acknowledged as the commandments of the Lord; and Christian -worship and practice, be more regulated by their truly authentic canons; which would render many that have been since devised, relating to indifferent matters, as unnecessary as some others are burdensome, superstitious, and absurd* . l SECTION XXVIII.The apostle begins his discourse on the resurrection of the dead, with remarking the certainty and importance of Christ's resurrection. Ch.xv.l—11.1 TJUT now as to the other topic on which you Wrote to me: I make Xj known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I first preached2 to you ; which ye have also received, and in which ye stand ; by which also ye are saved, if ye retain those joyful tidings, which I3 delivered unto you, unless indeed ye have believed in vain. For I delivered to you among the first principles, what I have also re'ceived by inspiratien, that Christ died for our sins according to4 the scriptures: and that he was buried; and that he was raised,5 the third day, according to the scriptures: and he was seen first of Cephas (i.e. Peter) afterwards by [most qf] the twelve upostlee. Afterwards he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of6 whom the greater part continue alive, but some are fallen asleep.7 After this he was seen of James, and r them by all the apostles8 But last of all he also appeared to me, as to an embryo, one born out9 of due time. Fori am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of10 God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace manifested towards me, was not in vain ; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God that was with! 1 me. Whether therefore I or they laboured most, so we all preach, and so ye believed. We all agree in our testimony to the death and resurrection of Christ, and yc with all other Christians have agreed to receive it. REFLECTIONS,Let it be the daily joy of our hearts to think, how firm that foundation stands, and what various and convincing evidence we have, that as Christ became incarnate, visited this wretched world, and ciied for our sins, according to the scriptures; that as he condescended to go down into the caverns of the grave, and lie there in the cold and silent tomb, humbled in the dust of death; so also according to the same scriptures, he -was raised again on the third day. Let us be very thankful that such convincing proof was given of his resurrection, demonstrated by such infallible tokens, and repeated appearances, to ail the apostles; who had every opportunity the most scrupulous doubt could demand, of examining at leisure into its certainty. More than five hundred persons were witnesses to it at one time; and witnesses who survived to many future years to attest this important fact, (/ia? our faith and hope might be in God: in God who quickeneth the dead, and who by this resurrection of Jesus his Son, hath begotten us again to a lively hope of an inheritance, incorruptible, undefUed, and tliat fadeth not away. As we have received, so let us stand fast in this doctrine; and remember, that our salvation depends on our stedfastly retaining it; and that we believe in vain, and worse than in vain, if we ever, on any considerations, make shipwreck of faith, and of a good conscience. It is matter of joy and thankfulness, that St. Paul was added to this cloud of witnesses, who attested the resurrection of Jesus ; that great apostle, in whom the grace of God was so richly magnified} magnified particularly in that humility which he here expresses in so amiable a manner; calling himself the least of the apostles, and declaring that he was unworthy of the name of an apostle: and amidst all the labours and glories of this eminent station in the church, still keeping in his eyes that madness with which, in the days of his infidelity, he had wasted it. Shall we not all learn of him to say, By the grace of God lam what lam? Let us be solicitous that his grace bestowed upon tis be not in vain; and ever bearing in mind the many sins of our unconverted state, and our great unprofitableness since we have known God, or raiher been known of him, let us labour in our Lord's service with proportionable zeal ; and when we have laboured to the utmost, and exerted ourselves with the greatest fidelity and resolution, let us ascribe it to that divine agency which strengthened us for all, and say again, though some should esteem it a disagreeable tautology, Not I, but the grace of God that was with me. SECTION XXIX.The necessary connection between tlie resurrection of Christ, and the resurrection of the dead: the importance of retaining that great fundamental of Christianity: Christ's final surrender of the mediatorial kingdom. Ch. xv. 12—34.12 T> UT if Christ is preached, that he was raised from the dead, JD how do some among you say, that there is no resurrection of tS the dead? For if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither is 14 Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, then our preaching is 15 vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we bare testimony concerning God, that he raised up Christ; whom he did not raise up, if the dead rise not16 at all. For if the dead are not raisefd, neither is Christ raised:17 and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain: ye are still in your18 sins, under the pressure of their unexpiated guilt*. Then also they who sleep in Christ, are perished. This would be a terrible 19 doctrine to us apostles, for if it were in this life only that we have hope in Christ, we who are exposed to such calamities for his sake, were of all men the most pitiablef20 But now Christ is indeed risen from the dead, and become the21 first fruits of them that slept. For as death came by man, so like22 wise by man comethlhe resurrection of the dead- i'or as in Adam23 all are dead, so in Christ all shall also be made alive. But every one in his own order: Christ the first-fruits, and they who are24 Christ's, afterwards at his coming. Then shall the end be, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; when he shall have abolished all principality, and all authority, and25 power. For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under26 bis feet. And the -very last enemy, even death, shall be destroy27 ed. For (as it is said, Ps. viii. 6.) he hath put all things under his feet. But it is evident, that when he saith that all things were subjected to him, it is with the exception of him by whom all2S things were subjected to him. But when all things shall be subjected to him, then shall the Son also himself give up his mediatorial kingdom, and be subject to him that subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all, in thafworld where there shall be no longer the need of a mediator : such are our views and hopes as 29 Christians. Else what should they do, who are baptized into the Christian faith in the room of the dead who are just fallen in the cause of Christ? If the dead are not raised at all, why are they nevertheless baptized in the room of the dead to fill up their 30 ranks? And why are we every hour exposed to danger? I protest31 to you by our % rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord,32 I daily die. If, humanly speaking, I have fought with beasts (the savage multitude) at Ephesus, what advantage have I gained if the dead rise not ? In this case, the Epicurean maxim might be justified, "3 Let us eat and drink, since we die to-morrow. Be not deceived, for fas a certain heathen poet J| hath expressed it) Good manners* The doctrine of the resurrection of Christ, and that of the efficacy of his atonement, are inseparably connected.f It is foreign to the purpose to argue from this text, that if there were no future state, time Christians are more miserable than others. [Nor is the sentiment true]. See the-author's Ten Sermons, No. 9. p. 259—262.% So some copies, and it seems more natural and easy than your. || Menander. The original words are an Iambic verse.—Verse 34, "Awake (hiuu*%) as is fit." The word rendered awake is used for a person's becoming sober after being drunk, M. 34 are debauched by talk profane." Awake therefore as becorrieth righteous men, and sin not, by maintaining doctrine so subversive of Christianity, for some of you are still ignorant of God: I say this to your shame. :.REFLECTIONS.Well may we rejoice, to see the doctrine of our own resurrection so closely connected in the sacred writings, and especially in this excellent discourse of St. Paul, with that of our blessed Redeemer, as that they should be declared to stand or to fall together. For Christ is assuredly risen from the dead, and beiome the first-fruits of them that sleep. He hath repaired, to all his spiritual seed, the damage that Adam brought upon his descendants; yea, he is become to them the author of a far nobler life, than the posterity of Adam lost by him.—Let us meditate, with unutterable joy, on the exaltation of our glorified Head, of our gracious Sovereign, who has conquered death himself, and will make us partakers of his victory. He hath received from his Father, glory, honour, and dominion : and he sluill reign till his conquest be universal and complete, and till death be not only stripped of its trophies, but rendered subservient to his triumphs; shall reign, till all his purposes for his Father's glory, and his own, be finally accomplished. - . -? .But O, who can express the joy and glory of that day! when Christ shall give up the kingdom to the Father, and present unto him all its faithful subjects, transformed into his own image ; a beautiful and splendid church indeed, for ever to be the object of the divine complacence, for ever to dwell in the divine presence, in a state of the greatest nearness to God, who shall then be all in all. Well may the expectation of this illustrious period cheer the Christian under his greatest extremities, and make him of all men the most happy, when otherwise, on account of his sufferings in the flesh, he might seem of all men the most miserable. Well may this his rejoicing in Christ Jesus (that sacred oath, which this persecuted and distressed ajiostle, with so sublime a spirit, here uses) encourage him to go on, though he be daily dying; though he were daily to encounter the most savage of mankind, and death itself in its most dreadful forms. Well may this knowledge of God, of his gracious purposes, and of his exalted Son, awaken us to righteousness; well may it deliver us from the bondage of sin. Let us retain these noble principles of doctrine and action, and guard against those evil communications, those sceptical and licentious notions, which would corrupt our spirits, which would enervate every generous spark which the gospel kindles up into a flame, and by bounding our views within the narrow circle of mortal life, would degrade us from the anticipations of angelical felicity, to the pursuits of brutal gratifications. * I *SECTION XXX. .;Objections against the resurrection answered. The doctrine im/iroved. Ch.xv. 35, &c.35 T)UT some one will perhaps say, How are the dead raised up,36 Jj and with what kind of body do they come? Thou fool*, that37 seed which thou sowest, is not quickened except it die. And as for that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body which shall be produced, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat, or of any other38 grain; but God gives it a body as he pleases; and to each of the39 seeds its own body. All flesh is not the same kind of flesh; but the flesh of men, and of beasts, of fishes, and of fowls, is differ-lO ent each from the other. There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial, and the terrestrial41 are different. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: and one star differeth42 from another star in glory. So shall be also the resurrection of the43 pious dead. It is sown in corruption it is raisedin incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory : it is sown in weak44 ness ; it is raised in power : it is sown an animal body; it is raised a spiritual body : for there is an animal body, and there is a spi45 ritual body : and so it is written (Gen. ii. 7.) The first man Adam was made a living soul, whereas the latter Adam is for an enlivening46 spirit., Nevertheless the spiritual Adam was not first, but the ani47 mal, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was from the48 earth, earthy : the second man is the Lord from heaven. Such as the earthy was, are they also that are earthy: and such as the49 heavenly is, are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, shall we also bear the image of the heavenly.50 But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.51 Behold ! I tell you a mystery: a doctrine hitherio unknown : we52 shall not all sleep in death, but we shall all, the living as well as the dead, at Christ's appearance, be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet shall sound, the -voice of the archangel, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,5 3 and we (all then living) shall be changed. For it is necessary . that this corruptible put on incorruption, and this mortal put on54 immortality. But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall the saying be brought to pass, which is written (Is. xxv. 8.) "Death55 is swallowed up in victory,"—Where is thy sting, O death?56 Where is thy victory, O grave? The sting of death is sin; and57 the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who giveth 58 us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye fixed, immoveable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour in the Lord is not vain.REFLECTIONS. Let us learn from this incomparable discourse of the apostle, to curb that vain curiosity which is so ready, in matters of divine revelation, to break out into an unbecoming petulance; and where we are sure, that God declares the thing, let us leave it to him to overcome every difficulty that may seem to attend the manner in which it shall be effected. Nothing may be more useful, in order to the conquering such a weakness, than to observe the operations of God in the 'works of nature, where he gives to every seed, whether animal or vegetable, such a body as shall please him. Each is proper for its sphere, and beautiful in its connection and order, though the degree of their glory be different. And thus all the diversity of glory, which shall at last be apparent, among the children of God, even the children of the resurrection, shall serve to illustrate the divine wisdom, and goodness, and faithfulness.—The alterations made in every instance," will indeed be wonderful, when this mortal puts on immortality, and this corruptible puts on incorruption'. Let us for ever adore the divine goodness, that when, by our relation to the first Adam, we were under a sentence of condemnation and death, he was pleased in his infinite mercy to appoint, that we should stand related to Christ, as the second Adam, in so happy a bond, that by him we might recover what we had lost in the former; yea and far more: so that, as we have bottle the image of the earthy, toe might as surely bear the image of the heavenly. O let us earnestly aspire after this blessedness; and remember, that our bearing the image of his holiness, is inseparably connected with the hope of so glorious a privilege!— Let us endeavour, therefore, by cultivating holiness in all its branches, to maintain'this hope in all its spirit and energy; longing for that glorious day, when in the utmost extent of the prophetic expression, Death shall be swallowed up in victory, and millions of voices, after the long silence of the grave, shall burst out at once into that triumphant song, 0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory? And when we see deaih disarmed, and the terrors of the laio silenced, let iis bless God for Jesus Christ, by whom the precepts of the law were perfectly fulfilled, and its penalty endured-; that so we might not only be delivered from the curse, but called to inherit the blessing. Let it be considered, as an engagement to universal obedience; and in the assurance, that whatever other labours may be frustrated, those in the Lord shall never be vain, let gratitude and interest concur to render us stedfast, immoveable, and continually active in his service. SECTION XXXI.Jidvkes relating to the proposed collection for the poor saints in Judea. Ch.xvi. 1—12.1 ONCERNING the collection for the poor saints in Judea*, V_y as I have given it in charge to the churches of Galatia, so2 also do ye proceed. On the first day of the week, let every one of you lay something by, in proportion to the degree in which he hath been'prospered, treasuring it upf, that there may be no collec3 tions when I come. But when I am arrived at Corinth., whomsoever ye shall recommend by letters, them will I send to carry4 your favour to Jerusalem. And if it be convenient that I should o also go thither myself, 4hey shall go with me. For I will come toyou, when I have passed through Macedonia; and I am just up6 on my journey through Macedonia; and perhaps then I may continue a while, and may even spend the winter among you; that*o you may bring me forward on my journey whithsoever I shall go.7 For I will not now see you in my way, but I hope [afierwards] 8 to spend some time with you, if the Lord permit. But I shall5 continue here at Ephesus till Pentecost: For a great and effectual door of usefulness is opened to me, in this city; and there are many opposers, who might take advantage of my absence. 10 But if Timothy should in the mean time come to you, see that he be with you without fear of unkind usage; for he laboureth in11 the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no man dispise him, but bring liim forward on his journey in peace, that he may come to me at Ephesus. For I expect him with the other 12 brethren who are his companions. As for our brother Apollos, I was very importunate with him to come to you with Timothy and the other brethren: nevertheless he was by no means willing to come now; but he will come when he shall have a convenient opportunity.REFLECTIONS. Let ministers, from the example of the apostle, learn to be ready to promote charitable colleciions for the relief of poor Christiana; and let them frequently exhort their hearers to do good, and to communicate; reminding them, that their contributions ought to bear a proportion to the degree in which God has been pleased to prosper them.— We see an evident reference to the stated assemblies of the church on the first day of the week in this early age; and it is a proper duty of that day to devise and execute liberal things, according to our respective abilities.—The prudent caution of St. Paul, as to the management of pecuniary affairs, is worth the attention of the ministers of the gospel; and may teach them to take care not only that they sat* Who were in great straits both on account of famine and persecutiont That is, putting it into the common stock. isfy their own consciences, in the fidelity of their transactions; but also, that they provide things honest in che sight of all men.- The apostle's courage, in making the opposition he met with at Ephesus a reason for his continuance there, may instruct us not to study our own ease in the choice of our abode; but rather to prefer those circumstances, however disagreeable in themselves, wherein we may be providentially led to do most, for the advancement of religion in the world. His care, that his young friend Timothy might be as easy as possible, constitutes likewise a very amiable part of his character; and suggests, in a manner well worthy of notice, how careful private Christains should be, that they do not terrify and distress the minds of those who are entering on the ministerial office. A faithful disposition to labour in the work of the Lord, ought to command respect; yet sometimes, as in the instance of ^polios, even that diligence maybe so liable to misrepresentation, that it may be the wisdom of ministers to absent themselves from places were they have many to caress and admire them. On the whole, the great business of life is to glorify God, in doing our best for promoting the happiness of mankind; and no self-denial ought to seem hard to us, while we keep that glorious end in view.SECTION XXXII.\The apostle concludes with some particular salutations, directions, and general exhortations : a solemn benediction to true Christians, and an awful denunciation against those that were destitute of love to Christ. Ch. xvi. 13, &c.13 TJ E watchful, stand fast in the faith, acquit yourselves like men,14 Jj be strong. Let all your affairs be transacted in love. And I15 beseech you, brethren, as ye know the household of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and as they have set themselves with 16 peculiar resolution to the work of ministering to the saints, that you subject yourselves to such, and to every associate in that work and labour, that under their influence, you do your utmost for the good of 17 your brethren. I rejoice at the arrival of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaiacus ; because they filled up your deficiency, with 18 respect to me: For they refreshed my spirit, and I doubt not yours19 also: therefore pay all proper regards to such.—The churches of the provincial Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla most affectionately salute you in the Lord, with the church in their house.20 Indeed all the brethren in these parts salute you. Salute one21 another with an holy kiss. To what is written by a fiend, is here 22 added the salutation of o Paul with my own hand. If any man among you love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha. Let him be exposed to the severest malediction, when 23 the Lord cometh. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with24 you! My love be with you all in Christ Jesus! Amen. REFLECTIONS.However the particular trials of Christians may vary in different ages, the same works in general demand their diligence ; the same enemies, their watchfulness; the same difficulties, their courage and fortitude: nor will they ever be more likely to perform, to resist, and to endure well, than when charity reigns in their hearts, and presides over the whole of their behaviour.—We owe our. humble thanks to the author of all good, when he raises up the spirits of his servants to any distinguished activity and zeal in his cause. Christians of standing superior to their brethren, ought to emulate such a character; and when they do so with genuine marks of becoming modesty and upright views, let all proper respect be paid to them: especially to those who are honoured with and labour faithfully in, the ministerial office. To such let others submit themselves in love ; not indeed,as to the lords of their faith, which even the apostles pretended not to be; but as friends, whom they esteem and reverence, ever tenderly solicitous to secure their comfort, and increase their usefulness.We see how much the apostle was concerned to promote mutual friendship among the disciples of our blessed Redeemer; how kindly he delivers the salutations of one and another. It becomes us to remember each other with cordial regard; and in imitation of this wise example, to do all we can to cultivate a good understanding among our Christian brethren ; and to abhor that disposition to sow discord, which has been so fatally successful in producing envyings, and strife, and every evil work.—To conclude all ; let us lay up in our memory, and often review, this awful sentence, this Anathema—Maran-atha; -which, to give it the greater weight, the apostle records with his own hand. Let it ever be remembered, that professing Christians, who do not sincerely love their master, lie under the heaviest curse which an apostle can pronounce, or a God inflict. Let the unhappy creatures take the alarm, and labour to obtain a more ingenuous temper, ere the Lord, whom they neglect, and against whom they entertain a secret enmity, descend from heaven with unsupportable terror, and pronounce the anathema with his own lips, in circumstances which shall for ever cut off all hope and all possibility of its being reversed. If his solemn voice pronounce, his almighty hand will immediately execute it. How will they be cast down to destruction, as in a moment! How will they be utterly consumed with terrors I To prevent so dreadful an end of our high profession, of our towering hopes, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us. Amen. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS.'T*HE afwstle, upon leaving Ephesus, from whence he wrote the former ?* epistle, removed to Troas, in expectation of meeting Titus, and receiving from him an account of the effect that epistle had produced. But not meeiing him there, he proceeded to Macedonia, where he obtained Ms desired interview, and received a promising account of the state of affairs at Corinth. From hence he wrote this second epistle within a year (some think within half that time) after the first; and he sent it by Titus, who was returning to Corinth, to forward the collection for the poor Christians in Judea. The intention of it was to- illustrate some of the points on which he had treated in his former epistle, according to the account which Titus had given him of the circumstances and temper of the members of Ms church, interspersing occasional reflections and advices onvarious topics fbr their instruction and edification.—More particularly, he advises the restoration of the heinous offender io communion, who had been excluded from it, since he had given proof of his repentance. He further vindicates his own apostolic character, against the objections of the false teachers, who had gained too much credit with some of his converts; and he strongly recommends to them liberality in their contributions for the relief of their poor brethren, particularly by the grace of the Redeemer, and gives them some advice lwith respect to the manner of collecting and transmitting their bounty. His various digressions from his main topics, if duly attended to, will appear no objection to the accuracy and beauty of this excellent composition, though on this account it scarcely admits of a concise analysis.. SECTION I.The apostle expresses'ids grateful sense of the divine goodness, in preservinghim from imminent dangers in Asia, and his confidence in God's continued guardianship, supported by the consciousness of his integrity. Ch. i.1—12.1 TT) AUL an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and JL Timothy a brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth,% with all the saints in the whole region of Achaia: Grace and. peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ3 Blessed' be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the4 Father of mercies, and the God of all consolation; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any tribulation, by the comfort whereby we ourselves5 are comforted of God. Because as the sufferings we endure in the cause of Chri6t, abound with respect to us, so our consolation6 by Christ doth abound also. For whether we be afflicted, it is in subservience to your consolation and salvation; which is effectually wrought out by the patient enduring of the same sufferings, which we also undergo: or whether we be comforted, it is still 7 for your consolation and salvation. And our hope concerning you: is stedfast*; knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, U so also of the consolation. For we would not have you, brethren, ignorant concerning our affliction, which befell us in Asia, particularly at Ephesus^ that we were exceedingly-pressed beyond our power; so that we despaired of being able even to live. Wr 9 were considered by others as dead men: And we ourselves received the sentence of death in ourselves, that' we might learn for the future, not to trust in ourselves, but in God, who raiseth theK) dead: who rescued us from so great a-death, and doth rescue us from every danger: in whom we trust that he wiU still rescue us: 11 you working together in prayer for us, that so the favour obtained for us by the prayers of many, may be acknowledged by the thanksgiving of many on our account. And this confidence is 1'2 promoted by an assurance of our integrity. For this is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with carnal wisdom, but by the grace of God, -we have had our -conversation in the world, and more especially towards you.REFLECTIONS. -Let the veneraole title of saints, by which the apostle so often describes and addresses Christians, be ever retained in our minds; that 'we may remember the obligations we are under to answer it, as we would avoid the guilt and infamy of lying to God and men, by falsely and hypocritically professing the best religion very possibly to the worst, undoubtedly to the vainest purposes. And that we may be excited to a sanctity becoming this title, let us often think of God as the Father of mercies, and as the God of all conselation; and let us think of him, as assuming these titles, under the character of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: so shall we find our hearts more powerfully engaged to love and trust in him, and enter into a more intimate acquaintance and frequent converse with him.—From him let us seek consolation in every distress ; considering these supports, which we so experience, not as given for ourselves alone, but for others; that we, on the like principles, may comfort them. Let ministers in particular regard them in this view, and rejoice in those tribulations which may render them more capable of comforting such as are in any , trouble, by those consolations with which they themselves have been comforted by God; that so the church maybe edified, and God glorified in all, by the thanksgiving of many, for mercies obtained in answer to united prayers. Let us particularly remember the support which St. Paul experienced, when he was pressed above measure, and, as it seemed, quite -beyond his strength, so as to despair of life, and received the sentence of * In several good MSS. these words are connected with the first clause of the 6th verse.f Some have thought that he refers to what is related Acts xiv. 19, 20. but more probably it is to more recent events. See Acts xviii. 23. Whitby thinks he speaks of what happened at Ephesus, Acts xix. 29, 30. [This opinion Dr. M. adopts without hesitation.] death in himself: as what was wisely appointed to teach him a firmer confidence in God who raiseth the dead. Strong as his faith was, it admitted of further degrees; and the improvement of it was a happy equivalent for all the extremities he suffered. He therefore glories, as secure of being rescued from future dangers. Nor was his faith vain, though he afterwards fell by the hand of his enemies, and seemed as helpless a prey to their malice and rage, as any of the multitudes whose blood Aero, or the instruments of his cruelty, poured out like water. Death is itself the grand rescue to a good man, which bears liim to a state of everlasting security; and in this sense every believer may adopt the apostle's words, and while he acknowledges past and present, may assuredly boast of future deliverances. Happy shall we therefore be, if by divine grace we are enabled at all times, to maintain the temper and conduct of Christians; and may confidently rejoice in the testimony of our consciences, that our conversation in the world is in simplicity and godly sincerity: that our ends in religion are great and noble; that our conduct is simple and uniform; in a word, that we act as in the sight of an heart-searching God. Then may we look upon the applauses, or the censures of men, as comparatively a very light matter; and may rest assured, if, as with regard to the apostle in the instance before us, he suffers a malignant breath for a while, to obscure the lustre of^our character, the day is near, which will revealit in unclouded glory.S E GTION II.The apostle declares his integrity, particularly in declining his intciided visit to Corinth. Chi i. 13, &c .ISPEAR with great freedom of the integrity with which I have acted among you: for we write no other things to you, but what ye know and knowledge; and I hope that ye will acknowledge them14 even unto the end: as indeed ye have acknowledged us in part*, that we are your boasting, as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.15 And in this confidence, I was long before desirous of coming to you, that ye might have had a second benefit {from my ministra\ 6 Hon] and my scheme was to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come to you from Macedonia, and be brought forward by you in17 my journey towards Judea. Now when I intended this, did I use levity? Or the things, which I purpose in general, do I purpose according to the flesh, to carnal principles and views; so that there should be with me yea, yea, and nay, nay ?—such an uncertainty and inconsistency of conduct, that none could depend on me? 18 As God is faithful, our word to you hath not been yea and nay, i'.' wavering and uncertain: For Jesus Christ, the son of God, whowas preached by us amongst you, that is by me and Silvamis and* That is, a part of you have done it, though others are notso ready to dous justice.' 20 Timothy, was not yea and nay, inconsistent and contradictory; but in him all was yea; for Christ is for ever the same., arci/allthe promises of God are in him yea, and in him amen, to the glory of God by21 us. For he who also established us together with you in Christ,22 and hath anointed us to our office, is God; who hath also sealed us,23 and given us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts. But as to the late change in my purpose, I call God for a record on my soul, that ? it was to spare you much uneasiness that I came not as yet to Co2.4 rinth ; for had Icome, I must have used some severity. Notbecause we have any dominion over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye have hitherto stood, and must stand. ? REFLECTIONS.All the Jiromises of God are yea and amen in Christ: let us depend upon it, that they will be performed; and make it our great care that we may be able to say, that we are interested through him in the blessings to which they relate. Let there be a proportionable steadiness and consistence in our obedience; and let not our engagements to God be yea and nay, since his to us are so invariably faithful.—Are we established in Christ? Are we sealed with the earnest of the Spirit in. our hearts? Let us acknowledge that it is God who hath imparted it to us; and let Christians of the greatest steadiness and experience be proportionably humble, rather than by any means elated on account of their superiority to others.We see the light in which ministers should always consider themselves, and in which they are to be considered by others ; not as having dominion over the faith of their people ; not having a right to dictate by their own authority, what they should believe, or, on the same principles, what they should do ; but as helfiers of their joy, in consequence of being helpers of their piety and obedience. In this view, how amiable does the ministerial office appear! What a friendly aspect it wears upon the happiness of mankind ; and how little true benevolence do they manifest, who would expose it to ridicule and contempt!— Let those who bear that office, be careful that they do not give it the most dangerous wound, and abet the evil works of those who despise and deride it; which they will most effectually do, if they appear to form their purposes according to the flesh. Let them with a single eye direct all their administrations to the glory of God and the edification of the church; that they may be able to appeal to their hearers, as those that must acknowledge, and bear their testimony to their uprightness. In that case, they will be able to look on them as those in whom they hope to rejoice in the day of the Lordi And if, while they pursue these ends, they are censured as actuated by any mean and less worthy principle, let them not be much surprised or discouraged: they share in exercises from which the blessed apostle St. Paul was iiot exempted; as indeed there is no integrity, or caution, which can guard any man from the effects of that malice against Christ and his gospel with which some hearts overflow, when they feel themselves condemned by it. SECTION III.Paul expresses lus affection to the CoritiMans, and his sympathy with the offender, who was now /lenilent, advising his re-admission. He desires to hear of them by Titus. Ch.ii. 1—13.1 O OME of you are scandalized at the delay of my journey: But lO I tell you tlie true reason of it: I determined this with myselfj that I would not come to you again in circumstances which must ex2 citeyojir grief: For if I should grieve you, who should then rejoice3 with me, unless it be he who is now grieved by me? And therefore I have written thus to you, that I may not, when I come to you, have grief on account of those for whom I ought to rejoice ; having this persuasion concerning you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.4 For with much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you some lime ago, with many tears; not that ye might be grieved, but that5 ye might know that overflowing love which I bear to you. And if any one of you hath occasioned grief, he hath only grieved me in part; I am but one among many who have felt this concern: I say this that I may not overburden you all, as if I charged you with 6 taking part with ihe offender. And sufficient to such an one is this rebuke, thai he hath already suffered by many, having been cen7 sured by the whole church. So that instead of using further severities, on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest such a one should be swallowed up with an excess of sorrow.8 Therefore I beseech you to confirm the assurance of your love to9 him. For to this purpose [alsoj I have written, that I might have experience of you, whether ye would be obedient in all things to 10 my decisions. * To whom you forgive any thing offensive, I also forgive it; and if I forgive any thing, to whomsoever it may be, it is for your sakes, in the person of Christ, and by his authority; 11 lest Satan should get an advantage over us, and turn any undue severity into an occasion of mischief: for we are not ignorant of his13 devices.—f When I came unto Troas in the service of the gospel 13 of Christ, and there was a door opened to me in the Lord, I had norest in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there; but taking my leave of them [in dsia"\, I went into Macedonia,where I had the happiness to meet him. REFLECTIONS. Let ministers learn from hence, after the example of this wise and benevolent apostle, to be very tender of the ease and comfort of those committed to their care; doing nothing to grieve or distress them, unless, as in the case before us, love requires it, in order to their safety and happiness. Let them learn this candid and endearing; method of putting the best interpretation upon every thing, and of* " Now to encourage you to this I assure you that "—M.| Furthermore." E. T. "Moreover "—after the riot of Demetrius. M. believing, where there is any reason to hope it, that their joy is the joy of their people also. When professing Christians offend, and cannot be reclaimed by gentler methods, let them, not out of resentment, but affection, have recourse to the discipline which Christ hath instituted in his church: and when that discipline hath answered its end, and the offender is recovered to a sense of his evil, let them with the greatest pleasure concur in re-admitting him to the communion of the church from which he has been excluded; with a tender concern, lest he should be swallowed up of over-much sorrow; always considering, how watchful the enemy of souls is to get an advantage over us; and remembering, that it will be the peculiar wisdom of ministers, to acquaint themselves with these artful and malicious devices of Satan, by which he is incessantly endeavouring to distress and ruin the church, and to lay snares for its members in their hopes and their fears, their joys, and their sorrows, so as to take occasion from every incident, and from every interesti to weaken and to wound them.The great source of a right conduct on all these occasions, is unfeigned love : that let us labour to establish in our hearts towards each other; praying that God, by his Spirit, would establish it. And though the consequence of this will be, that our spirits, like the apostle's, will be accessible to many sorrows which we should not otherwise feel; and though it is possible, that we, like St Paul in the instance before us, may sometimes be interrupted in active services of life, which we might otherwise have been more ready to pursue ; yet we may hope, that while we are faithfully influenced by love, under the direction of that Christian prudence, which ought ever to attend it, views of usefulness, o where we least expect them, may be opened one way while they are obstructed another j yea, upon the whole, what has for a while interrupted our success, may in its remoter consequencesgreatly advance it.SECTION IV.7ne apostle expresses his thankfulness to God for having intrusted him with the ministry of the gospel, and for his success in it; declares his joyful confidence in the divine acceptance, and speaks of the Corinthians as his credentials. Ch. ii. 14, 8cc. iii. 1—6.14 VTOW * thanks be to the God, who always causeth us to tri_LN umph in Christ, and manifesteth by us in every place the15 fragrant odour of his knowledge. For we are to God a sweet odour of Christ, with respect both to them who are saved, and to16 them who perish. To the latter indeed we are an odour of death to death: but to the other we are an odour of life to lifef. And17 who is sufficient for these things? For J we are not as many, who* "But." D. "Now." E. T. and so M.f An allusion to the odours and incense which were burnt near the conquerors in triumphant processions. There seems also reference to the different effects of strong perfumes, which to some are offensive, and even fatal. M. renders this passage,—" the smell of death ending in death, and the smell of life ending in hie." %. " However." M. adulterate the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the presence of God, we speak in the name of Christ. iii. When I say this, do we again begin to recommend ourselves to you? Or do we need, as some do, recommendatory letters to you,2 or recommendatory letters from you ? Ye are our epistle, written3 upon our * hearts, known and read by all men. Ye are manifest as the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but by the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in4 the fleshy tables of the heart. Such confidence have we towards5 God by Jesus Christ. Nor that we are sufficient of ourselves, to reckon upon any thing as from ourselves; for our sufficiency is 6 from God: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killcth, but the spirit giveth life.REFLECTIONS. May the infinite importance of the gospel message be deeply impressed on all who preach, and all who hear it. Life or death is in question: eternal life or everlasting death: and while it is from day to day reviving its thousands, is it not to be feared, that in some plains it is, by the righteous judgment of God on hard and impenitent hearts, aggravating the guilt and misery of its ten thousands? How awful is the work of dispensing this gospel I Who can pretend to be sufficient for such things as these? Who that considers the nature and importance of the ministerial work, can undertake or pursue it, but with fear and trembling ?—Yet, insufficient as they ought humbly to acknowledge themselves to be, to reckon upon any thing as from themselves, there is a sufficiency in God, imparted to faithful ministers; in consequence of which they are often made to triumph in Christ, and borne on, in a holy superiority to all the difficulties of their work, and see their labour not to be in vain in the Lord. Well may that support them, under the discouragements which, in other instances, they feel, when the fruit of their labours does not immediately appear; yea, when the present state of many under their care is directly contrary to what they could desire; for their work is still with the Lord, and they are a sweet savour to God in them that perish, as well as in them that are saved. Let them therefore gird lip the loins of their mind, and exert themselves with the utmost vigour, rejoicing in this, that God will on the whole be glorified, and they shall on the whole be accepted, and through his abundant grace be amply rewarded. Yea, God will consider, in that day of final recompence, the anguish which they have felt for the souls they have seen perishing under their ministrations, as well as the faithful pains they have bestowed to reclaim them.* The author has it Your hearts, and in a Note says, "Some copies read Our," but vindicates the other reading. This must be an inadvertence; for not only in the E. T. but in almost all copies of die N. T. it is Our. Mill mentions one MS. only which has your hearts; and the Ethiopic version. But all the ancient MSS. support the common rendering, which gives a good sense, agreeable to the context. See M. But as they desire to secure this acceptance, yea, to secure their own salvation, let them never allow themselves, by any foreign mixtures, to adulterate the word of God; but let them speak it in its uncorrupted sincerity, as in the sight and presence of God, and as those who know it is not their business to devise a message out of their own hearts, but to deliver what they have received of the Lord. So may they hope there shall not be wanting those, who, according to the views which the apostle gives us of these Corinthians, shall appear as epistles written by the hand of Christ himself, in attestation of their commission from him.That ministers may more cheerfully hope for, and expect such an honour, let us all pray, that the Spirit of God may lead them into the true sense and meaning of scripture ; that they may not unprofitably amuse themselves and their hearers with vain and cold criticisms on the letter of it, so as to neglect and forget what is most tpiritualin its design and meaning; but that they may, under divine illumination, attain to the mind of the Spirit, and be enabled to make great proficiency in unfolding and illustrating the important mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and may be to multitudes a savour of life unto life*. SECTION V.An useful digression concerning the comparative obscurity of the Mosaic lata, and the superior glory and permanence of the gospel. Ch. iii. 7, &c.7 fT* OR if the Mosaic law, which was the ministration of death, J. contained in letters, engraven in stone, was attended with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look directly upon the face of Moses, because of the glory of his countenance, which8 was soon to be abolished by his death; how much more shall the9 ministration of the spirit be glorious? And f if that which was in its effects the ministration of condemnation was attended with a glory; how much more shall the gospel, the ministration of right10 eousnesss \ exceed in glory? For even that which was made glorious, hath no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that11 excelleth it. For || if that which was to be abolished was attended with glory, how much more glorious must that be, which remain12 eth I This is the ministry in which we are engaged. Having there13 fore this hope and confidence, we use great liberty of address ; and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, which seemed to intimate that the children of Israel could not § directly look to the* The author should have added-an admonition to Hearers of the gospel also, to attend more to the spirit than to the letter, to the meaning than to the sound of scripture; and to exercise a serious concern that they be not only amused but profited bv the word preached; that they may so hear as that their souls may live. I5d. f "For." D.andE.T. "And." M.% Or Justification. II "Besides." M.§ "—that they might not"—i. e. might not see the vanishing of the glory from His face. M.Vol. II. Q 14 end of that law which was to be abolished. But their understandings are blinded, for until this day the same veil continues unremoved during the reading of the Old Testament; which veil is15 taken away in f Christ. But the veil is upon their hearts when16 Moses is read, even to this day. But when it (the people of Israel ) shall turn unto the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.17 Nov the Lord Jesus is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the18 Lord is, there is liberty: a more liberal and filial disposition. And we all with unveiled face, beholding as by a glass or mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image fromglory to glory, as from the Lord the Spirit.REFLECTIONS. Still doth this glorious glass of the gospel stand full in our view,from which the lustre of the Redeemer's countenance is reflected. Let us daily behold his image there, and contemplate it with an attentive eye, as those who are solicitous that we may wear some of those rays; yea, that we may wear them with still increasing lustre ; that we may be transformed from glory to glory, and reflecting those rays, chine as lights in the -world.—Let us endeavour to raise our minds tothis laudable temper, by frequently reflecting on the excellence of the Christian dispensation,! as a dispensation of the Spirit and of life; whereas the law was the ministration of death; and while, from the glory attending the law, we infer, with the apostle, the super-eminent glory of the gospel, let us learn also the superior obligation it brings us under, to regard and obey it, and the proportionably greater danger of despising it.. The law of Moses was soon to be abolished; the gospel still remains, and shall remain to the end of time. Let us pray for its prosperity, and do our utmost to promote it. And- let us earnestly plead with God that, whereas there is now a veil upon the face of the Jews even unto this dayr when the sacred records are read among them, they may turn unto the Lord,- and find the veil taken away ;. that so by the conversion of Israel as a nation, there may be a glorious accession of evidence to Christianity; and that the Jews themselves may be happy in the blessings of him whom their fathers crucified, and whom they continue contemptuously to reject.—Let the ministers of the gospel, while defending so divine a cause, and enforcing so important a message, use all becoming plainness of speech; and may all Christians know more of that liberty which the Spirit of the Lord gives, that God may in all things be glorified, through Jesus Christ. Amen.* "By Christ." M. SECTION VI.The apostle declares his courage, and disclaims all sinister views, and all distrust of success, in pursuing his ministry, persuaded that the gospel could not be rejected, but through the mast fatal prejudices. Ch. iv. 1—6.1 r I THEREFORE having been intrusted with such a ministra2 J_ tion, as we have obtained mercy of God, we faint not: but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor deceitfully corrupting the word of God; but by the manifestation of the truth, recommending ourselves to every man's3 conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be under a4 veil too, it is veiled to those that arc perishing*: among whom are they whose unbelieving minds Satan the god of this world hath blinded, lest the lustre of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is5 the image of God, should beam forth upon them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your ser6 vants for the sake of Jesus. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to impart the lustre of the knowledge of God's glory, in the face of Jesus ChristREFLECTIONS.Let all who are honoured with the ministry of the gospel, learn from the apostle, courage and fidelity; remembering they are continually in the sight and presence of God. Let them therefore renounce with abhorrence, that craft which so many who have called themselves Christian priests, have studied; and labour to govern their whole conduct by such apparent principles of integrity and honour, that they may commend themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. This end will be much promoted, if they learn to lay aside all sinister views of interest and ambition, of human applause, or a dominion over men's consciences; and putting on that humble character so amiably illustrated in the apostle Paul's writings, every where, with all loyal affection, preach Christ, as the great Lord and Head of the church; and declare and approve themselves the willing servants of souls for his sake. So humbling themselves, they will be exalted in the eyes of God and man; and will reap those heart-felt pleasures now, and those honours, emoluments, and delights hereafter, which -will infinitely more than indemnify them for all they may resign; an4 exceed not only the low apprehensions of the servants of mammon, in Christ's livery, but their own most elevated conceptions.Let every reader seriously examine himself as to the knowledge he has of this gospel, and the degree in which he has felt a sense of its glory and excellence upon his heart; solemnly considering, that* The common translation of this verse must strike every reader as inaccurate and perplexed. The best I have seen is this: "Now if our gospel also be hid, it is. hid by those destructive sins, by which the god," &c. W. He makes these'two verses a parendiesis. Ed. if the lustre and efficacy of the gospel be hidden from him, it is a sad sign, that he is himself a lost creature, and is like to be lost to God and happiness for ever; he is the captive of Satan, blinded by him as the god of this world, and in the probable way to be led on to unseen, but irretrievable destruction. Dreadful situation! which might indeed occasion absolute despair, were it not for the views which the gospel gives us, of that God, who in the beginning of the creation commanded the light to shine out of darkness: who can yet say, Let there be light, and there shall be light in the most benighted soul, and the lustre of the glorious knowledge of God in the person of Christ shall beam forth. Let this divine interposition be earnestly implored; and O, that it may be imparted before the blinded captives be consigned to eternal ruin, to blackness of darkness for ever I SECTION VII.The apostle freely acknowledges his own infirmities; but glories and triumphs in the strength communicated to him from God, as an effectual support under the extremest trials. Ch. iv. 7—157 T HAVE spoken to you of the excellence of the gospel: But we X have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of8 the power may be of God, and not of us. We are in every respect afflicted, but not utterly over-pressed; brought into dubious9 circumstances, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken;10 thrown down, yet not destroyed: always bearing about with us in the body, the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus11 may be manifested in the preservation of our feeble body. For we who still live, are continually delivered over to death for the sake of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in12 our mortal flesh; so that death worketh in us, but life in you. While you are called to live for his honour, we may be said to suffer 13 repeated deaths for his sake: We having the same spirit of faith by which good men of old were animated; according to what is written (Ps. cxvi. 10.) "I have believed, and therefore have I14 spoken ;" we also believe, and therefore speak: knowing that he who raised up the Lord Jesus, will also raise us up by Jesus, and15 will then present us with you. For all these things * are for your sakes, that the overflowing grace might abound by the thanksgiving of many to the glory of God.REFLECTIONS. Let us adore the wisdom and goodness of God in sending us the gospcl-ireasure in earthen vessels; in employing our fellow-mortals, rather than angels, under the character of his messengers to us; by which means we are taught more to depend on God for that efficacy of power that renders them successful; to acknowledge his hand in animating and preserving them, and are kept in such an exercise of faith, as is in this present world most honourable to God, and most pro* "All our sufferings." M. Stable to us. Let the mortality of ministers be suitably remembered, by themselves and others, and improved to the best purposes; and let us take care that we do not think the less honourably of the treasure on account of the weakness of these vessels in which its great proprietor lias thought fit to lodge it.Let it encourage them who are struggling with the difficulties of that arduous and important work, to think on those refreshments which the apostles experienced; in consequence of which, though afflicted, they were not depressed, and though persecuted, they appeared not to be forsaken; but could boast, that the support of their lives, amidst so many pressing dangers, was a demonstration of the life of Christ. We may indeed all say this, with respect to the support of the spiritual life, in the midst of so many difficulties. Having obtained hel/i from him, we continue until this day; and it is because he lives, that we live also. Confiding therefore in him, let us exert ourselves vigorously in this holy warfare to which we are called; and strenuously endeavour to maintain our ground against all the enemies who press hard to overbear and destroy us.—And that we maybe thus animated, let us labour to engrave on our hearts a more lively and assured belief of the great and important things of which we speak, and hear; and that not only in the general, Ijut in particular instances. Let us labour to feel at once their evidence, and their energy; having the same spirit of faith which wrought in the apostles and prophets, and engaged them to discharge their office with such distinguished fidelity, fervour, and zeal. Especially let us maintain such believing apprehensions of this great and comprehensive truth, that God hath raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, and that he will by the same power also raise up his faithful ministers and servants, who may firmly retain that glorious gospel; and, as those discoveries are made for their sakes, that they may obtain salvation by him, and that God may be glorified in their united and everlasting praises, let us daily set before our eyes this risen and triumphant Redeemer, and look forward to that glorious appearance of his, when he shall come to be admired in his saints, and to be further extolled and glorified, in all them who believe. Amen. SECTION VIII.He describes his glorious hopes beyond the grave, as his support and ground of triumph, under all his trials, and thereby animates others to fidelity and zeal. Ch. iv. 16.—v. 1—10.16 ^"\N this account [since our sufferings answer such important V_y ends] we faint not, but if our outer man perisheth, yet the17 inner is daily renewed. For this momentary lightness of our affliction is working out for us a far more exceeding and eternal18 weight of glory* ; while we are not aiming at the things which are* This sentence is one of the most emphatical in Paul's writings; in which (says Dr. Grosvenor) he speaks as much like an orator Ps an apostle. The lightness of the trial is expressed by To iMip^ci r?s 5a(^e?5, the lightvisible, but at those which are invisible; for the things which aro visible are temporary; but those which are invisible are eternal. v. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [or tent] were dissolved, we have a building of God; an house not made 2 with hands, eternal in the heavens. And in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon* with our house, which is from S heaven; since being so clothed upon, we shall not be found na?4 ked. Moreover we who are in this tabernacle do groan being burdened: nevertheless we would not be unclothedf, but clothed 5 upon; that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now he who hath wrought us to this very thing is God, who hath also giv6 en us the earnest of his Spirit. Therefore we are always courageous, kowing that while we are sojourning in the body, we are7 in a state of exile from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not by8 sight:) we are courageous, I say, and think with complacency of being rather absent from the body, and present with the Lord.9 Therefore we make it the height of our ambition, that whether 10 present or absent, we may be well pleasing to liim. For we mustall be manifest before the tribunal of Christ, that every one may receive according to what he hath done in the body, whether good or eviUREFLECTIONS. Behold the great lesson which as Christians we have to learn, and which is of such efficacy that, if we thoroughly master it, all the other parts of our duty will become easy and delightful—to [aim] at the things which are unseen, rather than at those which are seen! And what can be so reasonable, as that eternal objects should employ the thoughts of immortal beings, rather than those which they must soon survive? Let all our souls be directed to them. Let us contemplate the feeble structure of this earthly tabernacle, which gives us so many tokens of its nearly approaching dissolution; this tabernacle, in which we groan under such a variety of burdens; and let us comfort ourselves with the prospect of speedy deliverance; that so while the outer man perisheth, the inner man may be renewed day by day. What though we have death before us in a certain prospect, and know we must soon be absent from the body? If we are true Christians, we have the most express assurance, not only that the time will come, when we shall inhabit a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in ihe heavens; but that we shall immediately be present with ness rf our affliction; as if he had said, it is even levity itself in such a comparison. On the other hand, the x*-9-' i/a-efC?A?? Eij viri^oM* is (says Mr. Blackwall') infinitely eniphatical, and cannoc be expressed by any translation. It signifies, that all hyperboles fall short of describing that weighty eternal glory, so solid and lasting, that you may pass from one hyperbole to another, and yet when you have gained the last, are infinitely below it.* " To go permanently into our house."—M. Who has a valuable note to prove that ihis is the proper rendering of the word.—v. 3. "And if we go in, we shall not be found destitute." Ib. ] " Not because we desire to go out, but to go in."—M. the Lord, with that blessed Redeemer, whom having not seen we love. How much more shall we love him, how much more shall we rejoice in him, when we are blessed with his presence, and behold his glory I While we have this consciousness, let us be always confident and courageous, and rejoice in afflictions and mortality; since this light and momentary affliction hath so happy an influence upon a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: and death will be the consummation of our wishes. Let this then be our constant care, to walk by faith and not by sight; having this ever for the glorious object of our ambition, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of the Lord. May God work us up to this self-same thing; and may the operation of his grace upon our souls for that purpose, be always acknowledged with the humblest gratitude, and its further communications sought with the most earnest importunity. Then shall we not dread the tribunal of Christ, before which we are so certainly to appear, and be made manifest; knowing that our integrity will be approved, and that those works of faith and labours of love, which shall then be commemorated, will meet with gracious acceptance, and most munificent rewards.SECTION IX.He pleads the irresistible engagements of a Redeemer's love, and the infinite importance of the message of reconciliation, as motives for his zeal; on wldch he grounds a pathetic address to the Corinthians. Ch. v. 11.—vi. 1,2.11 "f7" NOWING therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade Jft^. men to escape it: [and] as we are made manifest to God, so 12 I hope also we are manifest to your consciences. For we do not, as some charge us with doing, recommend ourselves again unto you, but we are giving you occasion of boasting on our account, that ye may have something to answer those who glory in appear13 ance, and not in heart. For if (as some insinuate) we be transported beyond ourselves, it is to God: or if we be sober, it is for14 your sakes. For the love of Christ beareth us away ; while we15 thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead. And he died for all, that they who live in consequence of his dying love, should not henceforth live to themselves, but to him who died for16 them, and rose again. So that we from this time forward, knownot any man after the flesh: we have no partiality for any on account of their birth or religion: and if we have known Christ after the flesh, having any carnal expectations from him, as a temporal 17 prince, henceforth we know him in these views no more. So that if any man be in Christ there is a new creation: old things are18 passed away, behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath committed to us apostles the ministry of reconciliation,19 o/ which this is an epitome; namely that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself; not imputing to them their offences: and he hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is entreating you by us: and we beseech you in Christ's stead, that ye be21 reconciled to God. For he hath made him, who knew no sin, a sin-offering for us, that wc might be made in him the righteousvi. ness of God: (or divinely righteous.) We then as the joint labourers of God beseech you that you receive not the grace of God 2 in vain: for he saith (Is. xlix. 8.) "I have heard thee in an acceptable time, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee:" behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.REFLECTIONS.How adorable is the divine condescension, that such an embassy of peace should ever be sent to any of the children of the fallen Adam 1 How wonderful the divine patience, that the accepted time, and the day of salvation, should, after so many slights, be so long protracted! O, let us not receive such grace in vain, lest affronted mercy should forsake its scat, and give way to inexorable justice !—Surely if there be a sentiment, that may justly excite the heart to the greatest fervour of affection, and that will vindicate the most ardent transports of. zeal to spread it in the world, it must be that of the Love of Christ; which may well bear us away, while we seriously consider, in how miserable a state he found us, dead in sin, and under a sentence of death by the divine law; especially, when we further reflect, at how expensive a rate he redeemed us, even with the price of his own life. Who then that has any remains of judgment at all, must not judge and determine in his own mind, that it is most fit that our ransomed lives should be sacred to him that redeemed them ; that our breasts should be on fire with the most earnest desires to promote his cause and kingdom; that henceforth, from the time we come to the knowledge of this important truth, we should not live to ourselves, but to him -who died for us, and rose again; resuming, with his renewed life, the same tender concern for our happiness, which engaged him continually to exert it in the most generous efforts for our recovery and salvation.. (Let all secular views, therefore, be given up; and let us labour to improve in that: renovation of soul which is the essential character of the true Christian; and as ever we desire to have any satisfactory evidence that we are in Christ: let us see to it that we are nav creatures ; and if we are indeed so, let us daily acknowledge our obligations to his transforming grace. From him are the first proposals of peace and reconciliation to offending creatures; from him, the disposition of soul humbly to submit ourselves to the terms so kindly proposed, and to sue out our pardon agreeably to the purposes of this grand act of indemnity.—How amazing the condescension that grants it; and appoints ambassadors to urge us to have compassion on our own souls,' and not reject this counsel of God against ourselves ! May the ministers of the gospel often consider themselves, in this view as ambassadors and agents./br Christ, by whom God beseecheth sinners to be reconciled; and let them prosecute this embassy, with all holy importunity and earnest address. O, that the success of it might be more ap parent; that so that friendship might be established between earth and heaven, which may bring down daily anticipations of heaven to earth! Amen. ?SECTION X.The temper with which, in the midst ofall their afflictions and persecutions^ the apostles prosecuted their important embassy. Ch. vi. 3—^10.WHILE we are employed in negotiating this affair, -we are careful to behave [with discretion ;] giving no offence by4 any part of our conduct; that the ministry be not blamed : but in every respect approving ourselves as the ministers of God; in,5 much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watching, in fasting,6 in purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in gentleness, in the7 Holy Spirit, in undissembled love ; in the word of truth, in the power of God, with the armour of righteousness on the right hand8 and the left: through honour and dishonour ; through evil re9 port, and good report; as deceivers, yet true ; as unknown, yet well-known ; as dying, yet behold we live ; as chastened, yet not10 killed ; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many ; as having nothing, yet possessing all things*.REFLECTIONS. Whose soul can remain untouched, while he reads this eloquent period, in which the apostle's mouth is (as he afterwards expresses it) thus opened, in consequence of his heart's being enlarged! In how lively, yet unaffected a manner, does this sacred writer paint his own character and circumstances; and how much profound and important sense is there in those paradoxes which he so naturally introduces on this occasjon ! Let the ministers of the gospel herein behold, at once, their model and their support. Let them cultivate this inoffensive behaviour, not only out of regard to themselves, but that their office may not be censured; and still approve themselves the servants of God, by patience amidst all their tribulations, their necessities and their pressures l and, so far as their circumstances require it, by labours, by watchings, and fastings; especially when by an indulgent providence they are not called to do it in stripes, in imprisonments, and in tumults. Still let them cultivate purity and knowledge, long sufferings and gentleness, with unfeigned love in the Holy Ghost. Aided by him, let them arm themselves with the word of truth, and in the strength of God, gird on the armour of righteousness oh the right hand and on the lefc. Thus fortified, they may boldly break their way through honour and infamy, through praise and reproach; as we plainly see that infamy and reproach may be the portion of the best of men, and the most useful members of society. Who are we, that we should refuse a cup of* This is certainlv one of the sublimest passages that was ever written. Compare Pldl. iv. 18. 1 Tim. vi. 17. MjiJu 1. 3. Rev. xxi. 7. 1. Cor. iii. 21 23Vol. II. R which the apostles and our Lord drank so deep? But let us be superior to human censures. If any call us deceivers, let us shew that we are invariably true to the intersts of God and of goodness. IF they affect to overlook us as unknown, and beneath their notice, let us endeavour to render ourselves well known, by the benefits which? by divine grace, we are the instruments of conferring on men's souls. So shall.we be always rejoicing in the midst of those sorrows of which nature cannot be entirely insensible j whilst amidst our poverly we are enriching many, yea then, though we have nothing that we can call our own, we shall fwsscss all things; shall appear in the eyes of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, the richest and the happiest of mankind, even though we were in other respects, of all men the most miserable. While we consider this as the character of the first preachers of Christianity, which, with so noble a plainness and simplicity they profess, let us adore the divine grace by which such a spirit was raised in the world, and by which it hath in some measure been maintained,even to this day. And let it encourage our most earnest and affectionate prayers, that God would raise up in every age (and especially in our own, in which they seem so ready to fail) a generation of evangelical mimsters; who, fired with such generous principles of action,and emulating so noble a character, may commend themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God, and roll away that reproach which unworthy men have brought on the most excellent of all offices. Thus armed, may they extend their happy conquests; thus animated, may they see of the travail of their soul, to their abundant, their everlasting satisfaction and delight.SECTION XI.Cautions against an alliance with idolaters; the promises of God, to his people, an engagement to purity y and high attainments in religion. Ch. vi.. 11.—vii. 1.11 YE Corinthians, our mouth Is opened to you, our heart is12 \_J enlarged. Ye are not straitened inus, for we are ready to do all we can for your comfort and liappiness; but ye are some of you 13 straitened in your own bowels, in your affection for me. Therefore for that very recompence * (I speak as to my children) be ye also enlarged in affection towards me {so as to harken to this my pa14 ternal advice]. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what participation hath righteousness with unrighteousness? Or15 what communion hath the light with darkness? Or what concord is there between Christ and Belial? Or what part hath a believer16 with an infidel ? And what consistence hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, " I will dwell in them, and walk among them, and I will be17 their God, and they shall be my people (Lev. xxvi. 12.) There* " Now the same recompence I request"—i. e. in return for my affection to- you.—M.. ? fore (as God said to Israel, with respect to idolaters of old, (Is. liii. 11.) "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith.the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, i8 and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be to me for sons and vii. for daughters, saith the Lord Almighty*." Having therefore,beloved, such promises, let us purify ourselves from all pollutionof the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear ofGod.REFLECTIONS. Thus may cordial love open the mouth of Christian ministers, when addressing their people; and thus may the love of Christians to each other, in every station of life, express itself, and produce for a recommence a mutual enlargement. This is one of the sweetest pleasures and richest blessings of friendship, when wisely and happily contracted. Let us therefore cultivate such friendships, and be very careful that we do not form others, which may properly be called being unequally yoked. We profess to be pursuing righteousness, to be light in the Lord, to be united to Christ, to be consecrated to God: let us not then have an intimate converse with the slaves of unrighteousness, the children of darkness, the sons of Belial, the votaries of idols. Far from subjecting ourselves to such dangerous snares, let us rather be earnestly seeking every advantage for making the noblest improvements in religion. Let us examine our lives and our hearts, that we maybe cleansed from all pollutions of the spirit, as well as of the flesh. Let us labour after sublime ideas of the perfection of holiness, and after a temper of mind correspondent to those ideas. In order to attain -which, let us often be surveying our high and glorious privileges, and those exceeding rich and precious promises, which God by his gospel is making to us; separating ourselves from all evil, that he may receive us, that he may dwell with us, and walk among us, that he may consecrate us as a holy temple to himself; yea, that the Lord Almighty may become a Father to us, and own us for his sons and his daughters. To us is the worcLof this promise sent, this is the hope of our calling: let us make it sure, let us daily survey it, that it may produce and cherish a correspondent sanctity and zeal. Amen.SECTION XILPaul expresses to the Corinthians the pleasure with which he received good tidings from them by Titus, and his joy that their sorrows occasioned by his reproofs liad issued in their reformation. Ch. vii. 2, &c .WHATEVER prejudices some liave excited against us, we entreat you brethren, Receive us; for we have injured no -3 man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you; for I have told you before, that ye are so much'm our hearts that we could be glad to live and to die A with you. Great is my freedom of speech to you, and great my*Some suppose this a refef ence to 2 Sam. vii. 8,14. Jer. xxxi. ? boasting concerning you. I am filled with consolation, I exceed5 ingly abound * in joy in all our affliction. For when we came into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted in every place; without were fightings, within were fears on your ac6 count. But God, who is the comforter of those who are brought7 low, comforted us by the coming of Titus [from Corinth.] And not merely by his coming, but with the consolation with which he was comforted by you, when he told us of your earnest desire [to see me,] your grief for your misconduct, and your zeal for me ; so8 that I rejoiced much more. For though r I grieved you in the epistle I formerly wrote, I do not repent, however anxious I might before have been. For I find, that this epistle, however, for a little while it might have grieved youf, produced much good. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were grieved, but that ye grieved to repentance; for ye were grieved with a regard to the honour of God; so that ye were not in any degree endamaged by us, but 10 greatly benefited. For that grief which regardeth God, worketh repentance to salvation, never to be repented of; whereas thesor11 row of the world worketh death. For behold, this same thing, your being grieved for your sins out of respect to God, what diligence it wrought in you; yea, what apology; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what earnest desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what revenge against yourselves! So that, upon the whole, you have now approved yourselves to be pure in this matter.12 Therefore, if I have written any thing to you [with severityJ it was not [merely] on his account who had done, or his who had received the injury; but for the sake of manifesting unto you our13 diligence for you before Godo. Therefore we were comforted in your consolation; and we rejoiced more exceedingly in the joy of14 Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all. So that if I had boasted any thing of you to him, I was not ashamed j but as we have always spoken in the truth to you, so also our boasting con15 cerning you to Titus hath been verified to our satisjaction: so that his tenderest affections are engaged towards you exceedingly, whenever he recollecteth the obedience of you all to my injunctions; and how you received him with fear and trembling, as my 16 messenger, and as the minister of Christ. I rejoice therefore that in every respect I have confidence in you, [with respect to your future conduct.^] ?REFLECTIONS. How great is the boldness of a good conscience! and how much does it promote that freedom, that authority, with which the ministers of Christ address themselves to their hearers, when they can? * This word is of the apostle's own making, and has an inexpressible energy.J" Altho' but for an hour, I made you sorry Properly." M. There is a wonderful address in this part of the epistle, which finely introduces what the apostle had to say in what follows, respecting the proposed collection. thus appeal to them as to the uprightness, integrity, and disinterestedness of their conduct! Frequently do we, in some degree, share the trials of the apostle; and while we may be surrounded with fightings without, are exercised with fears -within; but we have a God 'who assumeth it to himself as one of his titles, that/le comforteth those that are cast down, and brought low. May every sincere lover of Christ and of souls, be filied with consolation from him, and amidst all his tribulations, whatever they are, be made to rejoice exceedingly in the joy of his Christian friends and converts! May he trace in them the marks of that true repentance which is never to be repented of, and which is represented in such genuine language, as no heart could have dictated, but one that had felt what is here described. And since there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not; and consequently none who needeth not repentance, may we all know by experience, that diligence, that indignation, that fear, "that zeal, that desire, that revenge, which the apostle saw in his Corinthian brethren, and which he rejoiced so much to see! There is not a surer office of friendship, than to endeavour to promote this godly sorrow. And O, how blessed, how divine a principle is religion, whose most painful operation is productive of so much inward and substantial happiness! whereas the sorrow of this world, to which they who fondly love the world, and eagerly pursue it, are most exposed, is attended with such fatal consequences, as even to work death.—Let us observe with pleasure the address of St. Paul, to make the Corinthians what they ought to be, by representing to them that pleasing confidence he reposed in them, the manner in which he had even boasted of them, and the satisfaction he found in all their first tendencies towards a reformation of remaining defects. And let us earnestly pray for the Spirit of wisdom, that our hearts may be happily attempered to such due mixtures of faithful inspection, resolute sincerity, and endearing tenderness, with respect to all who are committed to our care, whether in offices of a publip or private nature, as may most effectually promote their advancement in the divine life, and our own abundant joy.SECTION XIII.The apostle recommend? the contribution fir the poor Christians of Judea, by the example of the Macedonians, and by grace of our Redeemer; giving some advice as to themanner of collecting and transmitting their bounty. Ch. viii. 1—15.1 XTOW, brethren, we inform you of the grace of God bestow2 ed upon the churches in Macedonia; how in a great trial of affliction, their overflowing joy [in the gospel] and the depth of their poverty, hath abounded to the riches of their liberality. Poor as they are, they have done wonders for the relief of their yet 3 poorer brethren. So that I testify, that to theif power, yea and4 beyond their power, they have been willing of themselves; entreating us with much importunity, that we would receive the gift which Iheir bounty had prepared, and take [their] part of the min 5 istration of the saints*. And this they did, not merely as we hoped, but beyond our expectation, for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God, /iutting themselves under 6 my direction: Insomuch that we desired Titus, at their pressing solicitation, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this7 grace and liberality among you. Therefore, as ye abound in every other gift, in faith, in utterance, and in knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us; we exhort you that ye abound* also in this grace of Christian liberality. I speak not by way of command, but that I may prove by the diligence of others, namely, 9 the Macedonians, the sincerity of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might10 become rich. And herein I give my advice that you may imitate his example, and advance his honour; for this is expedient for you, to dispatch this affair with vigour; as you have begun not only to11 do something, but to exert yourselves a year ago. Now therefore? complete your undertaking, that according to the readiness you expressed to determine, there may also be the accomplishment in12 proportion to what [ability] you have. For if there be first a readiness of mind, according to what a man hath he is accepted,13 and not according to what he hath not. Imean not that others should be eased+, and you burdened: but that [there may be a sort] of an equality: that your abundance may be at this time a supply to14 their. want; that their abundance also may be so at another time, to your want; that there may be such an equality in the good 15 things of life, as our mutual relation may require. As it is written (Kxod. xvi. 18. concerning the manna) "He that had much, did not abound, and he that had little,^ did not lack."REFLECTIONS.How peculiarly amiable does the Christian liberality of these Macedonians appear, when considered as abounding in a great trial of affliction, and in the depth of their poverty; yet a poverty, mingled with an abundance of joy, on account of that rich and happy state into which the gospel had brought them, and the first-fruits of that glorious inheritance to which they were entitled by the tenor of it. They were willing of themselves to contribute, even beyond their power, as persons of common generosity would have estimated it. Nor did they on their dying beds repent such c. use of their property, or wish that it had been spent in gratifying their appetites, or hoarded for those they were to leave behind them. Nor do they; now regret these liberalities, or complain that their expected harvest is perished.Let us remember their example for imitation; nor let any, who have a mite to spare, be wholly deficient, how low soever their* That is, that I would act as one of their commissioners, to convey their contributions to Jerusalem.f "Not that there should be a rest to others, and an affliction to you." D.The common translation is preferred, and the rather as the author inserts it in his paraphrase, and both M. and W. adopt it circumstances may be; remembering that gracious complacency with which, where there is a willing mind, the smallest tribute to the treasury of God is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. To animate us to the most generous efforts of overflowing benevolence, may we ever bear in our mind that grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, of which we all know something, but which it is impossible we should ever fully know, because it pcsseth knowledge: that grace which engaged him, when rich, for our sokes to become fwor, that we might be enriched by his poverty. What have we that deserves to be called a possession, which we do not hold by an act of divine bounty and grace? Let us consider ourselves as under indispensable engagements in consequence of it, to consecrate our all to him, conscious that our all is but a low return for the infinite obligations under which he has laid us. He hath contrived and determined, that the poor in some form or another we should have with us always, that we may do them good, as a token of our gratitude to him. Let us faithfully aim to supply their need, and he who hath most, will have no superfluity to throw away upon the lusts or vanities of life; and he who hath least, will have no unsupplied lack: but the poor will rejoice in the relief of their necessities; and the rich, in the happiest and most delightful use of their abundance.SECTION XIV.Paul elepresses his joy for the readiness of Titus to assist in fnishing the collection ; and speaks honourably of the other brethren joined with lam in the same commission. Ch. viii. 16, &c.16 T) UT thanks be to God, who gave that same diligent care for you X3 \_which I myself have] in the heart of Titus, respecting this col17 lection: For indeed he not only complied with the exhortation I gave him; but being more forward, he went to you of his own18 accord. And we have sent with him that brother (Luke) whose19 praise in the gospel is in all the churches : and not only so, but he was also ordained by the churches to be our fellow-traveller, with this grace (or gift) which is administered by us for the glory of20 the same Lord, and for the declaration of ypur ready mind: avoiding this*, that any one should blame us in respect to our management 21 of this abundance of your bounty administered by us: therein providing things honest and honourable, not only before the Lord, but also22 before men. And we have sent with them (with Luke and Titus)' our brother Apollos whom we have often proved, in many affairs, to be diligent; but who will be now much more diligent on account23 of the great confidence / have in you. If any inquire f concerning Titus, He is my partnerand fellow-labourer with respect to you: or concerning our other brethren, They are the messengers of the24 churches, and the glory of Christ. Shew therefore to them, even in the sight of the churches, the demonstration of your love, and the reasonableness of our boasting over you.* "Taking care of this, that no one—M.f '? If there be any question." D/—" If any of the faction inquire."—M. REFLECTIONS. The tenderness of ministers, in all points, where the comfort and edification of the church is concerned, is indeed matter of the highest moment; and where it is remarkable in its degree, it affords just cause of thanksgivings to God: for it is he who puts into their hearts that earnest care, who excites and maintains every sentiment of benevolence, when they offer themselves willingly to any generous and charitable service. It is grace that has communicated whatever good is done; and it ought to be ascribed to the glory of the same Lord from whom it comes; and it loses much of its value, if it be not directed to this ultimate, this supreme end.—When the Corinthians desired to deposit their alms in the hands of St. Paul, they certainly acted a very wise part; as no man living could have rendered them more secure, as to the fidelity or the discretion of the distribution. Yet we see, that high as the apostle's character stood, and though he had so often given, and was daily renewing such striking demonstrations both of his wisdom and integrity; yet he would not undertake the trust alone, but used all proper methods to approve his exactness in the management thereof, even to strangers; providing things honest and laudable, not only in the sight of God, but of all men.—May ministers be often thus employed, as the almoners of persons richer than themselves (as their readiness to help the poor in their temporal affairs, may greatly promote their usefulness in spirituals ;J and may they be found to manage their trust with the like conscious and delicate honour. May they shew a disposition, like that of St. Paul, to assist in establishing and advancing the characters of their younger brethren, and introducing them into esteem and confidence. Thus will they indeed most effectually strengthen their own hands, and edify and comfort the churches; will prove the glory of Christ them'selves in the present age, and be the means of raising up others, who may eminently deserve that illustrious title, in succeeding generations.SECTION XV.The apostle further urges their liberal contribution; and in expectation of it, recommends them to the divine blessing. Ch, ix.1 "^TOW concerning the intended ministration to the saints, it is2 superfluous that I should write largely to you. For I have known your readiness, which I boast concerning you to the Macedonians, that all Achaia (particularly your church in its chief city) hath been prepared a year ago*, and your zeal hath quick3 ened many others. Nevertheless I have sent the brethren beforementioned, lest our boasting of you on this head,—that (as I said)4 ye were prepared before, should be made vain: lest if any of the Macedonians happen to come with me, and find you unprepared, we may be ashamed: not to say you also, in this confident boast5 ing concerning you. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort* "Since the last year." So Ch. viil verse 10. M. the brethren, that they should come to you before my arrival, and should first complete your bounty, which hath been spoken of before so largely to them; that it may be ready, as bounty, and not6 like extortion. And as to this I say* [an a moiive to liberality ^\ He who soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he who soweth. bountifully, shall reap also bountifully. Whatever be given, more 7 or less, let every man give as he chooseth in his own heart, not as from grief or necessity, bue with a good mil; for God- loveth a8 cheerful giver. And lest you should fear that your charity should bring you ijito straits, consider that God is able to make all grace to abound towards you; that having always all sufficiency in all9 things, ye may abound to every good work: As it is written of the liberal man (Ps. cxii. 9.) "He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor, his righteousness endureth for ever;" he s/iall always have something to bestow. 10 Now r may he who supplieth seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply your sowing, and increase the produc11 tions of your righteousness; being in every thing enriched to all future bounty, with simplicity of hearty, which worketh by our12 means thanksgivings towards God. For the ministration of this service^ doth not only supply the necessities of the saints, but aboundeth to the glory o/°God||, through the thanksgivings of many,13 who by the experience of this ministration are [actually] glorifying God on account of that subjection to the gospel of Christ which you profess, and the simplicity of your communication towards14 them, and towards all: and in their prayers for you, who long after you on account of the exceeding grace of God whichis in you.15 Thanks be to God for his unutterable gift.REFLECTIONS.Happy shall we be, if we learn this pious and evangelical turn of thought; if by all the other gifts of God we are thus led up to the first and greatest gift of his love and mercy. From that surely we may encourage our hopes, of whatever else is necessary and desirable ; for he that spared not his Son, but delivered him up for us all, how is it possible, that he should not be ready, with him, freely to give us all things that are truly gootl for us!Let us observe with pleasure the happy address of the apostle; a felicity, not the result of craft, but of that amiable temper that was so natural to him. He pleads the high opinion he had entertained of his Corinthian friends, the honourable things he had said of them; expressing his persuasion of their readiness to give as matter of bounty, not of constraint. He leads them to the inexhaustible store of the divine liberality, from which they had received their present all; from which he wishes they may receive more and more; and this, not that these supplies might be ignobly consumed in sell-gratifications, but* "Now this" /sau, for your encouragement. M. t M. Instead of simplicity, follows the Vulgate, which reads, liberality. % The word here used denotes an act not only of humanity, but of religion. II This small transposition seems not to need an apology. Ed. Vol. II. S employed in acts of the noblest beneficence. He represents to them the thanksgivings it had already occasioned to God, the refreshment if administered to the saints, the honour it did to their character and; profession, and the esteem and friendship for them which it excited m the minds of those, who, though unacquainted with them, were well affected towards their happiness, in consequence of this honourable specimen of their character. Who could withstand the force of such orato&y? No doubt it was effectual to cultivate the temper it applauded, and to a,dd a rich abundance to the fruits of their righteousness.Let us apply the thoughts suggested for our own instruction, to excite us to abound in acts of liberality, and to present them to God with that cheerfulness which he loves. To him let us continually look, to make all grace abound unto us ; and seek a sufficiency in all things relating to the present life, chiefly that we may be ready to every good vlork; that our liberality may still endure, and that the multiplication of our seed sown may increase the fruits of our righteousness. To God be the praise of all ascribed ! He ministers seed to the sower:. he supplies bread for food; he calls up the blessings of harvest; he insuresthe advantages of eommerce. May we praise him ourselves ; and by the ready communication of the good things which he hath given us, to those that want, not only supply their necessities, but give them cause to abound in thcmksgiving to God, as well as in prayer for us, "while they see and acknowledge that exceeding grace, which is the spring of every generous motion in the human heart; and to- whichtherefore be the glory of all.SECTION XVI*.Some having refected on the apostle for his mildness, as if it proceeded from fear, he jisserts his apostolic authority j cautioning his opponents not to urge him to exert it. Ch. x.L TWTOW I Paul myself, who have. so often been spoken of ?with X^S contempt, entreat you [my opposers] by the meekness and gentleness of Christ: / who am represented as, when present,2- humble among you, but being absent, am bold toward you. Andf I beseech you for your own sakes, that I may not, when I am next present with you, be obliged to be bold with that confidence whhwhich I think to be \ bold against some, who account of us as per* The following remarks of Dr. Macknight, it is presumed, will be found of. no small use to enable the reader properly to understand this section. "Hitherto Paul's discourse was chiefly directed to those at Corinth who acknowledged his apostlcship, and who had obeyed his orders, signified in his former lettc. But in this and the remaining chapters, he addressed the false teacher him- 'f, and such of the faction as still adhered to him; speaking to them with gre -t authority, and threatening to punish them by his miraculous power, if tliey did not immediately repent The different characters of these two sorts of persons must be carefully attended to; otherwise this part of the. epistle will appear a direct contradiction to the former."| "However." D.—" And I request" M. and W. who both transpose, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, to the end of the first verse.% "To presume with respect to some." D.—M. and W. as & T. above. 3 sons walking in the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we4 do not war according to the flesh : for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, though mighty through God to the demolishing5 fortifications ; casting down sophistical reasonings, and every high thing which exalteth itself against the knowledge of God ; and bringing r every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ:6 and likewise having it in readiness, by miraculous powers, to avenge all disobedience in professing Christians, [as I shall do at Corinth'} whenr your obedience [who are true penitents] is fulfilled.-f Do you look at the outward appearance of things, and judge of a man by his person or address ? If any man [any teacher among you] be confident in himself that he is Christ's*, let him again bethink himself of this, that as he is Christ's, so we also are8 Christ's. Forf if I should boast something yet more concerning our apostolical authority, which the Lord hath given us for edifica9 tion, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed. I say this that I may not seem as if I would terrify you ? ith my ?10 epistles. Some I know insinuate this: for his epistles, say they, are indeed weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak,11 and his speech despicable. Let such an one whoever he be, reckon upon this, that such as we are in word by letters, when absent,43 such shall we be also when present in action. For wc presume not to number or to compare ourselves with some who in high terms commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are13 not wisef. But we glory not beyond our proper bounds, but according to the measure of the rule|| which God hath distributed to14 us;—a measure to come§ even unto you. For we do not extend ourselves excessively, as not regularly coming to you (like some ?mho run abruptly from one church to another to serve their own ends ) for we are about to come in a regular course, even unto you,4 5 in the gospel of Christ. Not boasting unmeasurably (or in things beyond our line) in the labours of others: not intruding into churches planted by other ministers, where we have no proper call: But [we expect not to be long confined within our present limits] having the pleasing hope, that when your faith is sufficiently increased, we* i.e. Christ's minister (See Ch. xi.23.) "let him on the other hand reason this from himself." M. f " And therefore if." Ib. X " Do not understand themselves." M.|| —" of the Link which the God of measure hath allotted to us." Tk Imuiw?- the word signifies a line or cord used in measuring land.—By this figure, God is represented as measuring out, or dividing, to the first preachers of the gospel, their several scenes of action.—They were not at liberty to interfere in the labours of other persons, or to pass by some countries, and preach in others at their pleasure: Accordingly Paul himself had proceeded, in a regular course in his several missions, and in his way to Corinth; whereas the false teacher there, had (as he insinuates) acted on a different plan.—See these hints enlarged upon by Dr. M. in his notes on this chapter, which cast great light upon several obscure passages in it.§ Or, agreeable to the above metaphor, a Line to extend, or "reach," as the word is in the C.T. as far as Corinth. Ed. shall according to our \prescribed] rule, be enlarged* by you, so16 as to abound [in opportunity] to preach the gospel even in the regions beyond you at Corinth ; and not to boast, as some do, in an17 other man's rule [or line] in things made ready to our hand. But18 he that boasteth, let him boast in the Lord: for not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.REFLECTIONS. May the meekness and gentleness 'of Christ ever be remembered by all his servants, and especially by his ministers, to whom, both under their public and private characters it will be of so great importance to imitate it. Their calling is indeed high and holy: let their behaviour in it be so much the more humble. And let it be their great care, that while they walk in the flesh, they do not war after it. Still, though disarmed of that miraculous power with which the apostles were endowed, are the weapons of their warfare mighty. They have the scripture-magazine ever at hand, from whence they may be furnished with them; and may humbly hope, that the Spirit of God will render them effectual to the pulling doizn strong holds, and abasing every proud imagination which exaltelh itself against the obedience of God. May every thought of their own hearts be in the first place thus subdued, and brought into a sweet and willing captivity .' So shall these their captives, thus conquered, prove as so many faithful soldiers to fight for him, against whom they once were foolishly rebelling. And may they succeed in this holy war, till the empire of our divine Master becomes universal, and the happiness of mankind universal with it.To promote this, let us pray that ministers may always remember that, whatever authority they have given them, is for edification, and not for destruction; and may learn from that moderation with which the apostle used his miraculous powers, in how gentle- and candid a manner they should behave themselves in their far inferior stations; never making their pre-eminence in the church the instrument of their own resentment, or of any.other sinful or selfish psssion ; but ever solicitous to subserve the interest of our great Lord in all, and desirous to keep up their own character and influence, chiefly for his sake.—May they in no instance boast beyond their proper measure; and while they are ready, like St. Paul, to meet all the most laborious scenes of sendee, let them glory not in themselves, but in the Lord. This is a lesson \Ve arc all to learn. And whatever our stations in life are, let us resolutely and constantly guard against that self-flattery by which we may be ready to commend ourselves, in instances in which we may be least approved by him, whose favour alone is worthy of our ambition, and by whose judgment, in the day of final account, we must stand or full.* "Magnified." D. The word '' enlarged" in C. T. seems preferable, and is adopted by M. who well observes, "The apostle hoped the Corinthians would soon be so well instructed, as to render it proper for him to leave them to the care of their stated teachers, and to preach the gospel in the countries beyond them, where it had not been preached; viz. in Italy and Spain." ISECTION XVII.The apostle further vindicates himself from the perverse insinuations of his opposers ; particularly on his declining to receive a contribution for his maintenance. Ch. xi 1—15.1 T WISH * you would bear with a little of my folly f; and4ndeecl -2 J. I entreat you, bear with me: for I am jealous over you with agodly jealousy, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ;for I have espoused [or betrothed] you to one husband, even to him, and I am greatly concerned that you may maintain your fidelity. S For I fear lest, by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve byhis subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from simplicity4 towards Christ. For if he that comethf among you preach another Jesus, whom we have not preached; or if ye receive by his preaching, another Spirit, which ye have not yet received; or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him\\, and there would be some excuse, [for giving him the prefer5 ence. But you. have no such pretence.] For I reckon that I did6 not in any respect fall short of the greatest of the apostles. For if I am [as my opponents say] unskilful in speech, using plain unpolished language, nevertheless J am not so in knowledge. But in every respect we have been manifest to you in all things [regui7 site to the apostolic office.]—Have I committed an offence in humbling myself to the toils of a tent-maker, that you might r be exalted? that I have preached the gospel of God to you at free cost.8 [Nor indeed was this all, for, in a manner] I have robbed other9 churches, taking wages of them for waiting upon you§. And when I was in want, while present with you, I was chargeable to ? no man of your society; for what was deficient to me, the breth- ren who came from Macedonia supplied; and in all things I have . 10 kept, and will keep myself from being burdensome to you. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting shall not be stopped r 11 with respect to me, in all the regions of Achaia. Why? Is it 12 because I love you not? God knoweth the contrary. But what I do in this respect I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them who desire an occasion to reflect upon me, that in the thing of which they, boast!, they may be found even as we, subsisting on their 13 own labours. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, "i t transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And it is no* In the original, the name of God is not introduced. Ed. f q.d. Permit a little of that boasting [which you may be apt to censure as folly, and] which I know in general to be foolishX If now indeed he (my opposer) who is Come—M.|| "Ye might even^thfn have easily borne with ME." W.§ While he abode ixgorinth, he received a kind of stipend from the P/ulippians, who were anxious to prevent his being thought burdensome there. See Phil. iv. 10, 15. H Whatever the false apostles might !loast of their disinterestedness, it is plain they had no foundation for it. See v. 20. and 1 Cor. ix. 12. wonder; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing, if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.REFLECTIONS.How adorable is the condescension of the blessed Jesus, who amidst all the exalted glories of his heavenly kingdom, is so graciously uniting souls to himself; espousing them in bonds of everlasting love, that they may be for ever near him, and receive the most endearing communications of his favour. Much should we all be concerned, that we may have the honour and blessings of such an alliance; that being by profession solemnly espoused to him, we may in the day of the marriage of the Lamb, be presented chaste and spotless. How vigilant should they be who are intrusted by him to treat with souls about these espousals! How solicitous, that they may succeed, and may so present them to Christ! Still is that crafty serpent, whose malignant breath so soon tainted -our common mother, and all our happiness, by his subtilty, labouring to corrupt our minds from the simplicity of time Christianity. Let us be incessantly watchful against the artful deceiver; remembering that his works and designs of darkness may sometimes be veiled as wnder the robes of an angel of light, and Ms ministers transformed a* ministers of righteousness. Be therefore sober and vigilant, since your adversary the devil adds the wiliness of the old serpent, to the ragfc and cruelty of the roaring lion, and by both subserves his purposes of betraying, or devouring the souls of men.—Let u? therefore with a godly jealousy be jealous over each other, and especially over ourselves; and after the example of the apostle be peculiarly so, when we are compelled to say any thing to our own advantage. Let us endeavour to arm ourselves against every surrounding danger, by a growing regard to the writings of this excellent man, who, though rude in speech, was Bo far from being in any degree deficient in Christian knowledge, that he was not behind the very chief of the ofiostles. There are those that preach another gospel: but can they point out another Jesus, another all-sufficient Saviour? can they direct us to another Spirit? Let us hold fast the doctrine we learn from his faithful pen: let us follow the exhortations we receive from his experienced heart: and be ever ready to imitate him in that resolute self-denial winch he exercised, and that glorious superiority to every other interest which he always shewed, where the interests of Christ and -of souls were concerned. So shall we cut off occasion from them that *eek occasion against us, and secure a far greater happiness, in the conscious reflection of our own minds, as well as the expectation of a future reward, than the greatest abundance of this world could have given us, or any present advantage to which we could have sacrificed -the views of conscience and honour. SECTION XVIII.Further to assert his right as an apostle, Paid commemorates his labours and sufferings m the cause of Christ; yet so as to shew how disagreeable it -wa*-even to seem to applaud himself. Ch. xi. 16. &c.16 A GAIN I say, let no man think me foolish in this my boasting. jtx But if otherwise, if I must be thought foolish, as foolish however receive and bear with me, that I also may boast some small17 matter in my turn, as well as others. What I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly in this confidence of boast18 ing. Seeing many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also.19 And you may well bear with foolish people, since you yourselves are so wise. Nay, you do indeed endure much more from your ad20 mired teachers. For I hear that you bear it patiently, even if a man enslave you; if he devour you; if he seize on your posses21 sions; if he exalt himself; nay if he smite you on the face. Do I speak this by way of dishonour, as if we ourselves were weak* ? Surely in whatever any one else may be confident (I speak it you may say in folly) I also am confident, being able to equal or evea 22 excel them.—Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites?23 So am I. Are they of the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I may seem again to speak foolishly) I am more: more abundant in labours; exceeding them in stripes;24 more abundant in imprisonments; often in deaths. Of the Jews 24? I have five times- received forty stripes save onef. Thrice was Ibeaten with rods by the Roman lictors; once I was stoned ; thrice I have been shipwrecked ; I passed a day and a night in the deep;26 I have been in journies often; in dangers from rivers; in dangersfrom robbers; in dangers from my own countrymen; in dangers from the heathen; in dangers in the city; in dangers in the wilderness; in dangers of the sea; in dangers among false brethren.27 I have long been in labour and toil; in watchings often; in hunger28 and thirst, in fastings often; in cold and nakedness. Beside foreign affairs}, the care of all the churches is rushing in upon me every day: As also a concern for individuals; for who is weak*29 and I am not weak too ?. Who is offended so as to commit sin, and30 I am not fired with indignation? If I must r boast, I will boast of31 things which relate to my infirmities||. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is ever blessed, knoweth that I do not lie. One early providential appearance for my safety, I would here 32 particularly mention. In Damascus, the governor under king Aretas set a guard at the city of the Damascenes, being deter* "I speak concerning the reproach Ccast on me) that we are weak." M. f See the reason of that limitation, Deut. xxv. 3. % " Besides these troubles from without" M.|| —" my weakness." With this his enemies had upbraided him. Ch.x. 2<V Of this he particularly boasted, because thereby the Care of God aad good men over him was illustriously displayed. M. 33 mined to seize me; and I was let down through a window* in a basket, by the wall, and thus escaped from his hands.REFLECTIONS.Surely we have reason to be thankful, in some dregree, for that providential permission to which it was owing that this blessed apostle was brought under the unwilling necessity of boasting; to which his modesty submits with such genuine and becoming regret: we had otherwise lost some very valuable fragments of sacred history, which it becomes us to gather up with respect. We are indeed elsewhere informed, concerning several of his labours, strifies, and imprisonments; but how frequent, and above measure they were, we had never known, if he had not been urged thus to plead them with the Corinthians, and so to represent them to us. What a life was St. Paul's amidst so many injuries and hardships! Land and sea, every country, every city, almost every society of men, seemed to be in a combination against him, to make his life wretched; and amidst all the rigours and severities of toils and zvatchings, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, he felt, and particularly complained of the treatment he received from false brethren. Yet thus surrounded, and (as we should from the detail be ready to say) thus overwhelmed, with so many and so various miseries, he was yet happy in the favour of God, in the presence of Christ: unspeakably happy in the cheerful views of approaching glory, and in all that abundant usefulness with which a gracious God was pleased to honour him. Whilst his benevolent heart was pained, it was also comforted; and with the care of all the churches pressing upon him, and with all that he felt from particular persons, still was his voice in tune for praise; and he hardly ever begins an epistle without such a burst of it in some of his first lines, as looks like one of the songs of heaven. O glorious effect of real Christianity, which every inferor minister, yea, and every private Christian, to this day feels, in proportion to the degree in which his character resembles that of this holy champion of our divine faith!But O i how unlike his hath been the character of many who have borne themselves highest on their pretended claims to the most extraordinary powers, by a succession from him and his brethren! What tyranical insults! What exorbitant oppressions! What base methods to enslave the conscience, the properties, and the persons of men, whom they should have respected and loved as their brethren, whom they should have cherished even as their children! So that cne would imagine they had taken the picture which St. Paul here draws of the false apostles, as a model of- their own conduct; while they have perhaps denied the title of ministers of Christ to those who have much more resembled the dispositions and circumstances of this his most faithful ambassador. O that this might only be the infamy of the Popish clergy, with whose cruel and usurping practices such sentences may seem best to suit! Or rather, would to God it were no longer even theirs. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, -who is blessed for evermore, pour out a better spirit upon.all who profess themselves the servants of his .Son I That they whose business it is to call others to Christ, may themselves first come, and learn of hini who is meek and lowly of heart; whose yoke is so easy, and his burden so light, that it is astonishing that any who have themselves felt it, should ever think of binding on others, burdens heavy and hard to be borne. ? SECTION XIX.The afiost/e gives a modest account of some extraordinary revelations which lie had received from God, -and of those experiences which taught him to glory even in his infirmities. Ch. xii. 1—10.1 IT is not expedient forme [some of you will say *, thus] to boast: JL nevertheless [as I seek not my own glory] I -will come to vis2 ions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ f above fourteen years ago (whether he was then in the body I know not; or out of the body I know not, God knoweth); such an one, who3 was snatched up even into the third heaven. Yea I knew such a roan (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not:}:; God4 knoweth) that he was caught up into paradise ||, and heard unutterable words, such as it is not lawful or possible for man to utter.5 § Of such an one I will boast ai highly honoured of Christ, but of § myself I will not boast, unless it be in my infirmities: For if Ishould resolve to boast on this occasion, I shall not be foolish; for I speak only the truth. But I forbear, lest any one should esteem7 me above what he seeth to be in me, or heareth of me. And lest I should be too much elevated with the abundance of revelations, there was given me an affliction, painful as a thorn in the fleshlf, that the false teacher, that messenger of Satan might take occasion from it fo buffet me, that I might not be excessively exalted.8 This was so grievous a trial} that I besought the Lord thrice on the9 occasion, that it might depart from me. And though he did not indulge me in this, he said to me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. With the greatest pleasure therefore will I boast in my weaknesses, that the'strength* The apostle is here speaking ironically, supposing the faction to censure him for praising himself. M.f He must doubtless mean himself, or the account would be foreign to his purpose. It seems he had modestly concealed wis extraordinary event fourr teen years.X He had lost all consciousness of any tliing about him at that time. It is plain Paul supposed that the spirit might exisi without the body.|| The seat of happy spirits in the intermediate state. Luke xxiii. 43. Acts ii. 27. § ??In " D. "Concerning." M. Ver. 6. " Yet if I should incline to boast." Ib.fi What this was, has perplexed commentators. Most probably it was that infirmity in his flesh which he mentions, Gal. iv. 13,14. 1 Cor. ii. 3. \2 Cor x. 10.] The author thinks, with some others, that his visions so affected his nerves as to occasion paralytic symptoms, in his speech and countenance. Comp. Dan. viii. 27. Gen. xxii. 25. Vol. II. T 10 of Christ may rest* upon me. And therefore I feel a complacency in infirmities, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak then am I strong.REFLECTIONS. Well might the apostle say, that when he was weak, then was he strong; for it is difficult to tell when he expresses a greater strength of genius, or of grace, than while thus discoursing of his own infirmities. How glorious were those scars in his body which were the marks of his sufferings for Christ ; and those tremblings and distortions of his nerves which were the results of those bright visions of the Lord which brought down heaven to earth, and had for the time equalled a mortal man with the spirits of just men made perfect; yea almost with the angels of God !—Transported with the sacred impulse, he could scarcely tell whether he were in the body or out of it; but he testified, that the things which he saw and heard were unutterable. Let us not repine, that he recollected and recorded nothing more particular concerning what passed before the eye of his mind, when that of the body was closed. These celestial raptures were intended to confirm his faith, and consequently likewise to confirm ours: but not to amuse our curiosity. If the earth be full of the goodness of the Lord, how much more the third heavens, where he holds his highest court ! Nor shall the intermediate state of souls want its proper enjoyments and blessings. Assuredly therefore believing these things, let us wait God's time for a more particular knowledge of them; and when called of him to go forth and receive this inheritance, like genuine children of Abraham, obey, though we know not particularly whither we go. We see the danger of spiritual pride, from which even St. Paul himself was not secure. One would have imagined, that such a view of the celestial world should in itself have been sufficient to have humbled him, during all the remainder of the longest life : and yet it is evident, that God saw there was some danger, lest pride should be cherished by that which seemed so proper to destroy it: therefore- was there given him a thorn in the flesh. And by how many thorns are the most distinguished Christians often pierced! Let them bless God, if thereby they are humbled' too, even though the messengers and instruments of Satan should from thence take occasion to buffet them. —In all our exigences, extremities, and complaints, let us apply to the throne of grace, and that blessed Redeemer, who intercedes before it, for proper assistance and relief. Nor let us be discouraged, though the first or second address should seem to be disregarded: the. third or fourth may be successful. And what, if we do not succeed to our wish in the immediate answer ?-Letit content us, that we may be assured by Christ of the sufficiency of his grace In our weakness he can illustrate his strengih. And in that view too may we glory in our infirmities. For surely the honour of our divine master, in our deepest humiliation, ought to give us much more joy, than to see our* v. 9. "Pitch its tent upon me." That seems the strong emphasis of the original word. D. selves ever so much admired and extolled. But, O blessed Jesus, how much of thy strength must be manifested in us, to teach our vain and selfish hearts a lesson, which at the very first proposal appears so reasonable, if considered in speculation alone? Lord increase our faith! Increase our humility ! So shaltthou have the glory in all thou givest, and in all thoudeniest us, and in all the struggles and trials to which thou mayest appoint us; and in which,/or thy sake, we will take pleasure. SECTION XX.Me vindicates his sincerity, tenderness, and disinterested conduct, in all his dealings with them. Ch. xii. 11. &c.11 TT may be indeed, I am become foolish in boasting; but if so-, JL you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you rather than to have vindicated myself; for I have in no respect failed to equal the most excellent of the apostles, though in 12 the account of some I am nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were produced among you, iu all patience, in signs, and wonders,13 and miraculous powers, wrought for your benefit. For in what respect were ye inferior to the rest of the churches, unless it were in this, that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me14 this injury. Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you*. Nevertheless I will not now be burdensome to you; for I seek not your possessions, but yourselves: for it is not fit that the children should lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the chil15 dren. For I will, with the greatest pleasure, spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I16 am loved. But be it so: I did not burden you, some will say; nevertheless r being subtil, I took you in by an artifice. I answer 17 by appealing to fact. Did I make a prey of you by any one person 18 whom I sent to you? I entreated Titus to make you a visit, and with him I sent a brother. But did Titus make a gain of you? Did we not all of us walk in the same spirit, and in the same ? steps?19 Againf, do you think that we make any apology to you? In the. sight of God we speak, in Christ as his servants; [that] all things20 we do r beloved, are for your edification. For I fear lest, when I come, I should not find you such as I could wish; and I should be found by you such as ye would not wish: lest theri should be con? tendons, emulations, wraths, strifes, reproaches, whisperings, swel21 lings, tumults: and lest my God should humble me, when I come among you again, and lest I should^nrf cause to mourn over many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, which they have committed.* Having been disappointed twice before. See 1 Cor. xvi. 5.2 Cor. i. 15,16.t " By sending Titus again:"—referring to v. 18. This is according to Paul's laconic manner. Some might think he sent Titus now as as" apology" for not going himself. M. REFLECTIONS.How amiable was the goodness of the apostle, in adding all patience to those signs of his divine mission, which were with so much splendor given among the Corinthians, when there were so many things to have excused, or rather to have vindicated his severity .' Such meekness had he learned of Christ, such does he teach to succeeding ministers and private Christians. How disinterested was his behaviour in every part of it ; not seeking their substance, but their souls! And indeed what is the greatest gain which avarice, in its most artful and successful forms, can make of the ministry, when compared with winning souls to Christ, and bringing them into the way of salvation? Who that deserves the name of a minister, would not gladly sacrifice the views of worldly interest to this, and rejoice in an opportunity of spending and of being spent for this ?—Yet we see, that even this cannot always command the returns of love : but the love, as well as the praise of men is, in comparison, a matter of small importance. It will surely engage the approbation of God: and all the slights and injuries over which this benevolent disposition triumphs, will be remembered by him, with proportionable tokens of his gracious acceptance.Happy was that prudence which made the proof of integrity so clear, and the appeal to the whole world so confident, as it here appears. So may we avoid every appearance of any thing which might beget a suspicion of sinister designs, that we may vindicate ourselves from every such insinuation, with the noble freedom of those who s.re approved to God, and the consciences of men. To preserve this, may we Always speak and act as before God, in Christ, and do all things,- not for the gratification of our own humour, or advancement of our secular interest, but for the edification of others. The ministers of the gospel cannot but be humbled, when any thing contrary to the rules and genius of it, is to be found ainong the people of their care and charge'; whether they be pollutions of the flesh, or of the spirit: and they may be in some instances as effectually mortified and distressed, by debates, envyings, strifes, backbilings, and whisperings, as by tmcleanness, fornication, and lasciviousriess. But when any of these things occur, as it is-to be feared that in most Christian societies, or at least in such as are considerable for their numbers, they sometimes will; let it be remembered that they happen by the permission of providence. God hath his wise ends in suffering what is indeed so lamentable: thus humbling the shepherd, that the flock may be further edified; that he may approve his fidelity in more vigorous efforts for reformatio^; and may not be excessively exalted by that better success, wherewith in other instances God riiay crown his endeavours. SECTION XXI.Theapostle assures the Corinthians how much it would grieve him to be obliged to shew his apostolic power, byHnflicting any miraculous punishnent on those who continued to oppose him, and concludes with salutations, and a benediction. Ch. xiii .1 TT is now, as I said (Ch. xii. 14.^ the third time that I am comJL ing to you. And I shall proceed in my judgment according to that maxim (Numb. xxxv. 30.^ Every word shall be established by2 the mouth of two or three witnesses. I have foretold, and do foretel it the second time *, as if I were present ; and being absent, I now write to those that have sinned already, and to all the rest;3 that if I come again I will not spare you; since you seek a farther proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak towards you, but4 powerful among you by what he has already wrought. For though he was crucified through weakness, nevertheless he liveth by the power of God: and we are also weak in him, nevertheless we shall live with him by the power of God manifested to you in ourfavour. You examine and try me, but let me admonish you to turn the search 5 inward: Examine yourselves whether ye are in the faith ; thoroughly prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves ?—that Jesus Christ is in you by his sanctifying influence, unless ye are dis6 approved as silver, which will not stand the touchstone. But I hope7 ye shall soon know, that we are not disapproved. But f I wish to God ye may do no evil; and not that we may be manifested, as approved, [by inflicting any miraculous punishments] but that ye may do what is good and beautiful, though we should be as if we were S disapproved^. F.or we are not able to do any thing against the truth, but for the truth. J wish the regularity of your behaviour; 9 for we rejoice when we are weak |) and ye are strong. And this also we wish, even your being set in perfect order, and entirely 10 reformed. Therefore I write these things being absent, that when present, I may not act severely, according to the power which the Lord hath given me for edification, and not for destruction.11 Finally r, brethren, farewell: be perfect, be comforted, attend to the same thing, be peaceful: and the God of love and peace will12 be with you. Salute each other as customary with an holy kiss.13 All the saints in this place salute you. The favour of the Lord14 Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.* This transposition makes the sense less ambiguous. Ed. t "Nevertheless." M.—" But I pray God that He would do Unto You no ?v?l at all." W.% i. e. Without evidence of the divine approbation. Or,_" without proof of our apostleship. The word in this and the former verse is very improperly rendered reprobates, as that, in the common sense of it, conveys a very different idea." M.II L e. When we have hot power to inflict any punishment, because you have Bo need of it. REFLECTIONS.Adored be the name of that compassionate Redeemer, who was once crucified as through weakness; and when he could have commanded more than twelve legions of angels to his rescue, voluntarily submitted to be seized and bound, like an helpless mortal, subject to superior force, and thus led away to torture and death! He lives for ever by the power of God, by a life derived from him: may we, weak as we are in ourselves, live through him to all the purposes of the Christian life. And that this life may flourish abundantly, let us be often engaged to examine ourselves; since it will be so great a scandal, and so great a snare, to be strangers at home. Do we not indeed after all know ourselves? Let us search, whether Jesus Christ be in us? Whether he be formed in our hearts, whether he live and act in us by his Holy Spirit? Else shall we be treated as reprobate silver; shall be justly rejected of God, and no gifts or privileges will avail us. Having gained the sure evidences of sincere goodness in ourselves, we may, with the greater cheerfulness and confidence pray for our brethren; and let us offer the apostle's petition for them, that they may do no evil, but every thing that is just and honourable, beautiful and lovely: never desiring to exalt ourselves on the mistakes and follies of others; but on the contrary, wishing their perfection, and labouring to the utmost to promote it.How charming a spirit breathes in those sentences in which the apostle takes his leave of the Corinthians! So much wisdom and goodness, that one is almost grieved, that he who bids farewell in such an engaging manner, does it so soon. Let us however bear his parting words in mind. When ministers are leaving those among whom they have laboured, when Christian friends are separated from each other, let this be their common petition and care, that they may be improved and comforted; that unanimity and peace may prevail and increase; and that the God of peace may be with them all: that he may be with them in those happy effects, and blessed operations, which will be' the result of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the feUowshifi of the Holy Ghost. ? How often hath this comprehensive benediction been pronounced? Let us study it more and more; that we may value it proportionably, that we set ourselves to deliver, or to receive it, with a becoming solemnity; with eyes and hearts lifted up to God, who, when out of Zion he commandeth the blessing, bestows in it life for evermore^mcn! [flerc ends the fourth volume of the original work.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE GALATIANS.f^ALATIA was a province of the Lesser Asia, where the apostle Paul, about the end of the year 50, made many converts, and planted several churches. But it appears that soon afterwards, some Judaizbig zealots had endeavoured to degrade the character of Paul among them, as one not immediately commissioned by Christ, as the other apostles -were, and to subvert his doctrine in the grand article of Justif cation, by insisting on the observation of Jewish ceremonies, and so attempting to incorporate the Law with Christianity. Upon this occasion he wrote this epistle, which he did with his own liand, most probably from Corinth, in the year S3, whic/, was the 13th ef the Emperor Claudian."The principal design of it was, to assert and vindicate his apostolical authority and doctrine, to establish and confirm the churches of Gulatiu in the faith of Christ, especially with respect to the important poini of Jusiification; to expose the errors that were introduced among them, and to revive those principles of Christianity that he had taught them when he first preached the gospel to them." The apostle treats on the several topics which he introduces in a very methodical manner*, and at the close offers several practical directions to these Christians, exhoriing them to a behaviour answerable t& tlieir Christian calling, and to tht institution of the gospel as a doctrine according to godliness. SECTION T.The apostle expresses his surprise that the Galatians had so soon been led aside from the simplicity of the gospel. Ch. i. 1—10.1 I) AUL an apostle, not from men, nor by any man, but by Je_L sus Chciot, and God the Father, who hath raised him from2 the dead; and all the brethren who are with me, unto the church3 es of Galatia: Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father,4 and from our Lord Jesus Christ; who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according5 to the will of God, even our Father; to whom be glory for ever and ever! Amen.6 I am astonished that ye are so soon removed from him that7 called you, by the grace of Christ, unto another gospelf: which indeed is not properly another gospel: but there are some, who trouble you, and are desirous to subvert the gospel of Christ.8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel among you, than that which we have preached unto you, let* The author's excellent analysis of this epistle consists of too many particulars to admit of being here 'abridged consistently with the brevity of this work. The reader therefore is referred, for a view of the plan, to the Titles of the several sections. * f Or, "that ye are so soon removed to another gospel, from Christ, who, by grace, had called you." A 9 him be anathema. As we have said before, so say I now again, If any one preach any other gospel to you, than that which ye 10 have received, let him be anathema. For do I now solicit the favour of men, or of God? Or do I seek to please men? Jf indeed I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.REFLECTIONS.Let us adore the name of that blessed Redeemer who gave himself a sacrifice for our sins: and may the consideration of his gracious purpose in doing it have its efficacy, lo deliver us from this present evil -world, and to raise our hearts to that to which the Father hath exalted him, by whom he was raised from the dead; lo whom, for all the purposes of his grace in the whole scheme of our redemption, be glory for ever and ever.—Let the remembrance of this compassionate Saviour, who is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, engage us to be stedfast in the profession of his religion, and to be upon our guard against all who would pervert the gospel. May his ministers especially be exceeding cautious how they do any thing that looks like corrupting it; since such a dreadful anathema is pronounced against an apostle, or an angel, who should attempt it!Who can be superior to every alarm on this head that considers the case of the Galatians, who though they received thegospel from the lips of such an apostle as Paul, could be so soon removed, and drawn aside to a quite different system? But God made a gracious provision for their being recovered, and confirmed in the primitive faith, by this epistle; which was intended also to be a security to us, that we might learn from hence the purity and simplicity of the Christian doctrine, and be established in the truth as it is in Jesus.—Let the ministers of Christ faithfully preach it, not as seeking to please men, but that God who trieth the hearts; and who can only be pleased by an entire surrender of the soul to that system of truth and duty which he hath condescended to teach, and by a faithful care to spread its genuine and salutary maxims as widely as they can, without any addition or diminution. To solicit the favour of men, and to endeavour to oblige them, by sacrificing such sacred considerations to any of their prejudices and follies, is to act in a manner utterly unbecoming a servant of Christ; and so unworthy aconductin such as bear the character of ministers, may justly provoke the indignation of their divine master to make them as contemptible as they suffer themselves to become unfaithful.SECTION II.Paul shews that his doctrine was not received from men; and, as a /irocf of hisdivine mission, relates some facts which succeeded his conversion. Ch.i. '11, &c.11 TJ UT I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which hath been12 J3 preached by me, is not according to man : For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it but by the revelation of13 Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my conversation- in t^mc past in Judaism, that I immeasurably persecuted the church of God, 14 and ravaged it: and I made proficiency in Judaism * beyond many of my own nation, w/io were my equals in age, being more abund15 antly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me to this office from my mother's womb,16 and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not17 with flesh and blood; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me, but I went into Arabia, and I returned18 again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusa19 lem to visit Peter, and I abode with him fifteen days. ' But I sawno one of the apostles besides, except James the brother of the20 Lord. Now as (o the things which I write tinto you, behold be21 fore God, I do not lie. Afterwards I came into the regions cf22 Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches23 of Christ, which were in Judea: but only they had heard, That he who persecuted us in times past, now preacheth the faith, which he24 formerly ravaged : and they glorified God on my account.REFLECTIONS. Let us also, at this distance of time and country, join with them in glorifying God in this apostle; in adoring the grace that engaged him to preach the faith he would once have destroyed, and at length to add his own blood to that of the martyrs of Christ which 'he had shed. Still hath the great Head of the church the same omnipotent efficacy, the same ability.to influence the heart, to overcome the strongest prejudices, and to turn bigots into true believers; and rather than his church shall want its servants and its ornaments, he will find them among its most cruel enemies.—Had the gospel been taught St. Paul by Ananias, or Peter, or any of the apostles, his readiness to receive it from such teachers, and to preach it at the certain expense of his reputation, his interest, and his life, would no doubt have ranked him among the most illustrious witnesses to the truth of Christianity. But this additional fact, of an original revelation of the whole system of it to him, independent of human teaching, deserves our admiration, and demands our praise. God herein wrought according to the secret counsel of his o will, and that purpose by which he had separated Paul [to this office] from the nvomb. In vain was it opposed by the prevailing prejudices of his education, or by the violence of his zed for Judaism, and that {crofidency in it by which he had eclipsed so many of his cotemporaries, and those of his own nation. All his zeal for the traditions of his fathers gave way to 3 yet greater zeal for a nobler object; a zeal, which carried him through Arabia and Syria, through Judea and Cilicia, and prevented him, in one sense as well as another, from consulting with flesh and blood, from being influenced by any selfish worldly views, or giving heed to any man's opinion.—Adored be the grace that animated and supported him in overcoming every difficulty; and having so miraculously furnished him for the great* i. e. The religion professed by the Jews of his time. Vol. II. U/ work to which he was called, made him so. gloriously successful in it. So may we be enabled to surmount every obstacle ! and so may we be taught, as to those things which we have most highly esteemed', to count them all but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, and to grudge no labour, self-denial, or suffering, by which the gospel may be any way promoted or adorned, and a testimony given of our faithful subjection to it!SECTION III.The apostle informs them of his journey to Jerusalem, and of his interview with theapostles fourteen years afier his conversion. Ch.ii . L—10.1 r I ""HEN fourteen years after my conversion I went up again to Je2 _L rusalem, with Barnabas, and I took Titus also with me. But I went up by a special revelation to consult the apostles and elders there (Acts xv. 2.) and laid before them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles ; but this I did privately, to those only who were of note, lest I should ran, or had hitherto run in vain, as the good effects of my past or future labours might have been obstructor ed by their prejudices. But / did not in any instance gi"ve up the liberty of my Gentile brethren, for [not even] Titus who was with4 me, [though] a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised ; .* because of the false brethren, that were artfully introduced; who had slipped in to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus,- that5 they might bring us into bondage: to whom we did not give place by subjection, for so much as an hour: that the truth of the6 gospel might continue with you. But of those [apostles] who appeared to be of most considerable note, how great soever they formerly were [during the life of Christ] it maketh no difference as to me ; God accepteth no man's person; for they who were of7 the greatest note added nothing further to me f: but on the contrary they acknowledged my title to apostleship: and seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was8 with ihat of the circumcision (for he who wrought effectually in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcision, wrought effectually9 also in me for the Gentiles :) and knowing the grace that was givto me, James and Cephas ( i. e. Peter ) and John, who appeared to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.10 Only they proposed that we should be mindful of the poor Christians in Judea, which very thing I also was forward to do..REFLECTIONS. Warm and eager as the temper of St. Paul naturally was, it must certainly give us great pleasure to observe in how prudent and steady a manner he conducted himself, when once engaged in the sacred work of the Christian ministry and apostleship. With what integrity;* Every reader must see the improvements here made by Dr. M. | Either as to knowledge, gifts, or authority. M. and resolution did he behave on the one hand, that he would not give place for an hour to the false brethren, who had slipped in among his converts to spy out and subvert their liberty? And on the other, with what caution, that he might not frustrate the purposes of his own ministry, by carrying that which was in general the cause of truth, of liberty, and justice, to an excess? Thus also let us act, holding the truth in love and in prudence, and labouring to do all the good we can with as little offence as possible.—While we are contending for the liberty of Christians, against the im/wsition of things which at best are indifferent, we may possibly be obliged to dispute the point with some who are persons of worth and eminence; but God acceptetli no man's person. We may give them all the honour that is due to their wisdom, their piety, and their station, without yielding up what ought to be dearer to us than any human approbation or friendship, the dictates of our conscience as in the sight of God.Persons of true steadiness and candour, ^uch as deserve to be esteemed pillars of tlie church, will not suffer themselves to be so borne down by popular prejudices as to disown their brethren, whom God hath honoured with the ministry as well as themselves, because they exercise it in some diversity of forms; but will be willing (so far as they can) to give them the right-hand of fellowship, and will perhaps wish to be able to do it more entirely and openly than some human constitutions will admit. In this however may we all agree, after the example of this blessed apostle, ever to do what we can to promote mutual charity among different denominations of Christians; to be expressed by a readiness to bear one another's burdens and to afford liberaLrelief as providence gives opportunity. And we shall find, that as a disunion of hearts adds weight to the least cause of division, so fervent and unfeigned love will by mutual condescension and indulgence heal the breach, or happily prevent its most fatal consequences.SECTION IV.Paul mentions his opposing Peter at Antiach, and defending the liberty of the church from Jewish imposition. Ch. ii. 11, &c.11 T) UT when Peter was come to Antioch, I opposed him to the12 fl face, because he was to be blamed; for before some Jewish zealots came from James, he did freely eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself,13 fearing them of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled also with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with14 their dissimulation. But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in the presence of them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as the Jews do, why dost thou now 15 compel the {converted'] Gentiles to [judaize ?] We who are by nature, birth, and education, Jews, and not sinners of the Gentiles,16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in Jesus Christ, (hat we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for r by the works of the law no flesh 17 shall be justified. But if seeking to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, o is Christ then the minister of18 sin? God forbid!—Now if I build again the things which I de19 stroyed, I acknowledge myself a transgressor; for I through the20 law am dead to the law, that I might Jive to God. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ livetii in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith, which is of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered hira21 self up for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.REFLECTIONS. It is a most generous and worthy spirit that was shewn by the apostle Paul on this occasion, in his being so ready to stand up for Christian liberty, and to reprove even Peter himself, though so honoured and beloved a brother, when he acted a cowardly and inconsistent part. He did not meanly censure him to others, and endeavour by private insinuations to lessen his character; but by his openly rebuking him he shewed himself a sincere friend, and took the most effectual method to prevent the ill consequences of his dissimulation, and at the same time to recover his brother to a more worthy and consistent conduct.—How little there is in all this passage that looks like any\ peculiar authority assumed on the part of St. Peter, or acknowledged by St. Paul, every unprejudiced reader will easily observe: and perhaps God might suffer this great apostle of the circumcision thus to fall, and to be thus corrected by the apostle of the Gentiles, the more effectually to discountenance those arrogant and groundless claims of the pretended successors of St. Peter to supremacy and infallibility, which have introduced so much confusion and infamy into the church.We may well rejoice in the review of a passage which so strongly asserts Christian liberty on the one hand, and exemplifies the very life of Christian grace on the other. Let it ever be retained in our memories, that we are justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; and may our conduct be agreeable to the doctrine we profess, giving up all expectations inconsistent with this decision, yet ever remembering that Christ is not the minister of sin. Let faith in him engage us, whilst dead to the lata as a covenant of works, to be observaut of it as a rule of life, and so to live to God as those who are still under a law to Christ; and, animated by the influences of his grace, may our souls feel more and more of the efficacy of his death, who loved us and gave himself for us. Strongly indeed will the affecting consideration of the death of Christ impress our hearts, when we are conscious of our interest and concern in it. May the impression last through life; and may we remember that we are not merely to make one solemn address to our adorable Redeemer, committing by an act of faith our souls into his hands; but that our faith is daily to be renewing its views of him, that so the life which we now live in the feth, in the midst of so many vanities and dangers, may be conducted by the continual influence of this principle. May we therefore daily regard him as our instructor and governor, our atonement and intercessor, our example and strength, our guardian and forerunner: and in proportion to the degree in which such views as these prevail, the grace of God, instead of being frustrated, will be the more admired and esteemed; and as it was impossible that righteousness should be attainable by the law, it will appear Christ liath not died in -vain, but that his death was necessary to procure our justification, and is the only sure foundation of our faith and hope. SECTION V.The apostle reproves their instability respecting the doctrine of justification hy faith; which he confirms from the instance of Abraham, who was thus justified. Ch. iii. 1—141 YE foolish r Galatians! who hath enchanted you, that you \_J should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ2 hath been evidently set forth crucified [for] you? This only I would learn of you, Did ye receive the Spirit by the works of the3 law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish r \jhat] having begun in the Spirit, ye are now made perfect* by the flesh?4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain, if indeed it be yet in5 vain ? as I hope it is not. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doth he it by the6 works of the law, or by the hearing of faith ? even as you read that ? Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for7 righteousness." Know ye therefore, that all they who are of8 faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture (the Holy Spirit therein ) foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, did before preach the gospel unto Abra9 ham, saying, " In thee shall all nations be blessed." So then they10 who are of faith, are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse : for it is written, "Cursed is every one, who continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" (Deut. xxvii.11 26.) And that no man is justified in the sight of God by the law is evident; for it is said (Hab. ii. 4.) "The just shall live by faith."12 Now the law is not of faith, but declares concerning its precepts (Lev. xviii. 5.) "The man that doth them, shall live uy them."13 But Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: (for it is written (Deut. xxu 23.) " Cursed14 is every one, that hangeth on a tree :") that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus; that we might through faith receive the promise of the Spirit. REFLECTIONS. Through the amazing goodness of God to us we share with the ?Galatians in this great privilege, that Jesus Christ crucified is evidently set forth among us. Let us make the object familiar to our -view, to our hearts: and O that we_may all feel its powerful influence, to engage us to obey the truth, and to comply with the practical -design of the gospel ! O that none of the enchantments of this vain world may be able to draw us aside from a becoming regard to it! May those especially, who have begun in the Spirit, and perhaps have suffered many difficulties already in the cause of religion, be concerned that they may not suffer so many things in vain, and after all their pretensions and hopes make an end in the flesh, by forsaking that excellent cause!That we may he deemed the children of Abraham, let us have the same faith with him ; that believing in God as he did, and trusting in the promised Messiah, we may attain that righteousness which it is impossible to obtain by the deeds of the law, which insists upon perfect obedience, and passes sentence upon every one that has transgressed it. Nothing can be more important than to endeavour to impress our souls with this great and fundamental truth, that if we are of the works of the law, and trust in these for justification, we are under a curse. O that God may graciously thunder that curse in the ears of sleeping sinners, and make them sensible of their guilt and danger ; that as prisoners of justice, yet in some measure prisoners of hofic, they may flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel.—We need not go far for help. No sooner are we 'wounded (as it were) in one verse, than we find provision for our healing in another. For Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law; and this in a method never sufficiently to be admired, even by making himself a ransom, yea and. becoming a curse for us; submitting, not only to great infamy and wretchedness in his life, but to an ignominious and accursed death, being slain and hung upon a tree.— To him let us apply, that the curse may be removed: and with humble confidence in him, let us lift up our eyes in cheerful expectation, that though by birth we are Gentiles, the blessing of Abraham will come upon us, and that through faith we shall receive the promise of the Spirit. And what promise can be more valuable than this? what blessing more desirable, than to be enlightened, to be quickened, to be sanctified, to be comforted by tlie Spirit? As the just, may we five by faith; and make it our daily request at the throne of grace, that Godwin implant and increase that divine principle in our hearts, even such a faith as shall work by love, and prove a genuine principle of sincere and universal obedience. SECTION VI.stability of the covenant made with Abraham, winch the Mosaic covenant could not infringe. Ch. iii. 15, &c.15 "D RETHREN, in what lam saying of the blessings of the AbraJLJ hamic covenant, I speak after the manner of men, and according to the common rule in human compacls. Though- it be but the covenant of a man, yet if it be once legally confirmed, no [one]16 cantelleth or addeth to it. Now the promises were spoken to* Abraham and to his seed. He saith not, "and to Seeds," as of many, but as of one; "and to thy Seed," which is Christ.I f And this I say further, that the covenant which was before confirmed by God with respect to Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, so that it should18 make the promise ineffectual. For if the inheritance of Abraham's blessing be of the law, it is no more of the promise : but "I9 God gave it freely to Abraham by promise. To what purpose then, it may be askedr serveih the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the illustrious Seed should come, to whom. the promise was made : and it was ordained or promulgated by20 angels in the hand of Moses as a mediator. Now a mediator is not the mediator of one party; there mast at least be two; but God.21 is only one*. Shall it be asked, Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, assuredly righteousness should have22 been by the Mosaic law. But the scriptures have shut up all under sin (Jews and Gentiles) that the promise by faith in Jesus23 Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faithf came, we were kept [in durance"] under the law, shut up together as criminals, unto the faith, which should afterwards be revealed24 So that the law was our school-masterf to lead us unto Christ, that25 we might be justified by faith. But faith [being come] we are26 no longer under a school-master, [a conducior of infants] for now yc are not children in minority, but ye are all the Sons of God by27 faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ; and former distinctions are now 28 done away; so that there is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neir* "The giving of the Law by a mediator, shelved the Israelites that God -was displeased with them, because a mediator is not employed between parties who are in friendship. But God is in friendship only with the righteous." M. "The last clause of the 19ih and the first of che 20th v. make an enihymem, as. the logicians speak, hi which the conclusion is wanting. Ib. Mote. \ The Gospel is called Faith, v. 2, 23, 25, and the Law of Faith, Rom. iii_ 27. because it requires faich instead of perfect obedience. M.\ The word xaifxycyci is not properly rendered school-master. It denotes, not a preceptor, but a conductor of children. The servant who attended the children of great men to their exercises and to school, was called JJedagogus; as was also the servant who taught children their letters. Sec. ?VL and Sermons by Mr. Brekel. ther bond nor free; there is neither male nor female: for ye are 29 all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye the seed of Abraham, and heirs in virtue of the promise.REFLECTIONS.Let us rejoice in those spiritual privileges to which all true Christians are now equally entitled; and charge our souls with those obligations which necessarily attend them. Let us look upon ourselves as the children of Abraham, as entitled to the noblest of those promises which God made to that excellent saint; even to that great and comprehensive promise (which is all the salvation, and all the desire, of every true child of Abraham) namely, that God will be a God to us. Let us approve ourselves his genuine offspring by imitating his faith; and always remember that, having been buplized into Christ, we have so put on Christ, as to be obliged to resemble him in his temper and character.—If we desire to share the blessings and glories of that one body of which Christ is the great and glorious Head, let us not lay a disproportionate stress upon any thing by which one Christian may be distinguished from another: but endeavour, as one in Christ Jesus to be one in affection and friendship to each other; and let those who seem to have the greatest advantages condescend to them that seem most their inferiors.Giving up all expectations of life from Any law, since that of Moses could not give it, let us look for glory, honour, and immortality by the gospel; and be very thankful for the knowledge we have of the Mediator of a better covenant than that in which Moses was appointed to mediate. And as the law was given not to disannul the covenant of promise, but with a view to be subservient to it, and to point out Christ, let us apply to him for righteousness and life ; and in him, as that one seed of Abraham in whom all the families, all the nations of believers were to be blessed, let us center our hopes, and be very solicitous that vie by faith maybe united to him, and so may have a claim to all the privileges of the promise under him.—Thus let us continue to make use of the law, not as the foundation of our hope towards God, but as our school-master [our conductor]] to bring us to Christ, by the discovery it has given of our need of him: and being sensible that it hath shut up alt under sinr from which we cannot be delivered but by thefaith the gospel hath revealed, may we be led to seek the benefit of the promise, that, being the Sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus, we may be heirs of eternal life and blessedness.SECTION VII.The superior excellence and freedom of the stale into which believers are brought by the gospel, above their former, when they were under a rigorous tutor: The Galatians reproved for not adhering to that better dispensation. Ch. iv. 1—20.1 ^CT"OW I say, that so long as the heir-is a child, he differeth2 JLN nothing from a bond-servant, though he be Lord of all; but is under governors and guardians, till the time appointed of th.e S father. So likewise we, when we were children, were in bondage 4 under worldly elements *; hut when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the5 law; that he might redeem them who were under the law, that we6 might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying,I Abba, father. So that thou art no longer a fionrf-servant, but a son at age; and if a son, then an heir of God, through Christ.8 But ye who were Gentile*, w re in a far worse condition, for then indeed, when ye knew not God, ye were in bondage to those which9 by nature are no gods. But now after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and poor elements of the Mosaic ceremonies to which ye desire again10 with the Jewish converts to be in bondage a-new? Ye observe days,II and months, and times, and years: I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am: for I wasf as ye are: ye have not personally injured me at all, nor can I have any ill-will 13 towards you. But ye know that I preached the gospel among you14 at first in the infirmity of the flesh: and my temptation that was in my flesh, you did not despise ; nor did you reject me with scorn;15 but received me as an angel of God, yea as Christ Jesus. What was then your felicity? for I bear you witness, that if o possible you would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them16 to me. Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you17 the truth? They who have seduced you, zealously affect you, but not well: they profess great regard, but aim not at your real welfare; yea they would shut us out, that ye may zealously affect18 them, and promote their carnal views. But it is good to be zealously affected always, in that which is goodf, and not only when19 I am present with you. My little children, of whom I travail in20 birth again till Christ be formed in you, I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice, so as to speak with greater complacency, for I am in great doubt [concerning] you.REFLECTIONS. As the church in general was in its minority till the full revelation of the gospel came, so is every true member- of it a minor while he continues in this world, and is in many instances inferior to some who have no part in the inheritance; but the time will come when, as an heir who is deemed of age, he shall be admitted into full possession; and it will amply and immediately repay all the abasements and mortifications of that state in w hich the wisdom and love of our heavenly Father hath at present placed us.—The grand foundation of this hope is that infinite love which we can never sufficiently acknowledge* Rudiments, or first principles, relating to worldly and sensible objects, outward ceremonies, &c.f "I am." C. T. So M. and W. The expression is used to denote strict friendship. See 2 Chron. xviii. 3. '% "Towards a good man or person. M. and W.Vol. II. W' and admire, even the love of God our Father, in sending forth ha Son at the appointed time, made of a woman, and made under the law; subject at once both to its precepts and its penalty, to redeem us when we were under us condemning sentence, and to introduce us to all the privileges of that divine adoption which we receive from him. May each of us, in. consequence of it, receive more and more of that spirit of adoption whereby we may be enabled to raise our souls to God, with all the holy overflowings of genuine-filial affection, while we daily cry, Abba, Father. "Send forth, O God, this Spirit of thy Son in our hearts, whatever worldly benefits and delights thou mayest deny us -r that we may thus- rejoice in the assurance that we are heirs of God through Christ, and may be able to glory in this, that the Lord is our inheritance!" If we thus know God, being delivered from. the bondage of corruption, and from those idolatrous regards to the creature to which our hearts are naturally so inclined ; let us. acknowledge that it is because we rather have been known of him; and being apprehended by his grace, he hath received us into the number of his sons, and given us the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Let us act suitably to such a character, and be solicitous to maintain the purity of that religion by wliich. we are brought to such exalted dignities and hopes. And let our hearts be always open to receive the truth in the love of it; not despising ihe infirmities of those that preach the gospel to us in faithfulness, nor allowing ourselves at any time to look upon them as our enemies, for the plainness with which they may tell us the truth; -which is sometimes the case with regard to those who might once have been ready, in the forwardness of their zeal and affection, almost to have plucked out t/ieir own eyes for ministers whom they afterwards slight and forsake.Let us labour after a steadiness in our temper and conduct, and take heed that our zeal be so guided as that it may centre upon objects truly good, and may continue to act in.proportion to their excellency -T always suspecting those principles and those persons who would alienate our hearts from any of the faithful servants of Christ, because they do not agree with our sentiments about the circumstantials of religion.—Such as the apostle Paul expresses here, with so. much tenderness, will be the desires of every faithful minister for the spiritual children which God hath given him: and where he sees reason to stand in doubt of any of whom he had once good hopes through grace, lest perhaps he should have bestowed upon them labour in vain, it will give him a deep and a tender distress, and he will, as it were, travail in birth again, till Christ be formed in them. His very heart will be in pain for this: and what can be a greater or more worthy object of desire? O that it might appear that Christ is formed in the very souls of all that are called by his name! So would ministers have a firm foundation of joy in them, and they of hope towards God. for that eternal happiness which can only be built upon Christ; upon Christ formed in them, "as the only well-grounded hope of glory. SECTION vin.The subject of the foregoing discourse illustrated by an allegory borrowed from what is written of Sarah and Hagar, and their respective seed. Ch. iv. 21.—v. 1.21 f | 'ELL roe, ye who are desirous of being under the law, do ye22 JL not hear and regard the law? For it is written (Gen. xvi. 15.) that Abraham had two sons, the one by Hagar, a bond-wo33 man, and the other by Sa}-ah, a free-woman. But he who was born of the bond-woman, ('Iskmael) was born only according to the flesh; whereas he who was of the free-woman (Isaac J was 24 born by virtue of the promise- Which things may be allegorized; for these [women] are types of* the two covenants; the one that from mount Sinai, which bringeth forth her children to bon25 dage, which is Hagar (whose name signifies a rock.) This Hagar, I say, is a representation of those who are under the law given at mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to the present Jerusalem,26 which with her children is in bondage. But the Jerusalem above (" the gospel-church ) is the free-woman, typified by Sarab, which27 is the mother of us all. For it is written (Is. liv. 1.) "Rejoice, thou barren, who didst not bear; break forth and cry, thou who didst not travail in birth: for many more are the children of the28 desolate, than of her who had an husband." Now we, brethren,29 like Isaac, are the children of the promise. But as then, he who was born after the flesh, persecuted him who was born after the30 Spirit, even so it is now. But what saith the scripture, "Cast out the bond-woman and her son; for the son of the bond-woman shall not inherit with the son of the free-woman" (Gen. xxi. 10.)31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of v. the free-woman. Therefore stand fast in the liberty, wherewithChrist hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoka of bondage.REFLECTIONS, Let us not allow ourselves to cavil at a passage like this that we have now been reading, but submit to the authority of this divinelyinspired interpreter, who we are sure was enabled to explain and improve scripture in such a manner as he, by whose Spirit it was dictated, knew to be most agreeable to its spiritual design.—Let us bless God, that we are children of the free-woman; that we are so happy as to be called to so liberal and ingenuous a dispensation, and are not fettered with that yoke of bondage, or doomed to those servile terrors, which would have been so grievous, had we been left to them unsupported by the grace of the gospel, and which would so much have abated our comforts, had they been incorporated with the Christian dispensation.Well may we rejoice to hear in prophecy of the glorious increase here promised to the church: let us be thankful that it hath in part* i.e. They may be considered as representing— been accomplished; and let it invigorate our prayers for the hastening that happy time, when the desolate shall enlarge the place of her tents, and stretch forth the curtains of her habitations ; when she shall lengthen her cords, and strengthen her stakes; and, though long afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, she shall see her pavement of fair colours, and her foundations of sapphires; her -windows shall be made of agates, and her gates of carbuncles. In the mean time, let us guard against the disingenuous temper of the son of the bond-woman, against every thing that may look like persecuting our brethren. It is much better, if such be the will of God, that we should suffer ill usage from them; staying our souls upon the promises of God, which shall all be assuredly accomplished in their season. Yet may all this meekness and gentleness be exercised, in full consistency with that generous care to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, which we owe to ourselves, our brethren, and our children ; and indeed owe to the honour of our common Christianity, and to the regard we should express to him who hath broken the yoke from our shoulders; who cannot be pleased to see us voluntarily entangling ourselves with it anew, or meanly lying down under the oppressive hands of those who in the abuse of his sacred name would presume again to bind it upon us.SECTION IX.Further cautions against returning to Judaism, through the efforts of seducing teachers. Ch. v. 2—15.2 TJ EHOLD, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, JJ and depend on Jewish rites for justification, Christ shall profit3 you nothing. And I testify again to every man among you who is4 circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of none effect to you, \whosoever of you are seeking to be 5 justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we, through6 the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncir7 cumcision, but faith which operateth by love. Ye did run well;8 who hath hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion which you have entertained respecting the Law, cometh not from9 him that called you, [but is a palpable and infectious error.] A little leaven leaveneth the whole mass.10 And now after what I have said, I have confidence in you, through the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded. Some will still try to prevent you, but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment [when I come] whosoever he be. Some such insin11 uate that I myself favour their principles. But I ask, and leave you to judge, my brethren, If I yet preach circumcision, why do I stiil suffer persecution from the Jews? If I agree with them, then12 the offence of the cross is ceased. But so far from this, I could wish they were even cut off from church communion who disturb13 you.—^Brethren, ye have been called to liberty; only abuse not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shall15 love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not destroyed by one another.REFLECTIONS.How awful is the supposition which the apostle makes, even with regard to those who had distinguished themselves by so zealous a profession; to those before whose eyes Christ had been evidently set forth as crucified, and who would once have been ready to have plucked out their own eyes for the minister that preached him to them; that he should speak of it with regard to such as a possible case, that on the whole Christ mighi profit them nothing I Let our souls dread the thought of being in the number of those to whom he should be thus unprofitable.—How heavy will our account be, and how dearly shall we pay for the amusements of the sublimest knowledge, or the most sanguine hopes we entertain, if this be the end of all!—That we may none of us be so unhappy, let us be very careful that we do not think of seeking justification by the law in such a manner as to fail from grace: but, as no right or title to it can be obtained but by an interest in Christ, let us through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness and life, by faith in him. May the blessed Spirit of God form and support in our minds such an hope; which if it be thus formed, will never make us ashamed. Let us be therefore animated by it; and if at first we have run well, let us always consider the dispatch we have made already in our Christian race, as an excitement to further vigour, rather than an encouragement to indolence and sloth.Let the Spirit which these and so many other parts of the New Testament breathe, teach us to moderate our zeal about circumcision and uncircumcision, about the rituals and externals of religion, and to cultivate more and more that faith which operates by love, and there* fore will express itself by keeping the commandments of God. This will engage us, by the best and most generous principles, to serve one another in our truest interests, and to fulfil that royal law which is comprehended in this one important word, Thou shall love thy neighdour as thyself. Surely we have not yet attained to perfection in this excellent grace ; surely there is room for new attainments, even in the best. - But O, how lamentably deficient are the generality of Christians! yea rather, how scandalously and how fatally hath the opposite principle prevailed! so that, instead of that mutual love, of which our gracious Redeemer was the great teacher and example, the contrary principle of hatred and malignity hath triumphed to such a degree-, as to turn the church into a camp of warriors, or rather (as it may be called) into a theatre of wild beasts, where they have been worrying one another almost to death, yea in many instances biting and devouring one another, till they have actually been destroyed one by another. Let us take heed, after all the Christian and the Protestant interest hath suffered by these fatal divisions, that we do not catch the contagion, and bear our part in so common, yet so pernicious, a mischief. It is a spreading evil, and a little of this leaven often diffuses itself over the whole mass, but nothing is more manifest than that it is a persuasion, which is so far from coming of him that called us, that it is indeed the most direct violation of his distinguishing precept. Let us remember that the time will come, when he that troubleth the church, either in one way, by unacrifitural impositions, to which the apostle here refers, or in another, by an unreasonable stiffness about things indifferent, will certainly bear his judgment, whosoever he be. Let us therefore rather choose to suffer persecution than to share in such guilt; and be continually praying for that divine wisdom which may teach us so to bear afflictions as not to increase the offence of the cross, and so to stand fast in our liberty as not to abuse it for an occasion to gratify those irregular passions, which, to whatever high original they may pretend, are indeed to be traced no higher than a carnal principle, and to be numbered among the works of the flesh. SECTION X.Exhortations to a conversation suitable to the dispensation of grace, partic ularly to purity, spirituality, and mutual love. Ch. v. 16, &c .16 TJ UT effectually to guard you against every evil I say, Walk in17 JD the Spirit, and ye will not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh hath desires contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit hat ft desires contrary to the flesh: and these are opposite to each other,18 so that ye do not the things that ye wquld. But if ye be led by19 the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the fleshare manifest, which are (hese: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,20 lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, strifes, transports of21 zeal, resentments, contentions, party-divisions, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; concerning-which I now forewarn you, as I have also formerly declared, that they who practise such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,23 gentleness, goodness, fidelity, meekness, temperance; against24 such things there is no law. And they who are Christ's have cru25 cified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the26 Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be vain-glorious, provoking one another, envying one another.REFLECTIONS. Let us learn to consider this our mortal life as a state of warfare in* which we are to be always struggling with enemies, with whom we are never to make either peace or truce; and since while we dwell in the body we shall still find the flesh lusting against the Spirit, let it be our constant concern, that the desires of the flesh may be opposed and mortified, and that the interests of the Spirit may be more and more advanced. And though the contrariety is such between them, that we cannot completely and continually do the things which we ivould> let us in the main be led by the Spirit, and give up our rational andf governing powers more and more to its holy dictates, that we may not fulfil the lusts of the flesh ; and though it still continues to solicit and disturb us, sin shall be kept from reigning in us.—We see what the works of the flesh are; which, if we really belong to Christ, we shall resolutely bind and crucify, with its affections and lusts. Let; us endeavour more and more to subdue them, and learn (as it were) to use the instruments of his death most effectually to accomplish the death of sin; bringing the old man to be crucified with him, and nailing it to that cross to which he hath nailed that decree of death which in consequence of sin lay against us. s In opposition to that cursed train of irregular and malignant affections which are here described as the works of the flesh (the continued indulgence of which is absolutely inconsistent with our hope of inheriting the kingdom of God) let us cultivate those amiable dispositions of mind against which there is no law: and may the spirit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, the Spirit offaith, meekness, and temperance, work them more and more in our souls!— How vain are the cares of the generality of men to adorn their bodies, to improve their estates, to advance their rank, while their minds remain neglected! Yea, how vain are all cares to cultivate the mind with science, when compared with the infinitely more important care of improving it in such habits of goodness, whereby we shall be brought to resemble God, and be fitted for ever to enjoy him! Let this be all our emulation, and in this let us place our glory; nor let us go about to provoke one another to any thing but this.We profess to live in the Spirit of God, whose gracious influences are indeed the very life of our souls: let us make it our care also to walk in the S/iirit, to regulate every action of our lives, every sentiment of our hearts, by a becoming regard to him; guarding solicitously against any thing that would grieve him, and encouraging those friendly offices of his whereby we may be trained up in a growing meetness for the society of the blessed spirits above; and for that world, where the flesh shall be laid aside, till all the seeds of corruption are worn out of its composition, and it be raised as pure as it shall be glorious in the image of that Saviour, whose discipline has taught us to seek the victory over it, and whose grace enables us to obtain itSECTION XLPractical exhortations continued, especially to mutual love, and zeal in doing good. Ch. vi. 1—1 T) RETHREN, if a man be through surprise overtaken in any Jj fault, do ye who are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, whoever thou art, lest2 thou also shouldest be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and3 so fulfil the law of Christ. For if any one think himself to be * something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every one try his own work, and then he shall have rejoicing* in 5 himself alone, and not in another. For every one shall bear his6 own burden. Let him that is taught in the word, communicate7 in all good things to the maintenance of him that teacheth. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth,8 that shall he also reap. So that he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall9 of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint.10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, but especially to them who are of the household of faith.REFLECTIONS.These exhortations of the apostle cannot be expressed in more lively terms, and it is scarcely possible to represent them in clearer and plainer language. The great difficulty here, and in other such instances, is to bring our hearts to submit to what our understanding must so readily apprehend and approve. Let us earnestly pray that God 'would diffuse more of his Spirit on all professing Christians; that, beholding each other with undissembled and fervent love, every one may affectionately endeavour to advance the happiness of all; and, instead of severely censuring one another, let us endeavour mutual reformation by such exhortations and advices as different circumstances may require ; doing -all in the spirit of Christian meekness, and in an humble sense of our own infirmities. Let us pray that the law of Christ, the new commandment he has given us to love one another, may in all its extent be ever sacred to us, and that in consequence of the regard we owe to so benevolent a Master, there may be a constant readiness in us to assist each other under every burden, to relieve according to our ability every want, and to do good to all as tve have opportunity, but especially to those of the household of faith; who, as belonging to that household, whatever their station or circumstance in life may be, ought to be dear to every member of the family.Let us remember that there is as certain a connection between our conduct here and our state hereafter, as there is between the kind of grain sown and the harvest to be reaped from it. The generality, alas, are sowing to the flesh, and the harvest to such will be shame and corruption: but for our parts, let us. sow to the Spirit liberally and largely,- and have our fruit unto holiness, that we may thus inherit everlasting life. And when we are ready to faint, let us encourage ourselves and each other with the prospect of that blessed day, when, though the seed-tune may be attended with tears, we shall come again rejoicing, bringing our sheaves of honour and joy with us. It is in due season, it is at the time God has wisely appointed, that we shall receive this reward of grace; let us wait for it, as we well may, with patience and humility.—The day is coming when every one shall bear his own burden, and each of us shall answer for himself; that awful day, when every one shall reap the fruit of his own %vay, and shall receive according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Let us * "Boasting." M.—" and not against his neighbour." W. therefore, not deceive ourselves with a vain imagination that we are something, when we are nothing; and not be satisfied to rest in the good opinion which others have of us, so as to have our rejoicing in them. And, whatsoever duty be required of us, let us not amuse ourselves with trifling excuses, which never can deceive that God who is not to be mocked; but let us set ourselves in earnest, ever to cultivate true inward religion, even that of the heart, in the sight of him who searcheth it: then will the testimony of our conscience be a source of joy ; and we shall find that joy solid and permanent. And if God bless the ministers of his gospel, as the instruments of bringing this joy to the soul, it will be attended with that readiness which the apostle requires, to communicate to them in all good things, while, if they understand their character and office, there will be in them that moderation of desire on the one hand, and that zeal and love for souls on the other, which will make it a thousand times more pleasant to communicate spirituals, than to receive teinporals, even from those who give with the most willing mind, and so double the gift, whether it be greater or less.Section xir.The apostle concludes with cautioning them against the Judaizing teachers, declaring the indifference of external rites, and his glorying in the cross. Ch.vi.ll, &c,11 TT'OU see with what large letters* I have written to you with12 X my own hand. As many as desire to make a fair appearance in the flesh, these constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they13 should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For [not even] they themselves, who are circumcised, keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your fleshy14 and boast of you as their converts. But God forbid that I should glory, unless it be in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which15 the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncir16 cumcisionbut there is a new creation. And as many as shall walk according to this rule, and act upon this maxim, may peace and mercy be upon them, even upon the whole Israel of God!17 For the future, let no man trouble me wiih disputes concerning circumcision; for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus,- on which 1 value myself much more than on that of this Jewish rite; 18 even ihe scars occasioned by my sufferings in his cause. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.REFLECTIONS. What meanness is there in those views and objects in which the generality of mankind are so apt to glory ! How little satisfaction can* What large or inelegant characters; probably not being used to write Greek. D.—M. prefers the common translation, as refcrving to his epistle itself But this cannot properly be called large. Ed. Vox. II. X there be in making proselytes to a party, and spreading forms and notions, when compared with the joy of promoting true religion in the hearts of men, and thereby advancing the glory of God and the salvation of immortal souls I And of what service will it be to make a fair appearance, and to be zealous for the externals of religion, so as to gain the applause of men, and to have many followers, if at the same time we have so little veneration for the cross of Christ as to be afraid or ashamed of owning the necessity of relying on his righteousness alone for justification, lest we should suffer persecution upon that account, or be exposed to the reproaches of the world about us I May divine grace teach us to esteem the cross of Christ more highly, and to glory in nothing but our knowledge of it, and our hopes and expectations from it! May we all feel its vital efficacy, to crucify us to the world, end the world to us ; that we may look upon the world but as a dead and worthless thing, which neither can afford us any advantage, nor yield us any pleasure, to engage our hearts to choose it for our portion : and, being crucified, and dead to all things in it, may we be so entirely weaned from all affection to it, as not to make it any more our principal design and study to pursue it; but, being indifferent both to its smiles and frowns, as to the influence which once they had upon us, may we be neither moved by any prospect of selfinterest on the one hand, nor terrified by the fear of persecution on the other!Let us not lay the stress of our religion on the name we bear, or ground the hope of our acceptance on being of this or that denomination of Christians: but let it be our chief concern to have experience of a thorough change of heart and life, and to obtain that renovation of soul, that new creation, without which neither circumcisionnor uncircumcison can avail any thing, and with which the one, as well as the other, will be accepted of God. It is the written word of God that is the Rule we are to go by, both in the doctrines and the precepts of it; let us be careful that we walk according to it, and regulate our principles and conduct by it: then will God own us as his true Israel, and then shall peace and mercy be upon us. And surely, how diligently soever we observe this rule, how exactly soever we conform to it, and how much soever we may suffer for our adherence to it, we depend upon mercy for the communication of peace, and must ascribe all our hopes of happiness to pardoning clemency and free grace May that grace ever be with our spirit, to sanctify, to quicken, and to cheer us; and may we always be ready to maintain the honour of that,- which is indeed our very life! Amen.. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.TfPHESUS was the chief city of the Proconsular Aria. It was famous for the temple of Diana, and its inhabitants were noted, in their Gentile state, for idolatry, magical arts, luxury, and lasciviousness. Paul spent one sabbath there in the year 54, and returned the year following, when he preached with great success, and formed a numerous church, chiefly of Gentile converts, with whom he continued about three years. In the year 58 he sent for the elders of this church to Miletus, and took his- final leave of them. See Acts xviii. xix. xx.This epistle was written by him during his first imprisonment at Rome, A. D. 63. The former part of it is doctrinal, and the latter practical The design of it was—to establish the Ephesians in the faith j to which end he gives them the most exalted views of the eternal love of God, and of the glorious excellence and dignity of Christ shews them that they were saved by grace, and from the most wretched state brought to equal privileges with the Jews; and to encourage them, he 'declares with what steadfastness he himself suffered for the truth, and with -what fervour he prayed for their establishment and perseverance in it.—And. finally-, to engage them to the practice becoming them as Christians, he gives them, in the three last chapters, several weighty exhortations, particularly respecting relative duties, and the right use of the whole armour of God in tlieir spiritual warfare. SECTION I.Paul testifies his joy that the Ephesians were called to the participation of Christian privileges. Ch. i. 1—14.1 TJAUL an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the XT saints who are at Ephesus, even to the faithful in Christ Je? 2 sus: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from 3 the Lord Jesus Christ.—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual bles4 sing in heavenly things in Christ, according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy5 and unblamable before him in love; having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto himself, according6 to the good pleasure of his will; to the praise of his glorious7 grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved; in whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of& sins, according to the riches of his grace ; in which he hath 9 abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence: having made known unto us the mystery or grand secret of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he had before purposed in himself: 10 that in the ceconomy of the fulness of the times*, he might re* Or, when that time was fully come, which he in his wis* distribution of things, had judged most suitable. unite under one head all things in Christ, both which are in heav11 en, and which are on earth; both angels and men, even in him, in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinated according to the purpose of him, who worketh all things12 agreeable to the counsel of his own will: that we should be to13 the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, when ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, having believed, ye were sealed with14 the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance, till the complete redemption of the purchased possession * to th? praise of his glory.REFLECTIONS.Are we not by divine grace and mercy partakers of those blessings which Paul here celebrates with so much delight? and in the review of which, familiar as they were to his thoughts and discourses, ha breaks forth as it were into a rapturous anthem in the very beginning of this epistle, as he likewise does in so many others. Ought not our hearts to be as warm in such devout acknowledgments? Are spiritual blessings in heavenly things or places in Christ Jesus less valuable now than they were seventeen hundred years ago? Are not the necessities of our souls the same? Is not their immortality the same? Let us then join with the most grateful sentiments in the acclama-tion; and, in proportion to the degree in which we feel the importance of what God hath already done, and is doing for our souls, let us go back with unutterable pleasure to the gracious purpose which he was pleased to form in his own compassionate breast, when he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, when he pre' desiinated us through him to the adoption of children. Let us acknowledge the freedom of his grace in it, that we are thus predestinated according to the purpose of him who, with proper regard to the nature of his intelligent and free creatures, worketh all things agreeably to the good pleasure of his will, and maketh us accepted in the Beloved, that we may be to the praise of the glory of his grace. Let these united displays of wisdom and love afl'ect our hearts, for he hath indeed abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence. And let that holiness which mingles its glories in the whole scheme be also remembered. Let it never be forgotten that we are predestinated to be holy and without blame before him in love, that we might attain to that blameless temper which love alone can inspire and support.~For this purpose the mystery of his will is made known to us, and that grand illustrious plan is displayed, which is so well worthy of all the perfections of a God; even his design to gather together in one all things in Christ, to unite all good and happy spirits under him as the common Mead, and to make him the bond of their eternal union to God and to each other. What are we sinful creatures, that we should be received into such an association? Let us never forget it on earth, as we shall for e\er commemorate it in heaven, that it is through his blood that * The people whom Christ has purchased to be his peculiar pioperty. To? have redemption; eternal redemption, which he who has begun the happy work will certainly complete, in favour of those whom he hath purchased to be an everlasting possession unto himself.—In the mean time, may his Spirit be given us as the seal of the promises, and the earnest of our inheritance I And by more abundant communications of his sanctifying influences, may he raise our souls to a blessed anticipation of those enjoyments which will endure for ever, and will be for ever new and delightful.SECTION II.The apostle assures them how fervently he prayed that they might have higher conceptions of the gospel, and of its glorious Author. Ch. i. 15, See.15 l/* OR this cause, I also having heard of the faith you have in JC the Lord Jesus, and of the love you bear to all the saints,16 cease not to give thanks for you: making mention of you in my17 prayers j that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the18 acknowledgment of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his callings19 and what the glorious riches of his inheritance in the saints; and what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who be20 lieve, according to the energy of the power of his might; which he exerted in Christ, in raising him from the dead, and seated him' 21 at his own right hand in heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name, that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:22 and hath subjected all things under his feet, and given him to be 23 head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him, who fillelh all in all.REFLECTIONS. FAITH in Christ, and love to all the saints, are here with great propriety put by the apostle for the whole of a Christian temper. May they be more apparent and operative in all who call themselves by the Christian name! Even a firm and active faith, a warm and unbounded love, which shall forget every thing that would alienate our hearts from our brethren; and only remember, that they are saints, consecrated to God, and sanctified by him; that they are bilievers in Christ Jesus, and therefore one with him, who is our Head, and our All; whose love hath given to us, and to them, whatever is lovely in either; who will save the whole body, and make it so happy together, that the very thought of that happiness should cause our hearts to overflow with every benevolent affection, as well as with perpetual gratitude, to our divine deliverer, who is the source of it.Let us learn by this excellent and pathetic prayer of the apostle what are the most important petitions we can offer for ourselves and our Christian friends. Surely this must be numbered among them, that the eyes of our understandings may be enlightened more and more, that so we may more clearly and affectionately know -what is the great and glorious hope which our Christian calling sets before us. Alas, as yet we know but little of it ! but little of that great and glorious inheritance which God will divide among his saints, and in the enjoyment of which he will for ever unite them all. But adored be his grace if we so know it as deliberately to make choice of it, as to give up every interest and hope inconsistent with it, and determinately to say, This is our rest, we have desired it.—He who hath wrought us to the self-same thing, is God. It is indeed an exertion of a divine power, that quickened these dead souls of ours; the same, that quickened the dead body of our Redeemer; quickened, exalted, and glorified him. Let our souls, like that of the apostle, presently take the hint, and soar upward, as with an eagle's, or rather an angel's wing; soar to thofe glorious abodes, where he sits at the right-hand of God, far above all princifiality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named. There he reigns, not only as the sovereign guardian of the universe, but in the more endearing character of the Head of the church, bearing the same tender affection to it, exerting the same care over it, as the head over the members; calling the church, narrow as its boundaries seem, his fulness, though he fills all in all.—Blessed Lord! Fill. Our souls more and more with all the graces of thy Spirit, and extend the boundaries of the church all abroad I Unite us in these dearest bonds; and give us always to act worthy of that honour which thou conferrest upon us, when thou callest us thy body, thy flesh, and thy bones! To excite their gratitude, the apostle reminds them of that state of moral death in which the gospel found them, and how entirely they were saved by grace. Ch. ii. 1—10.1 4 ND you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses andof this world, according to the prince of the power of the air*, of the spirit that now operateth powerfully in the children of dis3 obedience. Amongst whom also we [Jews'] all had formerly our conversation, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the dictates of the flesh, and of the passions; and were by nature the children of4 wrath, even as others. But God being rich in mercy, according to5 his great love wherewith he hath loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace6 ye are saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit to7 gether in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that he might shew, in the ages to come, the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kind8 ness towards us in Christ Jesus. For by grace ye are saved,9 through faith; and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: notSECTION III.walked according to the course* Referring to a Jewish tradition, that the air was inhabited by evil spirits. 10 by works, lest any one should boast: for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, [for] which God hath before prepared us that we should walk in them.REFLECTIONS. Let us behold with a becoming attention, and with all those emotions of heart which an attentive review of it is capable of exciting, the amazing diversity of these states as represented by the apostle; and remember that they are states, in the one or the other of which we all are. We see what nature and the first Adam have made us; and we see what grace and an interest in the second would make us.Daily observation, and, in too many instances, our own experience, may have convinced us, that it is not the character of the Gentiles alone to be dead in trespasses and sins. It shews us, that to walk according to the general course of this apostate world, is to walk according to the prince of the power of the air; who, when he is most set on our ruin, is most importunate in persuading us to fulfil the desires of the flesh and of the mind.—Still, alas! till the gospel reaches and renews the heart, doth the same evil spirit, by means of the corrupt and vicious spirit dwelling in them, work in the children of disobedience and wrath; in which number we must acknowledge ourselves by nature to have been. But, blessed be God, that grace has its superior triumph over depraved nature; and where sin hath abounded, grace doth much more abound. The mercy of God is rich, and his love is great; and his powerful grace to which we must ascribe all our hope of salvation, hath quickened us when we were dead in sins, and hath enlivened us with Christ, to whom by faith we are united, and so incorporated with him, that in consequence of it we may not only consider hit resurrection and ascension to glory as an emblem, but in some degree as an anticipation, of our own, and may think and speak of ourselves as raised, and exalted, and glorified, with him.—O how blessed and joyful a view is this I and how powerfully ought it to operate upon us, to elevate our minds above this low world, and to animate us to every great and generous sentiment and pursuit! Surely this must illustrate, if any thing can do it, the riches and freedom of that grace by which we are saved, and must engage the generations to come to celebrate his exceeding kindness towards us. Let all boasting in ourselves therefore be entirely given up: let salvation by faith be acknowledged to be of grace; and that faith itself be acknowledged as the gift of God, whose workmanship toe are, and by whom we are created to that noble and only acceptable principle of good works. Let not this grace be received in vain j but let us answer the purposes of this new nature and new life which God hath graciously given us, and shew forth the praises of him from whom it is derived, and in whom, in a spiritual as well as a natural sense, we live, and move, and exist. SECTION IV.The happy state into which they were now brought, as united to the church of God, the middle wall of partition being removed. Ch. ii. 11, &c.11 "TX THEREFORE remember that ye were formerly GentileiV V in the flesh, who were called the uncircumeision, by that body of men which is called the circumcision, having received that 12 rite performed with hands in the flesh: that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and being 13 atheists in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who were14 formerly afar aff, are brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath thrown down15 the middle wall of separation: having abolished by his sufferings in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in the Mosaic ordinances, that he might form the two in himself,16 into one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both, in one body, unto God by the cross, having slain the enmity17 by it; and by having procured this reconciliation by his death, he came, and preached peace, by his ambassadors, to you that were 18 afar off", and to them that were near. For by him we both have19 access to the Father, by r one Spirit. Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints,20 and domestics of God; being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner21 stone: in whom the whole building, harmoniously cemented,22 groweth into an holy temple in the Lord: in whom you also are built up together for an habitation of God by the Spirit.REFLECTIONS.Let the apostle's remonstrance to these Efihesians remind us of our obligations to the divine goodness, that we are not left in the sad state of our heathen ancestors; that we are not without the knowledge of Christ, in all the darkness of the Gentile world; that we are not aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise; that we are not destitute of any well-grounded foundation of future hope, and without God in the world. But how unhappy is the case of many, who, though they are called Christians, yet have no saving interest in that Redeemer whose name they bear, in consequence of their being strangers to the obedience of faith, and a vital subjection of heart to his gospel! Let all thatname the name of Christ, all that profess to know him, acknowledge, with a view to his atoning sacrifice, that if they are brought near to God it is by his blood. To this we owe the external privilege of a people nigh unto God; and to the effectual application of it we owe the blessings of that nearness which the heart feels as the earnest of its eternal happiness.If Christ, according to the principles of the apostle's reasoning, hath made peace by the blood of his cross between Jews and Genlilts, whose manner of living was so widely different from each other; if he hath broken down the middle wall of partition between them, and of two made one new man; how much more apparently reasonable is it that smaller differences should give way to the engagements of so endearing a band! Have we not all one Father? And have we not all access to him through one Saviour, by one Sfiirit? Let us then consider ourselves as fellow-citizens with the saints; and maintain that most cordial affection to all of this household, which becomes those that are of one family, and are named from one Lord.—And, as a great security of this union, let us be concerned to maintain a due regard to the apostles and prophets on whom we are built; whose writings, if perused with diligence and attention, subserve so much to the purposes of Christian edification. But, above all, let us fix our regards upon Christ, as the chief Cornerstone; by a union with whom we are united to each other, and the whole stress of our eternal hopes is supported. In him the whole building is fitly framed together; and it is by his operative influence that it groweth up to a holy temple in the Lord. Let us consider ourselves as designed for this use, to be an habitation of God through the Spirit; and be concerned to cultivate that purity and sanctity which suits Sd excellent a relation and so high a dignity. Let us lift up the everlasting gates of our souls to admit that blessed Inhabitant, that he may come and dwell in us, apd consecrate us more and more unto himself. SECTION V.The apostle expresses his sense of the divine goodness in committing the gospel to his trust, though he sacrificed his liberty in its defence. Ch. iii. 1—12.1 Tr' OR this cause*, I Paul am the prisoner of Jesus Christ for tha2 J; sake of you Gentiles; [as you cannot but know,"] since you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which hath3 been given to me in your behalf: that he made known to me by4 revelation the mysteiy (as I have briefly written before ; by which, when you read it, you may observe my understanding in the mys5 tery of Christ) which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed by the Spirit to his holy6 apostles and prophets; that the Gentiles should be joint-heirs and of the same body, and partakers together of his promise in Christ7 by the gospel: of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which was given to me by the energy of8 his power. Unto me, who am less than the leastf of all saints, this grace was given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearch9 able riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fel* "Fer the sake of this doctrine" (the admission of the Gentiles to those privileges.) M.f The apostle here makes a n?w word ete%ifols%i?, (the comparative of the superlative) which no translation can fully eqwal, or very happily express;Vol. II. XY lowship* of the mystery, -which from eternal ages was hid in God,.10 who created all things by Jesus Christ: that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and pow11 ers in heavenly places, by means of the church; according to the 13 eternal purpose which he formed in Christ Jesus our Lord, throughwhom we have freedom of speech, in our approaches to the throne of grace, and access with confidence, by the faith of him.REFLECTIONS.St. Paul's understanding in the mystery of Christ is just matter of perpetual joy to the whole Christian world, and especially to the Gentile churches, which have derived from thence so much of their knowledge and of their hope. Letus congratulate ourselves and each other on the propagation of s? glorious a sy stem of divine truth, which had so long been concealed from ages and generations. The apostles and prophets were raised up by God to receive and reveal it ; and we are entered on the blessed fruit of their labours. Let us learn from them to set a due value on our participation in that inheritance, on our union to that body to which by the gospel we are called.—May it particularly teach us that humiliy which was so conspicuous, so amiable, so admirable in St. Paul. This excellent man, this distinguished favourite of heaven, who stood in the foremost rank of Christians, of ministers, of apostles, yet labours for words to express the sense he had of his own meanness and unworthiness, and commits a kind of. solecism in language, that he might lay himself as low as possible; using the most diminutive term that could be, to describe himself as one who in hi*" own esteem was less than the least of all saints I And shall We then exalt ourselves, and be proud of the trifling distinctions that raise our obscure heads a little above some of our brethren?Let those in particular, who have the honour of being called to the sacred office of the ministry ; consider how reasonable it is, that instead of being puffed up with it they should rather be humbled, when they reflect how unworthy the best of men are of it, and in how defective a manner the most faithful discharged; while yet the grace is given them to fireach the riches of Christ, his unsearchable riches. Let these be made the frequent subject of their preaching ; and let all the course of it be directed, in a proper manner, to the illustration of that subject. Let the well-ehosen phrase which the apostle uses here, teach them and all Christians to search more and more into this unfathomable abyss ; as still sure tcdiscovernew wonders in the variety and fulness of its inexhaustible contents beyond what- they have known before, and to find new pleasures in tracing again those already known. This glorious theme is worthy of the contemplation-of angels; and we are elsewhere told, that these celestial spirits desire to look into it, and to learn new displays of.the divine attributes from the church. Let us then hear and worship, as under their inspection; and let not our hearts be cold to these sacred truths which are our own salvation,.* D. "comnmoication." The word is the same as in Ch. v. 11. It refers to the fellowship of the heathen in their religious rites and mysteries. M. from.Chandler. -while they rejoice in them only on the general principles of piety and benevolence.All that is done in the prosecution of the glorious design of our redemption now, is the result of those counsels of peace which God from eternal ages formed in his own compassionate mind. To that source, after the example of the apostle, let us frequently trace all with the most exalted gratitude ; recollecting that wc receive this adoption in Christ, who is the great Mediator of our access unto God. Let us therefore, on the one hand, take all our encouragements in prayer from views to him; and on the other, having such a foundation for it, let us come with an holy boldness to the divine throne, that so we may obtain the mercy and grace which we daily and hourly need. SECTION YI.He re/iresents Ms earnest prayers for their establishment, as theproof of his fervent affection. Ch. iii. 33, &c.13 Q* UCH are the privileges to which the gospel raises us: Wherein fore I desire that ye faint not at my affliction for you, which14 is your glory. For this cause I bend my knees to the Father of15 our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and I 6 on earth is named; that he would grant you according to theriches of his glory, to be mightily strengthened by his Spirit in17 the inner man -, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;18 and, being rooted and grounded in love, that ye may be enabled, ?with all saints, to apprehend what it the breadth, and length, and19 depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which surpasseth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of20 God. Now to him, that is able to do all things for w, abundantly exceeding all that wc can ask or conceive, according to the21 power which worketh in us; to him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all generations for ever and ever. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let our eyes be frequently directed to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our knees be frequently bowed brfore him, invoking him under this amiable and delightful character as the great Father of that one family which he hath been pleased in infinite mercy to form to himself; a family consisting not only of those who were originally the inhabitants of heaven, who were born in his house, and have never offended him, but of many who have been, and many who are, the inhabitants of earth, once the children of the curse, and the heirs of death and destruction.—Let us all remember it is now .the family of Christ, our great elder Brother, who, though Lord of heaven, disdains not to own that humble relation while the angels are adoring him as standing at the head of the society, and esteem it their honour to be related to him. Let us be more affected with the grace extended to us, and consider our relation to him as a bond of union among ourselves. While we are of this family, let not the different garbs we wear, or the different apartments in which we are lodged, alienate our affections from each other; but let us often be thinking of that blessed day when the whole family shall meet above, and let us m the mean time endeavour to behave as worthy members of it, and have its common interests at heart. And from that eminently faithful and honourable branch of the family, the blessed apostle, whose words we have been reading, let us learn what to wish for ourselves and our brethren; even that God, according to the riches of his grace, would strengthen us with might by his S/iirit in the inner man ; that we may attain great degrees of vigour and confirmation in religion, by the vital and powerful operations of the Holy Spirit of God upon our hearts ; that we may be strong to discharge every duty, to resist temptations, to conquer our enemies, to assist our brethren, and to glorify our Father and our Saviour. Let us earnestly desire, that Christ may not only now and then visit our hearts, but by the habitual and lively exercises of faith may even dwell in them; that we may thus be continually conversant with him as our most honoured and beloved Guest; and that love may take deeproot in our hearts, and be solidly grounded there. Let us earnestly pray that, under divine illuminations, we may be enabled to form more exalted and suitable conceptions than we have ever yet attained of the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, of this unfathomable, this inconceivable love of Christ, which surpasses the perfect knowledge even of saints in glory. And O, that by these contemplations we may find ourselves daily filed with all the fulness of God, so that our hearts may even overflow with the abundant communication of his gifts and graces!—What shall we say in return for the knowledge he hath already given us, for the love which he hath already wrought in our hearts, if we are so happy as to know the grace of God in truth? What! but that believing his power to out-do all it hath already wrought for us, yea to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think, we will still confide in him and call upon him; and will humbly endeavour to bear our part with the whole church, in ascribing to our Redeemer, our Sanctrfer, and our Father, glory throughout all ages, and even world without end. Amen. SECTION VII.The apostle pathetically exhorts them to mutual love, and to steadiness in religion, representing the glorious foundation laid for. it by Christ the Head of the Church. Ch. iv. 1—16.1 T THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that X ye walk worthy of the high and holy calling wherewith ye are2 called; with all humility and meekness, with long-suft'eririg for3 bear one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. To this union there are the strongest 4 motives. There is one body, the church; and one Spirit, which actuates it: as ye are also called in one hope of your calling.5 There is also one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But grace is given to*every one of us according to the measure of8 the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, " When he ascended on9 high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men*." Now this expression., he ascended, what is implied in it but that he also10 descended first into the lower parts of the earth? And he who descended, is also the same who ascended far above all heavens, that11 he might fill all things. And from his triumphal seat he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some12 pastors, and teachersf; for the perfection of saints who should be destined to the work of the ministry, for r the edifying of the13 body of Christ: till we all arrive at the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, even to the14 measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro, and borne about with every wind of doctrine, by the cheating sleight of men$, and by15 subtily in every method of deceit; but maintaining the truth in love, may grow up in all things into him who is the head, even. \ 6 Christ; from whom the whole body, being harmoniously joined and cemented together, by the supply of every joint, according to the energy proportionable to every part, maketh an increase otf the body, to the edifying of itself in love.REFLECTIONS.If divine grace have taught us to know the hope of our calling, it trill surely add great weight to these pathetic exhortations of this faithful servant and prisoner of Jesus Christ, to walk worthy of it; to walk as it becomes those to do who have been favoured with a call from God, who have received the honour of a call to the blessings of his gospel, to the privileges and hopes of his children. It will teach us that humility, meekness, and long-suffering, of which our divine Saviour was so glorious an example, which will engage us to the exercise of mutual forbearance, and which so well suits those whom he hath brought into so happy a state.—May we all experimentally know* the sweetness which attends a constant care to keep the unity of'the spirit in the bond of peace; that we may labour earnestly to maintain it, and with the utmost diligence may guard against those things w hich might lead us in any degree to violate it!To engage us to this, let those arguments which the apostle suggests be familiar to our mind. Do we not all indeed belong to one body, however called by different denominations? Have we not all, so far as we are truly Christians, received one spirit? Is there not one hope of our common calling, even that of dwelling together in ons and the same blissful world, with God, and with each other? Have* The apostle beautifully accommodates the words of David (Ps. lxviii.18.) in celebrating a late victory, to the triumph of an ascending Saviour.Here is an allusion to the custom of conquerors, who used to give largesses totheir soldiers after <l triumph.t It is observable that diocesan bishops are not mentioned, . i The word signifies, the artifice of infamous gamesters. -\ve not one Lord, even Jesus Christ, to whom we all equally profess 'subjection? who hath taught us one faith, who hath instituted one baptism, and who hath introduced and consecrated us to one God and Father of all? And what are the considerations which should prevail so far as to divide us when compared with such bonds of union as these? Let us all therefore. in the name of this God, who is over all, -who operates through all, and in us all, in the name of this one Saviour, and one Sfiirit (awful and endearing names, into which we were all baptized) charge it upon our own souls, that we not only do nothing by a factious and uncharitable temper to divide his church, but that we study what we can do to heal its breaches, and to promote its growth and edification. And let us pray, that God would guide and succeed our endeavours for that purpose, and preserve our hearts in ?such a situation and temper, that we may stand continually willing to 'give up every temporal interest that may interfere with such a design; yea, and even to make our own blood, if such were the will of God, the cement of those wounds, at which a body so intimately" united to Christ has so long been bleeding almost to death.—Were we actually to give such a proof of our regard to it, we could but very imperfectly repay the condescension and love of that Saviour, who for us descended to these low regions of the earth,' and dwelt for a while among the dead; and then triumphantly rising, and ascending on high, led those enemies, that had before held us in captivity, themselves captive, as at his chariot-wheels; and having received gifts for men, scattered them down with such royal munificence, that he might fill all things, and fit his ministers for the offices to which he had destined them.These his ministers we are taught by this passage to regard as the special gift of his love to the church, and as such let us adore him for them ; not only for apostles, prophets, and evangelists, but also for pastors and teachers. And let us earnestly pray, that through the continued influences of that Spirit which he hath sent down from on high, holy men may in every succeeding age be so perfectly and completely fitted for the work of the ministry, that the body of Christ may be edified; that by this means we may all come to that union, to that strength, to that full maturity, to which by calling us into the fellowship of the gospel he intended to raise us.—In the mean time, while we are advancing towards it, may we rise above that childish weakness which would make us the sport of every wind of doctrine, and a prey to every artifice of designing men. Let us ever maintain a due regard to the united interests of truth and love, that our union with Christ may be secured, and our growth in him more happily and abundantly advanced. SECTION VIII.The apostle urges them to distinguish themselves from the Gentiles, by Che holiness of their behaviour, and particularly presses upon them veracity,meekness, and purity. Ch. iv. 17—30.17 T<HIS I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longJl er walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the vanity of18 their mind; having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, by reason of the ignorance that is in them,19 because of the blindness of their heart: who being grown insensible, have abandoned themselves to lewdness, to work all unclean20 ness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ, seeing21 ye have heard him speaking in his word, and have been instructed22 by * him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off, with respect to the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to23 deeeitful lusts; and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind i 34 and to put on the new man, which is created according to the image of God in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away every kind of lie, speak every one 36 truth to his neighbour; for we are members'one'of another. Beangry f, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath;27 neither give place to the devil who would enfiame your spirits with 28 mutual enmity. Let him that stole, steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands that which is good, that h&29 may have something to impart to the necessitous. .Let no corrupt discourse proceed out of your mouth, but any thing that is good to30 useful edification, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And do not grieve that Holy Spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed a? his own unto the day of redemption.REFLECTIONS. That we are all naturally so much alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in us, that our minds are naturally so dark and our hearts so hard, is indeed matter of the justest lamentation. But since we have learned Christ, since the light of his blessed gospel hath been imparted to us, and we are no longer numbered among theheathen nations, let us not abandon ourselves to those irregularities of temper and life, for which even their ignorance will not be a sufficient excuse ; since even natural light might teach them to condemn and to abhor such courses.—There are deceitful lusts, according to which the old man is corrupt : let us be always on our guard against them, and labour after such a renovation as becomes our profession ; and, in order to its being effectual, let us be earnestly solicitous to obtain it in the spirit of our mind; that we may shew its influence upon us, not merely by ceasing to do evil, but by learning to the utmost of our power to do good. Thus let it be our care to put on the new man, to be* " In him." D. "Concerning him." M. "By him." C.T.t This is not a command to be angry, but only a concession with a caution. partakers of a new and holy nature, and to be brought to the whole of that temper in all its branches, by which we shall resemble the bless'-" ed God, the bright original of universal righteousness and holiness, and the great model of perfection.In consequence of this, remembering our relation to each other, let tis speak ihe truth from our hearts; and upon all occasions let us treat others with the same candour and integrity with which we would ourselves desire to be treated.—If anger rise, let it be on just occasions, and in due proportion ; and let us take care that it rest not in our bosoms, lest by indulging it we give place to the devil, and become like that malignant spirit.—Let us be upright in our dealings, and, conscientiously avoiding the iniquitous practice of defrauding others, let generous and charitable sentiments always possess us ; nor let those whose circumstances in life may constrain them to maintain themselves by their own labour, think they may violate the strictest rules of honesty, or are dispensed with from all obligations to relieve others^ more necessitous than themselves.—In short, whenever we engage in conversation let us avoid every thing that may have the remotest tendency to corrupt discourse; and let us study what may improve and edify the minds of our hearers; embracing every opportunity of suggesting any thing that i? good, and that may tend to minister grace^ or to promote the more abundant exercise of it in the minds of those in whom it is already implanted.—Thus will the Spirit of God, that sacred agent by whom we are sealed to the day of redemption, be delighted, instead of being grieved, as he so frequently is by the vain and foolish discourses of those who would bp thought his temples, of those who indeed are so. For his influences let us look, to dispose us to every good word and work, and seasonably to remind us of these i plain but weighty admonitions, which, alas, are so little remembered by the generality of Christians, that one would imagine they had scarcely ever read them.SECTION IX.Practical exhortations continued, with earnest cautions against the gross impurities of the heathen. Ch. iv. 31.—v. 1—1431 T ET all bitterness, and indignation, and wrath, and clamour,' -1 d and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.32 But be obliging to each other, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another, even as God in Christ hath freely forgivenv. you. Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children: and2 walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling sa3 vour*. But let not fornication, hor any kind of uncleanness or insatiable desire, be so much as named among you, as it becometh4 saints; neither fikhiness, nor foolishness of speech, nor lewd turnsf,* More fragrant, more acceptable, than any of the victims or perfumes offered of old.f Ambiguities of expression ; double entendres; which Aristotle, using tins very word, recommends, as what render conversation agreeable. 5 which are by no means convenient: but rather thanksgiving. For ye know this, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of6 Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with vain words; for on account of these things the wrath of God cometh on the chilf dren of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them.8 For ye were once darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord:9 walk as children of the light, (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all10 goodness, and righteousness, and truth,) proving what is well11 pleasing to the Lord. And be. not joint-partakers in the unfruitful12 works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.13 But all things which are to be reproved, are made manifest by the14 light: for whatsoever doth make objects manifest, is light. Wherefore {the scripture] saith, "Awake,' thou that slcepcst, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light*.REFLECTIONS.The obligations which, as Christians, we lie under to cultivate benevolence and purity, are common to all countries and to all ages. Let us therefore frequently read over these plain exhortations, and solemnly charge our souls with their divine authority and importance. Let it not be enough to us that we carefully avoid all bitterness and wrath, clamour and evil'-speaking; but let us cherish all the kind affections of mutual love and tenderness, and practise even the most difficult duties of charity, freely forgiving those that have injured us, as sensible how much greater offences God has forgiven us; always remembering whose children we are, and what engagements we are under to imitate our heavenly Father; and always setting before our eyes the love of Christ, who gave himself for us, and thereby offered a most fdeasing sacrifice to God. Through him shall our sacrifices, proceeding from the sams principle, be acceptable also to him, even the sacrifices of alms, of prayer, and of praise. Let us not only abstain from the grossest sensual indulgences, but from every thing indecent in our words and actions: and that we may do so, let us make a covenant, not only with our eyes, but with our hearts; remembering, that it is idolatry in the sight of God to set our1 hearts upon the gross delights of animal nature, to the neglect and forgetfulness of his blessed Majesty; remembering also, that the kingdom of Christ and of God is intended only for those who by purity of heart are qualified to see and enjoy him.—Many false and sophistical reasons men have invented to palliate and excuse their vices: but if the wrath of God fall upon the heathen for these things, let us not imagine that we can practise them with impunity; and upon no account let us presume to be partakers with them in their sins, that so we may not share with them in their punishment. We are called from darkness into light, from the darkness of sin into the* "Shall shine upon thee." M. This is supposed to be a reference to It. lx. t light of grace; let us remember then the happy state into which we are brought, and walk as children of light, having our conversation such as may be suitable to the character we bear, and to the obligations we are under, by the advantages we enjoy: and searching diligently -what is acceptable to the Lord, let us discover and make known to all, that we approve it upon trial, by our conforming to it, and bringing forth the fruits of goodness, righteousness, and truth, under the light and influence of the Holy Spirit, as those who have been savingly enlightened by him.Let us avoid the works of darkness, not as unfruitful only, but as mischievous and destructive; and be careful that we do in no degree partake of them, not even so much as by a sinful silence, when providence calls us to reprove them: but let us earnestly pray for wisdom and grace, to order these reproofs in the wisest and happiest manner; that so we may, like that light of which we are the children, not only continue ourselves unsullied in the midst of pollution, but make things manifest in their proper colours, and discountenance those indecencies, the shame of which will make the very mention of them odious ta the renewed soul ; while those that practise them are so far conscious of their vileness, as to endeavour to conceal them from the light, and draw a veil of darkness over them.—And O, that the almighty voice of God may rouse up and awaken sinners from their sleep, and engage them to arise from the dead, that Christ may give them light! He is the great and only source of light to sinful creatures, by whom it is sprung up on those who deserve to be consigned over to chains of everlasting darkness. Let us hail the rays of this Sun of righteousness: let us reflect them to his glory: and let it be our concern, that, being raised by him from the sleep of sin, we may spring up to his service with vigour, and prosecute it through all the remainder of our days with becoming gratitude and zeal.SECTION X.Exhortations to a life of circumspection and usefuhiess, of temperance, and devotion. Ch. v. 15—21.15 C< EE therefore, that ye walk accurately ; not as fools, but as16 lO wise men; redeeming the time*, because the days are evil.17 Wherefore be not inconsiderate, but understanding what is the18 will of the Lord. And be not drunk with wine, in which there is19 excess; but be ye filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves and each other in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing20 and chanting in your hearts to the Lord: always giving thanks for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God even21 the Father. Be subject to each other in the fear of God.REFLECTIONS. Who can read the first exhortation in this short section, without seeing cause for the deepest humiliation, on account of his own carc* The word properly signifies, recovering what has been lost. less and inconsiderate behaviour? Alas, the wisest have their intervals of folly; and they who walk the most accurately are not without their heedless steps. In how many instances are our thoughts dissipated, and how frequently are we quite forgetful of ourselves and our God! neither watching for opportunities of doing good, nor guarding against temptations to sin; but suffering the one to pass by us unimproved, and the other to seize us unprovided for resistance.—That precious time, on the right management of which eternity depends, and in the improvement of every day and hour of which, it is manifest, that at least the degree of our everlasting happiness is interested; that time which thousands on a dying bed, or in the invisible state, would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world; how little do we think of the value of it, and to what trifles are we daily sacrificing it! Yea, to what trifles do we not sacrifice it I In the several divisions of it, when we come seriously to reflect on the morning; the forenoon; the afternoon; and the evening; how remiss are we in the proper business of each! So that if the great business for which we were sent into the world, to understand what is the will of the Lord, and to act according to it, be not, as it often is, entirely neglected, it is performed in a manner shamefully remiss and indifferent.—If we are not drunk with wine, in which there is an excess (from which, to the shame of Christianity, the followers of Mahomet totally abstain with resolute self-denial, far more easily than Christians keep themselves within the limits of sober temperance) yet how frequently are we quite intoxicated with pleasure, in which we forget the dignity of our nature, and the rules of our profession! And how seldom are we breathing after that quickening Spirit which alone can effectually remedy these disorders!If our voices are employed in singing the praises of God in our public assemblies (where, nevertheless, so many are constantly silent) or if we practise it in our families, how little are our hearts engaged! How seldom doth God receive any cheerful sacrifice of praise from us, even in our most prosperous circumstances! And how much less in every thing! Where is the person that can say, " In the night is my song unto thee? amidst the darkness and distress of affliction I still praise thee, though thou correctest me, yea because thou correctest me with such paternal wisdom and love ?"—And, to conclude these melancholy reflections, How little subjection is there to each other in the various relations of human life! and where there is any of it, how much more frequently doth it proceed from other considerations than from the fear of God, and a religious regard to his injunctions! Yet these that have been mentioned are commands established by a divine authority ; and there is not a Christian in any age, country, or station, who is not by his profession solemnly obliged to observe them.—What shall we say then, on the whole, but this i We lie down in our shame, and confusion covers us because we have sinned against the Lord our God. And what counsel can be given to remedy these things, but this? If any man lack wisdom (of which these are some of the most important precepts) let him ask it of God, who giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth none with those instances of former folly which they sincerely lament, and which they labour to amend. SECTION XI. The duties of Husbands and Wives. Ch. v. 22, &c. 22 T^TIVES, be subject unto your own husbands, as unto the23 V V Lord ; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church ; and he is the saviour of the24 [sfiiritual] body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so also let wives be subject to their own husbands in every thing.25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also hath loved the26 church, and hath given himself for it, that he might sanctify and27 cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might place it in bis presence, a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any thing of that nature; but that it should be holy,28 and without blame. Husbands ought so to love their wives, as29 their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, Ioveth himself: for no man ever yet hated his own flesh ; but nourisheth, and cherisheth30 it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body,31 of his flesh, and of his bones. Answerably to this (as we read, Gen. ii. 24.) "a man shall leave his father, and mother, and be32 joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." This is a 34 great mystery*, but I speak of Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife, even as himself; and the wife see, that she reverence her husband.REFLECTIONS. Let the love of our blessed Redeemer to his church be daily celebra-. ted with the most cordial gratitude, and that infinite condescension ador* cd, by which he hath been pleased to unite us to himself in such dear and inseparable bonds. He is the saviour of the body ; and O, in how wonderful a manner is he become so! He hath given himselffor us; hath brought us from servitude and misery at the expense of his own life, and hath washed us from our sins in his own blood, as well as cleansed us in the laver of ba/itismal water; and intending us for the eternal displays of his love, as well as for the participation of his glory, he hath sanctified us by his Spirit, and formed us for it by his word; and thus is preparing us for that blessed day, when the whole body of his elect shall be brought forth, as the bride the Lamb's wife, to those public espousals, which shall have their consummation in complete and everlasting happiness. O what a noble and illustrious day ! when the eye of Christ shall survey all the millions of his people, and placing them in his presence as one with himself, shall look with full complacency and delight on all the various members of that glorious church, and behold neither spot, nor wrinkle^ nor any such thing; but all comely, fair, and lovely, all answering that perfect idea which he had formed, and that scheme which he had laid for raising them, by perfect holir ness, to perfect felicity .—In the mean time, let us think with delight* i. e. This union between the first pair; but I am speaking of it as embler matical of, Sec. M. V. 33. " Therefore let every cce— lb. on the proofs that he gives of his constant love. He nourishes and cherishes his church; and with the most affectionate regard is tender of it, as we are of the members of our own body, of our fiesh, and of our bones. O, that we may have a more sensible communion with him as our great Head, and may derive more continual influences from him!For his sake let us love one another: and let those who are joined in the conjugal relation often consider it in the view in which it is here represented. Let husbands see to it, that their love to their wives bear some resemblance to that which Christ avows to the church.; let wives pay a reverence to their husbands, like that which the church is to pay to Christ: and let both take care to maintain that wisdom and sanctity in the whole of their behaviour, which may suit the relation which they bear to each other in their common Head, as well as render their intimate alliance happy; which it can never be but by an union of hearts as well as of hands.—Vain will it be to think of dividing their interest when their persons are thus joined in such a manner as to become one flesh. And can there be a stronger argument to the most tender love! He that loveih his wife, love/h himself: she that loveth her husband, and from love obeys him, loveth herself too: and every instance of unkindness on the one hand, or the other, is but arming the members with weapons against the head, or employing the head in contrivances against the members.SECTION XII.Tlie mutual duties of cliildren and parents, of servants and masters. Ch.vi. 1—9.1 /^l HILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right2 V_y "Honour thy father and thy mother" (which is the first3 commandment with promise) " that it may be well with thee, and4 thou mayest be long-lived upon the earth." And, ye Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath ; but educate them in the nur5 ture and admonition of the Lord. Servants, be subject to your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the6 simplicity of your heart, as unto Christ: not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God7 from the soul; with good-will doing service, as to the Lord, and8 not to men: knowing that whatsoever good any man doth, he shall receive a reward for the same of the Lord, whether he be a9 slave, or a freeman.—And, ye Masters, do the same to them, forbearing severe threatening; knowing that ye yourselves also have a master in the heavens; and there is no respect of persons w ith him.REFLECTIONS. It is matter of thankful acknowledgment, that God condescends in Iiis word to give us particular instructions, suited to the circumstances in which we are respectively placed. Children and servants are not forgotten. Let them attend to those gracious lessons which are here j>?ven by the supreme Parent and Master, who while he teaches them, pleads their cause, and interposes his high authority to vindicate them from oppression and abuse. Much of the happiness of society evidently depends on the temper and conduct of those who are placed in these lower relations. Let children therefore learn to be subject to their parents with all dutiful and humble respect, from a sense of the reasonableness of the command, and of the goodness which has annexed such a promise to it; a promise which shall still be efficacious, so far as long life would be indeed a blessing to a pious child. Let servants, with all godly sincerity and uprightness of heart, revere the authority of Christ in them that are their masters according to the flesh; and exercise a good conscience towards them upon all occasions, not only when under their eye, but in their absence; well knowing that God is always present, and always attentive to the conduct of every rational creature in whatsoever rank. Let them cherish that inward good-will and benevolence of heart, which renders every act of service uniform and steady, and makes it in a degree obliging, even when performed by those from whom authority might have extorted it. And let the certain and important reward that will assuredly follow every good action, whether great or small, and whether performed by persons in more elevated or inferior stations of life, animate us all to a zealous diligence in well-doing, whatever discouragement may at present attend us.And as to those who bear the superior relations in life, let them remember, that the command of a much higher parent and Lord requires also of them a tender regard to their inferiors. Let parents therefore govern their own passions, that they may not terrify and oppress the tender spirits of their children; or if they are otherwise than tender, may not teach them an evil lesson against themselves, and by their own example strengthen them in those excesses which may be a disgrace and detriment to the family, and may, when age has broken all the vigour of the parents, bring down their grey hairs with sorrow to the grave. A conscientious care to educate and train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, if duly attended to, will teach a better conduct, and the meekness and gentleness of Christ will have an happy influence on both.—And, finally, let the thoughts of the great impartial Master in heaven awe masters on earth; and the expectation, the certain expectation of giving an account to him, engage them to make the yoke of servitude, which God has been pleased to lay on those who are nevertheless their brethren, as light and easy as they can; choosing, even when they might command with authority, rather with love to entreat; not doing or saying any thing unnecessarily rigorous or severe, not threatening, reviling, or reproaching, but treating their servants as those whom they consider as partakers with them in the same hope, or whom they earnestly desire by all prudent condescension and tenderness to lead into the way of salvation. SECTION XIII.The apottle exhorts them to prepare for the spiritual warfare, by putting on the whole armour of God. Ch. vi. 10, &c,10 ftl INALLY, * my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the11 JO power of his might. Put on the complete armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the artifices of the devil.12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood alone, but with principalities, with powers, with the rulers of the darkness of this world,13 with spirits of wickedness who rebelled in heavenly places. On this account, take unto you the complete armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, the season of danger, and14 having done all in your power to stand victorious. Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and uprightness, and put15 ting on the breast-plate of righteousness; and having your feet16 shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Upon all these taking the shield of faith, whereby ye shall be able to quench all17 the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, which is your Christian hope; and the sword of the Spirit,18 which is the word of God. Continually praying, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit ; and watching thereunto with all19 perseverance, and supplication for all saints: particularly for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth20 with boldness, to make known the mystery of the gospel; for which I discharge my embassy in a chain ; that I may speak boldly therein, as I ought to.speak.21 But that ye also may know the things that relate to me and what I am doing here at Rome, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful22 minister in the Lord, shall fully inform you : whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that ye might know what relateth to23 us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus24 Christ. Grace be with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let the heart of every Christian soldier.be at once awakened, and animated, by the important charge which the apostle here is (as it were) still sounding in our ears. He knew the weakness of the Christian, and the dangers of his way; how insufficient for the spiritual warfare we are in ourselves, and that our only strength is in the Lord, and in the power of his might, by whom alone we can be kept in safety, and may be made even more thanfonquerors in all things: and therefore pointing us to this, at the same time that he sets forth the difficulty of the combat, and sounds a charge to the battle, he shews us the provision made for our defence, and calls us to put on * "As to what remaineth." D.—Ver. 17. See 1 Thes. v. 8. the complete armour of God; an armour that will serve for every part; that will supply us both with offensive and defensive weapons, and help us to withstand, and even to surmount, the greatest opposition. Let us see to it then that we put on, and that we use it all—And havei we not enough to engage us to it, when we consider that our enemies are great and many, that they are restless and unwearied in their malice, and that their sublilty is inconceivable? Flesh and blood have too frequently worsted us: how then shall we stand against principal-/ ities and /lowers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spirits of wickedness, who make it still their business to draw others into that spiritual wickedness which they were first so daring as to shew in heavenly places? It will be impossible we should at any time be safe from danger, if every direction here given be not diligently attended to; and having such a numerous and mighty host of enemies combined against us, we never shall be able to withstand and overcome them, if the girdle of truth be loosened; if the breast-plate of righteousness be not put on; if the preparation of the gospel of peace do not secure our steps; if the helmet of salvation do not guard our head; if the shield of faith be not our shelter, and the sword of the Spirit our weapon. And vainly shall we labour to obtain this ar-> mour by any other method, if fervent prayer and supplication in the Spirit, under the aids and influences of his grace, be not addressed to the God of heaven, whose work and whose gift this celestial armour is: so that if ever we would have it, and would use it right, let us persist in seeking it with holy importunity and perseverance, and the desired answer shall not always be denied.—-To conclude; Let us often think of the apostle Paid, as discharging his embassy in a chain, that we may learn to submit to whatever affronts and injuries, whatever hardships and sufferings, we may be called to endure on the ac-* count of religion; concerned about nothing so much as that we may approve our fidelity in the sight of God, and loving the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, may be partakers of the blessings of his grace, -with all that have a true affection to him. All that appear to be of such a character, let us ever most affectionately love, whatever their particular sentiments or forms of worship may be; and a share of this mercy and favour, with all the blessed fruits of peace and prosperity, of love and faith, shall be infallibly our own, and be communicated in a rich abundance to us from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen, THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIAN3.*HE Christian religion was first planted at Philippi, a city in Macex donia, and a Roman colony, by the apostle Paul, about the year 51, in consequence of his being admonished in a vision. See Acts xvi. It is plain from Acts xx. 6, that he afterwards made these Christians a second visit. Their faithful adherence to the gospel, as well as their peculiar affection to him, and their generous contributions for his support, entitled them to his distinguished regard. In this epistle, which he wrote while a prisoner in Rome, A. D. 63, he expresses the warmest gratitude and affection.—It is quite of a practical kind; and the design of it was—to comfort the Philippians under the concern they had expressed at the news of his imprisonment ; to check a party-spirit which had broke out among them ; to guard them against being seduced by Judaizing teachers; to support them under their trials ; and to excite them to adorn their profession by eminent attainments in religion. The apostle's general salutation, expressing his satisfaction in them, and his prayers for them. Ch. i. 1—11.1 T) AUL and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the Jl saints in Christ Jesus, which are at Philippi, with the2 bishops* and deacons: Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.S I give thanks unto my God in every mention of you (always in4 every prayer of mine making supplication for you with all joy)5 for your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.6 And I am confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a7 good work in you, will finish it f until the day of Jesus Christ. As it is just in me to be thus affected towards you all, because you have me in your hearts, both in my bonds, and in my defence and confirmation of the gospel, as you are all partakers with me in the grace8 of that gospel. For God is my witness, how earnestly I long for9 you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in all per10 ception and feeling; so as to prove by experience things which differ; that ye may be sincere and inoffensive until the day of Christ:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.* This proves there must have been more than one bishop at Philippi; and has been thought an intimation that there was then no difference between bishops and presbyters; all the presbyters of this church having the title of bishops, or overseers, which the word cTurxcTroi beyond all controversy imports. Dr. Whitby solidlv defends this interpretation. f" Will be completing it" M. "Will go on to finish it." W.SECTION I. REFLECTIONS. Amidst the numberless mercies with which, through the indulgence of our heavenly Father, we are daily surrounded, what can demand our humble and grateful acknowledgments more than our particifiation of the gospel? To whatever afflictions it may expose us, or whatever we may be- called to sacrifice to its interests, every day in which we share its comforts and supports, calls aloud for our praises, both in the enjoyment and in the recollection. And whilst we look back with these sentiments of gratitude, let us look forwards with cheerful confidence. It is to God's having begun a good work in us, that we are to ascribe it, that the glorious gospel of his Son is our joy and our wonder, rather than our aversion and our scorn. We may therefore be humbly confident, that he will not forsake the work of his own hands, but will finish it, so that it shall appear worthy of himself in the great day of the Lord.—No wonder that, where this blessed work is begun, there is a great affection between those who were the instruments of producing it, and those in whom it is produced. No wonder if Paul made mention of these his Christian converts at Philipfii, in every prayer of his, offering up requests for them, and praying for the increase of their hope and love. No wonder, on the other side, if their hearts were tenderly set upon him, and that, distant as he was, he seemed to lodge there, and their tinder care followed him through every circumstance of his bonds and apology ; so that his sufferings and dangers were even more painful to them than their own : while he on his part longed for them all in the bowels of the Lord, and could conceive of no greater charm in liberty itself than that it might give him opportunity of cultivating so endearing a friendship by personal converse.—The increase of love founded on knowledge, and attended with other sentiments of experimental religion, is to be numbered among the* best of apostolic blessings. Every experience of these things will confirm our resolution of maintaining that godly sincerity, which will render our conversation unblamable^ and our account in the day of the Lord comfortable. To glorify God by the fruits of righteousness, is the great end for which these rational natures were given us; and it is by the exercise of lively faith in Christ that these dispositions are cultivated, and these fruits rendered most abundant.SECTION H.He informs them how his imprisonment had been, and would be, over-ruled for the service of the gospel. Ch. i. 12—20.1AMconvinced of your tender affcclmi for me in my imprisonment: But I would have you to know, brethren, that the things relating to me, have fallen out rather to the advancement of the13 gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifested in all the palace14 of Cxsar, and in all other places. And many of the brethren in the Lord were emboldened by my bonds to venture with much15 more undaunted courage to preach the word. Indeed some preach Christ even from envy and contention to maintain a party 16 opposite to me; while others do it out of sincere affection. The first indeed preach Christ out of strife, not with simplicity, desi17 rous to add affliction to my bonds ; whereas others preach out of love, as they know that I am set for the defence of the gospel.18 What then ? Yet every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yea and I will rejoice.19 For I know that even this opposition shall issue in my salvation,20 by your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ; according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall in nothing be ashamed ; but that by all freedom of speech, as always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or in death.REFLECTIONS.How admirable is the conduct of divine providence ! and in how beautiful a manner does it often work the purposes it wisely and graciously determines, by events which seem to have the most contrary tendency ! Who could have imagined that the imprisonment of St. Paul should have been effectual to the advancement of Christianity? Thus can God animate and encourage his servants, by the extremity which their brethren suffer in his cause ; so that they shall wax confident by their bonds and their martyrdom. Let this then reconcile us to all the allotments of providence, and establish us in an earnest expectation and hope that Christ will be glorified in all things by us, whether by our life or death : and who, that knows the grace of God in truth, would not rejoice even in death itself, if the gracious Redeemer, who. gave his own life for us, may thereby be magnified? How execrable the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and managed a ministry which should have breathed nothing but love, in a view of adding affliction to those bonds that oppressed this best of men! But how generous and amiable the disposition which the apostle expresses when he rejoices in this, that Christ was preached, though the purposes with regard to him were so unkind! These are the wonders which the love of Jesus produces in the soul; thus doth it empty us of every malignant passion, and reconcile us to the most disagreeable events, that may advance his interests. Where such principles inspire the breast, the faithful servants of Jesus will find their own account, while they are wholly intent on his honour. All these events shall turn to their salvation; but let it be remembered, that it is through the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ which sanctifies to us every circumstance through which we pass. That these supplies may be imparted, let us unite our prayers in favour of all who love our common Lord in sincerity. SECTION III.Parii declares his desire to be with Christ, and yet his readiness to continue here for his Lord's service; desiring to hear that they maintained the honour of their Christian character. Ch. i. 21—3a21 I,1 OR to mc to live is Christ; to serve him is the supreme end of 22 i "ly life; and consequently, to die is gain. And if I live longer in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour, to promote his 23 cause. And which I should choose, I know not: for I am borne two different ways, having a desire to be unbound*, and to be with24 Christ, which is better beyond all expression. But to abide in25 the flesh is more expedient for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, in order to26 the advancement of your faith and joy; that your rejoicing in me may, in Christ Jesus, be more abundant by my coming among27 you again. Only let your conversation! be as becometh the gospel of Christ; that whether I come to visit you, or be long absent, I may hear concerning you, that ye stand fast in one spirit, striv28 ing together with one soul for the faith of the gospel; and not in any degree terrified by the fury of your enemicsf: which is to them an evident token of destruction; but to you of salvation, and29 that from God. For it is granted to you, as a favour, on the part of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his30 sake ; having the same struggle as ye saw in mc, and now hear to be in me.REFLECTIONS. How happy must that man be, who can truly say that to him to live is Christ, and to die gain! What a blessed alternative is before him, and how cheerfully may he leave it to providence to decide which of the two shall be appointed for him! And yet how vain must life be, and how miserable death, to that man who cannot say it! He that gathereth not with Christ, scattereth abroad; and when death comes to such an one, it is the loss of all, attended with the final, and alas I the eternal loss of himself. While the good man pronounces it better, beyond all comparison, to depart, that he may be with Christ, and submits only to continue in life, as the part in which self-denying duty requires him to acquiesce. But, O! how unworthy the Christian character, to be averse to so advantageous a remove! To be unwilling, and that even on such terms, to depart and to be with Christ! As if any converse, any friendship, any enjoyment, any hope here, were comparable; yea, as if it were preferable to serving him in his* To weigh anchor and set sail for eternity. The original has an allusion to a ship scacioned at a particular place, liable to be forced to sea by violent winds;t The word literally signifies, to behave as citizens.% Ic is to be bome in mind, that they were now in a suffering state, as diis illustrates several masterly strokes inuie apostle's address to them. Iimmediate presence, under the everlasting tokens of his acceptance and delight.But if that Master, whom we have the honour to serve, determine to us an abode here for months and years to come, and his church may receive advantage by it, ill shall we requite his love, who quitted heaven for this sinful and wretched earth of ours, if we are unwilling for a while to wait till he shall call us up to himself. Very deficient shall we be in that gratitude and zeal which we owe him if we "find not something of a heaven begun even below, in doing what may be pleasing to him, in managing his interest, with such degrees of ability as he shall be pleased to honour us with, and so training up others to a meetness for those enjoyments which he hath taught us by his grace to expect and pursue.—Whatever our stations may be, whether in public or private life, let it be our care in every circumstance and relation, that our conversation may be as becometh the gospel; that we may adorn so holy a profession, and answer so glorious a hope. If opposition arise, let it not terrify us. It will, if well supported, be a token of salvation, and that of God. Let us account it an honour, and the gift of the divine favour to us, to be called and strengthened to suffer for his sake. So were the prophets, so were the apostles, dignified. We have heard of their noble contentions, that we might ernulate them ; and well may we do it, since we have the same author, finisher, and support of our faith, and hope to partake of the same exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 1SECTION IV.Exhortations to unanimity, candour, and a tender care for each other's interest, enforced by the condescending love of our blessed Redeemer. Ch, ii. 1—16.1 TF therefore there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of JL love, if any communication of the Spirit, if any bowels and2 compassions, complete my joy ; for I am exceeding desirous that ye may be unanimous, maintaining the same love, having your souls joined together in attending to the one thing, the advance3 ment of holiness. Let nothing be done out of contention, or from vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind, esteeming others as more4 excellent than yourselves. Do not every one aim at his own5 interests, but each of you also at the interests of others. Let the 6" same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who beingin the form of God, thought it not robbery to be and appear as 7 God*; nevertheless emptied himself of this glory; taking upon * So io-x Qca is most exactly rendered. The proper phrase for equal to God is <sr? T? &ia, John v. 18.—Bp. Burnet well observes, " the Socinian interpretation is insipid, as if it were a mighty proof of humility that though Christ wrought miracles, he did not set up for supreme deity."—The apostle's design here is (as Peirce observes) not to caution the Philippians against coveting what they had no right to, but to engage them, after the example of Christ, to give up their own right for the advantage of others. him the form of a servant, when made in the likeness of men;8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming9 obedient even unto death, the death of the cross. Therefore God hath exalted him to the most eminent dignity, and granted him a10 name superior to every name; so that in the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of celestial beings, and of those upon and under11 the earth; and that every tongue may confess that Jesus Christ12 is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as ye have always been obedient, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with13 fear and trembling ; for God is he who worketh in you, both to14 will and to perform, of his own good pleasure. Let all things be15 done without murmurings and disputings ; that ye may be blameless and inoffensive, the children of God, unexceptionable in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation: amongst whom16 shine as lights in the world; holding outf the word of life, to my rejoicing in the day of Christ, that it may appear I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.REFLECTIONS.We know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. , Few Christians are unacquainted with the remarkable phrases in which it is here expressed. But how few seriously pause upon it, and labour to affect their hearts with its important meaning! Who can conceive the dignity and glory of Christ, when in the form of God, and accounting it no robbery or usurpation to be as God? Who can conceive of that mysterious act; of that (if wc may be allowed to say it) more than mysterious love, by which he emptied himself of this glory, that he might assume the humble form of a servant, being found in fashion like a man, and then might stoop yet lower, so as to become obedient to death, even the death of the cross? Often let us contemplate this amazing object : often let us represent to our admiring, to our dissolving hearts, the man Christ Jesus extended there, and pouring forth his soul in agony and blood. As often let us remember his high original, his divine glories, the bosom of the Father, the throne of God. With pleasure let us reflect, that he is returned to it, and that, having ennobled this low nature of ours by so intimate an union with the divine, God his Father hath, in that nature, exalted him, and given him a name above every name, human or angelic, in the visible, or in all the distant and different regions of the invisible world. Let our knees gladly bow to so amiable a sovereign, and let \is with pleasure view the approaching day, when every knee shall submissively own his authority, and every tongue confess him Lord, io the glory of God the Father. In the mean time, let us never forget the purposes for which the apostle hath here called our meditations to these wonderful and instructive truths. It is to inculcate upon us (O, may we ever inculcate it upon ourselves !) that the same mind may always be in us that was j- An allusion to light-houses, to direct mariners in the night, to prevent their being shipwrecked on the rocks. also in him. That, if there be any consolation in such a Saviour, any comfort in such love as he teaches, any bowels of tenderness in human nature, any endearing fellowship in the one Sftirit which we derive from him, we may with united hearts and hands be carrying on the one great business of his servants, working out our salvation with fear and trembling; avoiding every thing that may grieve and injure others, or that may discredit our holy profession. And being now made by him the children of God, may we shine with a bright, steady flame, as lights in the world, and hold out, for the benefit of all around us, the word of life, as the gospel, which redeems us from the second death and raises us to eternal life, may properly be called. May we spread its lustre through as wide a circle as possible, and with it that happiness, which nothing but a cordial belief of it and subjection to it can bring to the human heart—To conclude, let us learn from the wise and pious exhortations of the apostle, at once our duty and our dependence : our duty, to work out our own salvation; our dependence on the grace of him, who worketh in us, both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure. And therefore let us so seek divine grace, and rest upon it, as to exert with v:gour and resolution the faculties which are to co-operate with it; and let us so endeavour to exert the faculties which God hath given us, as to confide in divine grace, and rest continually upon it; without which we shall neither will nor do any thing pleasing to God, or available to our own salvation: for in this sense, salvation is of the Lord, and through his blessing, which is upon his people. SECTION V.He assures them of his readiness even to die for tjbeir advantage, but expresses his hope of being restored to them : in the mean time, promising them a visit from Timothy, he sends Epaphroditus; of whose late sickness, and love for them, he speaks in affectionate terms. Ch. ii. 17, &c.IHAVE told you how much I am interested in your exemplary deportment : Yea and * if I should even be poured forth, as a drink-offering, on the sacrifice and ministration of your faithf, I18 rejoice and congratulate you all. And on this account, do you19 also rejoice, and congratulate o me.—But I hope in the Lord Jesus, quickly to send Timothy to you, that I also may be refresh20 ed, knowing from him the state of your aftairs. For I have none of a like disposition with him, who will naturally take the care of21 your affairs. For almost all seek their own things ; none the22 things of Christ Jesus. But you know the proof | of him, that as23 a son with a father, he serveth with me in the gospel. I hope? therefore to send him quickly, as soon as I see how my affairs* "For if." D.—V.12.-f He considers their faith as an acceptable sacrifice to God; and if he incurred martyrdom for his zeal to promote it, he might with beautiful proprietyspeak of his blood as a libation. .X "Experience." D. 24 will be determined. But I trust in the Lord, that I shall soon25 come to you myself. Yet I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-labourer and fellow-soldier,26 but your messenger, and the minister to my necessities: because he was exceedingly desirous of you all, and was dejected27 because you had heard that he was sick. And indeed he was sick and near to death ; but God had mercy upon him; and not upon him alone, but also on me, that I might nofhave sorrow upon sor28 row. I have therefore sent him with the greater diligence, that seeing him again ye might rejoice, and that I might be the less29 sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord, with all joy, and30 hold such persons in high estimation: for on account of the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, having disregarded his own life, that he might fill up the deficiency of your service to me, and perform all the kind offices which you would have rendered me, had you been with me. ?. REFLECTIONS.To what sublime heights of piety and virtue does the immortal hope of the gospel elevate the mind of mortal man! Behold this holy apostle, not only presenting himself as a resolute victim at the altar of God, but speaking of that stroke by which his blood was to be {ioured out as an occasion of joy, and calling for the congratulation of his friends upon it! Behold him with pleasure resigning the society of those who were dearest and most useful to him, at a time when he seemed most of all to need their assistance; even of that friend who would most naturally care for their estate, when he knew none that were like-minded! And O, that this might be the character of all the ministers of Christ, naturally, and with genuine affection, to care for the state of those committed to them, taking thought for them and the oversight of them, not by constraint, but from a principle of loYe, which shall make all necessary labours natural and easy! But alas! how rare a character is it, and how much reason is there to lament the prevalency of a contrary disposition among all ranks of met?, the sacred order itself not excepted; while all seek their own things, none the things of Jesus Christ !—What ingratitude does this argue I Yea, what stupid insensibility, that any thing, that every thing, should be dearer to us than the interest of that Saviour who purchased us to himself with His blood ! Happy they who are distinguished by their fidelity and their zeal, in a time of prevailing apostasy! which we are not to wonder if we discover in these latter ages, when the apostles found cause to speak thus in their own.How beautiful a description docs he here give of the piety and humility of young Timothy, while serving with him as a son with a father in the gospel! Thus let young and aged ministers behave to each other, as fathers and sons: the young paying the elder such reverend regards, the aged affording to the younger such kind and tender patronage, and shewing a solicitous concern to pregare them for filling up their place in the church with increasing advantage.—Some obvious instruction arises from what is here said of good Epaphroditus, I-whose affection to his Christian friends was so ardent, and whose zeal for the work of Christ had even endangered his life. Great reason is there to hold such, wherever they are found, in high esteem, tenderly to sympathize with them, earnestly to entreat God for them, if at any time diseases threaten their useful lives; and to own the mercy of God, not to them only, but to us, when he is pleased to raise them up, and restore them to a capacity of ministering in his church. Let us go back, in our memories, to the days and weeks of dangerous sickness which any of us have known, and humble ourselves before God, that we have no better improved, for his glory and for the good of his church, his mercy to us, in bringing us up from the gates of the grave. SECTION VI.Paul exhorts them to fx their whole dependence on Christ and his gospel, ac he himself did, though he had more to glory in than most, with respect to Jewish advantages. Ch. iii. 1—14.IAS for what remaineth, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To II write the same things* to you, is not grievous to me, and it 2 is safe for you. Beware of dogs, persons of a snarling and greedy 3 disposition : beware of evil workers, beware of the concisionf. Forwe are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit, and4 boast in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though indeed I have also what might be an occasion of confidence in the flesh. If any other thinketh he hath whereof to trust in the flesh,5 I have more. I was circumcised on the eighth day after my birth; of the stock of Israel ; of the tribe of Benjamin; an Hebrew of Hebrews, born of two Jewish parents; with respect to the law, a6 Pharisee ; with respect to zeal, I was furious in persecuting the church ; as to that righteousness, which is in the law, blameless.7 But the things which were once gain to me, I have accounted loss8 for Christ^. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss, with respect to the most excellent knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for which I have suffered the loss of all things; and I account9 them but dung, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him ; not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is by the faith of Christ ; the righteousness which is of10 God through faith : to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conforma11 ble to his death ; if I may by any means attain to the resurrection12 from the dead : not as if H I had already attained, or were already perfect: but I pursue it if I may but apprehend that, for which* Some think this refers to a former epistle, others to what he had spoken. [And some to what he had desired Epapli. to tell them.]\ Those carnal Jews, who pride themselves on the outward ceremony of cutting the flesh, who delight to cut and mangle the church of Christ—M. renders the word, the excision. % i.e. I threw them away, as mariners do their goods, lest they should sink the vessel.|| " For I have not yet received." M. Vol. II. B b 13 also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus*. Brethren, I count not myself to have attained : but one thing I can say : Forgetting the things which arc behind, I stretch forward toward those things1V which are before; I press toward the goal, for the prize of thehigh calling f of God in Christ Jesus.REFLECTIONS.As it was not grievous to the apostle to repeat the same useful exhortations, when he judged it conducive to the safety and happiness of those to whom he wrote, so neither should it be grievous to us to hear or to speak truths, with which in the general we may be well acquainted, but which we may be too ready to forget, in pursuit of things, more amusing indeed, but less advantageous. Such are the truths here inculcated; familiarly known, but not therefore to be disregarded. Let us avoid all approaches to these detestable characters here branded -with so just an infamy; and consider what it is that will constitute us the circumcision, the people whom God will avow for his own; and charge it upon our souls, that we worship God in the Spirit, that we rejoice in Christ Jesus, and reposenot in any sense confidence in the flesh. —We see an example of this excellent temper in the apostle here, who makes his boast in Christ, and for him renounces those advantages on which he was once ready to set the highest value. He accounted those things but loss and damage which once he esteemed his gain and his treasure, especially that eager but blind zeal with which he had once persecuted the church. May it be deeply and constantly impressed upon our minds, that the knowledge of Christ is of all things the most excellent, as the object of it is most sublime and interesting, and the fruits of it most happy and important! This therefore let us pursue, and be truly solicitous that we may gain Christ as our own unalienable property, and that we may be found in him, interested in a better righteousness than we can claim, by virtue of our own personal Obedience to any law; even that which i? by the faith of Christ, the righteousness -which is of God; prepared, exhibited, and appointed by him, and which is received by faith in his Son.Who would not wish to know him in the power of his- resurrection, to feel the views of that great event powerfully operating on his mind; yea in this connection to know the fellowship of his sufferingstoo? Who would not be willing to be made, in the most painful sense, conformable to his death, to feel the scourges, the insults, the nails, the cross, and what was more dreadful than all, even the desertion of the Father himself, might he thereby attain to a resemblance to Christ in a glorious resurrection from the dead? It shall be the portion of all who die to sin, and live to God, and persist in a resolution of sacrificing all to that Redeemer who for us died and rose again.—In the mean time, while We are surrounded with the infirmities of mortality, may we ever keep up an humble sense of the imperfection of our present at_ * Reach and lay hold on that height of excellence, for which Christ so graciously laid hold on me when I was in my mad career.f Alluding to the proclamation at the Olympic games, by which the candidates were called, before the opening of the course. tainments in religion. May we with holy Paul, so incomparably our superior, forget the progress already made, and strain every nerve, in reaching on to what yet remains before us. How far are we from apprehending that for which we were apprehended by Jesus Christ! How far from answering the plan our Lord has drawn, and being completely what he intended his servants should be !" Enkindle in our breasts, 0 thou great Author and Finisher of our Faith ! a more ardent desire ?of answering it ; and for that purpose-, may it please thee so to display before our believing eyes the glorious prize of the high calling with which God lias honoured us through thee, that we may feel all the ardour of our souls awakened to obtain it, and never slacken our pace till we win that immortal crown, but daily increase our speed as we approach it."SECTION VII.He urges upon them a blameless and heavenly conversation, cautioning them against the bad example of some professing Christians. Ch. iii. 15.—iv. 1.15 T ET as many of us therefore, as are perfect* (all sincere ChrisI A Hans) attend to this ; and if any of you are otherwise af16 fectedf, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless whereunto we have attained, let us walk agreeably to the same17 rule; let us attend to the same thing. Be ye, brethren, imitators of me, and observe those that walk, as ye have us for an example.18 For many walk very differently, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross19 of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and20 they glory in their shame: who mind earthly things. But we converse as citizens of heaven; from whence also we expect the21 Lord Jesus Christ as a Saviour ; who shall transform our vile body, that it may be made conformable to his glorious body, according to the energy whereby he is able to subject even all things unto himIv. self. Therefore, my beloved and most amiable brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.REFLECTIONS. And do not we also look for Christ as a Saviour? Do we not hope that this vile body shall, by his all-victorious power, be transformed into the likeness of his own glorious body? Is it not with this hope that we commit the dust of our friends to the grave? And is it not in this confidence that we think of our own death with hope and with cheerfulness? Why then is not our conversation more in heaven? Why have we not more frequent, solemn, and affectionate views of that better world to which we profess to be tending? Alas! have we not reason too often to weep for ourselves as well as others, that we mind earthly things so much and heavenly no more? But wretched indeed are we?Completely initiated into the holy mysteries of our religion.—" M would ie perfect." M. f " If ye think differently concerning any thing eke" M. if we fully answer the sad character which, in professing Christians, , wherever it is seen, and much more wherever it is experienced, is so justly deplorable! May divine grace ever preserve those on whom the name of Christ is named, those by whom it is known, from making their belly their god (how infamous a deity!) and from that wretched degeneracy of taste, and perverseness of mind, which would lead them to glory in their shame! Surely the cross of Christ was intended to teach us lessons so contrary to this, that there can be no greater enmity to it than to indulge such a temper, especially while we profess to plead for that crass, and to glory in it. May we not only abhor such a temper, but bewail it! Yea may rivers of tears run down our eyes when we see God's tow violated and his gospel profaned.Blessed be God, for other and better examples in the apostolic age, and that some are likewise to be traced in our own, corrupt as it is; though they are in number less frequent, and in lustre less radiant than of old ! Let us however mark those that walk as we have Paul for an example. How different soever our apprehensions in some things may be, may we all unite in a care of practical religion, and whereunto we have already attained, walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing. And O, that our rule may be more and more attended to in every step of our way! and that if in any instance we mistake it, or if we fail in those notions we ought to have of any principle of Christianity which are to add a sanction to it, God may reveal even this unto us, and teach us to act in a more suitable manner! In every sense, what we see not, may he teach us, and wherein we have done iniquity, may we do no more, but stand fast in the Lord, and press forward with greater ardor towards every religious improvement, towards every thing which may increase the beauty of our character, and reflect a brighter honour upon our profession.SECTION VIII.JLxhortations to a pacific and cheerful temper; to moderation, prayer, and a beliaviour universally amiable. Ch. iv. 2—9.2 T BESEECH Euodia, and [I also] beseech Syntyche, whatever X difference may have arisen between them, that they would attend3 to the same thing in the Lord. And I also beseech thee, true yoke-fellow*, that thou wouldest assist those women, who Iabouredf with me in the gospel, with Clemens also, and my other fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.4 Rejoice always in the Lord: again I say Rejoice. Let your6 moderation be known to all men: The Lord is at hand. Be anxious about nothing, but in every thing let your petitions be made known before God, in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.7 And the peace of God, which far surpasseth all understanding,* "My genuine associate." D. Probably an officer of considerable [influence] in the church: perhaps husband to one of those pious women. D.—So M. who retains the C. T. and reads the last clause, "help these women."-f "Combated together." M. "Striven." W. shall guard and defend your hearts and your minds through r Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are venerable, whatever things are equitable, whatever things are pure, whatever things are friendly, whatever things are reputable, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, frequently think9 of these things. And whatever things ye have learned and received, and heard and seen in me, these things practise; and the God of peace shall be with you.REFLECTIONS.How condescending is this great apostle in the kind notice he takes, not only of his fellow-labourers in the work of the Christian ministry, but even of the women, who, according to the opportunity which God gave them, lent their assistance for the service of the gospel, whatever their assistance were; whether by their prayers, or their familiar addresses to their friends, or their kind offices to the bodies of those in distress, or that uniform example by which the several virtues of Christianity were recommended, and the Christian profession adorned! Let none then object the privacy of their stations, as if that must necessarily cut them off from usefulness, but let them endeavour diligently and humbly to do their utmost, and pray for increasing wisdom and grace, to guide them in their deliberations and resolves.—It will be very subservient to this happy design, that Christians, in whatever stations they are, should be of one mind in the Lord; that they should endeavour to lay aside mutual prejudices, and unite in love, if they cannot perfectly agree in all their sentiments. Then may they rejoice in the Lord: and it is to be urged upon them again and again, that they do so. It is to be urged, not only as a privilege, but a duty. And surely, if we consider what a Saviour he is, and how perfectly accommodated to what our necessities require, and what our hearts could wish, we shall easily enter into the reasonableness of the exhortation.Let us often represent it to ourselves as a truth equally important and certain, that the Lord is at hand. By his spiritual presence he is ever near us, and the day of his final and visible appearance is continually approaching. Let our hearts be duly influenced by it, and particularly be taught that holy moderation which becomes those who see the season so nearly advancing, when all these things shall be dissolved. And let this abate our anxiety about them. Why should we be solicitous about things which shall so soon be as if they had never been? Let us seek the repose of our minds in prayer. In every thing, by humble supplication let us make known our requests unto God. And let us mingle thankful acknowledgments for past favours with our addresses to the throne of grace for what we further need. This will establish the serenity of our souls, so that the peace of God, more sweet and delightful than any who have not experienced it can conceive, will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and make our state secure as well as pleasant. Let us study the beautiful and the -venerable, as well as what is true and just in actions, and pursue every thing which shall, as such, approve itself to our consciences, every thing in which there shall be virtue and praisc. Let us always in this view endeavour to keep the moral sense uncorrupted, and pray that God would, if I may be allowed the expression, preserve the delicacy of our mind in this respect, that a holy sensibility of soul may warn and alarm us, to guard against every distant appearance of evil. That so, cautious of venturing to the utmost boundaries of what may be innocent, we may be more secure than we could otherwise be from the danger of passing over to the confines of guilt, and of wandering from one degree of it to another. And, while we exhort others to such a care, let us ourselves endeavour to be like tills holy apostle, among the brighter examples of it.SECTION IX.The apostle, with acknowledgments for their liberal supply, speaks of the independency of temper to which divine grace had brought him. Ch. iv. 10, &c.10 T) UT I have rejoiced greatly in the Lord, that your care of me JLj hath now again flourished; with respect to which you were11 indeed careful before, but ye wanted opportunity. Not that I speak with respect to want: for I have learned in whatever cir12 cumstances I am, to be contented. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound: in every place, and in all conditions I am instructed both to be fed plentifully, and to suffer hunger; both to13 abound, and to fall short. Iam sufficient for all things through14 Christ, who enableth me. Nevertheless ye did well in commu15 nicating to relieve me in my affliction. For ye, O Philippians, well know, that in the beginning of my preaching the gospel among you, as I was departing from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the affair of giving and receiving, but you16 only. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent once and17 again to my necessity. I mention this not because I desire & future gift, but I desire that fruit may abound to your account.! 8 For I have all, and abound. 1 am full, having received by Epaphroditus your present, which I esteem as a fragrant odour, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And you will be no losers 19 by it, but my God will supply all your wants, according to his20 riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.—Now to our God and Father be 21 glory for ever and ever. Amen.—Salute every saint in Christ22 Jesus. The brethren who are with me salute you. All the saints here at Rome salute you, but especially they of Caesar's house23 hold. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.REFLECTIONS. What a noble spirit of generosity and gratitude appears in the apostle ! How handsomely does he acknowledge the favour of his friends ; still maintaining the dignity of his character, rejoicing in the tokens of their affection to him, chiefly as fruits abounding to their account, and as it would be a sweet savour acceptable to God. And surely the incense which they were presenting at the divine altar, 'would also by its fragrancy delight them; surely they enjoyed what they had of their own, whether it were more or less, with greater satisfaction, when they were imparting something whh filial gratitude to their Father in Christ, to make his bonds and imprisonment the less grievous. The apostle freely professes, that he received these tokens of their affection with pleasure ; but much happier was he in that noble superiority of mind to external circumstances which he so amiably describes. Truly rich, and truly great, in knowing how to be content in every circumstance ; possessed of the noblest kind of learning, in having learned how to be exalted, and to be abased, to abound or to suffer need. This all-sufficiency, of which he boasts, is it haughty arrogance ? far from it : he is never humbler than when he speaks of himself in this exalted language. It is in the strength of another that he glories. J am sufficient for all things, through Christ which strengthens me. And here the feeblest Christian may join issue with him, and say, " If Christ will strengthen me, / also am sufficient for all."—His grace therefore let us constantly seek, and endeavour to maintain a continual dependence upon it, praying for ourselves, and for each other, that the grace of tlie Lord Jesus Christ may be with vs. This grace produced and maintained saints where, of all places upon earth, we should least have expected to find them, even the palace of Casar, of Nero. Let it encourage us to look to God to supply our spiritual necessities out of the riches of his glory in Christ. And, in a -cheerful hope that he will do it, let us through him ascribe glory to our C cd and Father for ever and ever. Amen. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE COLOSSIANS./"10L0SSE was a large and populous city of Phrygia in Asia Minor. We ^ liave no account when or by whom a Christian church was founded tliere : but it is probable that it might be by Paul, during the three years of Jus residence at Ephesus. See Acts xix. 20.—This epistle seems to have been written about the time of tfte two preceding ones. We find, from several passages in it, that these Christians had borne an honourable character for piety and zeal, but that they were in danger of being drawn aside by the subtilties of Heathen philosophers, and the insinuations of Jewish zealots. The design of the apostle in writing to them was, to guard them against both, and to excite them to a behaviour worthy their sacred cliaractcr. SECTION I.The apostle praises God fbr calling them into his church, and prays that they might have grace to walk worthy their privilege. Ch. L 1—14.1 T) AUL an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and2 XT^ Timothy a brother, to the holy and faithful brethren in Christ at Colosse : Grace unto you, and peace from God our Fa3 ther, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, always praying for you:4 having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and love towards all5 the saints. We bless him [especially] for the hope, which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which ye have heard before in the6 true word of the gospel : which hath appeared unto you, even as in all the world*, and bringeth forth fruit, as also it hath done among you, from the day in which ye have heard and known the7 grace of God in truth. As ye have also learned from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant, who is the faithful minister of Christ8 for your sakes : who hath also manifested to us your love in the9 Spirit. Therefore we also, from the day that we heard of it, cease not to pray for you, and to offer up our requests, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spi10 ritual understanding : that so you may walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasingt; fruitful and increasing in every good work, to the11 acknowledgment of God. Being strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, to all patience and long-suffering12 with joy: giving thanks to the Father, who hath made us fit for13 a part in the inheritance of the saints in light ; who hath rescued us from the power of darkness, and transferred us into the kingX 4 dom of his beloved Son : in whom we have redemption by his blood, even the remission of sins.REFLECTIONS.We see in this epistle, as in all the rest, the most genuine discoveries of the real temper of the apostle. The same views which he had opened upon other churches, the same kind sentiments which he had expressed towards them, does he here discover and express; still glorying in his office as an apostle of Christ; still wishing to his Christian brethren grace and peace, as beyond all comparison the best of blessings; still congratulating them on their faith in Christ and love to each other; still making continual mention of them in his prayers, and recommending them to the grace of God, in which we, as they, continue to stand.For ever adored be the divine goodness, that the word of God, which sets before us an hope laid up in the heavens, hath been manifested unta us and to all the world! Let us often examine ourselves as to the fruit * The chief provinces in the Roman empire. Luke ii. 1. f Or, to all complacency. The C. T. is ambiguous, and might be under<stood as if it meant, pleasing to all. Ed. / it hath brought forth in our own hearts and lives. Let us be solicitous for ourselves and others, that we may in a more spiritual and intelligent manner be /iiled with the knowledge of his will, in all its compass and extent, so far as he has been pleased to reveal it; and that this knowledge may produce in us the most substantial effects, so as to engage us to walk worthy of the Lord, whose name we bear, and in a manner which he may behold with approbation and pleasure ; being fruitful and increasing more and more in every good work, that our barrenness may not reproach our profession, and that the great vital truths of Christianity may not seem to be dead or dormant in our hearts.—To give them their full energy on our souls, we need the operation of God's glorious and mighty power,hy which they may not only be established in all patient long-suffering, but inspired with holy joy. Then shall we breathe forth lively acknowledgments to the Father, who hath revealed unto us that glorious inheritance which he distributes amongst the saints in light, even that kingdom where they all reign in everlasting purity, friendship, and joy. May he prepare us to receive our lot, and take up our abode there! For this end did he rescue u? from the poiver of darkness, and call us to the external privileges of those who constitute the kingdom of his dear Son: for this did he set before us that redemption which we have in his blood, even the remission of our sins. And O! how inexcusable shall we be if we make ourselves the slaves of sin, while we have our abode in 'the visible kingdom of Christ; and trampling upon his blood, and the act of grace which is established in it, seal ourselves up under a guilt never to be removed; a guilt heightened to infinite degrees of provocation and malignity by the very methods which have been taken to expiate it!SECTION II.The dignity of our Redeemer's person, and the methods he hath taken to make reconciliation for sinners. Ch. i. 15—23.THE redemption I spoke of is effected by one of the highest dignity: Who is the image of the invisible God, and the first16 born of the whole creation: for by him were all things created; things in heaven, and things on earth, visible and invisible; whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All17 things were created by him, and for him, and he is before all, and in him18 all things subsist. And he is the head of the church, which is the body: even he who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead;19 that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. For in him it was his [i. e. the Father's] pleasure, that all fulness should reside:20 and by him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace by the blood of his cross ; by him God hath reconciled all things to each other, whether things on earth (Jews and Gentiles ) or, things in heaven (celestial spii its, who are united with men, in one society ). 21 And you who were once alienated, and enemies in your mind by22 wicked works, he hath now reconciled, in the body of his flesh, by death, that he might present you holy and blameless, and free fromVol. II. C c 23 all accusation in his sight: if ye continue established and grounded, in the faith, and be not removed from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which hath been preached to the whole * creation under heaven ; of which I Paul am appointed a minister.REFLECTIONS.Let us learn by this sublime discourse of our holy apostle how we are to conceive of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whose glory he so wisely and happily consecrated the labours of his pen and of his life; and ?while we commemorate that blood of his in which we have redemption, even-the remission of our sins, let us bow to him as the image of the invisible God, and the first-born of the whole creation. And, whatever discoveries we may at any time receive, as to the display of divine power, wisdom, and goodness, in the formation of the -visible or invisible world, Ictus remember that by Christ alt things inbothwerecreated, not excepting thrones and dominions, princifialities and powers. The angels of God worship- him, as with and by the Father, their great original and support; acknowledging with Paul, and with the whole ca? tliolic church, as taught by him, that in Christ all things subsist. Let us then, with the whole host of heaven, bow down before him, and worship him that sits upon the throne and the Lamb. Let us with all humility adore his condescension, in uniting us to himself in such dear and intimate bonds, and avowing himself- the Head of the church, which he disdains not to call his body, though he be the beginning of the creation of God, as well as the first-born from the dead, and beyond comparison pre-eminent in all. vImportant indeed are the consequences of this his condescension 1 It is by him that God is reconciled to us, and dwells in us. It is the blood of his cross that hath made peace between Jews and Gentiles, be-tween heaven and earth. Justly might the angels have forsaken this earth of ours, and have ascended to heaven, to enter their protest against sinful men, yea to .seek a commission for executing vengeance upon the apostate creature. But now, through Christ, they are become our friends and our brethren. At his command they minister unto the heirs of salvation, and will continue their kind offices, till heaven gives the interview which earth denies, and lays a foundation for the endearments of an everlasting friendship.O, that this reconciling gospel might be effectually preached to every creature under heaven! But to obtain its effect, it must subdue our hearts to holiness. To be still under the power of sin, to go on in a course of evil works, is to continue the enmity with God, and all his< holy and happy creatures. Let us see to it, that we thankfully accept the reconciliation which the gospel proposes. Then shall we at length be presented blameless, irreproachable, and holy in his sight.—As we hope for this end, let nothing remove us from our stedfastness, nor from that glorious hope of the gospel for which it is certain nothing can be an. equivalent. May divine grace establish and confirm us in it, and make us victorious over every thing that might attempt to supplant our feet and take away our crown! SECTION III.'The apostle expresses his solicitude to fulfil his ministry among them in the most successful manner. Ch. i. 24 —ii. 1—7. 24 "]^T" O W I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up whatever X T| is wanting of the afflictions of Christ, in my flesh, for the 25 sake of his body, which is the church: of which I was made a minister, according the dispensation of God, whieh was given me in respect of you, that I might thoroughly preach the word of God;26 even that mystery which was hid from so many past ages and ge27 nerations, but is now manifested to his saints; to whom God was determined to make known what is the rich glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is this, that Christ is in you the hope28 of glory*. This is the saviour whom we preach; admonishing every man, and instructing every man, with all wisdom, that we may29 present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To which purpose I also labour, striving according to his energy, which operatethii with power in me. For I earnestly wish you to know what a contention I have for you, and those of Laodicea, and as many as have2 not seen my face in the flesh: that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to the richest and most assured understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, even ofo the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of4 wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, that no man may deceive5 you by enticing discourses. For though I be absent in the flesh, yet in spirit I am with you; o rejoicing while I behold your order,6 and the steadiness of your faith in Christ. Therefore, as you have7 received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; rooted and edified in him, and confirmed in the faith, as ye have been taught; abounding in it with thanksgiving.REFLECTIONS. To bear sufferings with patience, has justly been reckoned an high attainment; and it was the boasted strength and glory of the Pagan philosophy to teach men to do it; a glory in which it was often deficient, a strength which often failed them, who had the fairest opportunities of being proficients in their schools. But Paul had learnt by the philosophy of Jesus to rejoice in them, when considered as subservient to the honour of Christ, and to the good of his church, even of those members of it whom he had never seen in the flesh ; rejoicing thereby to fulfil his embassy, and to confirm that important word of God which taught the mystery concealed from so many ages and generations. And what was that mystery, but the same that is so clearly revealed to us, even that Christ in us is the hope of glory? To Gentile sinners that were without hope is hope now preached; the hope not only oifelicity, but glory. And this by Christ; not only as proclaim* Christ being formed by divine grace in your hearts, he brings to you the bright beamings of this blessed prospect. ed amongst us (for to many that hear of his name, and of the scheme of salvation by him, he is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence) but by Christ as in us. Highly are they honoured, who have it in charge to prcach him. May they learn from the apostle how it is to be done. It is to be attended with practical instructions and admonitions, to be conducted with the greatest prudence and care, and to be addressed to every man, according to his respective character and circumstances in life; that so, if it be by any means possible to prevent it, none of those that are committed to their care and charge may be lost, but every man may at lengtli be presented /ierfect in Christ in that day, when, among all that truly belong to him, there shall be no remaining imperfections.Surely this is a cause in which it is worth their while to strive. May the strength of God work powerfully in them for that purpose I Then will all our hearts be tomforted, when we have attained to the full assurance of the truth of our religion, when we courageously acknowledge and maintain it, when we improve it to the great end for which it was preached to us, and, having professed to receive Christ Jesus as our Lord, make it our care in a suitable manner to walk in him. For this purpose, let us endeavour to be deeply rooted and grounded in him, confirmed in the faith as the apostle taught it; giving thanks to God for the instructions we receive in it, and numbering it, as we have great reason to do, among the choicest mercies we could receive, even from an Omni/iotent hand, not only that we hear the sound of the gospel, but that we have felt its vital influence upon our hearts.SECTION IV.Cautions against being corrufited from the simplicity of Christianity, either by Pagan p/rilosophy, or Jewish tradition. Ch, ii. 8—19.8 O EE to it, that no man make a prey of you by philosophy and ^3 vain deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to9 the elements of the world*, but not according to Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of Godhead bodily and substantially]. 10 And ye are complete in him, who is the head of all principality11 and power. In whom ye also who are Jews, are circumcised with the circumcision not performed with hands, by the putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, being12 buried with him in baptism; in which also ye were raised with him, by belief in that energy of Cod, who raised him from the13 dead. And you Gentiles, who were dead in trespasses, and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, hatli he quickened together with14 him; having freely forgiven all your offences; having blotted out, with respect to us, the hand-writing of Jewish ordinances, which* Pagan literature, justly called elements, cr lessons for children, compared with the sublime instructions received in the school of Christ./ An allusion to the Shekiriah, in which (ioil dwelt; ultimately referring to the adorable mystery of the union of the divine and human natures in the person of the glorious Jimanucl. was contrary to us; and hath taken it away, nailing* it to his cross:15 having spoiled principalities and powers of their trophies, he hath made them an open spectacle, triumphing over them by it : even 16 by that cross whereby they would have triumphed over him. Therefore let not any one judge you in the use of meat or drink, or in17 respect to a feast, or to a new-moon or sabbaths; which things18 are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. Let no one who may desire it, deprive you of your great prize, by an affected humility, and the worship of angels, intruding into that19 which he hath not seen; vainly puffed up by his fleshy mind ; and not holding the head; r.ol adhering to Christ; from whom the whole body, being supplied and compacted by joiiits and bands, increaseth in the increase of God.REFLECTIONS,Let us contemplate, with daily pleasure, the glorious effects of the death of our blessed Redeemer, by which the Mosaic lata was abolished, the hand-writing of ordinances blotted out; that death, by which so glorious a victory over bur spiritual enemies was obtained, by which the infernal princifialities and powers were stripped of their trophies, and themselves exposed as an ofien spectacle. Let us improve this victory to all the glorious purposes for which it was intended. Let us above all consider it as an engagement to a life of exemplary holiness, especially as we are ourselves circumcised with the circumcision of Christ; as by baptism we are solemnly engaged to mortify all irregular affections, and, being buried with Christ in that solemn rite, to rise to all newness of life, having received the forgiveness of our sins, and being raised with Christ to the hope of eternal glory.— Let us be solicitous ever to maintain the strictest union with Christ as our Head, remembering how great an honour it is to be thus related to him, in whom dwelleth all the fulness of Godhead bodily. Let us be carfeful, in virtue of this union, to live in the communion of Christian love, with all the members of the body, and ourselves to grow with all the increase of God. And let us guard against all those human traditions, or refinements of philosophical speculation, which are disagreeable to the elements of Christ into which we have been initiated; and against every thing which could be an infringement of that liberty which Christ hath granted to his church, and which it is our duty to endeavour to maintain, against all encroachments; even though they should be made by any in his name, and under the pretence of authority from him. It may be urged upon us as humility, to submit to such impositions, but it is the truest humility to maintain an exact obedience to the authority of our divine master, and to limit even our submission to those of our brethren whom we may most honour and love, by a regard to his command and institution. And if a due care is not taken in this respect, we may be deprived, at least in some degree, of our prize, by the methods whereby some may endeavour to persuade us that we* He hath cancelled it, as bonds were cancelled by striking them through with a nail. shall most effectually secure it. May divine wisdom preserve us from all those vain deceits whereby our faith might be corrupted, or our conformity to the plan of Christian institutions be rendered, in any respect, less beautiful, pure, and complete.SECTION V.He further cautions them against all corrupt additions to Christianity; imd exhorts them to raise their hearts more to Christ. Ch. ii. 20.—iii. 1—i. 20 TF therefore ye be dead with Christ, from the elements of the X world, why, as if ye were living in the world, do ye meddle 21" with these appointments of seducing teachers [who say] "Touch22 not, taste not, handle not:" all which things tend to corruption by the abuse of them, according to the commandments and23 doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a pretence of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and in severity to the body, toiii. the dishonourable satisfying of the flesh. Since ye are risen with Christ, therefore, seek things that are above, where Christ is2 sitting at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above,3 not those that are on earth: For by your profession ye are dead to the world, and your new and better life is hidden with Christ in4 God. When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then you shall also appear with him in glory. 1REFLECTIONS.Let us charge it on our hearts, by all our great and solemn obligations to Jesus, our beloved Saviour and glorified Head, that we study the nature of true religion with greater care, and practise it with greater constancy. Let us not place it in a zeal for ceremonial observances, according to the doctrines and commandments of men. Let us ever remember that Christ alone is the lawgiver of his church, and let us solicitously guard against the abuses in religion which would be the consequence of introducing, and much more- of imposing, human ordinances. Too sensibly has the church in all ages seen and felt the unhappy effects of such a temper. Its divisions, and its formality, may in a great measure be traced up to this source. Will-worship. ;,.nd a voluntary humility have proved its disgrace, and in some countries almost its ruin. Let us labour after sublimer views, and, considering ourselves as risen with Christ, let us seek the things that are above. Let us cultivate greater spirituality of mind, and endeavour to have our hearts there where our Lord is.Surely the reflection upon that relation in which we stand to him, in concurrence with that glory in which he is now enthroned, the kind designs he still bears to us, and the prospect we have of sitting down with him ere long in that kingdom, may well raise our thoughts thither, and bear us above all immoderate"attachment to these low scenes of mortal life. Let us therefore study more and more the hidden life of the Christian: and, considering Christ as our life, be often anticipating in our thoughts the great day of his appearance, and dwelling on the blessed hope of appearing with him in glory. But, O ! how dark are our views of these things ! How little do we feel of the sanctifying and elevating influence of this hope! Let us earnestly pray for a more abundant communication of divine grace, that, deriving more and more of this spiritual life from Christ, we may have more suitable and affectionate apprehensions of that angelic life to which his love has destined us, and to which such a temper tends directly to lead us. SECTION VI.Cautions against all unclaenness, malice, and falsehood, and exhortations to the opposite virtues. Ch. iii. 5—17.5 'T^HEREFORE mortify your members that are on earth; forJL nication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupi6 scence, and an insatiable desire, which is idolatry : on account of which the wrath of God is coming on the children of disobedience.7 In which r tliings ye also once walked, when ye lived among them8 and were yourselves heathens. But now, being converted to Christ, ye also put away all these enormities : rage, resentment, malice,9 evil-speakirig, lewd conversation out of your mouth. Neither lie10 one to another; having put off the old man with his deeds, and having put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, according to the image of him that created him. Thus you are in11 troduced into a society where there is no distinction of men: there is neither Greek, nor Jew, nor circumcision, nor uncircumcision, Barbarians Scythian*, slave, nor freeman ; but Christ is all, and12 in all. Put on therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, bowels of tender mercy, gentleness, lowliness of mind, meekness,13 long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, . if any have a qyarred against another; even as Christ hath freely14 forgiven you, so also do ye. And above all these things, put on 15 love which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God preside in your hearts, into which you also are called into one bo16 dy ; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching, and admonishing one another with psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songsf, singing with grace17 in your heart to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, even the Father, through him.REFLECTIONS. Let Christians solemnly charge upon themselves an abstinence from those vices which bring the wrath of God upon heathens; and, thougli* The Scythians were the most unpolished of all barbarous nations.f Such poetical compositions as were written or uttered by the Spirit See 1 Cor. xiv. 15, 26. As there was such a gift in the church, it would be ;*l>surd to suppose that they were confined to David's Psalms. it should be like wounding or cutting off [any of] our members, let us put on an holy resolution to mortify them ; and, not content with refraining from all degrees of pollution, falsehood, and malignity of heart, let us be more solicitous to put on the new man, which is the treation of God in the soul, and which bears his amiable image. Whatever our nation or rank, our education or our circumstances in life may be, let this be our concern, that we may be in Christ, and Christ in us, for on that depends our everlasting all. Happy the most untaught savage, and the most oppressed slave, who is thus related to the incarnate wisdom of God, and the great Lord of all, infinitely beyond the politest Greek, the moat ceremonious Jew, the freest subjeci, or the most despotic prince, who is a stranger to such a blessing!If we have any reason to hope that we are the elect of God, holy and beloved by him, let this charm us to entertain the most beneficent sentiments and views with regard to our fellow-creatures, and teach us to put on bowels of mercy, gentleness, humility, meekness, and long-suffning. Let the grace of Christ in freely forgiving us, teach us to rejoice in opportunities of imitating it. Do we desire to feel the peace of God presiding in us, let us exercise charity, the bond of perfectness, and let us study to be more and more thankful, in whatever stations wc are placed ; observing attentively its advantageous circumstances, reflecting especiaHy~iKlvv much worse things might have been, and how unworthy we ourselves are of any distinction which God may be pleased to make in our favour.—We have especially great reason most thankfully to acknowledge the divine goodness, in providing us with so many religious advantages, and particularly with those that relate to the most decent and edifying performance of the duty ofpsalmody. To furnish us for a right discharge of it, let us carefully treasure vp the word of Christ in our minds, and let us be ever more solicitous to preserve the melody of the heart than that of the voice. In this, and in every other service, let all be done in the name - of Christ, and then we may humbly hope that ay shall be accepted through him. And, if that prevailing name do not recommend us to acceptance, the divine purity will find something in every one of them which will justify God, not only in rejecting them, but in condemning us. SECTION VII.Exhortations to relative duties, prayer, and watchfulness. Ch. iii. 18.—iv. 1—6.18 T X TIVES, be subject to your own husbands, as it is becoming19 VV in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bit20 ter against them. Children, be obedient to your own parents in21 all things; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not22 provoke your children to wrath, lest they be discouraged. Servants, be subject in all things to them that are, with respect to the flesh, your masters; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in 23 simplicity of heart, fearing God: and whatsoever work ye are employed in, pursue it heartily to the Lord, and not to men;24 knowing that you shall receive from the Lord, the recompence of25 an inheritance ; for ye serve the Lord Christ. And he that is injurious to any, shall receive according to the injury that he hathiv. done; and there is no respect of persons*. Masters, render unto your servants justice and equity, knowing that ye also have a master in the heavens.2 Persevere in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving; at the3 same time also praying for us, that God may open to us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in4 bonds ; that I may make it manifest, [by speaking plainly and bold5 ly] as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom towards them that are6 without; redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with ssdtf, that you may know how to answer every one who may question you about your religion. REFLECTIONS.IIow happy will particular persons, families, and larger societies be, if these apostolic maxims be carefully .pursued 1 While wives are submissive to their husbands, and husbands affectionate to their wives; children obedient to their parents, and parents tenderly careful of their children ; servants revering the commands of their masters, and conscientiously and constantly attending to their interests ; and masters concerned to maintain all equity in their behaviour to those of their servants who are most entirely in their power; remembering on all sides the account to be given to the supreme Master in heaven, and humbly looking for the reward of the inheritance.—To engage a steady and uniform care in all these various duties, and to make us truly good in every relation of life, let us be daily drawing down grace from God, by continuing instant in prayer; and, as our spirits are so ready to grow cold and indifferent in it, let us watch thereunto, lest by insensible degrees we grow remiss in the performance, and from that remissness come entirely or frequently to neglect it.—'Let every mercy we receive from God awaken our thankfulness, and animate our devotion ; and let us not forget in our prayers the ministers of Christ; but ask for them those assistances from on high which may enable them to open their mouth boldly, in declaring that mysterious and important doctrine with which they are charged, and on which the salvation of' immortal souls depends.To enforce their labours as much as possible, let us add the influence of a regular and amiable behaviour, conducting ourselves with wisdom towards all, and particularly those who are strangers to religion ; and redeeming time, as those that know its infinite importance, because they see eternity connected with it. And, that we may not, as is so frequent, lose the time we spend in conversation, let us seek* With God; nor shall a Christian servant be excused, though his master be a heathen.+ Ordered in a graceful and courteous manner that it may appear influenced by divine grace—rendered savoury by heavenly wisdom. Vol. II. Dd more of the salt of divine grace in our hearts, to correct their innate corruption, and learn the happy art of improving discourse well, and of answering others in such a manner, that, without dictating to them, we may gently lead them to the most useful reflections, and make our lifts, like those of the righteous, a fountain of life unto them.SECTION VIIRThe apostle recommends to t/wm Tychicus and Onesimus, and concludes with various salutations. Ch. iv. 7, See.7 r I ''HE things which relate to myself, Tychicus a beloved brothX er, and a faithful deacon; and fellow-servant in the Lord,8 will make known to yon: whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your affairs, and may comfort your9 hearts: with Onesimus a faithful and beloved brother, who is one 10 of you. They will inform you of the state of things here. Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, saluteth you; and Mark, sister's son to Barnabas (concerning whom ye have reoeived instructions : if11 he cometh to you, receive him) and Jesus, who is called Justus. These are the only persons, who being of the circumcision, have been fellow-labourers with me in the kingdom of God, who have12 been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of your society, a servant of Christ, saluteth you always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in the whole will13 of God. For I bear witness to him that he hath great zeal for you, and for those Christians in the neighbouring cities of Laodicea14 and Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician salutes you, and15 Demas -who is yet with me. Salute in my name the brethren in La16 odicea; and Nymphas, and the church that is in his house. And when this epistle is read* to you, cause it also to be read to the church of the Laodiceans: and [Idesire] that ye also read pub17 licly that [which I have ordered to be sentij from Laodicea. And say to Archippus in my name, Take heed to the ministry which18 thou hast received in the Lord, that thou diligently fulfil it.—The salutation of o Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.REFLECTIONSThe friendly disposition of St. Paul fails not to shew itself in the close as well as entrance of every epistle, and indeed runs through all the parts of each. It cannot but give some pleasure to the pious reader, to whom the memory of such a servant of Christ will always be precious, to find that there were some even of the circumcision that were comforts to him in his affliction; as well as that John Mark, the nephew of Barnabas, who was so thoroughly reconciled, and made one of* "hath Been read to yon." M. and W.f This interpretation of Dr.'M. seems easily to settle the meaning of this passage, on which the author has a very long note. his most agreeable and useful friends; though there was a time when Paul thought it inconsistent with prudence and duty to admit him as a companion. He that reproveth a man shall afterwards find more fawour than he who ftattereth with the tongue. And if the faithfulness of plain rebukes may be the means of recovering our brethren to a sense of their duty, they will no doubt be sensible of the obligation, and it will add firmness and endearment to future friendship.When Epaphras was at a distance from his brethren at Colosse, he was not only praying for them, but, as the word signifies, wrestling with God in his prayers on their account; an important evidence of his Christian affection for them. And how well were his petitions chosen! That they might not only be sincerely good, as they already were, but perfect and complete in all the will of God; that there might be in their hearts and actions a more entire conformity to it. May that be our character and happiness to have respect to all God's commandments, and to carry our regards to them as far as we possibly can!Commendable, and perfectly consistent with the strictest modesty, was the concern which the apostle expresses, that his epistles might be diffused as far as possible, and that Christians in different societies might receive the benefit of them. And indeed they turn so much upon matters of universal importance, that they are admirably calculated for the edification of those who may live in the most distant countries and ages. Surely there cannot be a more sacrilegious attempt upon Christian liberty and piety than to take them away from the common people, to whom Paid expressly ordered they should be publicly read: nor can there be greater madness than to pretend to guard men from error and heresy, by concealing from them writings which the Holy Spirit himself suggested, to lead them to truth and holiness. We know not what there might be so particular in the character or -circumstances of Archippus as to require the solemn admonition with which the epistle closes. But, whatever the occasion of it were, it certainly suggests a most useful and important thought to all the ministers of the gospel. It is of the Lord Jesus Christ that they receive their ministry; to him they are quickly to render a strict account of it. May they all therefore take heed to it! May they be sensible of the importance of the trust, and have grace to be faithful in it; that they may give up their account with the joy of that steward, who, having approved his fidelity on earth, shall receive his reward iu heaven. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS. /T appears from Acts xvii. that Clrristianity was planted at Thessalonica, the metropolis of Macedonia, by Paul and Silas, soon after they left Philippi. On their first entrance they preached with so much success that great numbers of the Gentiles, and some of the Jews readily embraced the gospel; but the unbelieving Jews stirred up the idolatrous inhabitants against the apostle and his friends, so that they were obliged to leave these converts abruptly, who afterwards suffered much opposition. This epistle wan addressed to them so early as the year 52. The design cf it was in general to confirm them in their adherence to the Christian faith, of which he reminds them of the striking evidence they had seen, and by the sufferings they had enduredfor it, and the extraordinary character they had maintained, to engage them to make greater advances in every branch of the Christian temper,SECTION I.The apostle expresses his joy in their character, by which they did credit to their profession. Ch. i.1 TTJAUL, and Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the JtT^ Thessalonians which is in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace unto you from God our Father, and2 the Lord Jesus Christ.—We give thanks to God always for you3 all, making mention of you in our prayers: incessantly remembering your work of faith and labour of love, and patience of hope*, by our Lord Jesus Christ, before God even the Father:4 knowing, beloveo" brethren, your election of God; because our5 gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as you well know what6 manner of persons we were among you for your sakes. And you became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the7 word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost; so that ye8 became examples to all believers in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you the word of the Lord sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every placef your faith toward God came in such a degree, as made it unnecessary for us to recount9 any thing. For they themselves among whom we came, declare concerning us what a kind of entrance we had among you, and what a reception ye gave us: how ye turned to God from idols, to10 serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he hath raised from the dead, even Jesus, who rescues. us from the wrath to come.* " Perseverance of the hope of our Lord," &c . M.-j- " To which your fellow-citizeus resort for commerce." M. REFLECTIONS. We see here a compendious view of the Christian character :.it is to turn from idols ; from every thing which we have loved and esteemed; from every thing which we have pursued and trusted in an irregular degree, to serve the living and true God; under a real sense of his infinite perfections and glories. It is turning also to Jesus, his Son, as saving us from the wrath to come : from a deep conviction of our being justly exposed to wrath by our transgressions against God, to seek rescue and refuge in Christ, as delivering us from it, by his atonement and grace, and completing that deliverance by almighty power, in the day of his final triumph. It is to look and wait, with unshaken faith and with holy joy, for Jesus the Son of God from heaven s keeping the eye of our soul habitually directed towards him, the loins of bur mind continually girded up, and ourselves as servants who look for their Lord's coming. In the mean time may we maintain the -work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God, even our Father.—If this be the effect of our receiving the gospel, it will evidently prove that it is come to -us, not only in ward, but in /iower, and in the Holy Ghost; and it may give us abundant assurance of our interest in God, and cause us by the happiest tokens to know our election of him. Whatever afflictions may in that case be allotted to us, while we hereby become followers of the apostles and of Christ, we may rejoice in the Lord. The ministers of Christ will rejoice in such an entrance among their people as shall produce these blessed consequences, and the word of Godwin be sounded forth with the greatest advantage by those who are pleading for its truth, efficacy, and importance, by this silent but powerful eloquence. May this character be every where more prevalent among all those that call themselves Christians, and may grace and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, be with all in whom it is found!SECTION II.The apostle reminds them how he and his brethren behaved among them on their first visit. Ch. ii. 1—12.1 TT*OR ye yourselves know, brethren, the entrance that we had2 JO unto you, that it was not in vain ; but even when we had before suffered, and been injuriously treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of3 God with much contention (Acts xvii.) For our exhortation was 4 not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in craftiness. But as we have been approved by God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we5 speak not as pleasing men, but'God who trieth our hearts. Neither did we at any time deal in flattering words, as ye well know,6 nor use a pretence of covetousness; God is witness. Nor did we seek glory of men, neither of you, nor of others, though we7 might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ. But we -were gentle in the midst of you; even as a mother who is a nurse 8 cherlsheth her own children, so we, being tenderly affectionate towards you, took pleasure to impart to you, not only the gospel of God, but even our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and toil: for night and day, working at our business that we might not be burdensome to10 any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. Ye are witnessess, and God also, how holily, and righteously, and unblama11 bly we behaved ourselves to you who believe : as ye also know how constantly we were exhorting and comforting every one of12 you, as a father his children : testifying that ye should walk worthy of God, who hath called you into his kingdom and glory.REFLECTIONS. Surely it is not possible to conceive from any thing, but the example of the great Shepherd of the sheep, a more amiable idea of the character of a gospel minister than that which is here exhibited. With what a frankness unci openness of soul does the apostle appeal to their consciences, as to the integrity and benevolence of his behaviour among them, whilst, unterrified by all the indignities and inhumanities he had met with at Philippi, he immediately renewed the same combat at Thessalonica, and contended boldly with all the enemies of the gospel, not esteeming his liberty or his life, on an occasion of so great importance !-—With such courage let the ministers of Christ face all danger and oppositions : with such simplicity of heart let them deliver their important message; not with deceit, uncleanness, or guilet but as those who remember that they have been put in trust with the gospel by God himself, and therefore must be solicitous not to please men, but God, who trirth the heart. And may they ever be superior to thdse views of avarice, ambition, or popular applause, which should lead them to sacrifice truth to the affection or favour of men, or even to the fear of being thought to do it. And let them, with all this intrepidity and firmness of soul, put on a gentleness and sweetness of disposition; a gentleness like that with which a nurse cherishes her children. While their people, like new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby, let ministers, with a natural tenderness, draw forth that precious nourishment to them, as imparting even their own souls unto them, and willing to wear out, or (if such should be the will of God) to sacrifice their lives in such a service.Let them particularly endeavour by all prudent care, suitable to the circumstances in which God has fixed them, not to make themselves burdensome to the people in temporal things, nor, under the pretence of a divine mission, to tyranize over .their consciences; but behave with such integrity and such sanctity, that they may be able cheerfully to appeal to God as a witness of it, and may also have a testimony in the breast of each of their flock. And O, that the entrance of such ministers among their people, and their labours with them, may not be in vain; but that the blessed consequence of all the charges, entreaties, and consolations, they are addressing to them may be this, that they may walk worthy of God, worthy of that kingdom and glory, to the tiews atid blessings of which he hath condescended to call them! Then will all the fatigues of their office sit light upon them, while they see the blessed purposes of it answered. Then will they finish their course with joy, and bless God with their dying breath, that he hath chosen them to an office, the most laborious, and, perhaps, in secular views, the least advantageous of any in which persons of liberal education use to engage. . SECTION III.He blesses God for the readiness with which they received the gvspel, notwithstanding the persecution raised against them, and assures them of his continued affection. Ch. id. 13. Sec.13 T7*OR rt"s cause also we give thanks t? God incessantly, that Jl when ye received the word of God, which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, which worketh efficaciously in you who believe.ti For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God, which are in Judea, in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from those of your own country, (Acts xvii. 5.) as they did of the15 Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and whatever they may fancy, please not God, but greatly offend him; and are contrary to all men; being 16 full of malignity against all other nations; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved; as if they desired to fill up the measure of their skis continually : but wrath is coming upon them to the greatest extremity.17 But we, brethren, though separated from you for a very little season, in person, not in heart, being exceedingly desirous to see18 your face again, endeavoured it to the utmost. Therefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and a second19 time, but Satan hath hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not ye also before our Lord Jesus20 Christ at hb appearance? For ye are our glory and joy.REFLECTIONS. May divine grace teach our souls ever to distinguish between the authority of the word of men and the word of God; that we may always set them at a due distance from each other, and may feel that peculiar energy of the divine word with which it operates in all them that believe! May we experience this, whatever be the consequences, yea though we should be exposed to sufferings, severe as those which Jews or heathens at first inflicted on the professors, or even on the preachers, of the gospel i Adored be that power of divine grace that went along with it, so that when the envious disciples of Moses, after having slain the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as their own prophets, forbad his messengers to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, these faithful ambassadors of health and life feared none of their threatenings or cruelties, but courageously declared the matter as it was, testifying both to Jews and Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ! The Jews in the mean time fiU led up the measure of their sins, till wrath come upon them to the uttermoat. And so will all the opposition that is made to the gospel and to those who are implacable and obstinate in it. They who believe not that Christ is He shall die in their sins. Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind him to powder.' Let the ministers of Christ, however Satan may attempt to hinder them, go on faithfully and courageously in their work, and watch over the souls which they have gained. When absent from them in body, let them not be absent in heart; but let them be thinking of their state, and often caring and praying for them : for what is their hope, and joy, and crown of rejoicing in the day of the Lord, but the souls which God shall graciously give them as spiritual children, or to whom he shall render them useful, for training them up in those ways of holiness in which, by the blessing of God upon the labours of others, they might be so happy as to find them? May God give many such to all who serve him with their spirit in the gospel of his Son; and, iri the views of their increasing piety, may they daily anticipate the glory and the joy with which they hope at last to deliver them to their divine master.SECTION IV.He informs them of his care to send Timothy to them, and of the pleasure he received in the tidings brought by him; praying for an opportunity of making them another visit. Ch. iii.1 r I THEREFORE being able no longer to endure, we acquiesced2 X in being left alone at Athens; and sent Timothy our brother, and a servant of God, and our-fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, that he might strengthen and comfort you, concerning3 your faith ; that no man might be shaken by these afflictions ; for4 ye yourselves know that we are appointed to these. For even when we were with you, we told you before, that we should be5 afflicted ; as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause also, being no longer able to endure, I sent to know the state of your faith, lest by any means the tempter might have tempted you,6 and our labour should have been in vain. But now Timothy, having returned to us from you, and brought to us the good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have always a good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you;7 we were hereby comforted, brethren, concerning you in all our8 tribulation and necessity, by means of your faith. For now we9 do indeed live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. ? For what thanks can we render to God concerning you, for all the joy with which10 we rejoice on your account, before our God ; night and day superabundantly making it our request to see your face, and to11 complete the^deficiencies of your faith. Now r ma-j God himself even our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ clear our way 12 to you; and may the Lord cause you to be enlarged, and to abound in love towards each other, and to all, even as we towards you:13 that your hearts may be strengthened, and you may be blameless in holiness before God, even our Father, at the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.REFLECTIONS;Not further to insist on the tender affection of Paul to the T/iessalonians, which has already afforded matter for so many profitable remarks, let us recollect that, as Christians, we also are appointed to afflictions, by the experience of which our fitness for heaven and our relish for our everlasting rest are to be improved. It was faithful and kind in the apostles, after the example of their great Master, to give us such admonitions j but let us not be moved by the apprehension of any sufferings that may await us, for he who hath undertaken to support and defend us, can make us more than conquerors; he can, even while we continue in this state of warfare, establish our hearts unblamable in holiness; and how blessed a connection will that have with our being presented faultless and blameless before the presence of his glory, when Christ shall appear with all his saints, and when the sanctity of each shall be a glory to their common Master, as well as an everlasting blessing to every one of those spotless souls.Let the ministers of the gospel nobly rise above all attachment to secular views, and make it their great business to advance in their hearers such a temper. Let it be their life, to see those Christian friends, whom God hath committed to their care, standing fast in the Lord. And, if they have reason to joy for their sakes before God, let them render their thanks to God for it, and night and day be. urgent in their prayers for them, that whatever comfort they have may be continued, and that whatever is wanting in their faith and their love may be perfected, by the divine blessing on ministerial labours.SECTION V.Practical exhortations; particularly to chastity, justice, charity, and prudence. Ch. iv. 1—12.1 A S for what remaineth therefore, brethren, we beseech and J\. exhort you by r the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received from us, how you ought to walk and to please God, so ye would2 abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we3 gave you on the part of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from forni4 cation: that every one of you should know how to possess his5 vessel, this animal frame, in sanctification an honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the heathens who know not6 God: that no man should overreach, or defraud his brother in any affair: for the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also told7 you before, and testified. For God hat* not called us to uncleanVol. II. F. e 8 ivess, but to holiness. He therefore who despiseth our admonition, clespiseth not man, but God, who hath also given us his Holy Spirit.9 But concerning brotherly-love, ye need not that I should Writ* to you, for ye yourselves are divinely taught to love one another.10 And indeed ye do it to all the brethren, which are in all Macedonia: but we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound herein more and more;11 and that you make it yotir ambition to live quietly, and do your proper business, and work with your own hands (as we gave it12 you in charge) that so ye may walk decently towards those that are without the church; and that ye may, have heed-of nothing from them or others. 1Reflections. Who would not wish to be instructed in every thing which might conduce to our walking so as to please God? who would not delight in frequent exhortations, to abound in such a conduct more and more., that every day may improve upon the last, till we perfect holiness in his fear? Blessed be God, the rules are plain, and our own conscience must bear witness to the reasonableness and goodness of them. This is the will of God, even our sanctification; that we should be honoured with his amiable image,' and, by sharing something of his moral character, may share something of that happiness which in the perfection of holiness he enjoys. He hath indeed given us a compound nature, and hath appointed us for a time to struggle with its animal powers, that by a victory over them we may approve our duty and obedience, and be fitted for a purer happiness above, than this low state of being will admit. Let Christians therefore learn to possess their vessels in sanctification and honour, and not be captives to the mean lusts of concupiscence and uneleanness, as the heathens, who, not having the knowledge of God, were more excusable than we in. those indulgences for which the knowledge of themselves and of their own nature would nevertheless, in some degree, condemn them.Let us, as we dread the displeasure and vengeance of God, the supreme Guardian of the rights of his creatures, take heed that we do not allow ourselves, when it is most in our power, to go beyond, or defraud our brethren in any matter, but endeavour to shew, that we have indeed been taught of God to love one anoiher, and that we have received into our very hearts that maxim which our gracious Redeemer has given us, That we should do unto others as we would they should do unto us.—On this principle likewise, let us diligently employ ourselves in our own proper affairs, that, instead of being the burdens of society, we may in our respective spheres be its supports; and, quietly attending to what lies within our own province, let us leave ambitious schemes and projects to others, thinking ourselves happy enough, if we may be approved by him who hath allotted to the inhabitants of earth their several parts, and will another day accept and reward them, not according to the distinction and elevation of their stations, but according to the integrity with which they have behaved themselves in them. So shall we secure a testimony even in. the consciences of those that are without, who would perhaps ungenerously and unrighteously rejoice in an occasion of charging upon the gospel of Christ the follies and irregularities of its professors.—They will never be able to charge'any thing on the gospel itself if they take their ideas of it from the writings of these its authentic teachers. And let it be remembered, that they gave such abundant evidence of the authority with which they taught, that he wlio despiscth them despiaeth not mari, but God, from whom they derived the Spirit by which they preached and wrote. His voice let us hear with reverence; his dictates let us humbly obev- The hour is near in which he will assert the honour of his word, and demonstrate to all the world the wisdom of submitting to its dictates. SECTION VI.The apostle comforts them concerning their deceased friends, by a view 0/their glory at the resurrection. Ch. iv. 13, &c.13 X) UT I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning XJ them that are fallen asleep, that ye may not lament, as others14 do, the heathens, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, -we must believe that in like manner also God15 shall bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you, by the word of the Lord*, that we who remain alive at the coming of the Lord, shall not preventf those that are asleep, so as 16 to be glorified before them. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, even with the trumpet of God : and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17 afterwards we who are left alive, shall together with them be snatched up into the clouds, in order to our meeting the Lord in18 the air: and so shall we be with the Lord for ever. Therefore comfort one another with these words.REFLECTIONS. O! who can be sufficiently thankful for the strong consolations which these divine words administer! How many drooping hearts have been cheered by them in every age, while successively mourning over the pious dead! How often have we ourselves been driven to them, as to a sacred anchor, when our hearts have been overwhelmed within ?us; and if God continue us a few years longer, what repeated occasions may arise of flying to them again I Let -us charge it upon our hearts, that we do honour to our holy profession in every circumstance, and particularly in our sorrows as well as our joys. When providence is pleased to make such breaches upon us, let us not sorrow as those who have no hope for our deceased friends, or for ourselves. Surely we cannot doubt the very first and most fundamental articles of our faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of* The authority of an immediate revelation from Christ ?)- The word prevent in tlusjense is obsolete, i. e. to go before. M. raiders it " anticipate." God ; and if we do indeed assuredly believe these, what a blessed train of consequences will they draw after them I and this consequence most apparently, that they who sleep in Jesus shall not finally perish, but shall be brought with him to grace his triumph. And C), what a triumfih shall that be ! Let us now anticipate the joy with which, if true believers, we shall then lift up our heads, and see our complete salvation drawing nigh. What though we die and moulder in the grave? the saints then alive shall not prevent us; though the last memorial of our names may long have perished from the earth, it shall appear that they are written in heaven. And when the Lord himself descends from heaven with that carth-rending shout, when the trump of God shall sound, his dead shall live, like his dead body shall they revive: they that dwell in the dust shall rise and sing, for his dew is gs that falling upon herbs, and the earth shall cast forth its- dead. But who can now conceive the rapture with which so many millions shall start up at once from their beds of dust, all arrayed in robes of glory, and, spurning the earth in which they have been so long entombed, and all that is mortal and corruptible, shall soar aloft in one joyful company with those who shall then be found alive, to meet the Lord in the air, forming a mighty host, bright as the sun, clear as the moon, and awf ul as an army with banners; they shall soar to meet their Lord, attracted by divine love, and borne on in their flight by an almighty power. We shall ascend to him, we shall be owned by him, we shall be seated near him; for Christ who is our life shall appear, therefore shall we appear with him in glory.—Nor shall it be merely the triumph of one day, or of any limited period, how long soever. It is the promise of his faithfulness and of his love, that so we shall ever be with the Lord. It is a glory that never shall decay, a meeting secure from all danger, from all possibility of future separation. In -what circumstance of affliction shall not these consolations be felt? What torrent of tears shall they pot be able to stop ! What groans of distressed nature shall they not be sufficient to turn into songs of joy? Thanks, everlasting, ever new, ever growing thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ, in the views of such a felicity! And let the whole choir of saints, the living and the dead, unite in one joyful Amen. SECTION VII.Exhortations to a diligent preparation for the day of Christ's appearance. Ch. v. 1—-11.1 T1UT concerning the times and seasons of these grand events, 2 Jj brethren, you have no need of my writing to you. For ye yourselves assuredly know, that the day of the Lord cometh just3 like a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety ; then sudden destruction shall come upon them, as travail4 upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not sleeping in darkness, that the day should come5 upon you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of 6 darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as the rest of mankind do, 7 but let us watch and be sober. For they who sleep, sleep in the night; and they who are drunken, are drunken in the night*.8 But Jet us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breast-plate9 of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation-. For God hath not destined us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation10 by our Lord Jesus Christ; who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, whether we be living or dead, we should live togeth11 er with him. Therefore comfort one another, and edify each [the otherj as also you do.REFLECTIONS.Since we continually see so many around us suddenly surprised into the eternal world, and fixed in that state in which judgment will find them, let us be very careful, that the duy of the Lord may not overtake us as a thief, but that we maintain a continual watch. How many are at this hour speaking peace and safety to themselves, over whose heads instantaneous destruction is hovering, such a destruction that they shall never be able to escape, never able to recover from it!Let us endeavour to awaken ourselves and each other. Are we not indeed all children of the day? Let us rouse ourselves, and use the light, that by it we may dispatch our labours, and, favoured by it, be guarded against the most sudden attacks of our spiritual enemies. Let us be sober and vigilant, lest our adversary the devil break in upon us by a surprise, which the unexpected weapons by which he attacks us may render yet more dangerous.Our own armour is described and provided, if we seek it from the magazine of God. Let faith and love ever defend our breast. Let the hope of salvation cover our head. Let us adore the divine clemency and mercy, that we are not appointed unto wrath, but enjoy the views of such a salvation, to be obtained by Jesus Christ. As he hath done his part to procure it for us, having died for this important purpose, let us exert ourselves to the utmost in our proper sphere for securing it, that we may lay hold on eternal life. Then may we be happily indifferent to life or death : while we continue in the body ; when that is sleeping in the grave, and our souls remain in the invisible world; and when our sleeping dust shall be roused, and both soul -and body live in unremitting vigour and energy, beyond the need of that repose which is now so necessary,—still in each of these different states we shall live with him; and he will make the progression of the soul from one state of being to another, its progression to stages of increasing holiness and joy, In the persuasion of this, let us comfort, exhort, and edify each other, and we shall feel the energy of the exhortations we give, and the sweetness of the consolations we admin? ister.* Getting drunk in the day-time was reckoned highly indecent even by the heathens. M. SECTION VIII. A variety ofshort practical exhortations. Ch. v. 12, &c. 12 TDUT we beseech you, brethren, to know those that labour J3 among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admon13 ishyou ; and to esteem them exceedingly in love, on the account14 of their work. And be at peace with one another. And we exhort you, brethren, admonish them that are disorderly; comfort the feeble-minded ; succour the weak; be long-suffering toward15 all. See that no one render to any evil for evil, but, always pursue that which is good; both towards each other, and towards all16 men. Be always rejoicing. Pray incessantly*. In every thing 18 give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, with re20 gard to you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. 2 i Try all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all23 appearance of evil. And may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and Ipray God that your whole constitution or frame, spirit, soul, and body, may be kept blameless to the appear24 ance of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful it he who hath called you, who also will do what he hath promised. 25 Brethren, pray for us. Salute all the brethren with an holy27 kiss. I adjure you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the28 holy brethren. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.REFLECTIONS. What a variety of excellent instructions does this short section contain! yea, how much is expressed in some of its shortest sentences! But how hard is it for our degenerate hearts to learn these lessons which so few words are sufficient to express ! This habitual joy in God, this constant disposition to prayer, this thankful temper, that upon every call may overflow in thanksgiving, this abstinence from every appearance of evil. "Blessed Lord! we need a better spirit than our own to teach us these things. May thy grace be with us, and may none of us quench the spirit, nor despise those ordinances which by his heavenly communications he so often owns !" Let us endeavour, by the daily importunity of prayer, to engage more of his efficacious and purifying influences, to sanctify the whole frame of our nature, our spirits, our souls, and our bodies; that we may so understand and choose, so love and delight in divine things, and maintain so regular and constant a command over our appetites of flesh and blood, .Hid all the irregular propensities of animal nature, that we may be continually fit for the appearance of Christ, and be more like what we hope we shall be, when presented before the presence of his glory. * That is, at all proper seasons. To promote this, let us watch over one another in the Lord. Let Christian societies preserve a regular disci/iline, with a due mixture of zeal and tenderness. Let the friendship of private persons be rendered mutually subservient to religious improvement, and let a due regard be ever paid to those who labour among them, and preside over them in the Lord. They will not require a blind submission to their dictates, if they rightly understand the gospel they are to teach. They will allow, they will encourage, they will urge their hearers to prove all things, which even the apostles themselves, with all their plenitude of inspiration, did not think it beneath them to do. But they who thus candidly inquire, and are determined to hold fast what is truly good, knowing how excellent an office the ministry is, knowing how much the edification of the church depends upon it, will esteem those that bear it very highly in love for their works sake, and in whatever instances they may be constrained, by what they judge to be the evidence of truth, to differ from their brethren, or even from their teachers, will be solicitous to maintain harmony and love in the societies to which they belong, as it becomes them to do who are the disciples of that wisdom from above, which hath taught them inseparably to connect their regards topurity and peace. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS. TT is generally atcpposed that this second epistle was written in the -*- same year as the first, while Paul continued at Corinth. The general design of it is, to confirm the Thessalonians in their Christian profession, and to comfort them under the sufferings to which they were exposed. Besides which the afiostle sets himself to rectify some mistaken apprehensions they seem to have entertained about the coming of Christ; and to direct them in the exercise of Christian discipline towards some irregular members of the society. SECTION I.The apostle expresses his joy in their adherence to the Christian cause, and animates them against future persecutions, by the glory they had in prospect. Ch. i.1 TJAUL, and Sylvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the J7 Thessalonians, w/iich is in God our Father, and the Lord2 Jesus Christ. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 5 We ought always to give thanks to God on your account, brethren, as it is fit, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the4 love of every one of you all towards one another aboundeth: so that we do ourselves boast of you in the churches of God, on account of your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tri5 bulations which you endure; which shall be a display of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be approved worthy of the6 kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer. For it is a righteous thing with God, to repay tribulation to them who bring tribulation7 on you; and unto you who suffer tribulation, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty afi8 gels, with flaming fire, to execute vengeance on those who know not God, and on those who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus9 Christ. Who shall be punished with eternal destruction, from the10 presence r of the Lord, and from his glorious power; when be shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them who believe, in that day, and by you in particular, because11 our testimony among you was credited. In which regard*, we pray always for you, that our God would render you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and12 the work of faith with power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and that you may be glorified in him according to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.REFLECTIONS. How wisely has the apostle chosen the representation we have now been reading, to promote the glory of our Saviour's name, by strengthening the saints who are already established, and awakeningany who might be careless and irregular, by the very same considerations, which may so justly awe and intimidate the enemies of the church I How forcible in all these views is the description we here read, of the glorious and triumphant appearance of our Lord I Let it be ever placed before our eyes. He shall surely come in flaming flre, to take vengeance on all his enemies. The troublers and persecutors of his people shall have their peculiar share in it, and it is most righteous with God that they should. Yet it is not intended for them alone, but for all who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ. How diligently should we examine, what our knowledge of God is and what our obedience to his gospel; whether the one be merely speculative, and the other verbal, or our knowledge practical, and our obedience sincere and universal! Everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power, is a vengeance dreadful enough, one would imagine, to awaken, even by its distant sound, all who are not sunk into the last and lowest degrees of insensibility. Who can stand in his presence when once he is angry? W ho can resist his power? But there are a happy number, who shall be glorified by him; and (which should give us peculiar joy)?2 whom he* "On which account." M. "For which purpose." W. also shall be admired and glorified, in that day and for ever. The holy and blessed creation of God shall see to all eternity, from what ruin Jesus could raise, and to what felicity he could exalt, those who were once the captives of Satan, the slaves of sin, and the heirs of death and hell. May the expectation of it influence our hearts in a suitable manner! May all the good pleasure of God's goodness be fulfilled in lis, and the work of faiih wiih po-wer! Then while our faith groweth exceedingly, our mutual love will abound, our patience will be adequate t9 every trial, and we shall be approved, as in some measure, through divine grace, worthy of that kingdom to which God hath called us.Paul cautions them against expecting the day of judgment immediately, and foretels that antichrist was first to come. Ch. ii. 1—12.1 T3 UT I beseech you, brethren, with respect to the appearance Jj of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto2 him, that ye be not soon moved from the steadiness of your mind, nor troubled, either by any pretended spirit of prophecy, or by word, or by epistle*, as from us, as if the day of Christ were just 3 at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come till there come first an apostacy, and the man of sin be re4 vealed, the son of perdition: who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God or the object of worship; so that he himself, as God, settsth himself in the temple of God, shewing5 himself, that he is Godf. Remember ye not that, being yet with6 you, I told you these things? And now ye know what restrain'eth7 him, that he might be| revealed in his own time. > For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only there is one(| that hin8 dereth, till he be taken out of the way. And then the ungodly one shall be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy by the breath9 of his mouth, and abolish by the brightness of his coming. Even he whose coming is according to the energy of Satan, by all lying power, and signs, and wonders, and in all manner of un10 righteous deceit, among tho: s who shall perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be sav* Alluding to his former epistle to them, Ch. iv. 12, &c. f " That he is A God." M.—This is generally understood by protestants of the papal-power and of its usurpation in divine things. And to what else is% " From being revealed." D. The C. T. makes a better sense, and is more agreeable to the original. M. renders it, " What now restraineth him In Order Tohis being revealed—"|| Dr. Geddes properly explains this of the Roman emperor, who would ?not suffer ecclesiastical power to grow to an exorbitant height, while he held his seat at Rome. (Geddes' Tracts, Vol. II. p. la) Many good modem commentators give it the same turn; and Tertullian, Augustine, and Chrusostom, agree in saying, that antichrist was not to appear till after the fall of the Roman empire. See Tillotson,\o\. II.p. 193.SECTION II.Vol. II. 11 ed. And for this cause God will send upon them the energy of deceit, so that they shall believe the lie which they have taught; 12 that they may all be condemned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness and imposture to serve their liresent interest. REFLECTIONS.Let us behold with humble reverence the depths of the divine counsels and judgments: Cod hath been pleased to suffer the craft' of Satan to display itself, in reducing from his allegiance a great part of the Christian world, yet has he taken the wise in his own crafiiness, so far as to make that very apostasy from Christianity an additional proof of its divine original. Who that had only examined the genius of that holy religion, could have imagined that such a mystery of iniquity should have arisen in it, and that man of sin have been revealed? Surely, when-the particulars of the description come to be compared with the accomplishment, it may seem owing to some judicial infatuation, that men of deep policy and great penetration, with this very passage of scripture in their hands, should have suffered the marks of antichrist to be so very apparent, even in many instances, beyond what might have seemed absolutely necessary for establishing that secular kingdom which they sought; particularly that the pope, on high days, should set himself on a high throne, in the temple of God, to be there solemnly adored, and should have permitted his parasites so expressly to boast that he is [a] God,- and to give him, in some of their licensed and authorised works*, divine titles. The scandalous and extravagant pretences which the followers of the Papacy have made to miracles, exceeding in number, and some of them in marvellous circumstances, those of Christ and his apostles, plainly display the energy of Satan, that father of frauds, pious and impious. And the most incredible lies which they have, by solemn and irrevocable acts, made essential to their faith, shew the strength of delusion, beyond what could have been imagined, had not fact led us into the theory. How dreadful is it to think of some of the expressions which the Spirit itself uses, when speaking of these artifices in deceit !—that they should be abandoned by God to believe a lie, that they may all be damned who have plrtiure in unrighteousness,—that they might bring upon themselves eternal, aggravated damnation. Who would not tremble, who would not grieve for so many of our fello-ai men, yea of those whom (degenerate as their form of Christianity is) we must yet call our fellow Christians, who are thus dishonoured, enslaved, and endangered? The Lord grant that they may not be utterly undone ! Let thein despise us, let them by most solemn execrations annually repeated, devote us to destruction, and prepare against us all the instruments of it in their power, yet will we still pray for them. The Lord grant that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are led captive by him at his pleasure I Let us recommend to divine compassion the souls drawn after artful and wicked leaders,* See Barker's sermon at Salter's-Hall, against Popery; and Chandler'sacceunt of the conference in Nicholas-Lane. :in the simplicity of their hearts, and take comfort in this thought, that the time will come, when the Lord shall destroy this son of perdiiion with the breath of his mouth and the brightness of his coming. May the remnant of God's people among them take the alarm, and come out from them in time, and be separate , that they may not be partakers with them in their plagues. S ECT'ION III.Paul thanks God for supporting them hitherto, and adds his exhortations and prayers for their continued establishment. Ch. ii. 13.— iii. 1—5.13 TJUT we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, Jj beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, by sanctification of the Spirit, and belief14 of the truth: to which he hath called you by our gospel, to the ob15 taining the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and retain the instructions, which you have learned,16 whether by word or by our letter. And may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace,17 comfort your hearts, and strengthen you for every good word and work.iH. Finallyr, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run a free unobstructed course, and be glorified every where, as it is 2 among you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable3 and wicked men : for all men have not faith*. But the Lord is faithful; who will strengthen and keep you from the evil one.4 And we have confidence in the Lord with respect to you, that ye5 both do and will do the things which we give you in charge. And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christf..REFLECTIONS. How wisely and happily does the apostle unite the views of the grace of God and the duties of men, while he represents our choice io salvation in a light so worthy of God, since this salvation is still to be obtained through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Our spirits must be sanctified by the operation of the divine Spirit: the truth must be not only speculatively, but powerfully and practically believed, or all our hopes will be vain. But surely, were it possible that salvation could any other way be obtained, it would be much less desirable, or rather, that which did not imply a sanctified spirit, and an heart open to receive and obey the truth, would not deserve the name of salvation. Blessed be God, who in this view hath called * That upright and candid disposition, which would engage men to receive the testimony of the apostles.f Or Christian patience: that wliich becomes his disciples, and is agreeable to his example. us to obtain salvation and glory by Jesus Christ, even God our Father who hath laved us. From him do these everlasting consolations flow. It is by his blessed and gracious operation we are strengthened and es" tahUshfd in every good word and work. His fidelity stands engaged to do it, if we humbly commit ourselves to him, and wait upon him. The prayers of the apostles, dictated no doubt from above, concur with the promises to encourage our hopes that he will direct our hearts into the love of God and the patience of Jesus Christ. On the exercise of that love and that patience doth the happiness of life chiefly depend. Too ready are our weak hearts to wander from it, and to faint under the difficulties that lie in our way. Let us call on him to preserve and maintain the graces he hath implanted, that they may be exerted with growing vigour and constancy even unto the end.Unreasonable and wicked men will oppose the progress of the gospel, 'which has so powerful a tendency to promote holiness and comfort; and, as there are those that have not faith, they will be ready to labour its destruction. But when the prayers of Christians are frequently engaged, that the word of God may run and be glorified, there is great reason to hope that much of their perverse opposition may be overruled to most contrary purposes, so that the wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder of that wrath be restrained, SECTION IV,Directions as to the exercise of discipline, with respect to some disorderly persons. Ch. iii. 6, &c.6 ""^T OW r we charge you, brethren, in the name of our LordJesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from any brother, who walketh irregularly, and not agreeably to the instruction7 which he hath received from us. For ye yourselves know how it becometh you to imitate us; for we were not irregularly among8 you ; neither did we eat any man's bread at free-cost j but with labour and toil we wrought, night and day, that we might not be9 burdensome to any of you. Not that we are destitute of authority, but we declined using it that we might exhibit ourselves to you10 as an example, that ye might imitate us. And even when we were with you, we gave this in charge to you, that if any one11 would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some among you who walk irregularly, not working at all,12 but are impertinently busy. Them who are such, therefore, we charge and entreat, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that working13 with quietness, they eat their own bread. And as for you, brethren, faint not, while well-doing, though some should abuse your 14 goodness. But if any one be not obedient to our word by this epistle, set a mark upon that man, and have no converse with15 him, that he may be ashamed. Yet account him not as an enemy,16 but admonish him as a brother. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, by every means. May the Lord17 be with you all—The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which 18 is the token in every epistle: so I write. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.REFLECTIONS. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, given in a richer abundance to his churches, animate and engage them to maintain that discipline which is so necessary to his honour and to their own comfort and edification. Scarcely can we say which is more to be lamented) the neglect of the thing, or the abuse of the name. It never could be the design of the wise legislature of the church, that secular terrors should be pressed into his service, that fines, imprisonments, and civil incapacities should be the result of censures passed in his peaceful and benevolent name. Irregularities, in those that call themselves his followers, are indeed to be observed, and discountenanced. Offenders are to be admonished, and, if lighter admonitions succeed not, they are to be avoided: but still in a view of recovering them by an ingenuous shame (if any remainder of it be left in their hearts) from those practices, which, if connived at, would soon become the shame of the society. Thus far therefore let us resolutely carry our censures, separating scandalous persons from our sacramental communion, and declining that familiar converse with those who are so separated, which might lead them to think we privately disregarded these censures which had in public so awful a form; yet at the same time let us not treat them as enemies, or as those of whose recovery we have no hope, but remember the tenderness of brotherly love amidst all the severest acts of brotherly reproof, and the common tie of humanity, to those whom we are commanded to regard only as heathens or publicans. May there be, in the professed disciples of Jesus, a care to avoid and discourage that sloth and petulance which would make men busy in other people's matters, while they are quite negligent of their own. Let us remember the example of the apostle, and be solicitous to eat our own bread. So shall we be most likely to enjoy inward peace and satisfaction of mind, and find that relish in the possession of a little which the largest supplies would not give to them who are conscious to themselves of sloth or dishonesty.—Some worthless people there have always been in every station of life, and under all religious professions, and some idle drones, who are ready to abuse the bounty of others better than themselves. But let us not from hence seek a jnean excuse for refusing to such as really stand in need, acts of liberality and charity. Let us not be weary in well-doing; the time of rest and reward will come. While we are waiting for it, the presence of the Lord of peace may be expected, if we take care to adorn his religion by the usefulness, as well as the meekness, of our behaviour, in this world of misery and provocation, through which he hath appointed us to pass, and through which he has himself condescended to pass before us, to make our way safe and our exit happy. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.rT%IMOTHY was a native of Lystra. His father xoas a Greek, but Ids * mother Jiunice was a Jewess, as was his grandmother Lois r by whose pious care he became early acquainted with the scriptures. It is not certain when he was converted to the Christian faith, though probably it was on Paul's first visit to Lystra. When the apostle came into those parts again, he found him in great esteem with the churches jor his piety and zeal, and from that time he seems to have fixed upon him as a companion and assistant in the ministerial office, to which he ordained him when probably he was not more than twenty years old. He appears to have been eminently qualified for the office, and the apostle treated lam with a parent's affection.—The date of this epistle has been much disputed. It is most generally thought to have been about the year 58, when Paul quitted Ephesus on account of the tumult rawed by Demetrius, where he left Timothy to manage the affairs of the church.—The design of the epistle was, to direct him in this important concern, and in choosing proper persons for the ministry, and other offices ; to caution him against the influence of judaizing teachers; to urge him to a con-' stant regard, in his preaching, to practical religion; and to animate him to diligence, fidelity, and zeal, in the discharge of his office. SECTION I.Paul mentions the reasons of his leaving Timothy at Ephesus, and shews the absurdity of opposing the gospel through zeal for the Law. Ch.i. 1—11.1 Ty AUL an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the appoint_L mcnt of God our Saviour, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who 2 is our hope; to Timothy my genuine son in the faith, grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from Jesus Christ3 our Lord.—As I entreated thee to continue at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they should not teach other doctrine than I had delivered, so act; and 4, admonish them not to regard Jewish fables, and endless genealogies*, which afford matter of debates, rather than godly edifica5 tion in the faith. But the end of the gospel declaration is love, from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and an undissembled6 faith: from which some, having wandered, have-turned aside to7 vain and empty discourse: desiring to be teachers of the law, and yet neither understanding what they say, nor concerning what they8 affirm. But we know that the law is excellent, if a man use it9 lawfully; knowing this, that a law is not made in reference to a righteous man, but to the lawless and ungovernable, the impious and profligate sinners, the unholy and profane; murderers of fa10 thers and of mothers, and oiher assassins; fornicators, abusers of* Tables of lineal descent, by which the Jews endeavoured to prove their .right as priests and Levites, or their alliance to the house of David. themselves with mankind r, those who steal men to sell them for slaves; liars, perjured persons; and [such as do] whatever is11 contrary to wholesome doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I was intrusted.REFLECTIONS. CHRIST is indeed our hope, or we have nothing which can deserve to be called hope. For in us he is the hope of glory. On him therefore let us build; to him let us with the most joyful consent commit our souls; and, dismissing all vain questionings and endlessunprofitable controversies, ever atteud to godly edifying, and bear in our memories and in our hearts the great end of the commandment. And may the great God of love work that love in our hearts which is so justly represented in that view; love proceeding from a good conscience, and from faith unfeigned.—We rejoice in the gospel, and let us reverence the law, and endeavour to use it lawfully and properly. Let it regulate our lives; let it awaken our consciences,and lead us to look for a better righteousness than this alone can afford. Blessed be God, that it is providentially made the means of restraining many who act on motives merely legal, from much wickedness, which they might otherwise commit. But let the glorious gospcl of the blessed God, intrusted to the apostle, be the great foundation on which our souls build. It is gloi-ious indeed: may the great Author of it ever be blessed, and the great end of it answered in our hearts, not only in preserving us free from those gross enormities of which the apostle has given so black a catalogue, and against which the law was more immediately directed, but in forming us to a stricter obedience, a sublimer purity, and more exalted hope, than any other dispensation which God himself has given could inspire.SECTION II.Paul adores the divine goodness in calling him to the Christian faith and ministry. Ch. i. 12—17.12 4 ND I return thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath J\_ strengthened me, and that he accounted me faithful, putting13 me into the ministy; who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor and an oppressor. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ig14 norantly in unbelief: but the grace of our Lord superabounded15 with faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.—This is a faithful [or true] saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world, that he might save sinners; of whom I am16 chief. But for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me, as the chief of sinners, Jesus Christ might exhibit all long-suffering, as a pattern for those who should afterwards believe on him to eternal life.17 Now to the king eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. REFLECTIONS.Who can wonder, that a person of Paul's experience and piety, should thus, on the mention of the gospel, digress to indulge his reflections on that singular and astonishing interposition of divine grace, by which he had been brought to embrace it, and honoured with the charge of it! Who can wonder, that such blasphemies, and such outrages as he had uttered and committed, such a zeal for persecution as he had exerted, should leave a deep impression on his heart, and engage him, notwithstanding all his care in the externals of the law, and blameless as he was touching all its righteousness to call himself the first, the chief of sinners, and to celebrate that as superabundant grace, which had been extended to him!Well was he who had received it, thereby fitted to proclaim it to all the world. Let us gladly receive it from the pen of this once malignant and blasphemous persecutor, but now holy and happy apostle, as a most certain truth, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus, the Son of God, hath, in unutterable and inconceivable compassion come into this world of ours to save sinners, even the chief of them. Let us thakfully accept this abridgment of the whole gospel, and apply to the Saviour thus triumphant in mercy, with whatever aggravated guilt our consciences may charge us. Let us also remember, that Paul obtained mercy not on his own account alone, but that the compassions extended to him might be considered as an example of what this gracious Redeemer is ready to extend to all them who, like him, shall believe. Let us pause upon it, till our hearts glow within us in all thankful acknowledgement of his mercy, and then let our lips burst forth in praise to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, to the only wise God, who hath found out such an admirable way at once to glorify his justice and his grace, in pardoning and accepting the chief of sinners in his Son. May our hearts be more and more disposed to celebrate his power, wisdom, and goodness, and to begin those songs of praise upon earth, which we hope will be our everlasting employment in heaven!SECTION III.He charges Timothy to a conscientious care in his whole behaviour, and given several directions relating to prayer, and to the conduct of Christian women. Ch. i. 18.—ii.18 r I ''HIS charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, that thouI mayest, according to former prophecies of holy men concerning thee, by remembrance of them, maintain a good warfare19 against the enemies of the gospel; holding r [fast] faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away, concerning faith20 have made shipwreck ; of which number is Hymenseusand Alexr ander, whom I have delivered unto Satan*, that they may learn not to blaspheme the truths of Christ or revile his servants. * i . e. To be smitten with bodily diseases. 1. Cor. T. 5. ii. Now I exhort o in the first place, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made {unto God] for all men:2 for kings, and all who are in exalted stations; that we may pass a3 peaceful and quiet life, in all piety and gravity. ' For this is good4 and acceptable in the sight of our Saviour God : who wills that all men should be saved, and come to the acknowledgment of the5 truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between* God and '6 man, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to7 be attested* in due time. Of which I was appointed an herald, and an apostle (I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not) a teacher of8 the Gentiles in faith and truth, I therefore will, that men pray in everyplace, holding up holy hands without wrath and doubtingf.9 In like manner I charge women also to adorn themselves .with decent apparel, with modesty, and sobriety : not with r plaited hair,10 or gold, or pearls, or costly ornaments; but (which becometh11 women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman12 learn in silence with all submission. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve as a partner and helper to him. 14 And Adam was not deceived by the serpent, but the woman being15 deceived by it, was first in the transgression. Yet she shall be saved by child-birth}:, [the female descendants of Eve] if they continue in faith, and love, and holiness with sobrietyReflections. May every Christian learn by these apostolical dictates to retain. faith and a good conscience and be very solicitous that no exactness in the former be thought sufficient to compensate for a defect in the latter. Soon will that faith itself suffer shipwreck, where a good conscience sits not at the helm; or rather soon will it serve only as a talent of gold, to a man sinking in the sea, to plunge him so much the deeper. It will be a' part of the character of one who desires to preserve a good conscience, to maintain a benevolence of heart towards the whole human race, and to breathe out that benevolence in prayer which at the same time expresses and increases it. And while all men have a share in it, kings and princes, in whose behaviour and temper the happiness of so many thousands are concerned, have a peculiar claim to our devout remembrance. Above all, let us pray for our own, that they may continue (as blessed be God his present majesty hath long been||, and we have reason to hope his successors will be) the ministers of God for good. May our life, under such a government, be in one sense as well as another quiei and peaceable, and may it be conducted in all godliness and honesty. Thus shall we do our part to subserve that gracious will of God, to effect which he hath done all that* i. e. This is a doctrine to be attested or borne witness to—. A.f " Without Disputing." Baxter.Op. ii. p. 654. So. M.% The sex shall be saved through the'birth of the promised Seed, in which man had no part. Gen. iii. 15.|| The author had the happiness to write this in the twenty-fourth year of King George II. that father of his people.Vol. II. Gg it was proper for him to do, that all men may be saved, as our walking in the truth may bring many to the knowledge of it. May that knowledge prevail more and more in the world, that the one God may be universally adored, through the one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, in whom Deity dwells, and whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, we worship, as exalted above all adoration and praise.This only-begotten Son of God became a man, that he might give himself a ransom for us, a ransom for all who should believe in him. Blessed be God, that we have received this important testimony, received it from Paul the apostle, o that faithful herald of such astonishing grace, who was divinely appointed to be a teacher of the Gentiles, and who to this day is teaching us by his writings, and in every section of them giving us lessons of infinite importance. May we learn, from what he teaches here, not only the object to whom our prayers are to be' directed, and the persons for whom they are to be offered, but likewise the temper from which they are to proceed. May our hands be holy, and our hearts overflowing with love, and firmly established in faith unfeigned, resting on the promises we plead, and rejoicing in an assured hope, that the eternal Jehovah, who so long since styled himself the hearer of prayer,- will not now say to any humble and upright souls, Seek ye me in vain. In all our aonduct, let us remember we are in his presence, and let a concern to please him, and to adorn our profession, run through every action of our lives. Let it direct our expenses and our dress. Let it engage usto maintain a constant decorum in every circumstance, sacred or civil; to be in due subjection to our superiors, and to continue in faith and love, in holiness and sobriety. Let the sex, to whom the concluding instructions of this section are particularly addressed, while they are humbled in the remembrance of that original offence, in which Eve, our first mother, so unhappily led the way, rejoice in the great victory of the seed of the woman over the serpent. And let the other sex, on which this* was bestowed as a gift of so great value, that God judged it necessary to complete the felicity of paradise in its untainted bloom, never manifest the odious effects of the fall, by ungenerously upbraiding the daughters for the mother's fault, at the distance of so many generations; but rather rejoice, that, as by woman came transgression, so by her came redemption too. And let us all join in improving so invaluable a favour, and endeavouring to express our gratitude for it, by acting aright, according to the several relations which we sustain in life.* The author means, a female companion. SECTION IV."The qualifications of those who were to be set apart to the office of a pastor, and deacon in the church. Ch. iii. 1—13.1 TT is a true r saying, If any one earnestly desire the episcopal2 1 or pastoral office, be desireth a good work. A Bishop therefore must be blameless, the husband of only one wife, watchful,-3 prudent, decent, given to hospitality, fit to teach; not one that sitteth long over wine, or ready to strike, not attached to sordid gain*, moderate, not given to contention, not a lover of money;A one who presideth well over his own house, having his children5 in subjection with all gravity: for if any one cannot preside over his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?45 Not one newly converted, lest he should be lifted up with pride,7 and thus fall into the condemnation of the devil. It is necessary also that he have a good report of those that are without, lest he fall into reproach, and the snare of the devilf.8 In like manner let the Deacons be grave, not double-tongued, nor addicted to much wine, nor greedy of dishonourable gain;9 holding r [fast] the mystery of our holy faith in a pure conscience.10 And let even these be first proved; then if they be found blame11 less, let them use the office of a deacon. In like manner, let th?' wives of both be grave, not false accusers, watchful, faithful in all12 things. Let the deacons be the husbands of only one wife, gov13 erning their children, and their own houses well. For they who have discharged the office of a deacon well, procure to themselves a good degree; an advancement to an higher office\, and great boldness in professing and maintaining the faith which is in Christ Jesus.REFLECTIONS.The teachers of others, and those who preside in the highest offices which Christ has founded in his church, may learn from this passage their duty as well as their dignity and honour. Let them remember, the work they have desired and engaged in is a good work. Let them think and speak, not arrogantly and tyrannically, but respectfully and solemnly of their office, and let them cultivate all these excellent qualities, which may fit them to discharge it aright; sobriety and vigilance, gravity and hospitality, the strictest temperance, the most diffusive benevolence. Let them rise far above those low views -which are to worldly-minded ministers the occasion of so many scandalous contentions, which so often establish a separate interest, and produce a secret and mutual aversion between them and their people.Let the churches of Christ attend to this charge, to direct them in the choice of their pastors; and let ministers of standing and reputa* "Not one who earns money by base disreputable methods." M.t So as to be tempted to renounce the gospel. Ib. 4 Elders or pastors were sometimes chosen from among the deacons. tion, under whose guidance the matter may in part fall, be very careful that they do not encourage any to undertake the work who are deficient in these things: things of such importance, that it is certain no genius and learning can make up for the want of theni. If deacons, in their inferior station, are to be free from such stains, and to be remarkable for such virtues as are here described, how much more should the pastors themselves be so, to whom the inspection of the deacons is also committed ?—Let the ministers of Christ therefore study to excel in them more and more. And let such as are but lately entered on their work, though not novices, in the language of the apostle, yet be on their guard, lest they be lifted up with pride, and so fall into the condemnation of the devil. But from this lurking and insinuating evil who is secure? Let all ministers learn to draw an occasion of exercising humility, from what might in another view seem a temptation to vanity,.^- survey of the dignity and excellency of their office. For how justly may this humble them when they reflect on the many imperfections which attend their discharge of it !— To conclude; let all, who are in any degree distinguished in the church, be excited to a care of presiding in a proper manner over their own families; and since it is evident that the apostolic rule allows of marriage, and supposes that, by whatever doctrine of devils it might be forbidden, it would generally be practised by the ministers of Christ, let them however take care to make choice of companions in conjugal life, who may adorn and bless the houses to which they belong, and lessen, rather than increase, the diffi" culties inseparable from their own station and office.SECTION V.T/ie apostle recommends the care of the church to Timothy, and warns hi/n of those pernicious doctrines which false teachers would strive to introduce. Ch. iii. 14.—iv. 1—5.14 rT~*HESE things I write to thee, hoping to come to thee shortly.15 X But, if I delay, / send these instructions that thou mayest know how it becometh thee to behave thyself r in the house of God, which is* the church of the living God, the pillar and16 ground of truthf. And confessedly great is the mystery of godliness, that sublime and godly doctrine which we preach—God was manifested in the flesh of our blessed Redeemer, and thus he war justified in (or by) the Spirit, seen of angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.—iv. But the Spirit expressly saith, That in the last times some shall apostatize from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits, and doc2 trines of daemons; through the hypocrisy of liars, whose own* " Neither the temple at Jerusalem, nor any material building, but a society of believers." M.j- " That thou mayest know how one who is a pillar of the living God, and a support of the truth, ought to behave himself in God's house which is the church." W. 3 conscience is seared ; forbidding to marry r, and commanding to refrain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by the faithful, and by those who know the truth.4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected5 if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.REFLECTIONS. What the Spirit of God expressly spake has been so expressly accomplished, as plainly to prove the divine original of this oracle, and of all that are connected with it. The grand apostasy of the latter days is made manifest; the seducing spirits have effectually done their part; the world has given heed to them, and wandered after them; so that doctrines of devils have almost cast out from his own church the doctrine of Christ. No testimony of hypocritical liars hath been wanting to confirm the fraud to the utmost of their power, and the -whole conduct of it seems to declare to how dreadful a degree it is possible for conscience to be seared. Marriage has been forbidden, while the pardon of fornication, adultery, and incest, have been rated at a certain price, by that grand merchant of the souls of men, who hath ventured to call himself the -vicar of Christ upon earth. By him men have been taught to place the greater part of religion in abstaini"g from meats, in attending unintelligible jargon, instead of the service of God's sanctuary, and in transforming the high solemnity of the simplest and most rational worship that ever was instituted, into a ceremonious farce. Adored be divine providence and grace, that' any parts of the once dark domains of this man of sin have been awakened to assert the purity of the Christian faith and worship, and to seek to purge away the reproach and infamy which such adulterations had brought upon the name! Blessed be God that our attention is diverted from these trifles and monsters, these mysteries of folly, and mysteries of iniquity, to the great mystery of godliness! Let it bo familiar to our thoughts. The manifestation of God in the flesh! A sight which the angels beheld with wonder, while the blessed Sfiirit sealed the authority of God's incarnate Son, and attested his gospel among the Gentiles, till the world was brought to believe in him; so that he looked down from the throne of glory, to which he was received, and saw his own oracle fulfilled, If I am lified up, I-will draw all men unto me. May this mysterious, yet resplendent truth, be strenuously maintained, and practically preached, by all the ministers of the gospel; may they shew, in every other respect, that they know how to behave themselves aright in the house of the living God; and mav many by these means be brought to believe and to know the truth in its vital energy. Then will the common enjoyments of life have an additional relish, being received with thanksgiving, and sanctified by the word of God and prayer. SECTION VI.Advice to Timothy, to attend to the essentials of religion, patiently to endure afflictions, to behave with the most exact decorum, and study to improve his gifts for edification. Ch. iv. 6, &c .6 TF thou shalt suggest these things to the brethren, thou shalt be I a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, which thou hast accurately traced out.7 But profane and old wives' fables reject, and exercise thyself to9 godliness.: for bodily exercise* is profitable to little ; but godliness is profitable to all things, having the promise of the present9 life, and that which is to comer. This is a faithful saying, and10 worthy of all acceptance. For this end, the advancement of this godliness, we both labour, and suffer reproach, because we have hoped in the living God, who is the Saviour and preserver of alli 1 men, especially of the faithful. These things give in charge, and teach- jind that thou mayest do it with the greater efficacy, be 12 careful about thy own conduct. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example to the faithful, in speech, in conversation,13 in love, in spirit, in fidelity, in purity. Till I come, attend to14 reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Neglect not that gift which is in thee, which was given thee by the ministration of those who had the gift of prophecy, with the imposition of the hands of the15 presbytery. Meditate on these things; be always employed in.16 these things, that thy improvement in all may be manifest. Take heed to thyself, and to thy doctrine, and continue in them; for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself, and thy hearers.REFLECTIONS. It is doubtless a very great advantage to Christians, and especially to the ministers of Christ, to have been nourished and educated in the words of faith and of good doctrine; and they who are honoured with the great trust of training them up should be particularly careful on this head, remembering that no other branches of learning are of comparable importance to any Christian, and much less to those whose business it must be to maintain the faith of Christ in the world, and to instruct others in his doctrine, both publicly and privately.—But to do this with success, and to command that reverence, which it is desirable for the public good they should command, whether they be younger or elder, it is necessary that they endeavour to be examples to other believers in their whole conversation and deportment, in word and in spirit, patterns of charity, faith, and purity. To qualify them more abundantly for such a work, whatever their gifis may be, whether of nature or of grace, it will be necessary to stir them up by frequent exercise, and to cultivate them by reading and mediiation, as well as prayer; that their stock may be increasing, that their profiiing may * Alluding to the previous exercise used by the candidates in the Grecian james. appear unto all, and that they may lose no advantage they can secure,of rendering their exhortations and instructions worthy the regard of the wisest and best, as well as the least and weakest of those committed to their care.But surely, whatever difficulties may lie in their way, and whatever fatigues, or censures, or sufferings, they may encounter, while thus employed, the prospect of success may sweeten all. If they may save themselves and those that hear them, if they may give up an account with joy, if they may see souls recovered from the tyranny of sin and the kingdom of Satan now, and at length, after having anticipated the pleasures of heaven upon earth, raised to the full enjoyment of those pleasures above, they will bless the remembrance of their labours. Yea, the very consciousness of spending life in such pursuits must, toa generous and pious mind, afford unspeakably move delight than the acquisition and enjoyment of any thing which the children of this world pursue, and perhaps some of them with equal fatigue.Let Christians in other stations also be quickened to exert themselves in the same blessed cause, remembering, that while other things, for which men labour as in the fire, can profit but liitle, godliness is profitable to all. It hath so far the promise of this life, that the godly man shall not want any thing that his father and his God knows to be truly good for him, and he will probably be abundantly happier in this world, amidst all the calamities to which he may be exposed, than in like circumstances he could possibly have been without sucha principle of piety in his heart: and it has absolutely the promise of the Hfe which is to come; and that such a life, so glorious and so lasting, that the very mention of it may well swallow up the thoughts of this life and its interests, any further than as they are connected with that. Let us then receive the word with all readiness, and pursue these glorious objects, trusting in the living God, who, while he scatters the bounties of his common providence on all, is in a peculiar and most important sense, the Saviour, the Guardian the Father of those who believe. SECTION VII.Directions fur Timothy's conduct towards elders and widows: advices concerning matrons intrusted with some peculiar office, and supported out of the public stock. Ch. v. 1—16.1 "|3 EBUKE not an aged man severely, but exhort him as a father, 3 XV and the younger as brethren ; the aged women as mothers, and 3 the younger as sisters, with all chastity. Honour widows, who4 are truly widows*, being in a destitute condition. But if any widow hath children, or grand-children, let them learn first to exercise piety at home, and to repay their parents; for this is beauti5 fill) and acceptable before God. Now she who is [in the sense I intend'] truly a widow, and left alone, being destitute of friends, it * An allusion to the signification of the Greek word for widow. one who hopeth in God, and continueth day and night in supplica6 tions and prayers. But she that liveth luxuriantly, is dead while7 she liveth. And these things give in charge to thy hearers, that8 they may be blameless [in these matters:] For r if any do not provide for his own, and especially for those of his own house,9 lie hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.—Let not a widow be taken upon the list of those to be maintained by the church, and to minister in the office of deaconesses, under sixty years old;10 and let her be one who hath been the wife of one man: one who hath a reputation for good works *; if she have educated children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if'she have assisted the afflicted, if she have followed every good11 work. But refuse to admit into such an office the younger widows; for when they grow wantonf against Christj they will mar12 ry [improperly] exposing themselves to condemnation because13 they have disannulled their first faith^:. And they also, while they continue in that office, learn a habit of going from house to house, and are not only idle, but tatlers r also, and busy-bodies, speaking14 things very unbecoming. I would therefore have the younger widows marry, and bear r children, and govern their domestic af? fairs, so as to give no occasion to the adversary to speak reproach16 fully. For some have already turned aside after Satan- o If anybeliever of either sex have relations who are widows, let them takecare of them, that the church may not be burdened, but may take care of those who are truly widows, and must otherwise be desolate. REFLECTIONS. Ministers are instructed, by this apostolical advice, in that difficult duty of managing reproof aright. Churches may learn how their poor are to be treated, and children may be reminded of that grateful tribute which they owe especially to their aged and necessitous parents. No recompence can be fully adequate, but surely to a generous temper nothing can be more delightful than to sooth the declining years of those by whom our infant-days were sustained, our feeble childhood supported, and our giddy youth moderated and directed.—Let St. Paul's sentiments of a luxurious life be particularly attended to in this age of ours, in which so many are entirely devoted to these pleasures. They call it living, but the wiser apostle pronounces it a kind of moral death. And many of the heathens themselves have been instructed by nature to speak in a language like his. Nay some of them acted on this principle in a manner which might shame most that call themselves Christians. Let us learn to form our taste to* Borne witness to—That she hath educated, &c. M.f A strong expression which cannot be exactly rendered into English. [M. well translates it, "When they cannot endure Christ's reign," alluding to a high-fed horse.]% Violated their former engagement to the church, when it assigned them such an office, and even been led to apostatize from the faith by heathen alliances. nobler pleasures than those on which thoughtless multitudes are so intent. Let us cultivate those that are suited to our rational and immortal spirits, and that will not only follow us into the invisible world, but will tlvere be exalted and improved.But let us be particularly careful that, while religion raises us above a sensual life, we do not make use of it as a pretence to excuse ourselves from attending to social duty. To neglect a due care of those whom providence has committed to us, would, in the apostle's language, be a denial of the faith, and would even argue us worse than infidels, who, deficient as they were in the knowledge of God, or in such regards to him as were even proportionable to what they knew, discoursed largely and excellently on the obligations of justice and benevolence to our fellow-creatures, and were themselves examples of what they taught in relation to them. Among other virtues here spoken of with due honour, a proper care in the -education of children is none of the least. Let Christians of both sexes be diligent in it, and let women, to whom the chief care of children is consigned in those.tender years, when the deepest and surest impressions are often made, be sensible how great advantage the public may receive by their wise and pious conduct towards them. While many are trifters and busybodies, running from house to house, and speaking things which they ought not, let women professing godliness remember they are to adorn it by the exercise of domestic virtues, so as to cut off occasion of speaking reproachfully, even from the ingenious malice of adversaries: occasion too often given by those- who, while they follow the gay desires of their hearts, and the fashions of this vain world, seem, to have forgotten what the apostle intended by the awful and lively phrase of being turned aside after Satan; and make themselves his more secure and certain prey, by every step they take in these flattering paths through which he would lead them to final destruction.SECTION VIII.The regard to be shewn by the pcople to their ministers ; the method of proceeding against offenders; the proper treatment of candidates for the ministry; with advices for the instruction of Christian slaves. Ch. v. 17.—. vi. 1, 2.17 T E T the elders which preside well, be esteemed worthy of I * double honour, especially those who labour* "in the word and18 doctrine. For the scripture hath said (Deut. xxv. 24.) "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox, that treadeth out the corn;" and (Luke 19 x. 7.) "the workman is worthy of his hire."—Do not receive an accusation against an elder, unless on the testimony of two or20 three witnesses. Those that sin in any scandalous manner, re21 buke before all, that the rest also r may fear. I charge thee, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou keep these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partial* This seems to intimate, that there were some Elders who presided, bul did not preach.Vol. II. H h 22 ity. Lay hands suddenly and rashly on no man, neither make23 thyself partaker in the sins of others: keep thyself pure. Do, not any longer drink water alone, but use a little wine for the sake24 of thy stomach, and thy frequent infirmities. The sins of some men are manifest, going before r [them] to judgment, whereas25 some follow after, so as to require strict examination. So also the good works of some are manifest, and those which are otherwise cannot be long hidden.vL Let as many servants, as are under the yoke of bondage, account their own masters [though heathens] worthy of all honour, 2. that the name and doctrine of God may not be blasphemed. And as for those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but let them rather serve them with the greater care, because they are faithful and beloved, and partakers with them of the benefit of the gospeL REFLECTIONS.The regards here required to the elders who preside well, and who labour in the word and doctrine, are in themselves so reasonable, that where the other duties of Christianity are attended to, and the inestimable blessings of it duly apprehended and esteemed, there will be no need of insisting largely upon them. To be cautious how we lightly believe any report to the injury of such, is what we owe to ourselves as well as them, since our own improvement by their ministration, will be greatly obstructed by any prejudices taken against their persons.Let the ministers of the gospel remember how much it is their duty to appear strenuously in defence of their master's precepts, and to reprove bold and insolent offenders, in whatsoever rank they may stand. And, lest riches and power, and greatness of station, should obstruct their faithful execution of. this office, let them think of the solemn charge they have received, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, and of the appearance which they and their people must make before the awful tribunal of Christ, when he shall come in his own glory, and that of his Father, and attended by all Me holy angels. The frequent consideration of that important day would have an uniform influence on the whole of their conduct; it would particularly make them careful, that they do not contract pollutions, and make themselves partakers in other men's sins, by laijing hands suddenly on any; but use a proper care in examining, that in the great business of ordination they may act on the conviction of their consciences in the sight of God, and maintain an unbiassed regard to the honour of the great Redeemer and the salvation of souls. Yet let them still be severer towards themselves than others, and maintain that strict temperance and self-government in every respect which may become the dignity of their characters, and command the reverence of all about them.Let us all endeavour to be shining examples of good works, and -while so many declare their sins openly, and send them as it were before them to judgment, let us never be ashamed of religion. Yet where a modest reserve maybe conveniently maintained, let usstudj. dt, and always avoid an unnecessary ostentation, as remembering the time will come, when those good works, which have been most solicitously concealed from the eyes of men, will be publicly honoured and rewarded by God. In expectation of that day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in superior or inferior stations of life, studying so to behave, as ihat the name and docirine of God may never ie 6/anphrmed upon our account, and always feeling the force of that endearing engagement to all social duties, which arises from our sharing with all true Christians in the favour of God, and in the blessings and hopes of his gospel. SECTION IX.Exhortations to urge on his hearers the great things of practical godliness cautions against covetousness. Ch. vi. 3—12.3 rT^HESE things, O Timothy, teach and exhort. If any one1 teach otherwise, and attend not to wholesome words, even to those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine that is agreea4 ble to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but raving* on questions and debates about words; from whence arise envying,-5 contention, abusive language, evil suspicions, debates of men whose minds are corrupted and averse from the truth, while they6 suppose gain to be godliness. From such turn away. Whereas7 godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and it is evident that we cannot carry any thing8 out. Having therefore food and raiment, let us be content with9 these. But they who are determined that they will be rich, fall headlong into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and mischievous desires; which plunge men into ruin and de10 struction. For the love of money is the root of all evil, which some having greedily desired, have wandered from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows, giving numerous 11 wounds to their consciences. But thou, O man of God, shun these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, fidelity, love, patience,12 meekness. Maintain the good combat of faith; lay hold on eternal life, to which thou hast been .called, and hast confessed a good .confession before many witnesses.REFLECTIONS. If we do indeed believe the love of money to be the root of all evil, let us set ourselves seriously to extirpate it out of our bosoms, and to imbibe this true philosophy of the apostle, to seek our gain in that godliness on which contentment waits, and which makes its disciples happy on the easiest terms, by moderating their desires. Food and raiment of one kind or another few want. But where there is real necessity, and has been a care to behave well, if a man's own stock be deficient, he is generally supplied from the charity of others; and? The word ?oow? signifies, a person in a distempered state. tme piety and greatness of mind can enjoy the gift of providence on these terms without repining, being truly sensible, how little, even the best, amidst so many imperfections and miscarriages, can deserve to receive any thing from God by the instrumentality of any creature.To this day do we see such facts as taught the apostle these useful remarks, independent on those miraculous influences by which he -was guided, in things spiritual and evangelical. As we see the newborn race of human creatures rising naked into life, we see death stripping the rich, the noble, and the powerful, and returning them naked to the dust. In the mean time, while we may observe many in lower circumstances, cheerful and thankful, we see those who are determined on being rich, felling into tem{itations and snares. We see them piercing themselves through with many sorrows, and plunging themselves into irrecoverable ruin and destruction, while they pursue, to the utmost verge of the fatal precipice, those shadowy phantoms, -which owe all their semblance of reality to the magic of those passions which riches or the desire of them have excited.Happy would it be for the church of Christ, if these important doctrines of practical religion were more inculcated, and less of the zeal of its teachers spent in discussing vain questions and intricate strifes about words, which have been productive of so much envy and contention, obloquy and suspicion. Let the men of God, therefore, inculcate righteousness and faith, piety and charity, patience and meekness, and let them endeavour to render their lessons successful, by a care themselves to pursue these graces; to exercise themselves more strenuously in that noble and generous conflict to which they are called, so as to lay hold on the crown of eternal life, and to retain it against the most powerful antagonist. These are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, even these doctrines according to godliness; and the minister, who will be wise enough to preach and act upon these principles, will raise the most lasting character, and secure the most valuable reward.SECTION X.A solemn charge to fidelity; particularly in exhorting and cautioning the rich. Ch. vi. 13, 8cc.13 T CHARGE thee in the presence of God, who animates and J. quickeneth all things, and of Jesus Christ, who before Pontius14 Pilate witnessed a good confession; keep this commandment unspotted and blameless, till the appearance of our Lord Jesus15 Christ; which in his own times he shall manifest, who is th? blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;16 who alone hath immortality, inhabiting inaccessible light, whom no man hath seen, or can see, to whom be honour and everlasting17 dominion. Amen. Charge those who are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded; that they do not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who imparteth to us all things richly18 for enjoyment: that they do good; that they be rich in good 19 works, ready to distribute, willint!; to communicate; treasuring up to themselves a good foundation against the future, that they may lay hold on eternal life.20 O Timothy, keep that which is lodged with thee, avoiding profane and empty babblings, and the opposition of that which is21 falsely called knowledge *: which some having professed, have wandered from the faith. May grace be with thee. Amen.REFLECTIONS. O, that we might often be setting ourselves as in the presence of God, the great and blessed God, whose almighty power guickeneth all things, and is the life of universal nature, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead! Let the thoughts of so august a presence awaken our souls to diligence in the discharge of our duty, and let it animate us with courage to -witness a good confession, to whatever inconvenience and danger it may" expose us. Never let us forget that appearance which he shall manifest, to whom all these sublime titles belong, even that blessed and only Potentate, before whom all the lustre of all the princes upon earth vanishes in a moment, like that of the smallest stars before the rising sun: the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone hath immortality, aiid dwelleth in unapproachable light. How astonishing his goodness in veiling his glory, so that we may approach him, in bowing down his ear to receive our requests, yea in coming to dwell with that man who ta humble and of a contrite spirit, and who trembleth at his word! To him be honour" and power everlasting. And let his infinite majesty be deeply and affectionately remembered, amidst all the condescensions of his love.Let the rich in this world, since the riches which here distinguish them cannot attend them into another, be engaged to receive with all reverence the charge of our holy apostle. Too many of them walk in pride; but they see, by the sepulchres of many, once as opulent and as haughty as themselves, and by a thousand other marks of the divine power and human weakness, how soon God is able to abase them. Forsaking, therefore, what they think their strong tower, and the high -wall, which instead of sheltering, may soon crush them into ruins, let them transfer their confidence to the living God. Alarmed in a state which renders their salvation almost as difficult as it is for a camel to go through a needle's eye, let them learn from hence how to improve what is another's, in such a manner, that they may in due time receive what shall be for ever their own. Let them learn to be rich in good works, and by a readiness to distribute and communicate, let them lay up a celestial treasure; and drop with joy every gilded trifle which would hinder their laying hold on eternal life. Let the ministers of that greatLord, who is so much higher than all the kings of the earth, at least shew their fidelity to him, in giving such plain and faithful charges, even to those, who, by their outward circumstances* are placed in the highest ranks of life; being infinitely more solicit? M. and W. retain the common rendering—the oppositions of science falsely so called. ous abont securing their Master's approbation than gaining the favour of mortal worms, who lift up their heads on high because they have a few grains of shining dust at their disposal. And may the men of God manifest the like wise and pious magnanimity, in avoiding a vain glitter of a falsely pretended science; when it would either lead them to err from the faith, or to neglect those important articles of it which lie most plain and obvious in the word of God; and for that very reason are too often disregarded by those whom an empty ostentation of aubtilty and learning has taught to treat the o wisdom of God as foolishness. 'HOUGHit is uncertain where Timothy was when he received this epis-* tie, it is evident that Paul wrote it when he was a prisoner at Rome, and most probably but a little before his death. His intention in writing it seems to have been to prepare Timothy for those sufferings to which he foresaw he wotild be exposed; to forewarn him of the fatal upostasy and declension that was beginning to appear in the church; and at the same time to animate him, from his own example and the great motives of Christianity, to the most vigorous and resolute discharge of every part of the ministerial ctffice. The apostle expresses his affection to Timothy, and his joy in, and dependence upon, the grace of that gospel which he had preached. Ch, i. 1—12.1 TJ AUL an apostle of Jesus Christ, by-the will of God (agreea-.2 xT ble to the promise of life in Christ Jesus) to Timothy my beloved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father,3 and from Christ Jesus our Lord.—I give thanks unto God, whom I serve after my forefathers r, with a pure conscience, that I am in4 cessantly mindful of thee in my prayers night and day; desiring earnestly to see thee (as I am mindful of thy tears at our last sep5 aration) that I might be filled with joy: as I keep in remembrance the undissembled faith which is in thee, which first dwelt in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice, and I am per6 suaded that it is in thee also r. For which cause I remind thee to stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the imposition of7 my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of cowardice,8 but of courage, and of love, and of a sound mind*. Be not there-* v. 7. "Of wisdom." D.—" Of self-government" The word comes from r#p??w?*>? to return to a right mind. M.THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY.SECTION I. fore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but take thy share in the afflictions of the gospel, ac9 cording to the power of God; who hath saved us, and called ua by an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace given to us in Christ Jesus from eternal10 ages, but is now made manifest by the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and thrown a light on life11 and immortality by the gospel: of which I was appointed an her12 aid and apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For which cause also I suffer these things: but I am not ashamed, for I know to whom I have trusted, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have deposited with him* unto that great day.REFLECTIONS. Who, that attentively considers the holy calling with which we are tailed, according to the grace given us in Christ Jesus, can endure the thought of being ashamed of Christ's gospel, or any of his servants, to whatever difficulties they may be exposed, with whatever infamy they may be loaded? For ever adored be that Prince of life, who hath deposed death from his throne; who hath enlightened, by rays reflected from his own beautiful and resplendent countenance, the regions of the invisible world, over which so dark a vail had before been spread! Let our eyes be fixed more and more on this illustrious object, and, confiding in the power and grace of Christ, let us all immediately and daily commit to him that invaluable jewel of an immortal soul which God hath given us. We may surely survey it with a mixture of delight and terror, till we have thus provided for its safety ; and then may that terror be allowed to disappear, and give place to a rational delight, and we may justly congratulate ourselves while we adore our Saviour.—Let the proclamation of this gospel be most welcome to us, and let us call up all the strength and vigour of our souls to assert and advance it ; for God hath given tis the Spirit, not of fear, but of courage, sobriety, and charity. Whatever gifts we have received, let us stir them up to their proper use, and let one generation of Christians deliver down to another a sense of the excellency of their holy religion.—Pious women may take encouragement from the success of Lois and JLunice on Timothy, who proved so excellent and useful a minister; as perhaps some of the worthiest and most valuable ministers the church of Christ has ever been able to boast of, have had reason to bless God for those early impressions which were made upon their mind by the religious instructions of persons in the same relations.—To conclude; let us learn, by the repeated example of the apostle, to be earnest in prayer for our Christian friends ; and if we find our hearts excited to remember them in our prayers day and night, let us, with him, return our thanks to God, that he puts such benevolent affections into our hearts; for every good disposition that springs up there is implanted and cherished by him.* Literally, My Deposit. Whitby has collected several passages from. PHlo and Josephus, in which both the Soul and the Law are called the depocitum of God. See v. 14 SECTION II.Timothy is exhorted and encouraged strenuously to retain the gosfwl, and to discharge the duties of his office in the midst of all oppositions. Ch. i. 13.— ii. 1—7.13 T TOLD fast r the form of sound words, the system of divine X -L truth, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which14 is in Christ Jesus. Keep that good thing, the gospel of Christ, which is deposited with thee by the Holy Spirit which dwelleth in15 us. Thou knowest this, that all those of Asia* are turned from.16 me; of which number are Phygellus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus ; for he oftert17 refreshed me, and hath not been ashamed of my chain ; but being IS in Rome he sought me more diligently, and found me. TheLord grant unto him, that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day. And on how many occasions he ministered to me in Ephesus, thou very well knowest. ii Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace which is in2 Christ Jesus. And the things, which thou hast heard from me before many witnesses, these commit thou to faithful men, who may3 be able also to teach others. Thou therefore endure afflictions,4 as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one who goeth out to war, entangleth himself with secular affairs; but relinquished every other calling that he may please him under whom he is enlisted.5^ And also if any one wrestleth in the Grecian games, he is notcrown6 ed unless he wrestleth according to the law of the game. The7 husbandman must first labour, and then partake of the fruits. Con sider the things which I say, and may the Lord give thee understanding in all things.REFLECTIONS. Let us all be exhorted to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and, in humble dependence upon it, let us go forth cheerfully to our work and warfare as Christians. This is a strength so great, and communicated with so rich a freedom, that the Christian minister, under his peculiar difficulties, will find it adequate to them all. Let such particularly apply to themselves the exhortations and consolations which are here given or suggested. Let them strenuously retain the form of sound words, which the inspired apostles have delivered, ?with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. To this orthodoxy of principle, which a due regard to this great and only standard will teach them, let them add orthodoxy of temper. And, as they desire that Christ may keep what they profess to have deposited with him, let them faithfully keep what he has lodged in their hands. And may the Holy Spirit dwell in them, to make them faithful in all, and direct them in their efforts to defend the gospel, to spread its influence on the hearts* Who are at Rome. D—Those Judaizing teachers (?) In Asia. M. of men, and transmit it from one generation to another; lodging it with faithful men, who may teach others, when their teachers and fathers in -Christ shall rest from their labours. Such a succession may God continue in his churches; and may he prosper the work of those who are employed in humble and faithful attempts to promote so good a cause, by forming for this important charge those who, like Timothy, have early known the scripture, and felt its power on their hearts. Let such as are setting out in this holy warfare remember the caution which the apostle gives. May they not unnecessarily encumber themselves with secular cares, which would render them less fit to please the great General under whose banner they are enlisted. Let them strive lawfully, if they hope for the crown, and, cultivating the ground with diligence, let them wait with patience, if they desire at length to reap that blessed harvest. Nor let that general apostasy from the power of religion, which is the shame of the present day4 deter them; but rather let it whet their pious zeal to own, with more strenuous attachment, the cause of Christ and of his faithful servants. And when they have done all, may they ever retain an humble sense of their dependence on the divine mercy: and the Lord grant to us all, ministers and people j that we may find it in that great day I S E C T I o N iii.Paul animates Timothy by the motives which supported lnmself'; exhorting him to purity, prudence, and meekness. Ch. ii. 8—18.8 ' I "'O animate thee, O Timothy, Remember Jesus Christ, of theJL seed of David ; who was raised from the dead, according to9 my gospel: In the service of which I suffer evil, even to bonds, as a10 malefactor: but the word of God is not bound. On this account I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain11 salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. It is a faithful word; That if we die with him, we shall also live with12 him: If we patiently endure, we shall also reign with him: but 13 if we deny him, he will also deny us. If we are unfaithful, he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself.14 Remind them [to whom thou dost minister] of these things; testify before the Lord, that they do not contend about words, which is altogether unprofitable, and even tendeth to the subversion of15 the hearers. Diligently endeavour to present thyself before God, approved as a workman who hath no cause to be ashamed, rightly16 dividing the word of truth. But avoid profane and empty decla17 mations ; for they will advance unto more impiety. And their discourse will eat like a gangrene ; of which number are Hyme18 neus and Philetus ; who have erred with respect to the truth, asserting that the resurrection is already past ; and thus they subvert the faith of some, and endanger their salvation. Vol, II. REFLECTIONS.There is not perhaps a single precept in the whole sacred volume, -which would be more extensively useful to ministers, or to private Christians, than this of the apostle, taken in all its extent—Remcm* ber Jesus Christ. Many a sweet memorial hath he left us of himself. Often, very often, have we been called solemnly to survey them, and yet how ready are we to forget him, and by a natural consequence to forget ourselves, our duty and interest on the one hand, and our danger on the other X " Blessed Jesus !'? May we daily and hourly remember thee ! that thou-hast died, that thou art raised from the dead, and that thou art ever near thy people, to'protect, to comfort, and to bless them. If, for thy cause, we should be called to suffer evil, as evil doers, whether in onr persons or reputattbns, may we not be discouraged, but rather rejoice in the-honoilr thou doest us in appointing for us such a conformity to thyself! The enemies of thy gospel may indeed oppose it, they may bind its most faithful preachers, but their opposition, their persecution, is vain." The word of God is not bound; and divine grace, operating by it, will sooner or later give it the intend-ed, the promised, triumph; that his elect may obtain salvation by Jesus Christ, and may not only escape the condemnation and ruin of the impenitent world, but may finally be crowned with eternal glory. May we ever be mindful of this faithful word, that if we suffer with Christ we shall reign with him too ; and may we endure the greatest hardships to which we can be called out, as considering that our sufferings are momentary, but our reign- will be eternal. Never may we, for any allurement or terror, deny him, as we would' not finally be denied by him ; when no other honour will remain but that which he confers, no other happiness but that which he bestow^.In the mean time, as we desire the prosperity of his kingdom, lef us earnestly pray that he will raise up to his church a multitude of feithful ministers", who may govern themselves by these truly apostolical canons ; ministers, who may not contend about words in a manner -unprofitable and vain, who may not amuse their hearers with empty harrangucs about insignificant curiosities or perplexing subtilties; but may in the integrity of their hearts, endeavour to approve themselves to God, as workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. And may divine grace preserve the church from those seducing teachers, whose doctrine, like a secret gangrene, might spread itself to the destruction of the body, so that the faith of many might be overthrown. ?' SECTION IV.The necessity of holiness in all Ghristiansr but especially in ministers; and of meekness in their endeavours to. recover sinners. Ch. ii. 19, &c.19 TT it mournful to reflect on such instances of apostasy. NeverJL theless the foundation of God standeth firm having this inscription*, The Lord knoweth them that are his own, and let ev* An allusion to the custom of engraving inscriptions on stones laid in the foundation of buildings. Zech. iii.9. ery one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity.20 For in a great house there are vessels, not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, the former for honourable, the other for dishonourable .uses. So in the church there are persons of dif-21 ferent characters, [good and bad.] If therefore auy one cleanse himself from the vices of these [latter.,] he shall be a vessel of honour, sanctified and useful to the Lord, ready to every good work.22 o Flee from youthful lusts;r and pursue righteousness, fidelity, love, and peace, towards those that invoke the Lord out of a pure23 heart. But avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that24 they beget strifes. And rthe servant of the Lord mast not strive,25 but be gentle towards all; ready to teach, and to endure evil: in meekness instructing opposers, if by any means God may give26 them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth, and that they may awake* and recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who have been taken -captive by him at his pleasure.REFLECTIONS. How affecting a representation is here made of the wretched state of sinners! they are described as sleeping in Satarfs snare, like birds an a net, taken alive, and at the fowler's mercy; while they imagine they can spring tip whenever they please, and range at full liberty. Alas! they will soon perceive their fatal captivity; but they will perceive it too late, if divine grace do not quickly awaken them. Who would not wish to do something for ther recovery? Let the ministers .-of the gospel pity them. Let us pray that God, whose work it is, would give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth. Let us try every gentle method which the sincerest compassion can dictate toward effecting so happy a design, and not suffer ourselves to he transported to undue severities of language, or of sentiments, even though we should receive the greatest injuries where we intend the most important kindness.—Let those that have the honour to bear the -most holy character, which any office can devolve on mortal man, avoid, with the greatest care, every thing that would bring a stain, or even a suspicion, upon it. Let them revere the voice of the great apostle, while it animates them to pursue righteousness and faith, love and peace, with all their fellow-chrislians of every denomination, with all that invoke Christ and that trust in him. So shall they be vessels of honour; so may they humbly hope that their Lord will condescend to make some special use of them, for the purposes of his own glory, and the -salvation of their fellow-creatures.—To conclude, let ministers and people be daily reading, with all possible care, this double inscription on the foundation of God; and, while wc rejoice dn the one, let us be admonished by the other. For what is it to us, that the Lord knows, distinguishes, and favours his own, that his almighty power protects them, and that his infinite mercy will for ever save them, if we are ourselves found among the wicked, with whom he * The word signifies, to awake out of a deep sleep, or from a fit of intoxication. In this beautiful image there is an allusion to the artifice of fowlers, who lay birds asleep by seeds impregnated with soporific drugs. is angry rirery day, among the workers of iniquity, whom he will publicly disown, and to whom he will say, J know not whence you are. To name the name of Christ with dispositions like these, will be to. injure and profane it ; and our profession itself will be interpreted as an act of hostility against him, whom we have presumed so vainly tocall the foundation of our hopes, and the Sovereign of our souls.SECTION V.Paul cautions Timothy against that great apostasy which was to prevail, and those false teachers who were rising up; reminding him of his own examtile. Ch. iii. 1—13.1 T> UT this know, O Timothy, that in the last days, difficult times2 Jj shall arise in which it will be dangerous to be faithful. For men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud,3 blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, destitute of natural affection, implacable, false accusers, intemperate, fierce,4 destitute of all love to goodness, traitors, heady, puffed up with in5 solence ; lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness but denying the power of it; from such turn6 away. Of which number are those, who insinuate themselves into houses, and captivate inconsiderable women*, laden with sins,T led aside by various lusts; always learning, but never able to come8 to the knowledge f of the truth. And as J alines and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth: persons whose minds are corrupted, who with respect to the faith are disapproved9 and rejected. But they shall not proceed much further; for their10 folly shall be manifested to all, as theirs also was. But thou hast exactly traced my doctrine, conversation, purpose, fidelity, long11 suffering, love, patience, persecutions and sufferings which befel me in Antioch, in Iconium, in Lystra. What persecutions I en12 dured! but the Lord rescued me out of all. Yea, and all who are determined that they will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer13 persecution. But wicked men and impostors will grow worse and worse deceiving and being deceived.REFLECTIONS. Must we not, on the survey of this scripture, in comparison with what we every day behold in life, cry out, " Verily ihese are the last days ?" They are assuredly times of difficulty and peril. Self-love, pride, ingratitude, treachery, intemperance, insolence, the contempt of all authority, human and divine, each, all of these characters may too plainly declare it. But none with more striking evidence than the exces-. sive love of pleasure, on which so many are doting to destruction, while every consideration, both of religion and of prudence, falls at the shrine of this favourite idol. Men are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, more than lovers of their families, yea, though self-interest bu- * Of lew rank and mean understanding, yet easily inflamed with passionate zeal. . f " Acknowledgment." D. in many instances so scandalously pursued, yet more than lovers of themselves ; and when they have sacrificed every thing else to their gain, they sacrifice even that gain to luxury. And would to God there was none such, even among those that retain the form of godliness, which so many indeed have scornfully cast off! But O! how vain the form, where the power of it is thus denied! And how peculiarly scandalous are these characters in those who call themselves teachers of religion! Yet to such they are here originally applied ; and their race is not yet extinct.Blessed be God, there are those yet remaining who are the happy reverse of these ; ministers, who can appeal to the consciences of men, as to their doctrine, their conversation, their resolution, their fidelity, their gentleness, their charity, and their patience. Happy are they, how ill soever they may be treated in the world ! Happy would they be, though exposed to all the terrors of persecution which the apostles and their first followers endured ! But we are all warned to prepare for some degree of it ; and indeed who can wonder if, amidst so many evils, they who will not go on with the multitude should sometimes be rudely pressed by them; and it may be, in some instances, cast down and trampled under foot. But be it so ; though cast down they shall not be destroyed. A little time will balance all. An hour of eternity will more than balance it. Let us guard against deceits by which so many suffer. Let us guard, above all, against those deceits which men practise upon themselves, and whereby they hurt themselves infinitely more than all their fraud or violence can hurt any who are not accessary to their- own undoing.SECTION VI.Paul recommends to him the study of the scriptures, and great diligence in his wfmle ministerial work ; reflecting with pleasure on his own fidelity in the views of martyrdom. Ch. iii. 14.—iv. 1—8.14 TT> UT continue thou in the things, which thou hast learned and hast15 _?3 believed*, knowing from whom thou hast learned them; and [considering] that from thine infancy thou hast known the sacred scriptures of the old testament, which are able to make thee wise16 unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. The whole scripture is divinely inspired, and profitable for doctrine, for con17 viction, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God (every minister of the gospel) may be complete, thoroughiv. ly fitted for every good work.—I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and2 the dead at his appearance and his kingdom, preach the word, be instant in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, exhort3 with all kr.-g-suffering and doctrinef. For the ^time will come, when they will not endure wholesome doctrine, hut, having itching! ears, shall heap up to themselves teachers according to their* " With which thou hast been intrusted." Gal. ii. 7. 1 Tim. i. 11. M. + " With the utmost patience of instruction." W. On the best authority, this clause is transposed. Ep. 4 own lusts ; and they shall turn away their attention from truths5 and shall be turned aside to fables. But be thou watchful in all tliings; endure adversity; perform the work of an evangel6 ist and fully accomplish thy ministry. For I myself am now just7 ready to be offered*, and the time of my departure is near. I have maintained the good combat, I have finished my race, I have8 kept the faith. It remaineth, that a crown of righteousness is laid up for me; which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give r unto me in that day; and not to me alone, but to all them also who love his appearance.REFLECTIONS.Behold this blessed man, this prisoner, this martyr of Christ, appear, ing in his chains, and, in the near views of a violent death, more truly majestic and happy, than Cxsar on his imperial throne ! Blessed man indeed; who could look upon the pouring forth of his blood, as the libation of a sacrifice of thanksgiving, on which he could call for the jjratulations of his friends, rather than their condolence; who could loosen from these mortal shores, and set sail for eternity with a shout! O, may we all be excited by his example lojight the good fight, to finish our course to keep the faith, in the view of that crown of righteousness, which is not reserved only for Paul, or for minister* and Christians of the first rank, who have been eminent for the most distinguished services, but for all who love Christ's appearance, and whose hearts are thoroughly reconciled to his government JMay we therefore be watchful in all things. May we endure every affliction which God shall lay in our way, and fill up with proper services every station in which we are fixed. Let the ministers of Christ attend to this solemn charge, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge both the quick and the dead, at his appearance and in his kingdom. They are as much concerned in this judgment as Timothy or Paul; their own eternal state is in question, and none can have greater reason than themselves to be impressed with it. Let as many therefore as are called to it by divine providence and grace, preach the word with zeal and fervency, as well as fidelity ; let them be instant in season, and out of season, with a resolution tempered with gentleness, and supported by firm faith in him, who intrusts them with the message. And let the petulancy of men, which indisposes them to endure sound doctrine, yet makes them need it so much the more, be considered by them as an engagement to greater zeal, rather than an excuse for remissness.That they may be animated to it, and furnished for it, thoroughly furnished for every good work incumbent upon them, as men of God, a becoming reverence is to be maintained for the divinely inspired scriptures, apparently profitable for doctrine and reproof, for correction, and instruction in righteousness. Let us all esteem it our great happiness, iifrom children we have been acquainted with them ; let us* That is, as a sacrifice. Literally, I am poured, out, i. e. as a libation upon God's altar. SeefMl. ii. 17. study them diligently, and take faithful care to deliver them down to those that arise after us, as the oracles of that eternal wisdom by which we and they may be wise unto salvation. SECTION VII.Paul requests Timothy to come to him; informing him how he had, in hit late appearance before the magistrate, been deserted by men, but supported by Christ. Ch. iv. 9, &c.9 I/' NDEAVOUR to come to me here at Rome quickly: For10 Demas hath forsaken me, having loved the present world, and is gone to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Thus to Dal11 matia. Luke alone is with me. Take Mark [in thy way] and 12 bring him along with thee; for he is useful to my ministry- o I13 have sent Tychicus to Ephesus [to supply thy place.] When thou comest, bring with thee that cloak* which I left at the house of Carpus in Troas; and the books, but especially the parchments.—14 Alexander the brazier hath brought many evils upon me; the 51 Lord will reward him according to his works: against whom bethou also on thy guard ; for he hath greatly withstood our words.16 In my first apology before the prefect of the city, no man appeared with me but all forsook me. May it not be charged to their ac17 count! But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that by me the preaching of his gospel might be carried on with confidence, and that all the nations might hear: and I was rescued18 [as it were] out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.19 Salute Priscilla and Aquila, and the family of Onesiphorus.20 Erastus abode at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.21 As J am deprived of these friends, endeavour to come to me before winter. Eubulus saluteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and22 Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you all. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Be this our prayer for ourselves and our friends, that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be with their spirits and ours; that, though we have not seen him here, neither can see him, we may ever feel his vital presence, and may live and act as ever near him, and as conscious that he is ever with us. Then may we promise ourselves that, while he stands by us, we shall be strengthened, how weak soever we are in ourselves; that we shall be comforted, whoever may desert us; that -we shall be rescued from the extremest dangers, delivered out of the mouth of the infernal lion, and safely preserved to his heavenly kingdom. * "The Bag." The Syriac translator understood it of a bag in which books were kept. M. That such a confessor as the holy apostle St. Paul should have been deserted, at the time of his apology, when there must have been so large a number of Christians at Rome, may justly appear one of the most surprising circumstances recorded in the sacred history. It teaches us to cease from man, and to repose ourselves with some caution upon the friendship of the very best. It teaches us to watch over ourselves, lest the fear of man should bring a snare upon us, and lead us to be ashamed of Christ in his members. It concurs with the apostasy of Demas, to warn us that we beware of loving this present world, and keep our eyes more steadily fixed on a better, in which our highest interest lies, and by regarding which our souls will acquire a certain uniform tenor, that will prove their honour and their safety.The readiness of Paul, amidst such a dearth of true and faithful friends, to part with those that'yet remained, when he thought the service of Chrisiianity required it, is an amiable and instructive part of his character. They know not the heart of a man, and the duty of a Christian aright, who know not that even the tender and friendly passions are to be guarded against, and admitted no further than reason and religionwwill warrant; and that such society as is far dearer to us than any animal delight, or secular accommodation, is often to be given up, that our fidelity to God may be approved.Once more; it is obvious to remark, that Paul, though favoured with such extraordinary degrees of divine inspiration, sets a proper value upon Books, and expresses a great concern about their being safely conveyed to him. Let us therefore pity the ignorance, rather than imitate the enthusiasm and madness, of those that set learning at defiance, especially in the ministers of the gospel. Let us thankfully acknowledge the divine goodness, in having furnished us with so many excellent writings of wise and pious men in all ages; and let us endeavour, by frequent converse with them, to improve our furniture, that our profiting may appear unto all men. Yet let us all remember that, how large and well-chosen soever our library may be, the sacred volume is of infinitely greater importance than all that Greece, or Rome, or Britain has produced, or the united labours of all the best of men who have written since it was concluded. And let the Christian minister remember, that the two epistles, through which we have now passed, and that which we arc next to survey, are to be esteemed by him amongst the most edifying and important parts eveu? of that incomparable and divine book. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TITUS.'T1'US''earliest account we have of Titus is in Gal. ii. 1—3. We may core* etude from Paul's stiling him his own son, that he was converted by that apostle, who in various instances expressed a very high esteem for him.— Though it is generally supfiosed that this epistle was written between his first and second imprisonment at Rome, the date of it is uncertain, as well as the place from whence it was sent. However, it is plain Titus was at Crete When he received it, wher e St. Paul had lift him, to settle the church he had established there, and carry an the work he had begun, Accordingly the greatest part of the epistle is taken up in giviiig him directions for the more successful discharge of liis ministry amongst them; and particularly for hit behaviour towards those corrupt Judaizing teachers who endeavoured to pervert the faith and disturb the-jieact of the church. SECTION I.Paul reminds Titus of the reasons for which lie left him in Crete; and direct* him with regard to the ordination of other ministers. Ch. i . 1—9.1 "W"\ AUL, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for* Jlt the faith of God's chosen people., and the acknowledgment2 of the truth, which is according to godliness: in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, hath promised before the3 world began; but hath manifested in his own time his word by the preaching of it, with which I was intrusted, according to the4 commandment of God our Saviour: To Titus my genuine son according to the common faith, grace, mercy, peace from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.6 For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest set in order the things which were deficient, and ordain Elders" in every6 cityf, as I gave thee in charge. If any one be blameless; the husband of one wife; who hath believing children, not accused7 of debauchery, or ungovernable. For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon provoked, not one who sitteth long over wine, not a striker, nor greedy of8 sordid gain: but hospitable, a lover of good menr, sober, right9 eous, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word, which he hath been taught, that so he may be able both to instruct others in sound doctrine, and to convince those that contradict it.* That was the end to which his labours tended. See 1 Tim. vi. 3.—" In order to the faith." So **t* is used at the end of this verse, and 2 Tim. I 1. M.f Every large town was by the ancients called a City. In Crete there were 100 such, in many of which'it is most likely ministers "were settled while Paul was among them—The same person here called an FAder, is v. 7. called a Bishop. Voi/. II. K k REFLECTIONS. Never let it be forgotten by any that call themselves Christians, that the faith of God's elect is the acknowledgment of the truth which is according to godliness. Never let the great design of Christianity be lost in an eager contention for any of its appendages, or afty of its parts. Yet, alas, how often has it, in particular instances, been -wounded almost to death, in a furious attempt to rescue it, and that, sometimes perhaps, from only an imaginary danger \ That we may be more sensible of its vital influence, let us ever retain the hope of that eternal life which it proposes, as the great end of all our pursuits; even of that life which God that cannot lie hath promised. Let us rejoice to think that so immense a superstructure has so firm, so divine a foundation ; and let us never give it up for any thing that a flattering world, always ready to engage, and slow to perform, can promise.Let us ever be very thankful for the provision God hath made for the manifestation of his word, through preaching, and for his goodness in raising up faithful pastors to his church, overseers in every age, who. have been blameless, sober, just, holy, and temperate. Suchmay all be that appear under that sacred character; able, by their dbctrine to instruct, by their reasoning to convince, by their practice to edify; ever solicitous, that they may not neglect their pastoral services, that they may not lord it proudly over their brethren, that they may not be transported by furious passions, or misguided by rash conclusions, or perverted by low interests, and the greediness of filthy lucre; but that they may approve themselves the faithful stewards of God, and promote the good order of his house; and, so far as their influence can reach, the happiness of every member of his family. In order to this, let them look well to their own houses, that nothing may be wanting on their part to make their children tractable, faithful, and'sober. And let the children of ministers consider the obligations they are under to cultivate a teachable spirit, and to maintain the strictest decency in their whole deportment, as remembering the superior advantages they may be supposed to enjoy for religious improvement, and how much a minister's reputation and usefulness depend upon the regularity of his family.SECTION II.Paul cautions Titus against seducing teachers, and the native -vices of the Cretans; and advises him to exhort different persons, according to their respective circumstances. Ch. i. 10.—ii. 1—8.10 TT is necessary that a bishop should be thus qualified; for there JL are many disorderly persons, and vain talkers, who are deceived in their own minds, especially those of the circumcision j11 whose mouth must be stopped by solid arguments: who overturn whole 'families, teaching things which they ought not, for the12 Bake of infamous gain. One of their countrymen, a prophet of their own*, hath said, " The Cretans are always liars, pernicious13 savage beasts, slow bellies." This witness is true: for which cause rebuke them severely, that they may be sound and healthful 14 in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and the command15 ments of men who pervert the truth. To the pure indeed all things are pure; whereas to the polluted and unbelieving nothing16 is pure, but their very mind and conscience is defiled- r They profess to know God, but in works deny him; being abominable, and disobedient, and to ?very good work reprobate.ii. But do thou speak the things which become wholesome doc2 trine. The aged men admonish to be watchful, grave, sober, sound3 in faith, in love, in patience. The aged women, in like manner, exhort to that steadiness, which becometh saints; not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of that which is good:4 that they wisely admonish the younger women to love their hus?5 bands, to love their children; that they be discreet, chaste, keeping at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word6 of God may not be blasphemed. In like manner, exhort the7 young men to be soberf. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in teaching, exercising uncorruptness, gravity,'8 sincerity, wholesome speech, that cannot be confuted; that he who is on the contrary side, and persists in his infidelity, may be ashamed of his opposition, having no evil to say of you.REFLECTIONS. While we aTe reading the word of God, let us attentively observe -what characters are adorned with honour, and what are branded with infamy. It is melancholy to think that any nation, though ever so small, ever so remote, ever so destitute of 'cultivation and instruction, should deserve the characters which Epimenides gave of the Cretans, and which Paul found reason to -confirm: that luxury and fraud, idleness and fury, dissonant as they may seem, should be their governing inclinations. Sad distempers in the minds of men! But how peculiarly lamentable, when they prevail among professing Christians! for among those that are Christians indeed they cannot possibly prevail. Yet surely there are not a few,-even in Britain, with all its advantages, who, while professing to know God, and Christ Jesus his Son, in works deny them. Such are abominable, in proportion to the degree in which they are disobedient; and, as they axe reprobate to every good work now, must expect to be rejected with abhorrence at last by that God whose name they have blasphemed, and whose Son they have dishonoured.To remedy, and, if it be possible, to prevent such evils, let the ministers of Christ be still applying themselves, with suitable exhortations * The poet Epimenides. The terms prophet and poet were used as synonymous. M. This character of the Cretans is confirmed by ancient writers. The phrase slow (or lazy J bellies, alludes to a species of swine whieh are so burdened with fat as to be scarcely able to move.f Steady: superior to all sensual temptations.—" To govern "their pasand chargec, to all with whom they are concerned. Let them apply to the aged and the young; and let the aged of both sexes use that authority which their more advanced progress in life may give, to enforce upon the rising generation lessons of wisdom and piety, according to their respective sexes and circumstances in life; that prudence and chastity, osconomy and sweetness of temper, a subjection to their husbands, formed on love and on religion, may be the character of young wives s and that they may join to it that very important duty, of a pious care in the education of those children which God may give them. And may the sobriety of young men encourage a hope, that they will preside over their families in the fear of God, and repay the goodness of such amiable consorts! And may the teachers, whether in public or private life, be themselves examples of the virtues they inculcate ; that they who study to asperse Christianity, may find themselves silenced, till their shame turns into a worthier affection; till their silence breaks out into praise, and they, imbibing the like principles, feel them productive of the like virtues I SECTION III.ffe urges a due care to instruct servants in their duty; and represents the obligations arising from the design of the gospel, and the love of our Redeemer. Ch. ii. 9, &c.9 "T7* XHORT servants to be subject to their own masters, pleasing t 4 them in all things; not perily answering again -when rcprovJO ed; not privately defrauding ; but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.11 For the saving grace of God hath appeared unto all ranks of men,12 instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and righteously, and piously in this present13 world ; waiting for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearance14 of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify15 to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee,REFLECTIONS. Hardly does the word of God afford a more instructive and comprehensive summary of the gospel, than that which is here before us. It gives us a view of the nature of the dispensation, as a doctrine of grace; and, at the same time, a doctrine according to godliness. It hath appeared to all men, and it bringeth them salvation, by inculcating the most salutary lessons that man can receive. It teaches us to deny ungodliness a7id worldly lusts, how pressing soever their solicitations may be. It instructs us in all the branches of our duty, to God, to ourselves, and to our fellow-christians. It guides lis to uniform and complete goodness; not extolling any one part, to the neglect or injury of the rest, but tending to produce this beautiful birth, entire in all its members, and then to nourish it to its full maturity. As we are slow of heart to attend to such instructions, it enforces them with motives the most generous and the most animating. It represents to us, as it were in prophetic vision, that blessed hope, even the glorious appearancc of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; when he shall come with everlasting blessings in his hands, to reward all his faithful people; and with the terrors of divine vengeance, to be poured forth upon all that have rejected the authority of his gospel. And, that the most powerful considerations of gratitude may join with those of the highest interest, it directs our eyes to this divine triumphant Saviour, as having once given himself to torture and death for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify us to himself, a peculiar people, devoted to God, and zealous of good works. And surely, if this view cannot prevail upon us to consecrate ourselves to God, and to engage with vigour in his service, we must be utterly insensible, and worthy of the severest punishment. Let these lessons, therefore, every where be taught with all authority. Let them be addressed at once to the meanest and the greatest of mankind; that they may join in a pious care, to adorn the doctrine of such a Saviour, and to secure their share in such a salvation. SECTION IV.'He exhorts Titus to recommend obedience to magistrates; benevolence, candour, and meekness. Reminds him of that grace to which Christians owe all their hopes ; presses him to enforce practical religion in opposition to idle controversies, and instructs him how to proceed with heretics. Ch. iii.1 "T TC 7"HILE you continue with the Cretans remind them of beingV V subject to principalities and powers, to obey governors, to2 be ready to every good work; to calumniate no man, not to be3 contentious, but, gentle, shewing all meekness to all men. For we ourselves also were formerly foolish, disobedient, wandering from the paths of truth and virtue, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one anoth4 er. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards5 man appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we had done, but according to his own mercy, he saved us by the washing of re6 generation, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit; which he pour7 ed out upon us richly by Jesus Christ our Saviour: that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope8 of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and concerning these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that so they who have believed in God, may be careful to signalize themselves in good9 works. These things are good and profitable to men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions10 about the Mosaic law ; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is a heretic*, after the first and second admonition, reject; * One who introduces such controversies as the above, and perversely maintains them in a maimer injurious to the peace of society. 11 knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinneth, being self-condemned.12 When I shall send to thee Artemas, or Tychicus to supply thy place, endeavour to come to me at Nicopolis; for there I have de13 termined to pass the winter. Zenas the lawyer, and Apollos, bring forward on their journey to me with diligence, that nothing14 maybe wanting to them which thou canst supply. And let all those that belong to us learn to distinguish themselves in good works, for necessary purposes, that they may not be unfruitful.—i 5 All that are with me, salute thee. Salute them who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.REFLECTIONS.Let the remembrance of the irregularities with which we ourselves were once chargeable, of that sinful and miserable condition in which we once were, make us candid to others, and silence our too severe censures against them. And let us rather, with the apostle, humbly adore that grace which has now made a difference between us and those that are still foelish and disobedient, wandering in the paths of vice, and enslaved to divers lusts and passions. Let the kindness and philanthropy of God, be daily celebrated and adored by us ; of God<, who hath saved us, not by the righteousness of our works, but by hit own tie A and overflowing mercy ; hath justified us by his free grace, in Christ, and thereby made us heirs, according to the hope of eternat life. Nor let us ever forget how much we are indebted to the regenerating and renewing influences of the Holy Ghost, shed abroad upon us richly by Jesus Christ our Saviour. May it wash and purify our souls more and more from every stain of sin, and may it inspire us with a pious ardour to honour our profession, by distinguishing -ourselves in all good works for necessary uses, and according to the calls which providence gives us in life. Having professed our beliif in God, let us carefully practise all the virtues of the Christian character; for these things are indeed good and profitable to men. But let us guard against those airy curiosities and abstruse speculations, which, on the contrary, are unprofitable and vain. May all the churches of Christ be delivered from such factious , members and teachers as would depart from the infallible rule of truth which is laid down in the word of God, and would subvert the J'aith once delivered to the saints; introducing, instead of it, the doctrines of men, and teaching things which tend to alienate the minds of Christians from the gospel, and from each other, that they may set up their own authority, and promote their own secular interest. We ought undoubtedly to be cautious how we pass such a censure on particular persons, without clear and evident proofs; but when such proofs arise, and the persons in question appear to be the turbulent and pernicious heretics that St. Paul describes, it were to be wished they might always meet with the treatment which he recommends. They ought first to be plainly and seriously admonished; and, if repeated admonitions are rejected, it is the duty of the wiser and sounder parts of Christian societies to expel them j that they may be less capa ble of doing mischief, and the gangrene of such pernicious principles and dispositions may no{ spread, to the disgrace and ruin of the churches to which they belong. But let it ever be remembered,- that this is all the remedy which scripture furnishes us with; and they,who, to the solemn censure of disturbed and injured churches, add any corporal severities, or civil penalties whatsoever, are taking up weapons which Christ has never put into their hands, and may very probably do more mischief in the church and the world than the most erroneous of those against whom they would arm their terrors.THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO PHILEMON.pjIILEMON was an inhabitant of Colosse, and a convert of Paul, by whom he was highly esteemed. He seems to have been a person of distinction, and of eminent usefulness in the service of the gospel, though there is no proof that he was a minister. This epistle to him is thought to have been written about the year 63; The occasion of it teas this: Onesimus, Philemon's slave, had absconded* from his master and fed to Rome, where he happily met with Paul, then a prisoner at large, by whose means he was converted. Paul kept him for some time to wait upon himself, and found him useful to him. Having had sufficient evidence of the reality of the change, he sent him back to his master with this letter, in which he strongly urges Philemon to take him into hisfamily again, recommending him not merely as a servant but as a fellow-Christian. "It is impossible to read [with due attention] this admirable epistle without being touched with the delicacy of sentiment, and the masterly address that appear in every part of it." SECTION LPaul introduces his design in favour of the fugitive servant OnesimugT with an affectionate salutation. Ver. 1—7.1 T) AUL a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy a brother, to2 Philemon our beloved, and fellow-labourer, and to the beloved Apphia his consort, and to Archippus our fellow-soldier in the holy 3 warfare, and to the church that is in thine house ; Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus4 Christ.—I always thank my God, making mention of thee in my5 prayers; hearing of the faith which thou hast towards the Lord6 Jesus, and of thy love to all the saints; that thy communion in the faith may be efficacious in the acknowledgment of every good* There is no proof that he had robbed him, as the author and otVers suppose. Ed. 7 thing which is in you, and particularly towards Christ Jesus. For we are greatly rejoiced and comforted by thy love, that the bowels of the poor saints are refreshed by thee our brother.REFLECTIONS. If any couW be so weak as to think the character of the Christian and the minister at all inconsistent with that of the well-bred man, they must see a remarkable demonstration to the contrary in this familiar epistle of St. Paul to his friend Philemon; which is conducted with the happiest address, and which, in true politeness, may vie with that of the greatest masters of the epistolary style in antiquity. The Introduction o leads us naturally to a variety of useful remarks, and conveys important instruction in the vehicle of well-deserved praise. How elevated soever the station of Philemon might be, and how plentiful soever his circumstances, it was his chief glory and felicity to be distinguished for faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and love to all the saints. And indeed it is most unworthy the profession we make of faith in Christ, as the great Head of the church, not to love all his members: unworthy our character of saints, not to feel a sympathetic affection for all that are sanctified. If others are deficient here, as alas! many are too sadly deficient, let us exhort ourselves so much the more, and labour to give the most substantial demonstrations of our love. It will be an honour to us, and to the Christian name, that our communion in this precious faith should extort an acknowledgment of good things in us, from all who are intimately acquainted and conversant with us. Thus shall we diffuse happiness in a wide circle; for it is a sincere joy to all good men, to behold the graces and the usefulness of others. Especially are the hearts of faithful and zealous ministers comforted, when the bowels of poor saints are refreshed by the liberality of the rich. They share alternately the pleasure which is felt on the side of the pious benefactors and their grateful beneficiaries ; and were they, with Paul, in the confinement and necessities of a prison, the report would delight and enlarge their souls.SECTION II.The apostle entreats Philemon kindly to receive Onesimus, his fugitive slave, who had been converted by him at Rome. Ver. 8, &c.8 Tit THEREFORE, though I might take great freedom in9 V V Christ, to enjoin that which is proper for thee; I rather by love entreat thee, being such an one as Paul the aged*, and10 now also the prisoner of Jesus Christ. I entreat thee concerning a son of mine, whom I have begotten to Christ in my bonds,11 namely thy servant Onesimus, who was once unprofitable to thee, 1? but is nowf profitable both to thee and to ,me; whom I have sentback again to thee. Do thou therefore receive him, as it were my* Supposing him to have been 24 at the death of Stephen, he would now be 53. Whitby makes him to have been 63. -f Alluding to the meaning of the name Onesimus, which signifies profitable. 13 own bowels; as a part of myself. Whom I was desirous to have kept near me, that he might, in thy stead, have attended upon me14 in the bonds of the gospel. But I would do nothing without thy consent; that thy benefit might not seem to be of necessity, but15 voluntary. For perhaps he was separated from thee for a while to16 this -very end, that thou mightest enjoy him forever ; not now as a servant only but above a servant, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the17 Lord '. If therefore thou esteem me a companion [or partner in 18 Christ] receive him as myself. If he have injured thee in any19 matter, or is indebted to thee, charge it to my account. I Paul have written it with my own hand, I will pay it again: not to say to thee that thou owest even thine own self unto me as the instru20 ment of thy conversion. Yes, my brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord [by this act of benefi21 cence.] . I have written to thee in confidence of thy obedience to 22 my request^ knowing that thou wilt do even more than I say. I must also desire thee to prepare a lodging for me; for I hope that23 I shall ere long, through your prayers, be granted to you.—Epa24 phras, my fellow-captive in Christ Jesus, saluteth thee: as also do Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow-labourers.25 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your * spirit. Amen.REFLECTIONS.How amiable is the condescension of the holy apostle! how charming and delicate his address in this whole section, which makes the immediate occasion of this letter, minute as it may seem, matter of congratulation to the Christian world. St. Paul lays aside the authority, which his office, his age, his sufferings, gave him,- to address Pldlemon, as-on a foot of equal friendship, choosing rather, by love to entreat. Let the example be imitated by those in superior stations' and relations of life; and let them learn likewise, from the tenderness which such a man expresses about this poor slave, in whom he traced the appearance of a truly Christian temper, to Interest themselves in the happiness of those whose rank is far beneath their own; and learn to make the situation of their servants easy, by a kind and friendly treatment. Well may such a care be expected, especially when we can look on such as brethren, beloved in the Lord, and partakers with us in the same Saviour and hope.Let those, to whom God hath blessed the labours of his faithful ministers, as the means of their conversion, remember it with pleasure, and ascribe it to the riches of divine grace, to which all is originally to be traced; remembering also, that there is a sense in which they owe even themselves to those who have been honoured as the instruments of bringing them to Christ, without an acquaintance with whom they had lost themselves, and been ruined for ever. Let the? The word is plural (?(*?<?) and therefore comprehends the other persons to whom the epistle is inscribed. v. 2. Ed. Vol. II. LI ^ kindness which Paul expresses for Onesimus, in being willing that his'debt to Philemon should be charged to his account, lead us to reflect on our infinite obligations to a gracious Redeeiner. He has suffered , our ten thousand talents to be imputed to him, that his righteousness might be so imputed to us, that, for the sake of it, we should finally be re-admitted to the family of God. With an ingratitude not to be paralleled, by any thing which can pass between mortal men, we had perfidiously deserted it; but the divine goodness leaves us room humbly to hope, we may have departed from it for a while, to be received into it for ever. May the grace of our JLord Jesus Christ be with our spirir, to product those strong impressions of wonder, thankfulness, and love, w hich ought to fill it, in every remembrance of such overflowing and triumphant mercy! Amen. [Here ends the fifth volume of the original work.] THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.T EARNED men have been divided in opinion concerning the author of this cpistle, but the generality have considered it as the genuine work of Paul. Some have contended that it was writtert in Hebrew or Syriac, and translated into Greek; but their arguments are very little to be depended upon. The persons to whom the epistle is addressed, called the Hebrews, were converts from Judaism to Christianity, who inhabited some particular country, as appears from Ch. xiii. 13, IS. That country most probably was Judea, where the Jewish Christians were persecuted by their unbelieving brethren. The manifest design of the author is, to confirm them in the faith and practice of the gospel; in order to which he proves its divine original, in answer to the arguments and insinuations of its enemies, and fortifies their minds against the storm of persecution which had come, or was likely to come upon them, for their Christian profession, reminding tliem of many renowned examples of faith and fortitude, and concludes with various cautions and exhortations. SECTION I.The apostle reminds the Hebrews of the great favour of God to litem in sending them a revelation by his own Son,- whose glory was far superior to that of angels. Ch. i.i1 * OD, who hath, at many limes, and in various manners o? \J old, spoken to the fathers of the Jewish nation by the - 2 prophets, in these last days hath spoken to us by the Son ; whom, - * The reason why Paul does not begin this, $s he does most of his other epistles, by prefixing his name to it, probably was, that those to whom lie-was now writing were under strong prejudices against his name. Tie hath appointed the heir and possessor of all things; by whom he also constituted the ages, and dispensations of the church and 3 -world. Who being the effulgent ray of his glory, and the express delineation of his person, and upholding the universe by the word of his power, having by himself performed the cleansing away of our sins, sat down on the right-hand of the majesty4 on high. Who was made as much superior to angels, as the5 name he hath inherited is more .excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels hath he ever said (as he said to the Messiah, Ps. ii. 7.) "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee?" And again (2 Sam. vii. 14.) " I will tle a Father to him, and he?6 shall be my Son?" But when he again introduceth his first-begotten Son into the world, he saith, " And let all the angels of God7 worship him." (Ps. xlvii. 7.) And concerning the angels he saith, "He maketh his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire."8 But to the Son he saith, (Ps. xlv. 6, 7.) " Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of9 righteousness. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity ; therefore ;God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of10 gladness above thy associates." And (Ps. cii. 17.) " Thou, Lord, from the beginning hast founded the earth, and the heavens are11 the works of thy hands: they shall perish, but thou endurest;12 yea all of them shall grow old like a garment, and as a mantle thou shall fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art13 the same, and thy years shall not fail." But to which of the angels hath he ever said (as to the Son, Ps. ex. 1.) " Sit thou at my right-hand, till I make thine enemies the foot-stool of thy feet ??"14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to attend on those who shall inherit salvation? \They are but servants to him, who is Lord of all.] REFLECTIONS. Let us learn from this wonderful and delightful portion of scripture, how we are to conceive of our blessed Redeemer. Admirable contrast of characters! which might appear to our feeble reason, inconsistent, if faith did not teach us to reconcile them. Strange, that the brightness of his Father's glory*, and the express image of his person, by whom he made the worlds, should condescend by himself to purge our sins! That he, to whom God saith, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; that he, -whom the angels are commanded to worship; that he, whose divine throne is for ever and ever; that he, whom the church hath for successive ages adored as having founded the earth and formed the heavens, as in his original perfections and glories far more immutable than they, changing them as a vesture at his sovereign pleasure; that this great, this illustrious, this divine person, should have laid aside these robes of celestial light, to array himself in mortal flesh; not only that he might reveal his Father's will, and speak to us in his name, but that he might redeem ks to God by his blood? What shall we say? We will receive the message lie brings us with all humble thankfulness; we will seek his favour with most earnest solicitude; we will congratulate his exaltation with loyal joy. O triumphant, transporting thought ,that Jesus is enthroned above all heavens, that he is anointed with an unequalled effusion of the oil of gladness! with angels we will fall down and worship him as our Lord and our God. Our Hosannahs shall proclaim it, that he is set down at the right-hand of the Majesty on high, and that God hath engaged to make his enemies his footstool. Angels minister before him with unwearied vigour, with inconceivable speed do they fly like fiames of lightning from one end of the heaven to the other, from world to world, to execute his sacred commands. With delight do they minister to those whom he hath appointed heirs of salvation, nor do they neglect the youngest or meanest. Let us thankfully acknowledge the great Redeemer's goodness and care, in every kind office we receive from them. And as our obligations to him are infinitely superior to theirs, let us emulate their fidelity, vigour, and zeal, in the steadiness and cheerfulness of our obedience j till we join them in services like their own, in that world where they dwell, and to which, if we approve ourselves his faithful servants, he will ere long give them a charge safely and joyfully to convey us.SECTION II.The apostle infers the danger of despising Christ on account of his humiliation, to which he voluntarily submitted, for wise and important reasons. Ch.ii1 "^TOW if Christ be so far superior to angels, we ought thereX^l fore to yield extraordinary attention to the things which we2 have heard, lest by any means we let them slip*. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received, as its reward, a correspondent vengeance;3 how shall we escape, in neglecting so great a salvation? which having at its beginning been spoken by the Lord, was confirmed4 to us by them that heard him; Cod joining his testimony, both by signs and wonders, and various miracles, and distributions of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will. And hereby the superiority 5 of Christ is further illustrated: For to angels he hath not subject6 ed the world to come, concerning which we speak. But a certain writer somewhere beareth his testimony, saying, " What is man, that thou rememberest him! or the son of man, that thou regards' est him! Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels: withglory and honour hast thou crowned him; and hast constituted8 him lord over the works of thine hands. Thqu hast put all things under his feet." (Ps. viii. 4.) For in putting all things under him, nothing was left out which was not reduced to subjection to him. But now we do not, as yet, see all things put under him.9 Nevertheless we see Jesus, who was made a littlef lower than the* "Flow out." D.—The word signifies to run out, as out of a leaky vessel. M. + "For a little while made less, &c." M. who transposes the next clause "for the suffering of death, crowned, 8cc." angels, for the suffering of death, that by the grace of God hr might taste death for every man, crowned with glory and honour.10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in conducting many sons to glory, to make the Captain**11 of their salvation perfect by sufferings. Now the sanctifier, and they who are sanctified, are all of one family: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren; saying, in the person of Da12 vid when representing the Messiah (Ps. Xxii. 22.) "I will declare thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the church will I praise thee." And again, he says, in the language of other good 13 men in trouble, "I will trust in him.'' And again (Is. viii. 18.)14 "Behold, I, and the children which God hath given me." Seeing then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he himself in like manner participated of them, that he might by death de15 pose him who had the empire of death, that is the devil; and deliver those who, through fear of death, were all their life-time16 obnoxious to bondage. For truly he took not hold of the angels, to save them from misery, but he took hold of the seed of17 Abraham. Wherefore r it behoved him to be made, arall things, like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in things relating to God, that he might make atone18 ment for the sins of the people: and in that he hath himself suffered, being tempted, he is able r to help those that are tempted.REFLECTIONS.Eternal praise to our compassionate High Priest, who put on our infirmities that he might know how to pity and relieve them! Eternal praise to him, by whom are all things, and for whom are all things, that he has concerted the merciful scheme of bringing many sons unto glory, in a manner so well worthy of his divine perfections, and so full of instruction and comfort to us; appointing his own son the Captain of our salvation, and making him perfect through sufferings! Let us reflect upon it with pleasure and gratitude, that he is not ashamed to call us his brethren, though so highly exalted above the angels of God / and that he took not hold of the superior nature of angels, which was sunk into apostasy, guilt and ruin, but took hold on the seed of Abraham. How venerable, as well as amiable, is that condescension with which he made himself a little lower than the angels, that by the grace of God which was to owe its highest honours to his cross, he might caste death for every man! He hath effected his merciful purpose: by death he hath deposed and abolished the tyrannical prince of death, that is, the devil, and delivered from the fears of death, those who, had they known and considered their real circumstances, might have been continually in bondage to it.We see our great enemy deposed; we see life and immortality brought to light by his gospel: let us see it with gratitude and pleasure. And let us learn fr6m all, if we would not charge ourselves with the most inexcusable guilt, and the basest ingratitude, if we*? Leader." D. -would not plunge ourselves into the lowest gulf of perdition, not to neglect co great a salvation. Let the doom which the law of Moses passed upon the presumptuous transgressor, deter us; and let the grace of the gospel -allure and invite us to attend to the salvation spoken by the Lord, and to take the most earnest heed to it, lest we let sliji that golden opportunity, which, if neglected, will never return.SECTION III.He represenlsChrist as superior to Moses; and from tlie sentence passed on the rebellious Jews, argues the danger of despising the gospel-promises_ Ch. iii. 1—13.1 r I THEREFORE, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly1 calling, attentively regard the apostle and high-priest of our2 profession, Christ Jesus; who was faithful to him that appointed3 him, as Moses was also in r all his house. For he was esteemed worthy of more honour than Moses, in proportion to the degree in which the builder of a house hath more honour than the house.4 For every house hath some builder: now he who built all things5 is God. And Moses was indeed faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of things afterwards to be mentioned.6 But Christ was faithful, as a son in his own house, whose house we are, if we maintain our freedom of profession, and boasting7 of hope, stedfast unto the end. Therefore as the Holy Ghost8 saith (Ps. xcv. 7.) "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the9 wilderness; when your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw 10 my works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, They always err in their hearts, and they have notJ1 known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, that they should nev12 er enter into my rest." See to it, brethren, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of unbelief, in apostatizing from the living13 God. But exhort one another daily, whilst it is called to-day, that no one of you riiay be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.REFLECTIONS.We are partakers of this heavenly calling, and to us are the messages of mercy addressed: let us therefore hear with reverence and obedience, the admonitions of the word of God. Let us behold with veneration and delight, the Son of God becoming the messenger- of his Father's love, and the High Priest of our Christian profession. He is the great prophet too, whom God hath raised up unto us like Moses, in many respects ; but O, how far superior to him ! More completely faithful to Mm who hath appointed Mm ; faithful as a Son in his own house. . -;The world is an edifice raised by Christ: the church is the house in which he delights to reside. Let both be considered in this important ?view. The divine perfections of the great architect are indeed illUs'-' iriously displayed in the construction and constitution of this visible -world. Does the meanest house or cottage declare itself to be the work of some intelligent agent? And does it not much more evidently appear, that this commodious and magnificent structure- must have been planned and reared by proportionable wisdom, grandeur, and power? Itis the work of Christ; and let it often be devoutly surveyed and contemplated in this view; and from thence let us infer his divine glories, and read in them his matchless condescensions. Let us learn with how much security and delight we may commit our immortal souls to him who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth, and shall endure the same when they shall be dissolved and perish. Let us view him also as the Lord of the Church; and consider the fabric of grace as raised to his honour ; that in that as his temple, every one might speak of his glory; and let all the churches, and every member of each, make it their faithful care to honour him more and more. In this view may we holdfast the confidence, and rejoicing of our hope, ttedfast unto the end, and never suffer any one to take our crown, or terrify, or allure us, from that faithful subjection of soul to Christ, which his perfections and our obligations, concur to demand. Who of us can say, he is beyond all danger of being ensnared by an evil heart of unbelief, of being hardened through the. deceitfulness of sin? Let us then, in compliance with so salutary and necessary an exhortation, redouble our guard; let us watch over ourselves and each other; exhorting one another daily, while it is called to-day, and charging our souls by the awful authority of the living God, that after having approached so near him, that after having so solemnly professed to devote ourselves to him, nothing may ever prevail upon us deliberately and wickedly to depart from him.SECTION IV.He refieats the caution against unbelief, as what would pr event their entering into a rest much nobler than that in Canaan. Ch. iii. 14.—iv. 1—11.14 r I MIESE cautions are of the highest importance: For we areX made partakers of the grace of Christ, if we hold fast the15 beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; forasmuch as it is said, "To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts,16 w&they did in the provocation in the wilderness." For some who heard what was spoken by the mouth of God himself, provoked him to indignation; but not all they who came out of Egypt by Moses.17 And by whom was-he provoked forty years? Was it not with those18 who sinned? whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom . did he swear that they should not enter into his rest, but unto those19 who'were disobedient? o We see [then that] they could not enter iv. because of unbelief. Let us therefore fear, lest a promise beingleft unto us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem* to 5 "come short of it. For we arc made partakers of the good tidings of the promised rest, as they also were. But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that S heard it. For we believing, have* entered into rest; as he said, "So I sware in my wrath they should not enter into my rest although r his works were finished \and the seventh-day rest was 4 instituted] from the foundation of the World. For hef somewhere saith concerning the seventh day thus, * And God rested the5 seventh day from all his works" (Gen. ii. 2.) And ,in this place again, " I have sworn they shall not enter into my rest."6 Seeing then it remaineth that some must enter into it, and they to whom the good tidings were at first declared, did not7 enter because of unbelief; he again determineth a certain day, saying [by] David, "This day, after so long a time had passed since the institution of the sabbath, \ as it is said, this day if ye8 will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Now if Joshua|j had given them the rest here referred to, he would not after that9 have spoken concerning another day. Therefore it is plain there remaineth a rest for the people of God: the celebration of a sab10 bath, which will be eternal. For he who hath entered into this his final rest, hath also himself ceased from his works, as God rested 11 from his own. Let us therefore labour to enter into that rest, that no one may fall into final ruin by the same example of disobedience, which hath provedfatal to so many thousands! REFLECTIONS. What can be so desirable as to partake of Christ, and all the saving benefits which believers receive in and by him, by virtue of that relation to which he condescends to admit them? Let us seek this happiness by persevering faith, and holding fast the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; bearing still in our minds the melancholy example of the children of Israel, who though by such wonderful interpositions led out of Egypt, were doomed by the divine vengeance to die in the wilderness for their unbelief. That obstructed their entrance into Canaan; nor can we ever hope to partake of the land of promise above, if we resign that faith, which is the spring of every other grace that is necessary to prepare tis for it.—Let us take the alarm, and exercise that piousfear which so well consists with a cheerful hope in God, committing our souls to his fatherly care. We hear the word of salvation; let us pray that it may profit us ; and for that purpose, let us be often realizing to our minds its divine authority, and those invisible objects which it opens upon us. It speaks of a rest remaining for the people of God; and O ! how much nobler a rest, than that of Canaan. Our true 'Joshua leads us on, as the captain of our salvation. He conquers all our spiritual enemies by his invincible* " We believing enter''—-g. d. faith is the only way. Pierce. So M.—"We who arc believers are to go into that rest, spoken of in this scripture : So I sware, &c. W. '*JOr rather It, Viz. the scripture. W. Since the entrance of the Jews into Canaan. M. || Jne-uf Jesus is onjy the Greek manner of expressing Joshua. word, and will divide us an inheritance, an everlasting inheritance there, if we are faithful to the death. To-day, after so long a time, are we still called to pursue it: let us therefore give diligence, that wc may enter i and let those sabbaths, which are instituted in kind commemoration of God's having rested on the seventh day from his labours, and which are intended in some degree to anticipate the heavenly rest, be improved for this valuable purpose. So shall we ere long rest from our works, as God did from his, and after the labours of these few mortal days, shall enjoy immortal tranquillity and repose: we shall pass a perpetual sabbath in those elevations of pure devotion, which the sublimest moments of our most sacred and happy days here can teach us but imperfectly to conceive.SECTION V.The former caution enforced by the omniscience of God, and the character of Christ as our High Priest. Ch. iv. 12.—v. 1—14.LET me entreat your most serious attention io the?e solemn admonitions: For the word of God is living and efficacious, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the separating r of the soul and spirit, and of the joints and the marrow: and is an exact discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the13 heart. And there is no creature which is not manifested in his presence: but all things are naked and laid bare before the eyes of14 him to whom we are to give an account—Having therefore a great high-priest, who hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son15 of God, let us hold fast our profession. F<jr we have not an highpriest who is incapable of sympathizing with our infirmities, but one who hath been tried in every respect, in like manner with us, 16 yet without sin. Let us therefore approach with freedom of speech to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and find grace for our seasonable assistance.v. Now* every high-priest taken from among men, is constituted for men over things which relate to God, that he may offer both2 gifts and sacrifices for sins; being able to proportion his compassion to those that are ignorant and wandering, because he himself3 also is incident to infirmity. And for this reason it is necessary that he should offer sacrifice for sins on his own account, as well4 as for the people. And this office no man taketh to himself, but5 he who is called of God, as Aaron was. So Christ also did not glorify himself to be made an high-priest; but he raised him to c/iis dignity who saith unto him (Pa. ii. 7.) "Thou art my Son,6 this day have I begotten thee." As also in another place (ex. 4.) he saith, "Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of7 Melchisedec." Such a priest is ours, who in the days of his flesh offered prayers and supplications, with a strong cry and tears, to* rup is here and in many other places properly rendered Mw. M. and W.Vol. II. M m him who was able to save him from death: and he was heard in being delivered from that which he feared, and which threw him into an 8 agony. Though he were a son, yet he learned obedience by the9 things which he suffered: and being consecrated to God by his blood, he became the author of eternal salvation to all them.that10 obey him; being .called of God an high-priest, according to the11 order of Melchisedec. Concerning whom we have many things to say r, and hard to be understood; because you are sluggish of12 hearing. For whereas you ought, for the time ye have been under the instructions of the gospel, to be teachers of others, ye have need again that one should teach you what are the first elements of the divine oracles; and are become persons who have need of13 milk, and not of strong food. For every one who partaketh of milk, is unskilful in the word of righteousness*, for he is but an14 infant. But strong food belongeth to full-grown men, who by habit have their senses exercised to distinguish both good and evil.REFLECTIONS.May we all experience more of the efficacy of the divine word upon our hearts. May we all be more and more thoughtful of the account we are to give of ourselves to God; and of that perfect discerning which he has, hot only of our actions, but the secrets of our hearts; that we may never go about to conceal any thing from him, before whom all things are naked and open.—When we consider how many evils this all-penetrating eye hath discerned there, let it teach us to rejoice in that compassionate High-Priest, who hath undertaken our cause; which could never succeed in any other hand. And let it embolden our petitions in humble expectation, that we shall not only receive that mercy, without which we perish, but grace to strengthen and hel/i us in proportion to all our necessities. And when pressed with temptations, let it revive us to recollect, that he was in all points tempted as we are, so far as it was consistent with the perfect innocence which his office required, and which always gained new lustre by every attempt of the enemy to obscure and pollute it.Let inferior ministers in God's sanctuary learn to imitate him; and being themselves compassed with so many infirmities, have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. And under a sense of our common weakness, let us all be earnest in our applications to the throne of grace for help. If Christ himself, in the days of his fiesh, poured out supplications with strong crying and tears, let none of us imagine we can be safe in the neglect of prayer, or that we are ever to despond in any circumstances which leave room for devout ejaculations to God. Still he lives, who is able to save from death, and who can also hear us in that which we fear. Let us wisely prepare for affliction. If Christ, though a Son, learned obedience by sufferings, how much more do we need the salutary lessons they teach. But let no sufferings prevent our adhering to him, who being consecrated by them to so high an office, is become the author * " The doctrine of justification." W. of salvation, of eternal salvation, to his faithful followers. Let it ever be remembered, that it is to them that obey him, that this salvation is promised: may we be found in their number; and being entered as obedient disciples into his school, may we become proficients there; not such dull and forgetful scholars, as need to be led back daily to the first elements and first principles of the divine oracles, not babes in Christ and unskilful in the word of righteousness; but such as having our senses spiritually exercised to discern good and evil, may be capable of receiving and digesting strong meat, and may thereby grow stronger and stronger.SECTION VI.The necessity of advancing from first principles to sublimer truths: The hopeless case of apostates. Ch. vi. 1—9.1 T\ ISMISSING therefore any further disconrseon the first prin\J ciples of the [religion] of Christ, let us be carried on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of Christianity : repentance2 from dead works, and of faith in God: the doctrine of baptisms, and of the imposition of hands, and of the resurrection of the3 dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permit, in hope of preserving you from apostasy. As to those who have forgot these sacred principles, and renounced the gospel, I give 4 them up as lost. For it is in a manner impossible with regard to those who have been once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost,5 and have tasted the good word of God} and the powers of the6 world to come ; if they fall away, again to renew them to repentance; since they crucify to themselves the Son of God again, and7 make an open example of him. For the earth that drinketh in the rain, which often cometh upon it, and produceth herbage fit for them by whom it is cultivated, partaketh of the divine blessing:8 but that which bringeth forth thorns and briars is rejected and9 near to a curse, whose end shall be burning. But we are persuaded better things of you, beloved, even things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.REFLECTIONS. In every respect, both with regard to knowledge and practice, let us go on to perfection: and if we cannot attain to it, let us rise as near it> as we can. For this purpose, as Christians, let us remember -what foundation has been already laid, of refientance and faith, of baptism, ofa resurrection, and a future judgment; a judgment cternal'm its consequences, and therefore infinitely important. And let us remember, that as the building, in its highest advances, rests upon the foundation, and owes its stability to its union with it, so in like manner does our progress and advance in Christian piety stand in a near connexion with our retaining these truths, though we by no means confine ourselves to them. It is by a continual care to improve in them, that we shall most happily escape the danger, the dreadful danger of apostasy, to which we may otherwise be exposed. And O ! let the awful passage before us be duly attended to in this view I Let us not rest in any enlightening we may have received, in any taste we may have had of the heavenly gift, of the good word of God, or the powers of the world to come; nor in any operation of the Spirit vf God upon our minds, to form them to the most splendid talents, and qualify us for the most pompous external services. Men may have all these, and yet fall away, and their guilt become more aggravated: they may injure the Redeemer so much the more in proportion to all they have known of him: and indeed will be capable of wounding him the deeper by their apostasy, and of exposing him to greater infamy. Let us daily pray to be delivered from so great an evil! "We are not left to be like a barren wilderness; the rain from on high comes often -upon us, and we enjoy the choicest cultivation: may we bring forth fruits meet for him by whom we are dressed, the genuine fruits of practical, vital religion. So shall we receive a blessing from God, and flourish more and more, till we are transplanted to the paradise above. But as for those unhappy creatures who still continue to bring forth briars and thorns, let them dread that final rejection which will be the portion of those who persist in abusing the divine goodness; let them dread the curse, the awful, the irrecoverable curse, to be pronounced on such ; let them dread the everlasting dearth with which their souls shall be parched, when ordinances, when the workings of the Spirit of God, when the common comforts and supports of this mortal animal life, shall be no more. Gladly do the ministers of Christ entertain better hopes concerning those committed to their care, while yet there is room for hope, though faithfulness to God and to the souls of men, obliges them to speak in the language of such cautions as these. May divine grace apply it to those who are particularly concerned in it, and plant what hath hitherto been a barren and abandoned desert, with such fruits of holiness, as may transform it into the garden of the Lord. SECTION VII.Sincere believers comforted with a view of the goodness of God, and his fidelity to his engagements, which he hath sealed by the entrance of Christ into heaven as our forerunner. Ch. vi. 10, 8cc.IHAVE reason, brethren, to entertain the hope of your final salvation: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which you have manifested to his name, in having11 ministered and in ministering to the saints. And we wish that every one of you may shew the same diligence to the full assur12 ance of hope, unto the end: that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those, who, through faith and long-suffering, do now 13 inherit the promises. For when God made the promise to Abraham, seeing he had no [one} greater to swear by, he swore by 14 himself; saying, "Blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I 15 will multiply thee." (Gen. xxvii. 16.) And thus, having waited16 long, he obtained the promise. For men truly swear by a being greater than themselves; and an oath for confirmation is to them17 an end of all contention. On which account God, being willing in the most abundant manner to manifest to the heirs of the prom18 ise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath: that by two immutable things, his word and his oath, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who19 have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope laid before us; which hope we have, as an anchor of the soul, both secure and stedfast,20 and entering into the place within the vail; whither Jesus the forerunner is entered for us, who is made an high-priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedec.REFLECTIONS. With what amazing condescension doth God, by his apostles, speak of those works and labours of love, which the persons who have performed them with the greatest simplicity of heart, know to be most undeserving of his regard! How kindly hath he made himself a debtor to us, or rather to his own promise and oath, so that it would indeed be unrighteous in him to fail those expectations which nothing in ourselves could possibly raise! Let us then be animated to thegreatest diligence, by a full assurance of hope There are {hose whoinherit the promises, of which we are the heirs, and they have passed to that glorious inheritance by the exercise of faith and patience. Let us chide our sluggish souls into a more resolute imitation of them. And when they are ready to sink into indolence again, let us again awaken them by viewing those promises, and the fidelity of that God who hath made them, and who hath added, by a condescension that can never be sufficiently acknowledged and adored, the sanction of his oath to that of his word. Behold the strong consolation which he hath given. And given to whom? To those who fly for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel. Thither let us fly for our lives; fly, as if we heard the footsteps of the avenger of blood just behind us, and our lives depended upon the speed of the present moment. Happy the souls that have found this refuge! Whose faith and hope like a strong and steady anchor, hath entered inio heaven, hath fixed on that blessed Redeemer, who lives and reigns there, who appears as an intercessor for his people, and intercedes with such efficacy and success, that he is also to be regarded as their forerunner, as gone to prepare a place for them. Let us constantly retain that view of him; and while we continue exposed to all the labours and sorrows of mortality, let us seek our safety and our comfort by fixing our regards upon him, waiting continually the aids of his grace, till he shall see fit to call us to fill the place he hath provided, and receive the inheritance he hath secured for us.\ SECTION VIII.A parallel between Melchisedec and Christ, and the superior glory of Christ's pi iesthood. Ch. vii. 1—IT. 1 "\TOW this Melchisedec of whom I have spoken, was king ofSalem, and priest of the most high God, who met Abraham when returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;2 to whom also Abraham divided the tenth of all (Gen. xiv.) His name and title bear a remarkable analogy to those of Christ: for first his name Melchisedec, being interpreted, is King of Righteousness, and then his title is King of Salem, that is, King of Peace. And whereas it was necessary for the Jewish priests to be of the family of 3 Aaron, he was, as it were, without father*, without mother, without pedigree, or any written genealogy; having neither beginning of,- days, nor end of life, mentioned in scripture; but being made like4 to the Son of God, remaineth a priest for everf. Now you'see how great a man this Melchisedec was, to whom even the patri5 arch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And that truly they of the descendants of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have according to the law a commandment to tithe the people, that is,6 their brethren, though, coming out of the loins of Abraham : but he whose pedigree is not reckoned from them, took tithes of Abraham himself, and blessed him who had received the promises.7 But without all contradiction, the inferior is blessed of the superi8 or. And here, under the institution of Moses, men who die, like other persons receive tithes: but there, in the case of Melchisedec, he receivcth them, of whom it is only testified that he liveth.9 And, as one may say, by Abraham even Levi, who in his poster10 ity received tithes, was himself tithed: for he was yet in the loins11 of his father Abraham, when Melchisedec met him. Now if perfection had been by the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should arise according to the order of Melchisedec, and not be12 reckoned according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there must of necessity also be a change of the law.13 Fer the person of whom these things are spoken, belonged to an14 other tribe, of whom no one appertained to the Jewish altar. For it is plain that our Lord sprung from Judah, of which tribe Moses15 spake nothing relating to the priesthood. And it is yet more abundantly manifest, that there ariseth another priest according to16 the similitude of Melchisedec; who is made not according to the law of the carnal commandment, but according to the power of an17 endless life. For he testifieth, " Thou art a priest for ever according to the orderof Melchisedec."* Some heathen writers speak of persons whose father was unknown, as horn of no father. ? f "All his life." M. REFLECTIONS. Let our souls adore the King of righteousness, and the King of peace; submitting to him under the former title, that we may experience the peace which he gives, and which none can take away. Let us repose our confidence in the Son of God, -who without beginning of days, or end of life, abideth a priest for ever; a priest on a throne, to confirm the counsels of eternal peace transacted between the Father and himself. To him do all the prophets bear witness; to him did all the patriarchs render humble homage, and his blessing was that which rendered Abraham the father of the faithful, blessed indeed. He sprang from the tribe of Judah, and was the Shiloh that was to come before it ceased to be a tribe, according to the ancient oracle of dying Jacob. But the honours of the priesthood are now transferred to, and centered in him, not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but the superior power of an endless life. Let us rejoice that his life is endless, and that by him we may likewise attain to an endless life, to an immortality of glory. The priests of the Old Testament, the ministers of the New, as well as private believers under both dispensations, die; but the eternally prevailing priesthood of Jesus gives us life in death, and entitles us to the hope of that glorious world, where he will put his own likeness and splendour upon us, and make us in our inferior degrees of dignity, immortal kings and priests to God, even the Father : to him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. SECTION IX.That the Aaronicalpriesthood was not only excelled, but vindicated and consummated by that of Christ ; and by consequence the obligation of the law dissolved. Ch. vii. 18. &c.18 r | THEREFORE there is an abolition of the former command19 JL ment, because of its weakness and unprofitableness: for the law made nothing perfect; but the introduction of a better hope, by20 which we draw near to God, did. And inasmuch as he was not eonHi stituted without an oath ; (for they indeed of the line of Aaron, arebecome priests without an oath, but he was set apart with an oath, by him who said unto him, " The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of22 Melchisedec,") by so much Jesus is the surety of a better cove23 nant. And there were many priests, because they were hindered24 by death from continuing in their office. But he, because he abideth for ever, hath a priesthood that never passeth over to another.25 From whence also he is able to save to the uttermost those who approach to God by him [who is] always living to intercede for them.26 For such a high priest exactly suited us, who was holy, harmless, unpolluted, separate from sinners, and made higher than the27 heavens ; who had not daily necessity, as those_ high-priests appointed by Moses, first to present sacrifices for his own sins, and then for those of the people: for this he did once for all, in offer28 ing himself. For the law consututeth men high-priests, who have infirmities ; but the word of the oath, which reacheth beyond the law, comtitutcth the Son of God, -who is consecrated for ever. REFLECTIONS.Let the introduction of this better hope which we receive by Jesus Christ, and which bringeththe greatest perfection of happiness to those that embrace it, fill our hearts with thankfulness to God, and with a solicitous zeal to secure an interest in it. Let us draw near to God under its supporting influence, and be quickened thereby to purify ourselves from all pollutions of the flesh and spirit, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God; in firm dependence upon that great High-Priest, whom he hath constituted with the solemnity of an oath, as the great surety and guarantee of ihe better covenant. God helps the frailty of our nature, by transmitting his promises to us through the hands of his Son, and by giving us such a proof of his gracious regards, as his incarnation and sufferings afford: in which it is certain, that God hath already done what is far more astonishing than any thing which he hath promised further to do. And Jesus takes his covenant people under his care, and graciously engages to watch over them for their good, and to communicate to them all such assistances of his grace as may be sufficient to induce them to answer their part of the engagement.He is possessed of an unchangeable priesthood; let us daily look to him, as knowing, that in consequence of the intercession, which he ever lives to make, he is ever able completely to save all that come unto God by him. Let us every day, and every hour, have recourse to him as the Mediator of our approaches to God. -And let us make the thoughts of him familiar to our minds, the thought of his sanctity, his dignity, and his love: confiding in that sacrifice he hath once fur all offered for his people, being above all need of sacrificing for himself. To conclude; while we cheer and strengthen our hearts with such contemplations as these, let us always consider the obligation which the character of our High-Priest and our Saviour lays upon us, to be ourselves holy, harmless, and undefiled, and to maintain a separation from sinners, so far as the duties of life, in the present circumstances of the world, may admit.SECTION X.The superior dignity of Christ as our High-Priest, and the distinguished excellence of the new covenant established in him. Ch. viii.1 VTOW the chief article of the things which have been spoken, 1^1 is this: We have such a High-Priest as hath been described, who hath now sat down at the right-hand of the majestic throne in2 the heavens ; a minister of holy things, and of the true tabernacle,3 which not man but the Lord hath pitched. For every high-priest is constituted to offer gifts and sacrifices ; therefore it was neces4 sary that [He*] also should have something to present. But if he* \V._? This man." D. and C. T. "This high-priest." M. were to continue always upon earth, he could not have been a priest, as there are a certain order of priests who offer the gifts of the people 5 according to the law*, who perform divine service [according] to the example and shadow of celestial thiugs: as Moses was charged by the oracle, when he was about to finish the tabernacle: "For see, saith he, that thou make all things according to the model6 shewn thee upon the mountain." \Exod. xxv. 40.) But he (i. e. Christ) hath now nobler services allotted to him, inasmuch as he is the Mediator even of a better covenant which was established7 upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless,8 thefe would have been no place sought for a second: for finding faultf, he saith [to them] (the Jews ) "Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house9 of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant which I made with their fathers, in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I disregarded them, saith the Lord.10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, in the times of the Messiah, saith the Lord: I will give my laws to their soul, and I will inscribe them upon their hearts ; and I will be unto them for a God, and they shall be to11 me for a people. And they shall no more teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me, from the least of them, even to the greatest12 of therri. For I will be merciful to their unrighteous deeds, axld their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more."J 3 CJer. xxxi. 31.) When he saith, a New covenant, [it implies that"] h e hath made the first old: now that which is antiquated and fallen into old age, is ready to disappear.REFLECTIONS.Adored be that grace which hath constituted and revealed this everlasting covenant, well ordered in all things, and sure ; established on such promises as are, of all that can be conceived, most valuable to sinful creatures; and especially on that, without which no other declaration could impart any comfort to such, I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more. With this is connected that other promise, so comprehensive of every thing that is truly valuable, / will be a God unto them, and they shall be unto me a people. Happy indeed the people that are in such a case ,? yea happy the people whose God is the Lord, who are taught by him to know him under that character ; taught by that energy of his Spirit, whicli gives his law to their mind, and inscribes it on their heart. There may 'we ever retain it, engraven in living and durable characters, as a law of love, which may make obedience to every precept easy.In this connexion let us look with pleasure to that High-Priest, who is sat down on the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, and presides* Namely the sons of Levi, whereas our Lord was of the tribe of Judah. f " Finding fault (with that covenant) &c." M. Vot. II. N n over all for the good of his people, that minister of the true tabernacle which the Lord, not man, hath pitched; ever maintaining an humble dependence on the sacrifice he hath offered: A sacrifice better than any of the Aaronical priests could present, in proportion to the degree in which the covenant, of which lie is the Mediator, is nobler than theirs. The first covenant, wisely allayed with such a mixture of imperfection as was suitable to its being introductory to the second, is now vanished, to make way for this second and better dispensation : to this let us therefore adhere, and so doing, cheerfully expect all the invaluable blessings it imparts.SECTION XI.The priesthood and intercession of Christ illustrated, by what the Jewish high priest did on the great day of atonement. Ch. ix. 1—14.1 r I "'HE first [covenant*] therefore had\ ordinances of divine ser2 J. vice, and a worldly sanctuary. For the first part of the tabernacle was prepared, in which was the candlestick, and the table,3 and the shew-breadf, which is called the Holy Place. And beyond the second vail, the tabernacle, which was called the Holy of4 Holies, having the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant - covered over on every side with gold, in which was the golden pot, containing the manna, and the rod of Aaron that blossomed,5 and the tables of the covenant: and over it the cherubs of glory, shadowing with their wings the mercy-seat: concerning which things 6 there is not now room to speak particularly. And these things being thus adjusted, the priests went continually into the firstta7 bernacle, performing their services. But intothe second, only the high-priest went once a year and that not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the sins of ignorance committed by the8 people. The Holy Spirit signifying this, that the way into the holiest place was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle9 had its continuance. Which is a figure referring to the present time; in which gifts and sacrifices are still offered, which are not able to make the person who performeth the service perfect, with10 respect to the conscience; but consisted only in meats and drinks, and in different washings, and ordinances of the flesh, to continue11 till the time of the reformation. But Christ being become a high-priest of good things to come, in a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this lower crea12 tion; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, hath entered once for all into the holy place above, having13 obtained for us eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and* "Tabernacle." D. "Covenant" C.T.and M. The Alex- and other MSS. have only ?7<)' the first; leaving the reader to supply hahm covenant from the former verse. [This word therefore is not so strangely supplied, as the author thought.]f "The setting on of loaves." D. The term shew-bread is the most familiar to the reader. Ed. cf goats, and the ashes of the heifer, sprinkled on the unclean, 14 sanctifieth to the cleansing of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who being animated by the eternal Spirit, offered himself spotless to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works, that you may serve the living God?REFLECTIONS.The whole progress of the apostle's argument will lead us to reflect on the reason we have for thankfulness, whose eyes are directed, not to an earthly sanctuary and its furniture; splendid indeed, yet comparatively dark, mutable, and perishing; but to the holiest of all, the way to which is now clearly manifested. What matter of solid and everlasting joy! that whereas those gifts and sacrifices were incapable of making those perfect who presented them, or attended upon them, and the ordinances of that sanctuary consisted only in meats and drinks, and corporeal purifications and ceremonies; we by faith behold an higli-priest of a better and more perfect tabernacle, an high-priest who hath wrought out eternal redemption, and entered once for all into heaven for us! Eternal redemption! who hath duly considered its glorious import? To him, and only to him, who hath attentively considered it, is the name of the Redeemer sufficiently dear. But O what, short of the possession of it, can teach us the true value! What, but to view that temple of God above, where through his intercession we hope to be made pillars, and from thence, to look down upon that abyss of misery and destruction from which nothing but his blood was sufficient to ransom us!L.et that blood which is our redemption be our confidence. We knc*w there was no real efficacy in that of bulls or of goats, or in the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean: all that these things could do "was to purify the flesh, and to restore men to an external communion with God in the Jewish sanctuary. But the blood of Christ can purify the conscience, and restore its peace when troubled, when tortured with a sense of guilt, contracted by dead works, which render us unfit for, and incapable of divine converse. To that blood therefore let us look: let the death of Christ be remembered, as the great spotless sacrifice by which we draw nigh unto God; and let those virtues and graces which were displayed in it, under the influences of that eternal Spirit, which was given unto him without measure, concur with that benevolence which subjected him to it fotv our sakes, to recommend him to our humblest veneration, and our warmest affections. To conclude, since it is so expressly said, that the Holy Ghost signified in some degree the great and important doctrines of the gospel by the constitution of the Jewish ritual; let us think of that ritual, whatever obscurity may attend it in part, with a becoming esteem; and peruse it with a view to that great antitype, who is in every sense the end of the law for righteousness to every one who believeth; to him, who by fulfilling it hath given it a glory, much brighter than that which wasj-eflected upon it from the face of Moses, or the most splendid magnificence of Solomon's temple. SECTION XII.The necessity of shedding Christ's blood, and the sufficiency of the atonement made by it. Ch. ix. 15, &e.15 \ ND he who thus offered himself to God, is in this respect the _flL Mediator of a new covenant, that death being undergone for the redemption of transgressions against the former covenant, they who arc called might receive the promise of an eternal in18 heritance. For where a covenant is, it necessarily importeth the IT death of that by which the covenant is confirmed: for a covenant is confirmed over the dead [sacrifices,") so that it doth not avail18 while he* by whom it is confirmed, liveth. Hence, neither was19 the first covenant originally transacted without blood. For when \ every command was spoken according to the law, by Moses, toall the people, taking the blood of calves and goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, he sprinkled the book itself, and all20 the people, saying, "This it the blood of the covenant, which21 God hath commanded with respect to you." And the tabernacle,22 and all the vessels of service, he also sprinkled with blood. And almost all things were under the law purified by blood; and with23 out shedding of blood there was no forgiveness. It was therefore necessary that the copies of things in the heavens should be purified by these; but the celestial things themselves with more24 excellent sacrifices than they. For Christ is not entered into holy places made with hands, which were the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.25 Not that he should offer himself frequently, as the high-priest entered into the most holy place yearly, with the blood of others;26 for then it would have been necessary for him often to have suffered since r the foundation of the world: But now once for all, at the conclusion of the ages, he hath been made manifest for the abol27 ishing of sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed28 to men once to die, and after that the judgment; so Christ having once been offered, to bear the sins of many, shall the second time appear without Bin-offering to those who have waited for him, to their complete salvation,REFLECTIONS. We are heirs of an eternal inheritance, and we owe all our expectations of it to the Mediator of that better covenant, who at the expense of his own blood procured redemption from the guilt and condemnation of those transgressions which have been committed under the 'first covenant. What praise do we owe to that voluntary victim, who made his blood the seal of that better covenant? O that, as all the vessels of the sanctuary, and all the people were sprinkled with the blood of the sacrifices, on that day when Moses entered them into solemn* " It," i . e. the sacrifice by which—M, covenant with God; so our souls and all our services might be under the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus! By the efficacy of that were the heavenly places sanctified and prepared for us; by that our way into them is opened: let us daily be looking up to the Lord Jesus Christ, as gone to appear in the presence of God for us, and entered into heaven with his own blood. May his death be as efficacious to subdue the power of sin in our hearts, as it is to expiate our guilt before God. Then may we look forward with pleasure to the great solemnities of death and judgment, and expect that faithful Redeemer, who though he is to come no more as a sacrifice for sin, will then appear for the complete salvation of all, who have obediently received him under that character, and waited for him according to his word.In the meah time, that we may be engaged thus to apply to him, and improve our knowledge of him to the great purposes intended; tnay we live in the continual views of death, as what is indispensably appointed to men; and remember that it is our certain inevitable doom. May we also consider it as standing in a most certain connexion with judgment l assuring ourselves, that whatever the period of time between the one and the other may be, there is no room for a change in our character or state. Let therefore the thoughts of judgment, and its awful eternal consequences stir us up to a diligent preparation for death. Let it engage us to make an immediate application to Christ as the great Saviour, with entire submission to his princely authority; for if that be disregarded, how shall we meet him as our Judge! For when he appears the second time for the salvation of his people, he will execute righteous vengeance on his enemies; and that vengeance can never appear so terrible, as when considered as coming from the mouth of him who was once manifested to take aiuay sin by the sacrifice of himself. SECTION XIII.That the legal ceremonies could not purify the conscience, a proof of the insufficiency of the Mosaic law, and the necessity of looking beyond it. Ch. x. 1—^14.1 T7* OR t'ie law having a shadow of future good things, not theIP very image of the things themselves, could by no means, by those sacrifices which they always offer yearly, perfect those who2 corrie unto them. Otherwise they would have ceased to be offered because they who had performed that office being once puri3 fied, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in them4 there is a yearly commemoration of sins. For it is impossible5 that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Therefore "When the Messiah is described as making his entrance into the -world, he saith (Ps. xl. T.) "Sacrifice and offering thou6 wouldestnot accept, but a body thou hast provided me: In whole* So, many copies. M. with Mill and others, reads it as a question: Since being offered, would they not have ceased? 7 burnt-offerings, and sin-offerings thou hadst no complacency: then I said, Behold, I come (in the volume of the book of ancient 8 prophecies*- it is written of me) to do thy will, O God." Having said above, As for sacrifice and offering, burnt-offerings or sacrifices for sin, thou didst not desire them, or take pleasure in 9 them, which were offered under the law; then he said, "Behold I come to do thy will, O God." So that, you see, he taketh away the first (burnt-offerings and sacrifices) that he may establish the10 second: doing the will of God. By r which will we are sanctified, through the offering up the body of Jesus Christ once for all.11 And indeed every priest standeth daijy ministering, and offering12 the same sacrifices often, which can never take away sins: But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins, hath for ever sat down13 at the right hand of God; thenceforth r waiting till his enemies14 shall be made the foot-stool of his feet. For by one offering he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified by it. REFLECTIONS. Since the shadows are now fled away, and the substance is come; since the most substantial blessings are bestowed by the gospel; let us celebrate the praises of him by whom we have received them; of him who so cheerfully presented himself a spotless sacrifice to God for us. In the body which God hath prepared for him, he fulfilled all righteousness, and made a most perfect atonement: in that he, once Jor all, made full expiation for the sins of his people, having no sins of his own to expiate. And O ! with what grateful emotions of heart should we commemorate his love; reflecting that when all other sacrifices would have been vain, he should so readily cry out, Lo I come, I delight to do thy will, O God; when that will of his heavenly father was, that his body should be offered in so painful and so tragical a manner! With such readiness let us concur in every intimation of the divine good pleasure: let us, like the blessed man whom David described, not only fear the Lord, but delight greatly in his commandments, and labour that the law of God may be inscribed on our hearts, and the characters grow larger and deeper there. This shall please God better than the most costly sacrifices, even of his own ritual; better than any whole burnt-offering, and sin-offering, though it were an occ or a bullock, which hath horns or hoofs. May we be so sanctified through the sacrifice of Christ, according to the will of God, that we may approach the divine Being with acceptance. And may we daily be looking to Jesus as sat down at his Father's right-hand, where he waits till his enemies are made his footstool. Let us likewise expect that great event in full assurance of faith. Let our affections be there where Jesus sits; and let us live in cheerful confidence, that the Saviour, in whose cause we are engaged, will finally appear triumphant over all his enemies, and ours. Amen.* The Pentateuch: q.d. I rejoice that I am registered in thy book as thy servant SECTION XIV.Christians urged to improve the privileges of such an High-Print and covenant to practical purposes. Ch. x. 15—25.' . ?15 TT'OR even the Holy Ghost testifieth to us what I have been as16 J; serting: after having said, as before quoted, " This is the covenant, which I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord; I will give my laws on their hearts; I will also inscribe17 them upon their mindshe adds, "And their sins and their18 transgressions I will never remember any more." But where there is remission of these, there is no more sacrifice for sin.19 Therefore, brethren, having liberty to enter into the holy places20 by the blood of Jesus; having that new and living way, which ho21 hath consecrated for us, though the vail, that is, his flesh; and22 having a great priest over the house of God: let us draw near with a sincere heart, in the full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed23 with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our hope24 without wavering; for he is faithful who hath promised. And let25 us consider each other to provoke to love, and to good works, not deserting the assembling ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the rather, as ye see the day approaching.REFLECTIONS.What can be more desirable than to approach to God ! what more effectually encourage that approach, than the consideration which the Apostle here urges: the new and living way which this great High. Priest hath consecrated! Let us then see to it that we thus approach in the way of his own appointment. But if we desire acceptance, let us attend to the strength of our faith, and the purity of our consciences; that inward purity, without which our baptismal washing will stand us in little stead. To establish us in a resolution of retaining the profession of our faith and hope, amidst all the attempts that may be made to wrest it out of our hands, let us often reflect on the importance of those promises we have received, and the infallible fidelity of that God, who hath condescended to enter himself into such engagements. Let the community of that blessed hope which these sacred engagements afford, unite us in the bonds of the most affectionate love. Instead of watching over each other for evil, let us consider one another's circumstances with the most friendly and compassionate eye. And whatever we behold of necessity or distress, let us immediately be instigated and quickened kindly to attempt relief and assistance ; that every one may be, as it were in a confederacy against the evil by which any one may be attacked.Much will this benevolent disposition be promoted, by a diligent attendance on the ordinances of religious worship ; and much is it to be lamented, that it is the manner of so mam/ to forsake them, even. the assemblies which are honoured with the promise of the divine presense ; a promise, to the accomplishment of which thousands can bear testimony. Let us guard against so ungrateful and pernicious a neglect; and set ourselves to promote as far as possible, mutual edification; and so much the rather, an we see the day approaching; that solemn day, when all our opportunities in this world being come to a period, we must render up an account of all. It is a day, in which God will bring every work into judgment, and every secret thing, whether it be good or evil: let us therefore give all diligence to prepare ourselves for it; and remember how happily the ordinances of public worship are calculated to promote that preparation. SECTION XV.A steady adherence to the Christian faith, enforced by what they had suffered in its defence, and the fatal consequences of apostacy. Ch. x. 26, &c.IMUST inculcate this caution against apostacy with the greatest seriousness: for if we sin wilfully after having received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth yet no more sacrifice for27 sin, but a certain fearful expectation of the judgment of God, and fiery indignation, which is ready to devour the adversaries.28 Any one who set at nought the law of Moses, died without mercy,29 on the evidence of two or three witnesses: Of how much severer punishment do ye suppose he shall be counted worthy, who hath. trampled upon the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified, a common thing, and offer30 ed contemptuous injury to the Spirit of Grace ? For we know him. that bath said, "Vengeance belongeth to me; I will render recompence, saith the Lord" (Deut. xxxii. 35.): And again (v.31 36.) " The Lord will judge his people." ft is dreadful to fall into 33 the hands of the living God. But that you may escape so terrible a ruin, call to remembrance the former days, in which having been enlightened, you endured a great contest of sufferings;33 partly, as ye were made a public spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, as ye were made partakers with those who34 were so treated. For ye sympathized with me in my bonds; and ye took the plunder of your goods with joy : knowing in yourselves that you have a better and an enduring substance in the heavens.35 Therefore cast not away that confidence of yours, which hath36 great recompence of reward. For ye have still need of patience, that having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.37 For yet a very little time, and he that cometh, even the Lord Je38 sus, will come, and will not delay. But in the mean time, the just shall live tly faith (Bab. ii. 3.) Yet if he draw back, my soul39 shall have no complacency in him. But we are not of them that draw back to destruction, but of them that believe to the salvation of the soul. REFLECTIONS.We see the dreadful consequences of sinning wilfully, after we have received the knowledge of the truth : how diligently should we guard against every, even the least appearance of it. Should we fall into so great an evil, there would remain no more sacrifice for sin : and O, how dreadful, to lose our part in that great sacrifice, and be consigned over to a certain fearful expectation of wrath and fiery indignation ! but blessed be God, it is not yet our case. It is not every wilful sin which thus seals up the wretched soul to condemnation; for who then could hope for heaven? or who in the utter despair of heaven, could enjoy this world? may we not say, who could endure it ?—If we would avoid this dreadful doom, let us guard against every approach toward any thing which might be interpreted treading under foot the Son of God, or doing despite unto the Sfiirit of grace. On the contrary, let us ever retain the most reverent affection for the Son of God, and ever cherish the influences of the Spirit. So shall we avoid the threatening vengeance, and escape that infinitely dreadful thing, the falling into the hands of the living God. To have experienced in any degree the power and efficacy of religion, is the great preservative against apostacy. They who have already, like those believing Hebrews, made great sacrifices to their conscience, ought to feel the force of the obligation. The struggles through which they have already passed, the combats they have already maintained, should have a powerful influence on their future resolution, that they may not stain the lustre of their former victories. If such trials be appointed for us, may our faith be proportionably strengthened ; that we may take joyfully, not only the spoiling of ouv goods, but the torture of our bodies; knowing that we have in heaven a better and more enduring substance than worldly wealth, and a far more glorious abode than these tabernacles of clay. Let the recommence of reward be kept continually in our view ; that thereby that patience may be supported, of which we ever stand in such evident need, that after we have done the will of God, we may go to inherit the. promises. ^ Let the certain and speedy approach of him that is to come, daily comfort us, and confirm the faith by which we live; and let us still pour out our fervent supplications before God, that we may not draw Sack, which if we do, it will be infinitely fatal. Then instead of beholding us with complacency, God's soul will abhor us; and that abhorrence will be proportionable to our violated engagements, and dishonoured profession. Perdition pursues our retreat. Let every consideration therefore, of honour, of gratitude, of interest, and of safety, concur to urge us on, and to support the steadiness of our faith, till we receive the glorious crown of it, in the complete salvation of our souls. SECTION XVI.Illustrious examples offaith mentioned in scripture, particularly in Abel* Enoch, JSfoah, Abraham, and Sarah. Ch. xi. 1—16.1 "VTOW faith is the confident expectation of things hoped for,2 X^l the conviction of things not seen. For by it the elders ob3 tained an honourable testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were adjusted by the word of God, as the things which4 arc seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered to God a greater Sacrifice than Cain; by means of which he obtained a testimony that he was righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh.5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: For before6 his translation he obtained witness that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he who approacheth to God, must believe that he existeth, and that he is the re7 warder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being admonished by a divine oracle concerning things which were not yet seen, being impressed with fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his house; by which he condemned the world, and he8 came heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, Being called to go out to a place which he should afterwardsreceive for an inheritance, obeyed, and went out, though he knew. 9 not whither he was going. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and10 Jacob, who were heirs witli him of the same promise. For he expected a city which hath foundations, of which God is the Build11 er and former*. By faith Sarai herself received strength for conception, o and brought forth a child [when she was] beyond the time of age, because she accounted him who had promised to be faith12 fill. Therefore there sprang even from one, and he in this respect dead, a posterity in multitude as the sta?s of the heaven, and13 as the sand upon the sea-shore innumerable. All these died in. faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and having been persuaded of them, and embraced them, and. having confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on earth.14 For they who say such things as these, plainly express that they -15 seek a country! different from that in which they dwell. And if indeed they had Been mindful of that from which they came out, they16 might have had an opportunity of returning. Now therefore it appears they were desirous of a better, that is, a heavenly country t therefore God is not ashamed to Be called their God, Because he had prepared them a city such as they sought. * Rather, " Ruler." ^V.i*r/>ye? signifies one who forms a people By institutions and laws. M.f The word signifies a native country, or that where their fathers dweltD. So M. renders it REFLECTIONS.Let the many glorious examples of faith, which are here set before us, animate our souls to imitation, and excite in us a generous desire of acting upon that noble and sublime principle, without whichit is impossible to please God. And O, may what we call our faith be not merely a speculative and ineffectual assent to the truth, even of the most weighty propositions; but a firm persuasion of their certainty, and a deep conviction of their importance i that we also may obtain a good report.—May we believe in God, as the former and support of universal nature, as most assuredly existing, and as most bountifully rewarding all that seek him with sincerity and diligence. So shall our sacrifices be acceptable to him, as those of Mel were, while with him we look to that great sacrifice and atonement, of which his victim was the appointed representation. Like Jinoch we shall then be animated to walk with God, and favoured with divine intercourse and communications. And though we cannot expect a translation like his, which should exempt us from the common lot of mortality, 'we shall be secure of admission into the paradise of God above, and in due time shall ascend to it in our complete persons. We shall then, like AroaM, find our safety in the midst of a dissolving world, and while sinners are condemned, be found the heirs of righteousness. While we wait for this happiness, let us endeavour to approve ourselves the genuine children of Abraham, the father of the faithful. Ever attentive to the divine call, may we in obedience to it, be willing to go forth, though we do not particularly know whither; and with an intrepidity like his, may we even be ready to exchange worlds, at the command of God, ignorant as we are of what lies beyond the grave; thinking it enough that we know it is a land which God hath promised as the inheritance of his children. It is indeed a city that hath foundations, in comparison of which all the most magnificent and established buildings of the children of men are but mean and moveable tents. God boasts in the title of its builder and maker, having formed and fashioned it for the highest displays of his glory and his love; and in reference to it he is not ashamed to be called our God; for by bestowing it upon us, he answers all which that high and glorious title might import. May we ever desire this as our better country, and live as its citizens ought; confessing ourselves, in reference to it, to be pilgrims and strangers upon the earth. And though we here receive not the accomplishment of the promises, may we keep our eyes on the objects they exhibit, how distant soever they may seem ; and being persuaded of them, may we embrace them; embrace them even with our dying arms, and breathe out our prepared and willing spirits, in full assurance that we are going to receive and possess them. 1 SECTION XVII.Further examples of faith, in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Ch. xi. 17—29.17 T)V faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered/is son Isaac ; yea, 11 he that had received the promises, offered his only begotten18 son; concerning whom it was said, " In Isaac shall thy seed be19 called" (Gen. xxi. 12.) reasoning with himself that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from whence he received him20 even in a figure*. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concern21 ing things to come. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped leaning upon the top of his22 staff. By faith Joseph when dying, mentioned the departure of the children of Israel, and gave a charge concerning his bones.23 By faith Moses wJien born was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a graceful child; and they feared not the24 commandment of the king. By faith Moses, when he was grown25 up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to partake with the people of God in their affliction, than to26 enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin ; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he directed27 his regards to the recompence of reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king ; for he was strengthened as28 seeing him who is invisible. By faith he celebrated the passover, and the pouring forth of the blood ; that he who destroyed the29 first-born might not touch them. By faith they passed over the Red Sea as on dry land j which the Egyptians o attempting to do, were drowned.REFLECTIONS. Let these glorious instances of Faith be preserved in our memory, and have their due influence upon our hearts. When God calls us to resign our greatest comforts, let us think of that heroic act of faith by which Abraham offered up Isaac, and seemed in him to sacrifice all the promises, as well as his son. Yet he therein acted a part the most strictly rational ; as rightly concluding, that God could with infinite case call him back to life again, and make a person, who had poured forth all his blood on the altar, and been reduced to ashes there, the father of many nations. Let dying parents commit their children to the care of the ever-Jiving God, like Jacob / and worship him who hath fed them all their lives long, and who will never forsake those that put their trust in him. Let those who are called to glorify God, by opposing the unjust commands of great and powerful men, remember the parents of Moses, and remember their illustrious child. Does he now repent that wonderful choice that he made at an adult age ? does he now wish that he had been called the Son of Pharaoh's * Being typical of the method God would take for the salvation of men. See Warburton and Wolfius. daughter, rather than the servant of God, faithful in all his house? does he wish that he had secured the treasures of Egypt, and the temporary pleasures of sin, and declined that reproach of Christ, which has ended in eternal glory? Our hearts, our consciences, will soon answer. Let us then, like him, have respect unto the recompence of reward: let us endeavour more frequently to direct our regards to God, and live as seeing him who is invisible.—And while our faith is thus viewing him, let us look with pleasure to the blood of sprinkling, which places us under his protection ; which introduces us to his favour; which secures us from the destroying angel. He will lead us on safely to his heavenly Canaan, if we fall not by unbelief. He will open our passage through seas of difficulty; he will send down upon us every suitable supply, and would much sooner command the skies to rain down bread, or the flinty rock to melt into streams of water, than desert his people in the wilderness. Let all his wonders of power and of love to Israel of old, animate our faith ; and let them all quicken our obedience ; and under a sense of our own weakness,' and the importance of this leading, this princely grace, let us daily pray, Lord, increase our faith. SECTION XVIII.Besides many other glorious instances of faith recorded in serifiture, the apostle refers to those who suffered under the persecution of Antiochus Epzjihanes. Ch. xi. 30.—xii. 1, % 30 TT>Y faith the walls of Jericho fell down, having been surround31 | J ed seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish -with the infidels, having received the spies, and dismissed them 32 in peace. And what shall I say further? For the time would fail me to discourse concerning Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephtha, and David, and Samuel, and others of the prophets:33 who by faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained34 promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword : they were strengthened- in weakness, became valiant in battle, repelled the armies of the35 aliens. Women received their dead children by a resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they36 might obtain a better resurrection. And others received the trial of mockings and scourgings ; yea also of bonds and imprison37" ment. They were stoned, sawn asunder, tempted*, slain with the sword : they wandered about in sheep-skins, and in goat33 skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented ; of whom the world was not worthy : they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and39 in dens and holes of the earth. And all these by faith having obtained a good report, did not receive the full accomplislunent of * By threatened cruelties, andby promises of immediate deliverance.—"Thrust through with stakes." W. Some suppose the readingshould be urufah<r*> geared or burnt alive. - . 40 the promise: God having provided something better for us, that they without us might not be made perfect.xii. Being therefore encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which, in present circumstances, hath the greatest advantage against us, and let us 2 run with patience the race whicli is set before us: fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the leader and finisher of our faith ; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right-hand of the throne o-f God.REFLECTIONS. Is it possible we should read these animated periods without feeling our hearts glow with a sacred ambition of acting as becomes those who have heard such tidings and beheld such examples? If the triumphs of faith in Rahab, and Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jcphtha, cannot move us, nor even those of David, and of Samuel; if we are insensible of the martial prowess which they exerted in firm dependence on the Lord God of hosts; let us behold other combats, in which they who seemed weaker, became yet more gloriously victorious. Let us remember, not only the mouths of lions stopped, but the violence of fire quenched, when the faithful servants of God were thrown into it. Yea, let us behold those who endured its unquenched violence, and turned all those painful and terrible sensations, into an heroic occasion of expressing the superior ardour of their love to God, and the stedfastness of their faith in him. Let us remember those youths, and children, and women, among the rest of these worthies (indeed among the worthiest of them) who were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. In vain were all the terrors of persecuting rage and cruelty opposed to these triumphs. They submitted to imprisonment, and banishment., how dear soever their liberty and their native country might be; they quitted their commodious habitations for rocks, and caves, and their comfortable apparel for sheep-skins and goat-skins. And when deserts and dens could no longer shelter their wretchedness, but they were seized by their blood-thirsty enemies, they beheld and endured, undismayed, the most horrid instruments of death. When the piercing sword entered their vitals, when overwhelming stones dashed them in pieces, when the torturing saw was tearing out their very entrails, there was a principle within superior to all these, which nothing could pierce, which nothing could rend away, which nothing could overwhelm. God hath done an honour to our nature in raising up such illustrious persons, of whom the world was not worthy, and whose distinguished worth could never have been manifested in the eyes of their fellowcreatures, had it not been called out to such rigorous trials. Well might they rejoice on any terms in their dismission from a state of existence, so far beneath the elevation of their views. And though their names may be perished from among men, and the distinct history of each lost in the crowds of countless multitudes, yet are they all in remembrance before God; and the death of each of his saints, in such circumstances, peculiarly precioua in his sight. They are nbw bathing in those rivers of delight, which flow through the celestial paradise, and waiting the full consummation of their hope in that better resurrection, in the views of which they suffered so bravely. In the mean time, they look down, as it were, from the battlements of heaven, upon our combats, upon our race.. O, let them not see us basely shrinking back, or loitering ! Let us lay aside every weight; let us especially guard against the sin which most easily besets us. And to establish all our fortitude, and to awaken all our ardour, let us look to an object brighter and nobler than all these, even to the Son of God, the Sun of righteousness, shining in high pre-eminence above all this cloud, and as it were gilding it by the reflection of his effulgent rays. Let us look to Jesus, who leads us on; to Jesus, who will complete the triumph of our faith, and set the crown on the head of every one who overcometh ! Let us daily think, what agony, what ignominy, he endured for us; and let every consideration of noble ambition, of duty, and of gratitude, fire our souls, and add wings to our zeal: so shall we at length share his joy, and sit down victorious with him on his throne, as he hath also overcome, and is set down with the father on hic throne. SECTION XIX.The Afiostle animates them to bear and improve their afflictions, and to exert themselves to promote the interest of peace and holiness. Ch. xii. 3—14.3 T7' OR consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners J. against himself, that you may not grow weary, nor faint in4 your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against5 sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation*, which speaketh to you as to sons. "My son, despise not the chastening of the6 Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked by him. For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, and scourgeth every son whom he re7 cciveth." If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with8 sons; for what son is there whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye are without chastisement, of which all are partakers, then are ye9 [a spurious,racef] and not lawful sons. .No\v if, when we had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, we gave them reverence; shall wc not much rather be in subjection to the father of spirits, and10 live? Tor they indeed for a few days corrected us, as they thought good ; but he for our advantage, that we may be partakers of his11 holiness. Now it is true all chastening for the present seemeth not to be matier of joy, but of grief; but afterwards it yieldeth the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those that are exercised12 therewith. Therefore take courage, lift up the hands that hang13 down, and strengthen the feeble knees : and make straight paths* Or, have ye forgotten the exhortation? Prov. iii. 11, 12. + W.—" Bastards." D. There were among the heathen many base born children, whose education was probably so neglected as to become proverbial. for your feet, that the infirm may not be turned out of the way, 14 but may rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.REFLECTIONS.In what clearer words can these exhortations of the apostle be expressed! by what more powerful motive can they be enforced! Behold, the whole of our duty comprehended in one word: to fotlow after peace and holiness! Behold the most awful engagements suggested, that no man, whatever his profession or hope or confidence may be, can possibly see the Lord without it! What a solicitude should it awaken to cultivate holiness in ourselves^ to promote it in others, and to remove every obstruction as much as possible. "Awaken our spirits, O Lord, by the good Spirit, that the most languid hands and feeble knees, may be strengthened and confirmed." And that they may be strengthened, let us look to our great Leader; to him who passed through so many years, in the midst of the most violent opposition, the most perverse contradiction. Surely we might see enough to animate us to maintain the combat, even till we left the last drop of our blood in the place, when we strive against sin, against his enemies and ours, to deliver us from the power of which, he assumed flesh and blood, and died.He, the best beloved Son, was distinguished by his Father's chastisement, though there was not the least degree of failing in him to deserve it. But the chastisement of our peace was upon him. And shall we who have merited to be chastised with Scorpions mourn at the rod? Let this scripture be attentively reviewed, and laid up in our mind, to dispose us to the most exemplary patience under affliction; and to guard against the opposite and dangerous extremes, of despising divine corrections, or fainting under them. Would we wishto be excused from the tokens of God's paternal love? Would we wish to be neglected, as if we were illegitimate, rather than cultivated with the discipline of beloved children? Were we submissive to our earthly parents, and shall we rebel against our Father in heaven? Shall toe not be in subjection to the Father qjf'o ir spirits, and live? May our souls remember the unanswerable argument and the awful motive to this subjection. In what would opposition end, but in death? and how unreasonable would that opposition be? Is God in these latter ages of the world become an arbitrary and tyrannical being, that his proceedings should now be suspected and censured ? Is he no longer concerned for the profit and advantage of his children ? or is it no longer desirable to be partaker of his holiness ? of that holiness, which. is to fit us to see and enjoy him for ever? Lord, should each of us say, I bless thee, that thou hast made me partaker of thy providential bounties, of thy gospel, of thy grace, in any degree : but O, my soul longs to be partaker of thine holiness, to bear thine image more completely, as the great glory and blessedness of my nature. For this therefore would I submit to thy corrections, though for the present ever so grievous, and wait those peaceful fruits of righteousness which will be so rich an equivalent for all. SECTION XX.Cautions against despising the blessings of the gospel, enforced by the woriderful manner of their introduction, which even that of the Jewish acono^ my did not equal. Ch. xil. 15—29.15 T OOK to it therefore with the greatest care^ Ie*st any one fall 1 4 short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring16 ing up, occasion trouble, and by it many be defiled: lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal gaveIT away his birth-right. For ye know that, when afterwards he would gladly have inherited the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no room for repentance* though he sought it earnestly with tears.—-The superior privileges of the gospel add weight to these cx18 horiations. For ye are not come to Sinai, the mountain which was the object of touch*, and to the burning fire, and the thick19 cloud, and darkness, and tempest, and to the sound of the trumpet, and the voice of words, which they who heard, entreated20 that the word might not be continued to them: (for they were not able to endure that which was pronounced; and it was threatened, if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or21 struck through with a dart. And the appearance was so dreadful,22 that Moses said, 1 do exceedingly fear and tremble:) but ye are come to mount Sion j and to the city of the living God, the heav23 enly Jerusalem j and to myriads of angels; to the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are written in heaven; and to God the judge of all; and to the spirits of the righteous made24 perfect; and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant; and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than the 25 blood of Abel. See to it, that ye reject not him that speaketh s For if they escaped not who rejected him that gave forth oracles on earth, how much more shall we not be able to escape if we turn26 away from him that speaketh to us from the heavens? whose voice then shook the earth; buf now he hath promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also the heaven." (Hagt 27 ii. 6.) And this expression yet once more, signifieth the removal of the things shaken, the ordinances of Moses, as of things which were constituted, only for a time, that the things not to be shaken28 might remain. As therefore we have received an unshaken kingdom, let us have gracef whereby we may serve God in an accepta29 ble manner, with reverence and pious fear. For our God is a consuming fire.* Dr. Wall is inclined to think ? may have been omitted, and that the passage originally was "the mount which might Not be touched." See ver. 20, and Lx. xix. 13. W. renders it "a mountain spread all over and burning with fire."f ?'Holdfast the gift." M. "Have thankfulness." W.Vol. II. P p REFLECTIONS. The glories of the eternal Jehovah are indeed inconceivable and immutable. Still he is possessed of all that awful majesty which he displayed on mount Sinai, and able in a moment, as a devouring fire, to consume the transgressors of his law. But though he kindly reminds us of this dreadful scene, he docs not limit and confine our views to it: he appears to us, not on that mountain, which was involved in blackness, and darkness, in tempest, and fire; but calls us to the milder glories of mount Sion. Yet even there might our consciousness of guilt cause us to fear. How should we appear in the city of the living God, or presume to mingle ourselves with the general assembly and church of the first-born? How should we hope for a place among myriads of angels and the perfected spirits of the just, in the presence of God, the Judge of all, if it were not for the refuge and support, which we find in Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and in the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than the blood of Mel? But being thus encouraged, let us draw near with humble boldness, though with reverence and godly fear ; while we hear the voice that once shook the earth, speaking to us in accents of love, and promising a kingdom that cannot be moved. That kingdom do we in some degree receive now, and we hope for the full possession hereafter. It shall indeed be obtained, if we learn so to value it, as in the expectation of it, to serve God acceptably, in the improvement of that grace which awaits us, to make us equal to his service: only let us see to it that we do not, by our own criminal negligence, fail of that grace: that we do not profanely and foolishly follow the example of that wretched Esau, who stands recorded with so much infamy, as havingfor one sorry meal sold his birth-right, with all his sacred privileges. How many sons of Abraham, having followed him, have found, as he did, the impossibility of retrieving so fatal a bargain ; found, as he did, that there was no place for repentance, though they may have sought it carefully with tears; with an anguish of heart, which none can conceive, but they who know what final and everlasting despair means! May God preserve all his churches from such roots of bitterness, as, alas! have too often sprung up among them! And since there is so much danger, that many may be defiled by them, let those that have a real concern for their honour and safety, be looking round, with a proper solicitude, to guard against the first appearance of what may be so fatal to their honour, their purity, and their peace.SECTION XXI.Exhortations to brotherly-love, purity, contentment, stedfastness in professing the truth, thankfulness to God, and benevolence to man. Ch. xiii. 1—16.1,2T ET brotherly-love continue. Be not forgetful of hospitality; 3 I 4 for some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember them who are in bonds, as bound with them: and them that suffer ill treatment, as being yourselves also in the body. 4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the marriage-bed undefiled; but 5 whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be free from covetousness; be content with such things as ye have: For he hath said, "I will not, I will not leave thee ; I6 will never, never, never forsake thee." (Josh. i. 5.) So that we may take courage to say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not7 fear what man shall do unto me." Remember those deceased persons, who having presided over you, have spoken to you ths word of God; whose faith imitate, considering the end of their conver8 sation. And remember that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, to9 day, and for ever. Be not carried about by various and foreign doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established in the grace of the gospel, not in Jewish meats, by which they who have10 been conversant in them have not profited. We have an altar of a spiritual nature*, from off which they have no authority to eat who11 attend divine service in the tabernacle [for their justification.'] For the bodies of those animals, whose blood being offered for sin, is carried by the high-priest into the holy placef, are burnt without12 the camp [as things unclean.] Therefore, as we may say, Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered with13 out the gate of Jerusalem. Let us therefore go out, as it were, unto14 him without the camp, bearing our part of his reproach. For we15 have here no abiding city ; but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us always offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is,16 the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But be not forgetful of doing good, and of communicating to those in necessity, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.REFLECTIONS. Those other expensive sacrifices which the Mosaic law required, are now entirely abrogated. Let us consider this as an additional engagement upon us, to abound more and more in those of unfeigned benevolence and real charity ; rejoicing, that the God of our lives, who gives us all, will condescend to have any regard to them. And let our brethren in Christ be remembered with that distinguishing affection which suits the relation in which we stand to them ; and in -whatever bonds of affliction they may be bound, let us endeavour - to make their fetters sit lighter upon them, by every thing which our compassionate assistance can do for that purpose; considering ourselves as in the body.—That u e may be ready to all such kind offices, let us endeavour to overcome the love of money, which is the root of all evil. Let us learn (and O, that divine grace may effectually teach us !) to moderate our desires, to be contented with what providence allots us, whether more or less, and to trust in God, as to the supply of our future wants. Well may we not only trust, but even boast in him, when we consider in how endearing a manner he hath declared, with* Viz. that dignified by the sacrifice of the Son of God. [By a metonymy the altar is put for the sacrifice. M.]j- From this and other passages it has been inferred that the temple was standing when this epistle was written. such reiterated assurances, that he will never, never, never leave us; that he will not, yea, he will not forsake us. Surely, the language of ths most cheerful and courageous faith well corresponds to that of so gracious and soul-reviving a promise. Let faith then put a reality into it, or rather glory in that certain reality which there cannot but be in every promise ; especially as Jesus Christ, in whom this, and all the promises are confirmed to us, is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. And let this thought support us under those breaches which may be jmade on the church by death. Christ ever lives to guard and protect it, and to maintain those great truths which in every age have been the joy and confidence of his people. Let our attachment to him, therefore, be preserved inviolable, and the purity of our souls unspotted. And let us never fear to share in his reproach, in whosq glory we have such a security of sharing ; but cheerfully go, as it were, out of the camp, to him who suffered crucifixion for us without the gates of the city. Were we culled to endure martyrdom for his sake, he would only lead us out of a mean and precarious taber? nacle ; for we have here no continuing city ; but then he will conduct us, if we are faithful to him, to a city so durable, that its fpun? dations are represented by rocks of solid gems: so glorious, that its pavements are described as gold, and its gates as pearl. May our faith be daily beholding it as near; and may we feel every day more of its attractive influence, to render us superior to all that earth can pro^ misc, and to all it can threaten, while we are passing thither. Un? tier his guardianship, let us daily be offering the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name, as well knowing, that while we are on our journey to the New Jerusalem, no mountain can be so steep and rugged, no valley so deep and gloomy, as not to admit of the songs of Sion. SECTION XXII.The Apostle concludes with recommending particular regards to pious ministers, adding some salutations, and a solemn benediction. Ch. xiii. 17, &c.17 BEY them who preside over you,' and submit yourselves to them; for they watch for your souls, as those that must render an account ; that they may do it with joy, and not with groan18 ing; for that is unprofitable and dangerous for you. Pray for us s for we are confident that we have a good conscience, determined19 in all things to behave honourably. And I especially beseech yqu to do this, that I may quickly be restored to you from this con-finement. 20 Now may the God of peace, who hath brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep*, by the21 blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every goodwork, that you may do his will; producing in you that which is acceptable in his sight by Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for everf " That shepherd of the sheep, great by the blood," &c. W. 22 and ever. Amen.—But I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word23 of exhortation ; for I have written to you in a few wordsf. Know, that our brother Timothy is set at liberty}:, with whom, if he24 come soon, I shall see you. Salute all that preside over you, and25 all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all, Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let those whom God, in-4he course of his providence, hath called to preside over the souls of others, remember to watch Over them with a becoming diligence, considering that an impartial account will shortly be required; considering, that if they do not properly conduct themselves in this important office, their blood, who perish by their neglect, must be required at their hands. And let the people committed to their care be concerned, that the faithful servants of Christ may discharge their office with joy, and not with grief; that they may not from time to time be sent with groanings, and with tears, to the presence of their great Master, to lament the obstinacy, perverseness, and rebellion of those over whom God hath made them watchmen and shepherds. The grief would now sensibly affect the minister; yet, on the whole, as he would be to God a sweet savour in Christ, in them that perish, as well as in them that believe, the greatest detriment would fall on those who have made such ungrateful returnsto the divine goodness and to their fidelity That all other dutiesmay be more regularly and properly discharged, let private Christians be engaged to pray earnestly for their ministers; for those especially who make it apparent, that they desire to maintain always a good conscience : and that whatever sacrifices they may be called to make to it, they are determined in all things to live reputably and honourably, so that the ministry may not be blamed, but the Christian profession in general adorned. And God grant, that none but persons of such a character may be introduced into the ministry, or supported and countenanced in it!Let pastors and people, be often looking to him who is the great shepherd of the sheep, and whose relation to the flock is established on the blood of the everlasting covenant. Ever may the thoughts of that Wood engage us to regard him with all due veneration and love; ever may we be looking to him who, through this blessed Saviour, apfeears as the God of peace, for every blessing we respectively need. ?\Ve all need his gracious influence, to implant the first principles of the divine life; and we need them to make us perfect to do his will, and to work in us those things which may render us more completely pleasing in'his sight. And therefore let an humble dependence on his grace be daily maintained and expressed; considering of how great importance it is to be acceptable in the sight of God, and to approvej- " Briefly," on these subjects, considering their importance. M. [As this epistle is far from being a brief one, perhaps this expression may refer only to the exhortations in uie cluse. Ed.] % " Sent away." M. [Q. Is not this mention of Timothy a presumptive argument that raid was the writer of this epistle i Ed. ourselves at all times to him. That it may be so, may grace be with iis all, and continue with us, from the first entrance on the Christian life, through the whole course of it, till it presents us blameless in the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy. Amen. 'HIS cpistle and the six following have been called catholic, or general, because they are not inscribed to particular churches or persons, but to Jewish or Gentile converts dispersed in several countries. The author of this epistle was not James the elder, the son of Zebedee, but the son of Alpheus, and the brother or kinsman of our Lord, called James the less, one of the twelve apostles. This epistle is supposed to have been wriiten about the year 60. The design of it was, to correct those errors both in doctrine and practice into which the Jewish Christians had fallen, and to establish the faith and animate the hope of sincere believers under their present and their approaching sufferings. The Apostle, to fortify Christians under their trials, represents the benefit of them, and God's readiness to communicate wisdom and grace, in answer to the prayer of faith ; also the vanity of all worldly enjoyments. Ch. i. 1—16.1 TAMES a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the2 J twelve tribes in dispersion, greeting. My brethren, count it3 all joy when you fall into a variety of trials; knowing that the4 proof of your faith worketh patience; and let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and complete, deficient in5 nothing. But if any of you be deficient in wisdom, let him ask it from God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not, and it6 shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a billow of the sea, driven on and tos7 sed by the wind. Let not that man therefore think, that he shall8 receive any tliing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unsettled in all his ways.9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in his exaltation as a 10 Christian : but the rich, in his humiliation of mind; for as the11 flower of the grass he shall pass away. For no sooner is the sun risen* with a scorching heat, but the grass is dried up, aiid the flower thereof falleth, and the beauty of its form is perished:THE EPISTLE OF JAMES.SECTION I.* Gr. " For the sun riseth." M. Ml sooner is unnecessarily supplied. 12 so shall the rich man also fade away in his paths. Happy is the man, who endureth temptation ; for being approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them13 that love him. Let no man, who is tempted, say, I am tempted of God ; for God is incapable of being tempted by evils, and he14 tempteth not any man. But every man is tempted, being allured15 by his own lusts, and ensnared*: For indeed lust having conceived, bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finishedf, bringeth16 forth death. Therefore:): be not deceived, my beloved brethren, wilh its flattering form. REFLECTIONS.Let us learn this holy caution, and guard against those bait* of lunt under which death is concealed ; remembering that God has made us with a power of determining our own actions; that he temptt none to evil, nor appoints to any such temptations as he knows to be in their own nature irresistible. Ye our spiritual enemies ever so powerful, or ever so artful, they cannot do us any hurt, till we betray ourselves into their hands. Yet certain it is, that their artifice and their power, in conjunction with the advantage which the corruption of our own hearts give them, make it requisite that, conscious to ourselves of our deficiency in wisdom, we should ask it of God. Let the liberality with which he gives it, and the royal freedom with which he has promised it, encourage us to ask it with such constancy, that we may receive daily supplies; and with firm confidence in his goodness, that we may not waver, and be like a wave of the sea tossed by ihe wind. Trusting in that supply of grace we receive from him, let us go forth calmly and cheerfully to meet such trials as the infinite wisdom of God shall appoint for us, how various and pressing soever they may be ; remembering they tend to imprcrue our patience, and by patience to perfect every other grace; and that if we be not overcome, -we shall be approved and made more meet to receive the crown of life ?which the Lord has promised to them that love him. And O, that the love of this blessed Lord, who has procured as well as promised it, may always render us superior to every trial, and more than conquerors through him that has loved us, and thereby hath acquired to himself so just a claim to our supreme affection. With hearts faithfully engaged to him, and established in the firmest resolutions for his service, let us look with indifference upon those worldly circumstances, about which they who have no sense of a higher interest are exceedingly solicitous; and let us regulate our value of all the good things of life,by a regard to their aspect upon our religious characters and hopesIf low circumstances may improve these, let us look upon them as true exaltation; and if wealth, and dignity, and applause, may endanger these, let us rather fear them, than aspire to them. Whatever we have obtained of those things which the men of the world are* The original words have a singular beauty and elegance, alluding to the drawing fishes out of the water, with the hook concealed under the bait. f " When her full time is come." W. M, note. $ The Alex. MS. has ??> therefore, after most ready to covet and admire, is transitory and fading as the grass, or even as the ftower of the field; and sometimes like those beautiful, but tender productions of vegetable nature, is consumed by the excess of those causes to which it owes its existence andits beauty. "Give us, O Lord, durable riches, and righteousness, and that honour luhich cometh from thee, and is immortal, as its great original."SECTION II.He urges the goodness of God, as a motive to every virtue; and recom-mends a candid reception of his word, and a concern to follow its di-, rections; to bridle the tongue and succour the afflicted. Ch. i. 17, &c.17 T7* VERY good gift, and every perfect gift* is from above,descend-, t A ing from the Father of lights, with whom there is no varia18 bleness, nor shadow of turning. Of his own will he impregnated us with the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits19 of his creatures. Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man20 be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of21 man worketh not the righteousness of God. Therefore laying aside all filthiness, and overflowing of malignity, with meekness receive the ingrafted word, which is able to save your souls,22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving23 yourselves. For if any one be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a mirrorf:24 for he beholdeth himself, and gocth away, and immediately for25 getteth what manner of person he was. But he who looketh into the perfect law of liberty, the gospel, and continueth therein, this man, not being a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, shall be26 happy in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion27 is vain. Pure and undefiled religion before God, even the Father, is this, to take the oversight of orphans, and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.REFLECTIONS. With all gratitude let us direct our eyes and our hearts to the unchangeable Father of tights, and acknowledge every good and perfect gift, as descending from him ; but above all, the invaluable gift of his regenerating grace, to which, if we are the first fruits of his creacures, we are certainly indebted, and are thereby laid under the strongest engagements to consecrate ourselves continually to his service. Let us therefore listen with a most obedient regard to every intimation of his will, and set a guard upon all our passions. that they may move in sweet and harmonious subjection to it. Especially,* In the Gr. two different words are used, but the author could not think of two English ones corresponding. Might not the latter be rendered Donation? f "Or, Glass."—It is-to be remembered that Looking-glasses were not then invented. Ed. Ifet us be slow to wrath, arid not imagine that we can be justified in the exorbitances of our angry transports, because they may possibly arise in the cause of religion. The righteousness of God is not to be promoted, but on the contrary, will be disgraced and obstructed, by such outrageous, ungovernable sallies. Let every impure and malignant affection be therefore banished from our minds, and let us pray that the word of God may be so ingrafted into our souls, as to become the effectual means of our salvation. Let us not rest in a mere forgetful hearing, or indeed in an ineffectual remembrance ; but having looked into the gospel, that perfect law, which by binding the soul, gives it the truest liberty^ let us by divine assistance continue therein, and improve to the immediate purposes of reformation, whatever knowledge we thereby gain ; correcting whatever we observe amiss in ourselves. Particularly, let us study a proper command over our tongues, and cultivate those charitable dispositions and offices, in which true and undcfiled religion is here said to consist ; that widows and orphans may give us their blessing* as their guardians and friends; and that an unspotted life, untainted with the vices of a degenerate ag-ef may bear witness, that though in the world, we are not of it, an<i that we act in consistency with those sublime and holy ends to ?which we profess as Christians to aspire.SECTION III.i Cautions against undue respect to men's external circumstances, and a partial observation of the divine precepts. Ch. ii. 1—13.1 "II /TY brethren, hold not* the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,2 _LV1 the Lord of glory, in a partial respect of persons. For if a man come into your synagogue with a gold ring, and splendid3 dress, and there come in also avpoor man in sordid raiment; and ye have a respect for him who weareth a splendid dress, and say to him, Sit there in an honourable place ; and say to the poor4 man, Stand^thou there, or sit here under my foot-stool; and distinguish not in yourselves their characters, but regard their ap5 pearance, yotf even become judges who reason illf. Hearken, my beloved brethren: Hath not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised6 to them that love him? But you have 'dishonoured the poor man. f_And why this partiality ?] Do not the rich tyrannize over you,If and drag you to their tribunals? Do they not blaspheme fWe hon8 ourable name by which you are called? But if you fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, "Th6u Shalt love thy neighbour as9 thyself," ye do well. But if ye accept the persons of men, ye to work iniquity, being convicted by the law as transgressors. For-whoever shall keep the whole law, but allowedly offend in one* " Do ye not hold f M.+ " Verily do ye not make a difference—and are become judges possessed ef evil thoughts.'' lb. Vol. II. Q q 11 particular, he is in effect guilty of all. For he that saith, " Thou shalt not commit adultery," hath also said, "Thou shalt do no murder." If therefore thou art not an adulterer, but committest12 murder, thou art a transgressor of the law. So speak, and so act,13 as those that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, who hath not exercised mercy i and on the other hand, mercy rejoiceth against judgment, and emboldens our hopes before the God of mercy. REFLECTIONS. The apostle could not intend to condemn those civil distinctions which are founded upon the different relations and circumstances of mankind in the present world; but surely God intended to teach us, how little esteem he sets upon Riches, by bestowing them on many of the most undeserving of mankind, while he with-holds them from hisdearest children: and to admire them and others, on account of their riches, while we pour contempt on the fwor, as poor, though so many of them are distinguished by the riches of the divine favour, must be highly unreasonable, and to God highly offenisve. As for those who are poor in tliis world, but rich in faith, let them adore the divine munificence to them, and think with pleasure of those durable riches, andof that everlasting kingdom, which God has prepared for them as their inheritance. Whatever our stations be, let us pray that the royal law may be inscribed upon our hearts, and that we may love our neighbours as ourselves; guarding against that mean and prohibited respeel of persons, which would expose us to conviction, as transgressors of the law. Let us also learn to guard against that partiality in our obedience to it, which is utterly inconsistent with sincerity. Let us remember, that the divine authority equally establishes every precept of it, and that the generous nature of the gospel-dispensation, as a law of liberty, will be a sad aggravation of our presumptuous violation of it. A consciousness of those many defects and imperfections, which the best of men may see reason to charge themselves with, should certainly engage our most earnest application to God for mercy; and as we desire to obtain it, let it be our care to exercise mercy to others, both in the candour of our censures on the one hand, and the* readiness of our liberality on the other.SECTION IV.The inefficaey of a mere historical faith. Ch. ii. 14, $cc.14 TV If ANY of you seem la value yourselves upon the mere profession °f Christianity. But what advantage is there, my brethren,if any one say, He hath faith, but hath not suitable works? Can15 [this] faith save him! If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute16 of daily food^ and one of you say to them, Depart in peace, be warmed and fed to the full ; but if ye give not to them the things ne17 cessary for the body, what doth it profit? So also faith, if it have18 not works, being by itself, is dead. But perhaps one may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: Shew me thy faith without * 19 thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils a.lso20 believe and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith21 without works is dead? Abraham our father, was he not justified22 by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? Thou seest that faith co-operated with his works, and by works r his faith23 was perfected. And so the scripture Was fulfilled, which saith (Gen. xv. 6.) " Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness: he was even called the friend of God,24 Is. xli. 8.) You see then that a man is justified by works,25 and not by faith only. In like manner also Rahab the harlotf; was she not justified by works, when she received the spies, and26 sent them out another way ? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.REFLECTIONS. Let this great and important lesson, which the apostle here teaches SO plainly, and inculcates so largely, be never forgotten. It is true indeed(as St. Paul elsewhere fully proves) that we are justified byfaith in Christ, without the works of the law.' The works of the Mosaic law are by no means necessary; and it is not by our obedience to any law, . but by embracing and resting upon the mercy of God in Christ, for our salvation, that we obtain it. Nevertheless, it is vain' to pretend to fluch a faith, if good works are not produced by it; and we might as soon expect the guardianship and counsel, the offices and consolations of friendship, from a dead corpse, as happiness from a mere assent, even to the most important doctrines. Let us therefore endeavour to shew our faith by our works. Let us be ready, with Abraham, to offer up our dearest comforts to God. Let us, with Rahab, be willing even to expose our lives in the defence of God's people, and his cause; otherwise our faith, being of no better a kind than that of the devils, will leave us the companions of their misery and despair; even though the conviction should now be so powerful as to make us tremble; of a false persuasion of our enjoying privileges to which we are utter strangers, should give as strong an emotion to any of the softer passions. Let faith then be active and influential. Let love be without dissimulation. Let us not love merely in word, but in deed, and charge it upon our consciences to be ready to authenticate by the most substantial offices of humanity, the profession we at any time make of JHendly wishes, or kind intentions. Otherwise, such professions will be worse than unprofitable, as, by encouraging only a false dependence and expectation, they will make the disappointment proportionably grievous and afflictive, to those whom we hypocritically, or lightly, pretended to compassionate or succour.* "By." D. The author has here followed most of the printed copies. But theC. 1. Without thy works, is supported by the Alex- and other MSS. and confirmed by v. 20. It is therefore retained by M. and W.\ So she had been, but was reclaimed.—The falsehood she told the spies was a sin of ignorance, the effect of her heathenish education. M. SECTIONV.0 Cautions against being too forward in assuming the office and character of teachers; a strict government of the tongue recommended. Ch. iii. 1—12.1 "\/|"Y brethren, be ye pot many teachers, knowing that we who XVJL bear that office, [if we errj shall undergo greater judg2 ment than others. For in many things we all offend. If any one offend not in word, hp it a perfect man, able also to bridle in the3 whole body. Behold we put bridles into the mouths of horses,4 that they may obey us; and we turn their whole body. Behold also how the ships, though they be so large, and agitated by violent winds, are turned by a very small helm, whithersoever the5 steersman pleaseth. So also the tongue is but a little member, yet boasteth great things. Behold how great a quantity of mate6 rials a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set, and holds such rank, among our members that [if impure] it defileth the whole body, and inflam7 eth the circle of nature, and is set on fire by hell. Every species of wild beasts and birds, of reptiles and fishes, is subdued, and hath8 been subjected by men. But the tongue no man can subdue; it 9 is an insuperable evil,full of mortal venom. By it we bless God, even the Father; and by it we curse men, who are made after the}0 likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth the blessing and the curse. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11 Doth a fountain from the same opening send forth sweet water 12 and bitter? Can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives? or a vine, figs? So no fountain produceth brackish water and sweet. In like manner we ought to maintain a consistency in our discourse. REFLECTIONS. Let this pathetic discourse of the apostle concerning the difficulty and importance of governing our tongues aright, engage us to the strictest care on this great article of practical religion, of which so many are careless, in which the most are so far deficient, as to entitle those to the character of perfect men, who do not here offend. Let us entreat the assistance of divine grace, that we may keep- our mouths as with a bridle that we may steer this important helm aright, lest by the mismanagement of it, we shipwreck even our eternal hopes. Let us be cautious of every spark, where there are so many combustible materials; and take heed, lest we and others be defiled, and infernal flames kindled and propagated. It is indeed a difficult, but in conser quence of this a glorious toil, far more glorious than to subdue the fiercest animals, or the haughtiest enemies: let us therefore resolute? ly make the attempt, and learn to employ our tongues, as indeed the glory of our frame, to bless God even the Father. And let the rejnembrance of that similitude of God, in which men are formed, make us tender of all their interests; but especially careful, that we do not jnjure them by unkind reproaches, or detracting speeches; and $p much the rather, that we may maintain a consistency between the words of devotion addressed to God, and those of converse with our fellow-creatures. So shall the well-spring of wisdom, rising up in our hearts, and streaming forth from our lips, be as a flowing brook. Let those, who are by providence called to be teachers of others, set a double guard upon their words, not only in public, but in private too, as peculiar notice will be taken of them; and the honour of religion, one way or another, be greatly affected by the tenour of their discourses. And let the awful account which such are to give, tha greater judgment they are to expect, prevent any from intruding themselves into such an office, without suitable qualifications, and a regular call. May God enable them to judge rightly concerning that call; and where it is indeed given, may his grace furnish them for tkeir work, and his mercy cover those many imperfections, which the best will see room to acknowledge and lament. SECTION VI.Cautions against censoriousness, animosities, and the love of the world: pray* er for divine influences recommended. Ch. iii. 13.—iv. 10.13 "TTT7*HO is wise, and a man of sense among you? Let himV V shew, out of a good conversation, his works with the14 meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter zeal, and contention15 in your hearts, boast not, and lie not against the truth. This is not the wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sen16 sual, diabolical. For where zeal and contention is, there is conVI fusion, and every evil work. But the wisdom which is from above,is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily to to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those that make peace,jv. Whence are wars and fightings among you? is it not hence;2 from your lusts, which war in your members? Ye covet, and have not: ye kill, and ye earnestly desire, and cannot obtain: ye fight,3 ye wage war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not [the thing you desire] because ye ask amiss, that ye may4 squander them away upon your lusts. Ye adulterers, and adulteresses*, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity against God? Whoever therefore will be a friend to the worjd, is5 adjudged to be an enemy of God. Do you think the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the holy Spirit that dwelleth in us,6 lust to envy? No. But he gives greater grace : as it is said (Prov. iii. 34.) "God setteth himself in battle array against the proud,7 but to the lowly he giveth grace." Subject yourselves therefore 3 to God: resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nearto God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, O ye 9 sinners, and purify your hearts, O ye double-minded. Lament,* So called in a spiritual sense, fixing their love on the world. and mourn, and weep : Let your laughter be turned into mourn10 ing, and your joy into sorrow. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will raise you up.REFLECTIONS. If we desire the character of -wisdom, let us learn from the oracles of eternal truth, how it is to be obtained—by meekness and a good conversation. Let us avoid that infernal wisdom, here so severely and justly branded, which consists in knowing the most effectual methods to distress others. On the contrary, let us pray, and study, and labour for that which is from above, and of which so amiable a character is here given. And so far as it can be obtained without injuring conscience, let us cultivate universal peace; and let a gentle and placable temper, an impartial and sincere disposition, be ever inviolably preserved, even when we are obliged to contend with others, about matters of the highest importance; remembering, that the more sacred the cause is, the more solicitous we should be that we do not injure it-by a passionate or iniquitous management of it. Thus let us sow the fruits of righteousness in peace*; and wait the promised harvest; leaving wars and contentions to others; lamenting them, and praying that God would cause . them entirely to cease. And that we may be less obnoxious to those temptations, whereby others are betrayed into them, let us endeavour to gaurd against those lusts and passions which give a disproportionate value to the objects about which those contentions arise. Does God brand them with this character of adultery ? Let us preserve our souls pure from such affections, as ever we desire that our prayers should be acceptable to God. May his grace subdue all the workings of pride, of luxury, and of envy; and produce in our hearts more and more of that humility, to which he will give more grace ; engaging us, when thus invited, to draw near to him, to ask aright what we need from him, trusting his promise that he will draw nigh to us, and that when we humble ourselves before him, he will raise us up. Cleansing our hands, let us endeavour to purify our hearts too. So may those who have hitherto been double-minded, hope to attain an establishment in religion, in conjunction with that established peace, which no carnal affection, even when most fully gratified, can either afford or admit.SECTION VII.Cautions against evil speaking, and vain confidence in futurity, or in any worldly possessions: afflicted Christians encouraged to wait patiently for the coming of the Lord, Ch. iv. 11.—v. 1—8.11 T) RET H REN, speak not evil of one another. He that speakJJ eth evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law. But if thou judge the law, thou12 art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is abte to save and to destroy. Who art thou that judgest another? 13 Come now, ye that say, To-day, or to-morrow we will go to such I* a city, and spend a year there, and traffic, and get gain; whereasye know not what shall be on the morrow: For what is your life?It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little while, and then va15 nisheth away. Whereas ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall16 live, and do this or that. But now you rejoice in your boastings:17 All such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him, that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.v. Come now, ye rich men, weep and howl over the miseries that2 are coming upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your gar3 ments are moth-eaten: your gold and silver are cankered, and their rust shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as4 fire. Ye have laid up treasures for the last days. Behold the wages of the labourers who have reaped your fields, who have been defrauded by you, crieth; and the out-cries of those who have gathered in your harvest, have come into the ears of the Lord of hosts.5 Ye have lived delicately and luxuriously upon the earth : ye have6 pampered your hearts, as for a day of slaughter. Ye have condemned and murdered the righteous one, and he doth not resist you.7 Be ye therefore, brethren, patient till the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth; and exerciseth patience with respect to it, till he receive the for8 mer rain, and the latter. Be ye also patient; strengthen your hearts ; for the appearance of the Lord is near.REFLECTIONS. Let the lain of that one great Legislator, who is able both to save and to destroy, be always seriously remembered and considered; that we may not affront his authority in pretending to judge others, nor set ap for judges and, in effect, condemners of the law, by the severity of those censures which we pass upon our brethren. We are happy in knowing that sacred rule of life, if we obey it; otherwise, that knowledge of it which adds an aggravation even to sins of omission, -will much more aggravate every presumptuous opposition to it. Let us look on this world as a scene of great uncertainty ; and on life, as a flattering vapaur, which vanishes while we are beholding it : and let a sense of its shortness and uncertainty, and of our own ignorance what shall be on the morrow, engage us to be very careful, that we do not presume upon the future, as if it were in our own power ; but set ourselves with all possible diligence to improve the present time; referring the disposal of all future events, to the wisdom of that God on whom it depends to determine whether we shall live, and do this, or that. Let rich men read the address of the apostle to persons in their circumstances, with holy awe, and with a jealousy over themselves, lest their present prosperity be succeeded with misery, and their joy with weefiing and howling; as it undoubtedly will be, if wealth be unjustly gotten, or sordidly hoarded up, or luxuriously employed to pamper their appetites, while the truest and noblest use of it, the relief of the poor, and the benefit of mankind is forgotten. Especially have they reason to tremble who abuse wealth and power as the instruments of oppression. Soon will all their stores be wasted; soon will they become poor and indigent, and find a terrible account remaining, when all the gaieties and pleasures of life are utterly vanished. In the mean time the saints of God may be among the poor and the oppressed; but let them wait patiently for the day of the Lord, for his coming is near. They sow in tears, but let them comfort their hearts with the view of the harvest ; in like manner as the husbandman demands not immediately the fruits of that seed he has committed to the furrows. Adored be that kind providence, which gives the former and the latter rain in its season. To him from whom we have received the bounties of nature, let us humbly look for the blessings of grace^ and trust him to fulfil all his promises, who without a promise to bind him, in particular instances, gives us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filing our hearts with food and gladness* SECTION VIII.He inculcates moderation andfortitude, cautions them against swearing; recommends prayer, confessing our faults, and a concern for the common salvation. Ch. v. 9, 8cc.9 TJ E not inwardly incensed against each other, brethren, that yovt JD be not condemned: behold the judge is standing before the10 door. My brethren, take for an example of enduring adversity, and of long-suffering, the prophets, who spake in the name of the Lord.11 Behold, we esteem them happy who endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job ; and ye have seen the end of the Lord how he concluded his heavy afflictions; that the Lord is full of compassion, and of tender mercy.12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath; but let your yea, be yea, and13 your nay, nay; that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any among you afflicted ? let him pray. Is any cheerful ? let1* him sing psalms. Is any one among yon sick ? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing15 him with oil* in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he hath committed sins which have brought this visitation upon himy 16 they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man, wrought by the energy of the Spirit, is of great17 efficacy. Elijah was a man subject to the like infirmities with us, and he prayed with a fervent prayer, that it might not rain; and it18 rained not upon the land for three years and six months. And he then prayed again, and the heavens gave rain, and the land put19 forth its fruits.—Brethren, if any one of you wander from the truth, ?0 and one turn him back; let him know, that he who turneth backa sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and so cover a multitude of sins.* A token that a miracle was going to be performed, and not otherwise used. Mark vi . 13. M. REFLECTIONS. May it ever be remembered by all, and especially by the ministers of the gospel, of how great importance it is to be instrumental in saving a soul from death, an immortal soul from everlasting death ; that so they may be animated to the most zealous and laborious efforts for that blessed purpose; and think Jhemselves richly rewarded, though it were for the otherwise unsuccessful labours of a whole life, by succeeding even in a single instance. In this view, may there be a care to bring them to the truth, that so they may be converted from their wandering ways, that their understanding being convinced of the truth and importance of the gospel, their conduct may be practically influenced by it; and that upon such steady principles, as may effectually prevent their return to their wanderings again. Thus may a multitude of sins be hidden, and the glory of God, and the salvation of men, be effectually promoted.Whatever trials we may meet with in these charitable efforts, or in any other part of duty, may we take the prophets of old, and the apostles of our Lord, for examples of suffering adversity and patience; especially remembering their Lord, and ours; remembering how abundantly the patience of good men has been rewarded; the end of the. Lord with respect to holy Job, and many others who have trod in his steps in succeeding ages; and remembering especially, that the Judgestands at the door, that in a very little time he will appear, not only to put an end to the trial of his servants, but to crown their virtues and graces. In the mean time, the bowels of his compassion are abundant, and he will not be wanting in communicating all necessary consolations and supports. - May we be so happy, as to be acquainted with those of devotion, that in our affliction we may pray, and in our cheerfulness, sing psalms; that we may know by blessed experience the efficacy of such a temper to soften the sorrows of life, and to sweeten its enjoyments. And as we desire to be visited of God in our afflictions, may we with Christian sympathy be ready to visit and relieve others in their sickness, or other kinds of distress. It is indeed the special office of the elders of the church, who should be sent for upon snch occasions with readiness, and who, if they be worthy of their office, will attend with pleasure.. But it is not their office alone. Let us be ready to pray for each other, in faith and charity; and where offences have been committed, let there be a frank and candid acknowledgtnent of them on the one side, and as hearty a forgiveness on the other. In a word, let the efficacy of the fervent prayer of the righteous be often reflected on, to excite fervour, and to engage to righteousness, and to lead us to honour those who maintain such a character, and who offer such petitions and supplications; that God may, in answer to their requests, shower down his blessings upon us, that our land may yield its increase, that righteoumess may spring up out of the earth, and that in every sense, God, as our own Godx may bless us. THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER.*H? sentiments of learned men on this question, To whom was this epis-* tie written? are various. On the whole it appears most probable tliat it w:is addressed both to the Jewish and Gentile converts, who were dispersed in various regions of the world. The evident design of it is, to induce them to a conversation not merely inoffensive to all men, but in all respects worthy of the gospel; and to support them under the severe persecutions they already endured, or were likely to endure. It is commonly thought to have been written about the year 61, the seventh of Nero. Peter congratulates his brethren who were dispersed abroad, in being called to the glorious privileges and hopes of the gospel; and expatiates on the sublime manner in which it was introduced. Ch. i. 1—12.1 |) ETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect strangers, who J7 are scattered abroad through Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia,2 Asia, and Bithynia; elect according to the fore-knowledge of God the Father, by sanclifieation of the Spirit to obedience, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be mul3 tiplied unto you.—Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath regenerated us to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the4 dead, to aninheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reser5 ved in the heavens for you, who are guarded by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, prepared to be revealed in the last6 time. In which you greatly r rejoice, though now for a little while, if it be necessary, you are grieved amidst various trials.7 That the little trial of your faith (far more precious than that of gold which perisheth, though it be tried and purified with fire) may be found to praise, and honour, and glory in the great day of 8 the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen ye love, and in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice9 with unutterable and glorified joy ; receiving the end of your faith,10 even the salvation of your souls. Concerning which salvation, the prophets, who predicted the grace which was appointed to you,11 sought and diligently enquired : searching to what period, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, did refer, when he testified long before, the sufferings which were to come12 upon Christ, and the glory which was to succeed. To whom it ivas revealed, that it was not to themselves, but to us, that they ministered these things, which now are declared to you, by those who have published the glad-tidings of the gospel among you, by the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to bend down to contemplate* SECTION I.* Alluding to the-bending posture of the cherubims on the mercy-seat. REFLECTIONS.Are we desirous of rendering it apparent to ourselves, and all around us, that we are indeed the elect of God? Let it be, by an humble application to the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus, on the one hand, and by the evident fruits of the sanctification of the Sfiirit unto obedience, on the other.—The abundant mercy of God, hath begotten real Christians to the lively hope of an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance, reserved in heaven for them: let us keep it steadily in view, and earnestly pray, that God would preserve us by his mighty power through faith unto salvation. Whilst we are -waiting for this salvation, it is very possible, yea probable, affliction may be our portion; but let us remember, it is, if need be, that we are in heaviness through manifold temptations. Our faith and our other graces, are as it were thrown into the furnace, not to be consumed, but refined; that they may be found unto praise and honour and glory at the. appearance of Jesus Christ. Even at the present, may this divine faith produce that love to an unseen Jesus, which is here so naturally expressed by the apostle; and though now toe see him not, yet may that love be eminently productive ofjoy, even that joy which is unspeakable andfull of glory; and, in the lively and vigorous exercise of these graces, may we all receive the end of our faith, even the everlasting salvation of o\\v souls! Let what we are here told of the prophetic writers be improved as it ought, to confirm our faith in that glorious gospel, of which these holy men have given in their writings such wonderful intimations and predictions; writings which we have such excellent advantages for more distinctly and clearly understanding, than even they themselves did. What exalted ideas should we entertain of a dispensation introduced by such a series of wonders, preached by the inspired prophets, and by the Holy Ghost in his miraculous gifts and salutary influence sent down from heaven: a dispensation into the glories of which the angels desire to pry; how much more worthy then, the attention of the children of men, who are so nearly concerned in it, who were redeemed from everlasting destruction by the blood of the Son of God ? O ! let us review it with the closest application, and improve it to the infinitely gracious and important purposes for which it was intended. Then will grace and peace be multiplied to us; and however we may now be dispersed and afflicted, pilgrims and strangers, we shall ere long be brought to our everlasting home, and meet together in the presence of our dear and condescending Saviour; where having a more lively sense of our obligations to him, and beholding his glory, we shall love him, infinitely better than at this distance we have been capable of, and feel our joy in him increased in a proportionable degree. SECTION II.Exhortations to watchfulness, to sobriety, to love, and to obedience, enforced' by our relation to God, our redennption by the blood of Christ, the vanity of worldlyenjoyments, and theperpetuity of the gospel. Ch. i. 13, &c.13 r I THEREFORE girding up the loins of your mind, and beingI sober, hope unto the end, for the grace which shall be brought unto you, in the great day of the revelation of Jesus Christ.14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the15 former lusts in the time of your ignorance ; but as he hath called you to this glorious light is holy, be you yourselves also holy in the16 whole of your conversation: For it is written," Be ye holy, for I17 am holy." (Lev. xi. 44.) And if ye call upon the Father, who, 'without respect of persons, judgeth every one, according to his work, converse during the time of your sojourning in the fear of 18 God. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as with silver and gold, from your vain conversation ?19 ceivedby tradition from your fathers ; but with the precious blood20 of Christ, as a lamb unblemished and unspotted; who was indeed fore-appointed from the foundation of the world, but made mani21 fest in these latter times for your sakes; who by him trust in God that raised him from the dead, and gave him glory, that your22 faith and hope might be in God. Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth, through the Spirit, to an undissembled brotherly-love ; love one another out of a pure heart, intensely:23 having been regenerated, not by corruptible seed, but by incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and endureth for24 ever. For all flesh is as gras|, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, and the flower there25 of falleth; but the word of the Lord abideth for ever. Now this is the word, which is preached to you in the gospel,REFLECTIONS. Let it be matter of our daily delightful meditation, that while we clearly discern the uncertainty of all human dependencies, which wither like the grass, and fall like the flower of the field, the word of God is permanent and immutable. Let us cheerfully repose our souls on this stable, unfailing security; gratefully acknowledging the goodness of God, that he hath condescended to lay a foundation for our hope, so firm apd durable as his own infallible word, and to make that word the incorruptible seed of our regeneration. If we have indeed experimentally known its efficacy and power, so that our sou/s are purified by obeying ihe truth, let us carefully express our obedimee to it, by undissembled, fervent brotherly-love; and animated by our glorious and exalted hopes as Christians, even that divine and illustrii ous hope of the grace to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ, let us set ourselves to the vigorous discharge of every duty, as knowing that we should be children of obedience, having the excuse of ignorance no longer to plead for the indulgence of our lusts, but by a holy God, being Galled with a holy calling, and instructed to invoke him, at once, as our gracious Father and impartial Judge. It is worthy of our special remark, that the blessed apostle urges vis to Jiass the transitory and limited time of our sojourning here in fear, from the consideration of our being redeemed by the blood of the Son of God, which is a price of infinitely more value than all the treasures of the universe. And certainly there is a mighty energy in the argument; for as it is a very amiable, so it is also a very awful consideration- What heart so hardened, as not to tremble at trampling on the blood of the Son of God, and frustrating, as far as in him lies, the important design of his death? Frustrating the design of a scheme, projected from eternity in the councils of heaven, and at Jength made manifest with every circumstance to convince our judgments, and engage our affections. And while we are reflecting on the resurrection and exaltation of our Redeemer, as the great foundation of our eternal hopes, Jet us dread to be found opposing him, -whom God hath established on his own exalted throne; and with the utmost reverence let us kiss the Son; in token of our grateful acceptance of his mercy, and cheerful and humble submission to his authority. vSECTION III,fie urges them, by their Christian privileges, to receive the word with meekness, to continue their regards to Christ, as the foundation of their hopcs and by their beliaviour adorn his gospel. Ch. ii . 1—12.1 'THEREFORE laying aside all malignity, and all deceit,2 X. and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings; as newborn infants, desire that rational and unmingled milk [the word of 3 Gurf,] that ye may grow thereby; since you have tasted that the4 Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as to a living stone, disal5 lowed indeed of men, yet chosen of God, and precious, ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.6 Therefore it is contained in the scripture, " Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, chosen, precious; and he that confideth in7 it, shall not be ashamed." (Is. xxviii. 16.) To you therefore -who believe, it is precious, but as for those who are disobedient, the stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the$ corner; and to themselves a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. They being disobedient, stumble at the word; to which9 also they were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should declare the virtues of him, who hath called you out of darkness, into his marvellous10 light: Who once were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but have now obtained mer11 cy.—Beloved, I beseech you as strangers and sojourners, that ye abstain from carnal lusts, which make war against the soul; 12 having your conversation honest and honourable among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they being eye-witnesses of your good works, may glorify God in the day of their visitation, in which the gospel is preached among them. REFLECTIONS. Let us examine our own hearts seriously and impartially, with respect to those branches of the Christian temper, and those views of the Christian life, which are exhibited in this excellent portion of holy writ. Let us especially inquire, in what manner, and to what purposes we receive the word of God. Is it with the simplicity of babes, or children? do we desire it, as they desire the breast? do we lay aside those evil affections of mind, which would incapacitate us for receiving it in a becoming manner? And does it conduce to our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace? have we indeed lasted, that the Lord is gracious? do we experimentally know, that to the true believer the Redeemer is inestimably precious? have we indeed come to him, as to a living stone; and notwithstanding all the neglect and contempt with which he may be treated by many infatuated and miserable men, by wretches who are bent on their own destruction, do we regard, and build on him as our great and only foundation? and do we feel that spiritual life diffused through our souls, which is the genuine consequence of a real and vital union with him ?—If these be our happy circumstances, we shall never be ashamed or confounded; for this is that foundation which God hath laid in Zion; and the united efforts of earth and hell to rase or overturn it, will be scattered as chaff and stubble, and by the breath of God be rendered utterly vain and ineffectual.Arc we conscious of our high dignity, as we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people? Are our hearts suitably affected with a sense of the divine goodness,' in calling vis to be a people, who once were not a people; and us beloved, who were not beloved; in leading us from the deplorable darkness of ignorance and vice, in which our ancestors were involved, into the marvellous light of this gospel; yea, in dissipating those thick clouds of prejudice and error, which once vailed this sacred light from our eyes, that its enlivening beams might break in upon our souls? And are we now showing forth his praises? Are we now offering to him spiritual sacrifices, in humble dependence on Christ, our great High Priest, who continually intercedes for our acceptance with God? Then shall we indeed make our calling and our election sure, and shall ere long appear in his heavenly temple, both as kings and priests unto God, to participate of our Redeemer's glory, to reign with him, and minister to him for ever.Let us be careful, in the mean time, to remember, that we are strangers and sojourners on earth, as all our fathers were; and that our days in this transitory life are but as a shadow that declineth; and let us learn to regard the appetites of our animal nature, and the interests of this mortal life, with a noble superiority, reflecting, for how little a space of time they will solicit our attention. And as for fleshly lusts, let us consider them as making war against the soul; arming ourselves with that resolution and fortitude which is necessary to prevent their gaining a victory over us; which would be, at once, our disgrace and our ruin. There is an additional argument to be derived, for a strenuous opposition to them, from our circumstances and situation in the present world; where there are so many enemies to our holy religion, who cannot be more effectually silenced than by our good conversation. Let it be, therefore, our principal care to cut off from them the occasion of speaking against us as evil-doers; and by exhibiting a clear and unexceptionable pattern of good works in our daily conversation, let us invite and allure them to improve the day of their visitation, and glorify their father who is in heaven. S E C T I O N IV.The Apostle urges a due care as to relative duties; subjection to governors and to masters, though harsh and severe; enforcing all by the patience of our Lord Jesus under his sufferings. Ch. ii. 13, &c.13 T3 E subject to every human constitution of civil government, for14 _D the Lord's sake; whether it be the king, as supreme, or to governors as sent by him, in order to the punishment of evil-do15 ers, but to the praise of them who do well. For so is the will of God, that by doing good ye should bridle in the ignorance of16 foolish men. As free, yet not using your liberty as a veil of17 wickedness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love18 th e brotherhood. Reverence God. Honour the King.—Ye domestic servants, be in subjection to your own masters with all reverence ; not only to the good and the gentle, but also to the19 froward. For this is graceful and deserves applause, if anyone for the sake of conscience endure grief, though he suffer unjust20 ly: For what glory is it, if, when ye have committed an offence and are buffeted for it, ye endure it? But if, when you have done good and yet suffer, ye endure it, this is graceful and acceptable 21 before God. For to this you were called; because Christ himself suffered for you, leaving you* an example, that you might22 follow his footsteps: who did no sin, neither was deceit found in23 his mouth; who being reviled, reviled not again; and suffering, threatened not; but committed himself to him, that judgeth2 4 righteously. Who himself bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being freed from sins, might live unto rightcous25 mess; by whose stripes ye are healed. For ye were like sheep going astray, but now ye are turned again to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.* The Alex- and other MSS. have you, which best suits the sense and con? nection. REFLECTIONS.As the honour of God is eminently concerned in the regard shewn by his people to the relative duties, let us out of a due respect to that, pay a very careful and diligent attention to them; that the ignorance of foolish men, of those who reproach our good conversation in Christ, may be utterly silenced. Let magistrates especially be reverenced, and in all things lawful, obeyed. And if they desire to secure reverence to their persons and authority, let them remember the end and design of their office, namely, to be a terror to evil doers, end a praise and encouragement to the regular and virtuous. And let us, who rejoice in our liberty, that liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, be very careful, that it be not abused as a cloak of licentiousness; but as we would manifest our fear and reverence of God, let us remember to honour the king; yea, to render to every man, in every station and character, the esteem and respect which he justly claims; feeling at the same time, the constraints of a peculiar affection to all those who are united to us, by the endearing character of our breihren in the Lord.—Should men who fill superior stations and relations in life, not be so regular and without exception, in their private and public deportment as they ought, let us perform our duty, not only to the gentle and obliging, but to the perverse and fraward; remembering our Lord's example, which was set before us that we may follow his steps. And let his marvellous love in bearing our sins in his own sacred body on the tree, endear both his example and his precepts to our souls, and constrain us to a holy conformity to him.Since he who is the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, came on the most gracious and condescending errand of seeking and saving that which was lost, of gathering us into his fold, who were wandering in the way to perdition; let us shew so much gratitude and wisdom, as not to wander any more; but as we regard our security and our very life, let us keep our shepherd in our eye, submit ourselves to his pastoral inspection, and cheerfully follow him, in whatsoever path he shall condescend to conduct us.SECTION V.The duties of christian wives and husbands. Ch. iii. 1—7. 1 T IKEWISE, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; I .< that if any be disobedient to the word of the gospel, they may without the word be gained over by the deportment of their wives;3 beholding your chaste conversation in the fear of God. Whose adorning let it not be merely external, in the plaiting the hair, in4 putting on gold, or in wearing of apparel; but the hidden man of the heart, in what is incorruptible; even the ornament of a meek5 and quiet spirit, which is highly precious in the sight of God. For so the holy women also, in ancient times*, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:6 As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him Lord: whose daughters* So M. and W. "Long since. " D. you are, so long as ye do well, and are not terrified with any amazement, or danger you may meet with in the way of your duty. 1 Ye husbands, likewise, dwell with your wives, according to your knowledge of the gospel; allotting an honourable subsistence to the woman, as the weaker vessel less able to labour, and live and converse together as those who are joint-heirs of the grace of life; that your joint prayers may not be hindered*, nor the pleasures of devotion be impaired by alienation of heart. REFLECTIONS. Let us observe with a pleasing attention, how greatly solicitous all the apostles are, not only to establish the doctrines of Christianity, but to inculcate its precepts; particularly those which refer to the relative duties of life. The comprehensive argument by which St. Peter enforces those of one peculiar relation, may be considered as also enforcing all the rest; I mean, the tendency of our exemplary behaviour, to win over those who are without the word, or are disobedient to it. In this manner let us all plead the cause of our Lord and Master. And this silent, this winning eloquence will, by the divine blessing, be powerful and effectual.—The vail of modesty is decent in all, and an humble caution, and fear of offending, are to be considered as duties of universal obligation. But if the weaker sex are commanded to aim at a noble superiority to the concerns of this animal life, and to the parade and vanity of dress, it may with geater reason be expected from menr who boast of their superior understanding, and larger experience. They, not only from Christian humility,but, one would think, even from a manly pride, should be raised above such childish ornaments, in contriving and adjusting which, many who are styled rational creatures, spend much too large a portion of their precious time, and for the sake of which they neglect the cultivation and embellishment of their intelligent and immortal part, and the securing a happiness that will never have an end: as if glittering in the eyes of our fellow-worms were so desirable a thing, that it wereworth while, for the sake of it, to expose ourselves to condemnation from God! Let the hidden man of our heart be more our care; and when that is rightly governed, the proper conduc.t of our external behaviour will be natural and easy.Let us labour to walk according to knowledge; to behave as those who have been well instructed in the science of the gospel, in comparison of which all other sciences are ignorance and vanity. Let us be ready to make allowance for the natural infirmities of those about us. Especially, let hziSbands consider those of their wives (not as an encouragement to oppression, than which nothing could be more ungenerous, but) as an engagement in all honour and conscience to a tender and respectful behaviour. How becoming and amiable is such conduct in those who through divine grace are heirs of eternal life! * These words seem strongly to intimate the great importance of social prayer ; as, when we s hortly expect to unite in acts oidomcstic devotion, a concern not to be notoriously unfit tor it, will be a guard upon our general behaviour.Vol.. II- S s And if a clue care be not maintained on this head, there will be an indisposition for social and for secret /payer; and when the pleasures of devotion are destroyed or embittered, it is not to be expected any other kind of pleasure, worth the regard of a rational creature, can long continue.SECTION VI.Various arguments to enforce an inoffensive, benevolent, arid useful life, and to a courageous adherence to religion. Ch.iii . 8—17. 8 r I ''O conclude this head, be all unanimous, sympathising, full of9 X. brotherly-love, compassionate, friendly : not returning evil for evil, nor reproach for reproach; but on the contrary, blessing, knowing that to this purpose ye were called, that ye might iuher10 it a blessing. For (as it is said, Ps. xxxiv. 12.) he that would love life, and sec good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil,11 and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil,12 and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it: for the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their supplications; but the face of the Lord is against them that do13 evil. And who shall hurt yon, if ye imitate him who is supreme14 ly good? But if you should suffer on account of righteousness, ye are happy. Therefore fear not their terror, neither be troub15 led ; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be always prepared to offer an apology to every one that demandeth of you an account of the hope, which is in you, with meekness and reverence:16 Having a good conscience, that wherein they speak against you as evil doers, they may be ashamed, who revile your good con17 versation in Christ. For it is better to surfer, if it be the will of God, for doing good, than for doing evil.REFLECTIONS. How very astonishing, and lamentable is it, that when the way to happiness is so plainly delineated, so few should find it! What man is there, who does not desire life, and love many days, in which he may see good? Yet how few tongues are kept from evil, how few lifts froni speaking guile .' How few decline from evil, and do good I How few *eck peacc, and pursue it I On the contrary, how much low cunning and artifice, and what discords and contentions reign among mankind L And tliey often issue in those bloody wars and fightings, which arise from those lusts that war in our members. Hw detestable, and how miserable, do these perverse and ungovernable passions render us I How sadly do they prevent the ascent of our prayers to God, and the descent of his mercies upon us! Mercies, which he is ever ready to impart to those who are meet and disposed to receive them. ? There is notwithstanding a little remnant, who are righteous before kirn; and to them his gracious eye is continually directed for their good: to their cry, yea to the soft whispers of their supplications, his ears are ever open. Honoured and happy above all the children of men are they who have the favour and the attention of the great Sovereign of the universe. Who will be able to hurt or injure them, should they have malignity enough to' wish and attempt it 1 And as this loving-kindness of the Lord is thus productive of security and happiness to his people, let it engage us to be followers and imitators of him, who is supremely good. We may then face all the menaces of a frowning world with an holy intrepidity, and sanctfying the Lord God in our hearts, making him our fear and our dread, we need not have any terrible apprehensions of what men or devils can do unto us. Yea, we shall in that case, not only have nothing to fear, but every thing to hope, which can conduce to our real and everlasting felicity. Encouraged by these important considerations, let it be our care, in the fear of God, to study and endeavour clearly to understand the foundations of our religion, and of our glorious hopes, that we may be able to defend it against every attack, however formidable, and to give an account of our hope to all who shall demand it, in sweet harmony and complacency oi soul, undisturbed with the disquietude, and untainted. with the example, of those who render evil for evil, and railing for railing. On the contrary, let us greatly triumph over all ill-usage, by repaying it with good; and may a sense of that important blessing, 'which by the gospel we are called to inherit, diffuse that pleasnre and happiness through our whole souls, which may carry them above the resentment of the little injuries we receive from the unkindness of men, and dispose us to every genuine expression of that unlimited benevolence which should fill and expand the hearts of those who are thus feasted with the divinest hopes and consolations. SECTION VII.The Afiostle urges the atonement, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ, the obligation of the baptismal covenant, and the solemnity of the last judgment, to engage them to a life of mortification and holiness. Ch. iii. IS—iv. 6.18 Tti'j better that you should suffer for doing well than for doing X evil, because Christ also once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might introduce us to God ; being indeed put19 to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit : by which Spirit granted to his servant.A'oah going forth, he preached to the wicked 20 spirits now in prison: who were long since disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was prejjaring ; in which few, that is eight souls, were2 1 carried safely through the water. The anti-type* to which doth now save us, J mean baptism ; not the putting away the pollution of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience in the pre22 sence of God, by the resurrection of Jesus.Christ; who is at the right-hand of God, being gone into heaven; angels, authorities,iv. and powers being made subject to him.—As Christ therefore hath* The thing which corresponds with and was figured by that Ark; or is the instrument of our preservation as the- ark was of their*. suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind ; for he who in conformity to Christ hath suffered in the flesh,2 hath ceased from sin, so as no longer to live his remaining time in the flesh, according to the lusts of men, but according to the will3 of God. For the time of life that is past, may be sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the gentiles, when ye walked in lasciviousness, inordinate desires, excess of wine, banqueting, drunk4 enncss, and unlawful idolatries. In respect to which they think it strange that you run not with them into the same profusion of5 riot, speaking evil of you : who shall give an account to him that6 is ready to judge the living and the dead. For to this purpose the gospel was preached also to the Gentiles, who were dead in sins, that they might be judged according to men in the fleshf, but might live according to God in the spirit ; being brought to'a spiritual and divine life. REFLECTIONS,Let our devoutest meditations frequently dwell on the benefits we receive by the death of Christ, and the wonderful manner in which they are conveyed. The important end for which he suffered, the just for the unjust, was to introduce us into the presence and favour of God: let us rejoice, that we are brought nigh to the infinite majesty of heaven, the indefectible source of perfection and blessedness; and always live in a state of nearness and intimacy with him; dreading the most distant approach to that disobedience to the heavenly message, which even after the patience of God waited on them, proved fatal to the sinful inhabitants of the old world. That patience indeed waits upon us ; but as their time was limited, so is ours.—For ever blessed be the Father of mercies, that by Christ he hath made provision for our salvation, as he did of old for Noah and his family, by commanding him to prepare an ark. But then let us remember, the baptism that saves, is not the putting away the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God. If we have this inward witness, let the resurrection of Christ, and - his exaltation to supreme glory at the right hand of the Father, encourage oursublimest hopes; and let us triumph in him as our all-sufficient Saviour, who, though he were once crucified, now sits on the throne of his glory, principalities and powers being made subject to him. Let the recollection of his bitter sufferings excite our zeal and courage in his sacred cause, and arm us with a conformity of sentiments and resolutions to his own; that we may cease from sin; that we may spend the residue of our lives, not in following the lusts of the flesh, but in fulfilling, in all respects, the will of our God. Let us often reflect, that, perhaps, we were long insensible of his sacred autho-i rity, and in many instances were the sport of irregular appetites and passions: let the past part of our lives suffice, and be deemed more than sufficient, to be spent- in this inglorious and detestable slavery.I Might be brought to such a state of life, as their carnal neighbours will esteem a condemnation to death. D.—" That although they might be condemned indeed by men in the flesh (i. e. carnal men) they might live," &c. M. By mortification let us assert our liberty. And though others 'wonder at our abstinence, severity, and self-denial, let us not envy that excess of riot into which, with unbridled eagerness, they allow themselves to run. But seriously considering the awful account they must render (though alas! so ill prepared for it) to the great Judge of quick and dead; let us readily choose, and cheerfully submit to the severest mortification which God may require of us. Let us rather embrace a life which infidels would esteem death., than expose our immortal souls to the judgment of God, to his condemnation, from which there lies no appeal, and which will consign over impenitent sinners to an execution infinitely dreadful, beyond their utmost fears luid apprehensions. SECTION VIII,He exhorts them to watchfulness and fidelity in improving their several talents, and to fortitude amidst their persecutions.—The inevitable destruction ?ivhich will overwhelm the impenitent. Ch. iv. 7—19.7 TJ UT the end of all things is at hand: Be sober, therefore, and8 Jj watch to prayer: Above all things maintaining fervent love9 towards one another; for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be10 hospitable to each other, without grudging. As every one hath received the free gift of God, exercise it towards each other, as11 good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If.any one speak, let him handle the subject as becometh the oracles of God. If any one minister, let it be according to the ability which God supplieth; that God may in all things be glorifie* by Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12 Beloved, be not surprised at the fiery trial which is to try you,13 as if some strange thing had befallen you j but rejoice, as being partakers of the sufferings of Christ; that. when- his/glory shall14 be revealed, ye may be even transported with joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ,ye are happy, because the Spirit of glory and of God restcth upon you: though he is blasphemed15 on their part, yet on yours he is glorified. But let not any of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a malefactor, or a3 over busy16 in the affairs of others*. But if any of you suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this respect:17 because the time '* coming when judgment is to begin at the house of God. And if it begin first with us, what shall be the end of18 those who are disobedient to the gospel of God? And if the righteous be saved with difficulty, the ungodly and the sinner, where shall19 he appear? Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God, commit their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator, in well doing.* Some understand this of aspiring to public authority. REFLECTIONS. Let us continually bear in mind the approaching end of all things; and then we shall neither omit the exercises of devotion, nor grow supine and careless in the discharge of them. Then we shall be engaged through a sense of our need of the divine clemency and indulgence, to exercise forbearance and candour, and maintain the most fervent charity to all without distinction; and we shall then be more disposed to consider ourselves as stewards, and as such, be concerned to behave with all good fideliiy, both in the use and enjoyment of our possessions, and in the exercise of those gifts and endowments with which God hath been pleased to intrust us. To this they should especially attend, who are called to speak in God's name; they should consider, that his oracles are committed to them; and though they cannot pretend that the instructions they deliver from thence, are revealed to and impressed upon their minds by immediate inspiration, yet a reflection on the general nature of the glorious gospel, and on its important and everlasting consequences, may well dispose and form them to an humble awe and reverence in their manner of handling and dispensing it; and may remind them, that on the whole, in every ministration of the word of life, in every distribution of charity, and office of kindness, the main end to be pursued is, That God may be glorified. If, in the cause of Christ, providence should call us out to encounter the severest persecutions, and even fiery trials, let us not be astonished, as if some strange thing had happened to us j let us not bo discouraged, nor think ourselves hardly dealt with in such divine appointments; remembering that in this case we are only partakers in the sufferings of Christ; that we only tread in the same rough and thorny path in which he walked before us; and that in due time, if we continue faithful to him, we shall also be made partakers of his glory. In the mean while the Spirit of God and of glory will rest upon us ; only let us be jealous of his honour with & godly jealousy, and be greatly concerned, that our sins and indiscretions may not throw a blemish on a profession which derives its appellation from him. Glorious are the privileges indeed which belong to the disciples of Christ; but they, notwithstanding, draw very awful consequences after them. For judgment begins at the house of God, and even his dearest children are exercised with trials of their fidelity and patience. Let us prepare for them before they come, that when they do come we may bear them honourably, committing the keeping of our souls to him, as to a faithful Creator, in well-doing. But let the wicked and the ungodly meditate terror; for the vengeance of God will find them cut; the great day of wrath will come; and who can be able to stand? May divine grace reclaim those who are now exposed to so terrible a condemnation; lest they know by experience, what no words can describe, no thought conceive, the end of those who obey not the gospel of God. ?S<>. 'IPETERV. 1—U. ?S3SECTION IX.?xhortationa to ministers and private Christians; en/breed by their being called to eternalglory, andafter their sufferings made perfect. Ch. v. 1—14.1 'I \HE Elders among you I exhort, as I also am an Elder withJL them, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a2 partaker of the glory which shall be revealed. Feed the flock- of God, that is among you, superintending it not by constraint, but3 willingly ; not for dishonourable gain, but of a ready mind; not assuming dominion over those who fall to your lot*; but being ex4 amples to the flock: and when the chief shepherd shall appear, you shall receive an unfading crown of glory.5 Likewise, O ye younger persons, be in subjection to those who are more advanced in age. Yea, let all of you be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility; for God opposeth himself6 to the proud; but giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty Hand of God, that he may ex7 alt you in due time: casting all your anxious care upon him, for8 he careth for you. Be sober, be watchful; for your adversary the devil is walking about, like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may9 swallow up: whom resist, being stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren, who10 are in the world. But may the God of all grace, who hath called us to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, when you have suffered for a little while, make you perfect, confirm, strengthen, and es11 tablish you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.12 Amen.—I have written briefly to you by Silvanus, as I suppose, a faithful brother; exhorting and testifying that this is the true13 grace of God, wherein ye have hitherto stood. The church, which is in Babylon chosen with you, saluteth you; and so doth Mark my14 son and convert. Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all, who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Thjs apostolic charge should be received with the profoundest regard and submission, by all those who profess to reverence the authority of Christ, who thus, by the mouth of his servants, bespeaks their attention; and it should both regulate their conduct, and animate and exalt their hopes. Let us therefore attend to this venerable elder, this witness of the sufferings of Christ, who on the mount of transfiguration, had been favoured with an illustrious representation of that glory, wherein our Lord shall be hereafter revealed, and with which he will then invest all those, who, in his cause, have approved themselves faithful until death. Let ministers, especially, ever maintain a most affectionate and respectful regard for the flock of God, and take the oversight thereof with a ready and generous mind, and be ex* The congregations committed to their care, alluding to the division of Canaan by Lot\ amples to it in the mild and condescending temper of their common Master, as well as in all other graces and virtues. It is indeed possible, they may pursue such a conduct as this, and meet with very little esteem or recompense, yea whh injurious and unworthy treatment from their fellow-men. But a croiun of glory, a royal diadem, incorruptible and immortal, will be hereafter conferred on them by their 'exalted Saviour, in the day of his triumphant appearance; and this crown, in itself so illustrious, will be a mark of still more distinguished honour, as it will be placed on their victorious heads in a season of such solemnity, in the view of the whole assembled world, and of the innumerable company of angels.—But in the mean time, while we are continued in so lowly a condition in the present world, let us all cultivate humility of mind, being clothed with that amiable virtue, which is certainly the most graceful ornament of our nature; an ornament of singular value in the eye of that God, whose approbation is the surest mark and criterion of excellence and honour. And that we may accordingly entertain the more humble and lowly conceptions of ourselves, and the more grand and venerable ideas of the almighty creator, preserver, and disposer of all things, let us often and seriously reflect upon his mighty hand; how gloriously it hath been displayed in the infinite variety of the works of nature, in the continual agency and operation of providence, and in the wonderful scheme of redemption and salvation; how powerful and resistless it is in the execution of all its works; and yet how graciously its awful power is tempered and moderated, and to what kind and merciful purposes it hath been already exerted, and still is, in behalf of such degenerate and unworthy creatures as ourselves. By these considerations, let us be disposed to bow to every divine dispensation with all resignation and submission ; fixing our dependence upon a power so wisely and graciously exerted ; rejoicing that we are permitted to cast our cares on God, and abhorrkig both the ingratitude and folly of fainting and sinking under our burthens, when we are favoured with the permission of relying on him; indeed, with a paternal command, as well as permission ; 'which accordingly requires our obedience in point of duty, as well as of gratitude and honour.Our great adversary the devil is still continually prowling round the fold of Christ; and therefore it behoves us to be constantly on our guard. And if we would escape both his wiles and his power, let us be especially careful, that neither our security nor intemperance, give him an advantage over us: but, on the contrary, as it is nothing less than our utter and eternal destruction he aims at, let us strenuously resist him, in the exercise of a steady faith, and with a firm resolution. Let us also remember, that trials and afflictions have been the lot of all the people of God in all generations ; and that the God of all grace is i able, if it seem good to his infinite wisdom, to shorten and contract the lime of our sufferings, and by means of them whilst they last, to strengthen and perfect our immortal souls. Let us therefore, as the close of all, continue to stand fast, in what is so authentically testified to be the true grace of God; and real substantial peace will be with usy will be our everlasting portion, in Christ Jesus. Amen. THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER.'I ''HIS epistle was probably written about the year 67, six years after the former. The general design of it is, to confirm the doctrines and instructions therein delivered: to excite the Christian converts to adorn and stedfastly adhere to their holy religion, as from God, notwitlistanding the artifices of false teachers, whose characters are described at large, or the persecutions of their inveterate enemies. SECTION I.Peter congratulates the Christians on the happy state into whidh they were brought by the gospel; and urges tliem to improve in its graces and virtues Ch.i. 1—11.1 Q< IMON Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to lO those who have obtained like precious faith with us, in the2 righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, by the acknowledgment of God,3 and of Jesus our Lord. As his divine power hath given unto us all things which relate to life and godliness, through the knowl4 edge of him who hath called us by glory and virtue, by means of which* are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these you may be made partakers of a divine nature; having escaped the corruption which is in the world through lust:5 And for this purpose, applying with all diligence, add| to your6 faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliT ness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to this brotherly8 kindness, love. For if these things exist and abound in you, they will permit you to be neither inactive, nor unfruitful in the know9 ledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that is deficient in these things, is blind, short-sighted, and he hath contracted a forgetful10 ness of his purification from his former sinsj. Therefore, brethren, endeavour so much the more diligently to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.11 For so an entrance shall be abundantly administered to you, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.REFLECTIONS. With all humility let us adore the divine goodness, in making us partakers of the like precious faith with that which he bestowed on the primitive believers. And let it often be considered in this comprehensive and edifying view, as terminating on the righteousness of our * " By whom." M. "t* ** Associate" Di "The sins of his former life." D. This not literal. Vol. II. T t God and Saviour Jesus Christ, on that method of justification by him and his gospel which divine grace hath found out and proposed. With thankfulness let us own the abundant provision made for us, of all things pertaining to life and godliness; and above all, let the exceeding rich and invaluable promises, contained in the gospel, be reviewed with sincere delight, and be esteemed as our securest and most important treasure. May they actually have all that efficacy they are suited and intended to have, to procure and secure our escape from the pollutions ibhich are in the world through lust, and to advance the divine resemblance in oiir souls. How various, and how lovely, are the graces which arc here recommended, as what we are with all diligence to acid to our faith; courage and temperance, patience and godliness, brotherly kindness, and universal charity I These are the genuine fruits of the knowl dge of our Lord Jesus Christ; these, while they honour him, and adorn our profession, will be no less honourable and beneficial to ourselves. Short sighted indeed we are, if we perceive not on the one hand, the happy and delightful consequences which they will finally produce; and on the other, how utterly vain our baptismal honours and engagements, and all external privileges of church-communion, will be, if these vitals of Christianity are wanting. In order to excite our indolent minds to pursue these divine graces with a spirit in some measure proportionable to their excellence, let us frequently reflect on our speedy removal from this world and all its vanities; how soon we must enter upon eternity. O, hew desirable then to enter on the kingdom of Christ; to be honoured with an abundant entrance into everlasting mansions, to be received as with a cordial welcome; to sail, as it were, into that blessed harbour with a full gale of consolation and joy! Be not deceived; God is not mocked. It is the invariable design of the gospel to produce and advance our ho/mess; it is the immutable constitution of the kingdom of Christ, that without it no man shall be permitted to see the Lord. SECTION II.In the view of his dissolutipn, he reminds his brethren, that their religion was attested by a miraculous voice from heaven, and by divinely inspired prophecies. Ch. i. 12, &c . ?12 T 71 THEREFORE I will not neglect always to put you in mind V V of these things, though you know them, and are estab13" lished in the present truth. But I account it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by way of remembrance;14 knowing that I must quickly put off my tabernacle, even as our15 Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. But I will endeavour that you may every one of you have them in remembrance after my16. departure. For we have not been pursuing artfully devised fables, while we made known unto you the power and coming of ourIT Lord Jesus Christ; but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when such a voice was sent forth to him from the magnificent glory, ? This is 18 my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased*. And this voice, which came down from heaven, we heard, when we were with19 him in the holy mount. And we have a surer prophetical wordf, to which ye do well to take heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day-dawn and the morning-star arise in your hearts.20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private im21 pulse. For prophecy was not brought of old by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were borne on by the Holy Spirit.REFLECTIONS. May that uncertainty, that frailty and brevity of human life, which the ministers of Christ are frequently inculcating upon others, be seriously considered by themselves. Let them remember, that they must qujckly put off this tabernacle, and be dismissed from their present state of service; and while they have opportunity therefore, let them stir up the minds of the people committed to their charge by way of remembrance, and give diligence to make such impressions upon their hearts, that when they themselves are laid down in the silence of the grave, and sleeping among the clods of the valley, by the recollection and improvement of the lessons they taught, survivors may be quickened in their preparation to quit their dissolving tabernacles likewise, and to follow their pious leaders into the joy of their Lord. It must undoubtedly yield us ah inconceivable satisfaction as Christians, that vie have not followed cunningly devised fables; that the persons on whcjse testimony we rely as an authentic evidence to the truth of our holy religion, were eye-witnesses of the illustrious facts on which it is founded: and particularly, that important oracle, the voice from heaven (by which the true and living God declared Jesus of Nazareth to be his well-beloved Son, and recommended him to the obedient regard of all who reverence his own authority) was, on the mount of transfiguration, distinctly heard by Peter, James, and John; who at the same time were eye-witnesses of his glory. Yet are we bound to acknowledge the divine oracles of the Oid Testament,mA the numerous and various prophecies, they contain, to be to us a superior, a more sure and incontestible evidence: let us therefore take heed to it, as a glorious light to our feet, and lamp- to our paths. And let what is particularly said of the ancient prophets recommend to our regard the whole sacred volume; namely, that it was not written by private impulse, but by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Let us receive it 'with the profoundest humility, not as the word of man, but as it is indeed and in truth the word of God, which is able to make us wise unto salvation; and let us follow its sacred illumination, till at length it conduct us to the dawning of an eternal day, and to the rising of that bright and morning-star, which will shine out hereafter with the full glory of the Sun of righteousness. v * " I acquiesce." D. Matt xvii. 5.-f " And so we have the prophetic word more firm." i. e. the prophecies ef scripture are hereby confirmed. M. SECTION III.Cautions against false teachers: the judgments executed on fallen angels and wicked men: the deliverance cf Noah and Lot; which should terrify the ungodly, and comfort the hearts of good men. Ch. ii. 1—9.1 "D UT as there were true, so there were also false prophets JD among the people; as there shall also be among you false teachers, who will privately introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them'; bringing upon themselves2 swift destruction. And many will persist to follow their pernicious courses, by means of whom the way of truth will be blasphe3 med. And they by covetousness, with deceitful words, will make merchandise of you ; whose judgment for a long time delayeth4 not, and their destruction doth not slumber. For if God did not spare the angels that sinned, but having cast them down to hell, delivered them to be reserved in chains of darkness to judgment;5 and spared not the old world but r kept, besides seven others, Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, when he6 brought the deluge upon the world of the ungodly: and condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha with destruction, reducing them to ashes, setting them an example to those who should7 afterwards be ungodly; and rescued righteous Lot, grieved by8 the lascivious conversation of these lawless men : (for that righteous man, while he dwelt among them seeing and hearing from day to day, tormented his upright soul by* those unlawful works :)9 the Lord knoweth how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to. reserve the unrighteous to the day of judgment to be punished.REFLECTIONS.There is no church so pure, but some false members, and even false teachers, may insinuate themselves into it; yet it is our duty to watch and pray, that the churches to which we respectively belong, may be guarded against their pernicious insinuations, and especially against the destructive heresies of those who deny the Lord who bought them. As we regard the edification of the church, and the salvation of our own precious and immortal souls, let us guard against whatever may justly deserve such an imputation as this. Woe be to those teachers -who are actuated with a covetous spirit, who teach things which they ought not for the sake of filihy lucre, and make merchandise of the souls of their hearers! How swiftly does their damnation approach, though they perceive not the gradations by which it advances ; and with what irresistible terror will it at length overwhelm them!That our hearts may be preserved under an awful impression of the divine judgments, let us often meditate on those displays of them of which the scripture informs us. And let us, in particular, reflect on the fall of the apostate angels who were for their first offence, precipitated from heaven, and reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of the great day; and while we contemplate this awful dispensation, let us adore that distinguishing grace and compassion which laid hold on apostate man, and provided an all-sufficient Saviour for him. Let us call to remembrance the dissolution of the old -world by a deluge of water, and the tremendous destruction of the ciiies of the plain by fire from heaven; and let us fear that God, who can at pleasure breakup- the fountains of the great.deep, and open the windows of heaven, and emit from these his various magazines, deluges of water, or torrents of burning sulphur, to execute his vengeance. Who can flee from his pursuing hand? or who can be secure and happy but under his almighty protection? Yet awful as the terrors of his indignation are, his eyes are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. What a noble support and encouragement may it therefore be to the small remnant, who from day to day are vexing their righteous souls at the ungodly deeds of the wicked among whom they dwell, to reflect on the deliverance of J\foah, and of Lot, from that general destruction with which they were surrounded. A more perfect and complete deliverance will be at length accomplished for all the faithful servants of God, and there will be no possibility of doubting any more his ability, or his willingness to rescue them from every evil; for he will make the day of his vengeance on his enemies, a day of complete and everlasting salvation to his saints. And the Lord grant that we may all find mercy of the Lord in that important day 1 SECTION IV.He warns them against bein&ierverted by seducing teachers, whose iiifumous charactershe describes. Ch. ii. 10—22.10 TTJ UT in speaking of the wicked who will be thus punished, I inJJ tend especially those, who go after strange flesh, in the lust of uncleanness; and despise dominion. Daring and self-willed,11 they fear not to speak evil of dignities: whereas the angels, who are greater in strength and power, bear not a reviling testimony12 against them before the Lord. But these men, as if they were irrational animals, made to be taken and destroyed, blaspheming things which they do not understand, shall utterly perish in their13 corruption: receiving the reward of unrighteousness, while they account it a pleasure to riot in the day. Spots they are and reproaches, living luxuriously by means of deceits, banqueting with14 you ; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; ensnaring unstable souls; having their heart exercised in avari15 cious schemes; children of a curse: Deserting the straight way, they have wandered; following in the way of Balaam, the son of16 Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness: But he received the reproof of his transgression; the dumb beast speaking with the voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.17 These are fountains without water, clouds agitated by a whirl1 8 wind; to whom is reserved blackness of darkness for ever. Andspeaking swelling words of vanity, they ensnare in the lusts of the flesh, in lasciviousness, those who were quite escaped from 19 them that have their conversation in error. Promising them liberty, they are themselves slaves of corruption; for by whomso50 ever any one is conquered, by him he is also enslaved. For if, having escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are entangled and subdu21 ed by them again, their last state is worse than the first. For k had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it to have turned aside from the holy22 commandment delivered to them. But it is happened to them according to the proverb, The dog is returned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed, to wallow in the mire.REFLECTIONS. It is indeed'matter of grievous lamentation, that such wretches as those who are here described should be any where found in the Chrisrian church. Let us be the less surprised, if any such spots and blemishes are discovered among us, ore whom the ends of the world are come; but let the licentious character, here drawn, be noted with a just abhorrence, that if any such persons are found, they may with becoming indignation be put away. Many there are who seem to be as irrational and ravenous as brute beasts, and are far more pernicious to society, than the race of savage or poisonous animals. They are indeed children of a curse, and they will inherit the curse, who thus contrive to make their lives one scene of iniquity; whose eyes and lips declare more wickedness in their hearts than they have power to execute. But it should be remembered, they are accountable to Gbd, not only for all they do, but for all They desire and wish to do; and they are incessantly aggravating that terrible account. These disciples of Balaam will surely receive his reward; those dark cloudk will quickly, if they continue thus to obscure with their crimes the horizon in which they ought to shine as stars, be doomed to blackness of darkness for ever. May persons of such a character, how specious soever the form which they wear, be universally detected and disgraced ? may none of their swelling words of vanity entice and ensnare those, who appear just escaping from the delusions of error and the fetters of vice; and may none permit themselves to be seduced by promises of liberty, from such mean and miserable slaves of corruption. Finally ; let "us learn, by the awful conclusion of this chapter, to guard against all temptations to apostacy; may we never, after having long,e?c<z/!etf the pollutions of the world, be entangled again, and overcome by them. Better, far better, would it have been for us, not to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment: our last end, in this case, would be worse than the beginning: and those expressive similes, taken from such loathsome and detestable animals, would not be sufficient to paint out the degree in which we should ourselves be loathsome and odious, in the sight of that God who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity, and cannot look upon evil. May we therefore, with the righteous, hold on our way; and taking care to preserve the cleanness of our hands and hearts, may we daily wax stronger and ttronger, and shine with an increasing lustre ; for the path of the just should be as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. SECTION V.To guard them against scoffers and deceivers, he directs them to adhere t* the holy scriptures; and represents the final destruction of this -world. Ch. iii. 1, Sec.1 'I ''HIS second epistle I now write to you, beloved, with the same 1 view as the former, in both which I stir up your sincere2 minds by way of remembrance; that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.3 Knowing this first, that in the last days there shall come mockers,4 walking according to their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers are fallen asleep, all things remain as they were from the beginning of the creation.5 But this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were produced of old, and the earth subsisting from6 the water, and by water. Whereby * the world that then was,7 being deluged with water, perished. But the heavens and the earth, which now exist, are treasured up by the same word, being reserved to fire, against the day of judgment, and destruction of8 ungodly men. But let not this one thing be hid.from you, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand9 years as one day. The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count it slowness; but is long-suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to re10 pentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements being set on fire, shall be dissolved, and the11 earth and its works shall be burnt up. Therefore since all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought12 you to be in holy conversation and piety ; looking for, and with ardent wishes hastening on, the coming of the day of God, in which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the13 elements shall melt with fervent heat? But we, according to his promise, look for new heavens, and a new earth, in which right14 eousness dwelleth. Therefore, beloved, expecting these things, endeavour with diligence that ye may be found by him in peace,15 spotless, and blameless ; and account the long-suffering of our Lord salvation: As also our beloved brother Paul, according to the16 wisdom given to him, hath written to you (Rom. i.4): as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of such persons: In which writings are some things hard to be understood, which the unteachable and unstable torture, as also they do other scriptures,* "By which constitution of things." D. "By whom." M. 17 to their own destruction.—You therefore, beloved, knowing these things before, guard yourselves, that ye may not, being entangled with the error of the ungodly, fall from your own stedfastness.18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Who is there, that can be so sluggish and lethargic, as not to be in some measure awakened and alarmed by the awful views here given, of the dissolution, as well as the creation of the world, by the word of God! Who must not even tremble, when he turns his eye back to the dreadful ruin brought on it by the universal deluge; when that element, which had been, and is, the means and instrument of life to the whole animal creation, at the divine signal, became the means and instrument of death! Who can be unaffected, when he seriously reflects on the heavens passing away with a great noise? on the elements melting with fervent heat? on the burning up the earth, and all things therein ? Let scoffers who walk afier their own lusts, madly. deride the promise of his coming; let them deliver over their taunts and insults to each other, through the succession of a thousand years: were his coming at the distance of ten thousand generations, or at ? yet remoter distances, they who have any just impression on their minds of the eternity of God, or the immortality of the human soul, -would discern the important day of final retribution, as immediate and present to their view. While they scoff and deride the tremendous reality, let us hear the declaration of its approach with the profoundest attention; and let our souls enter deeply into the alarming and important reflection: If indeed we look for such great things as these what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness; that we may be found of him in peace, without spot or blemish? And if we desire this blessedness (as who can fail earnestly to desire it, who hath a firm- and steady persuasion of its reality ?) can we possibly live in tolerable composure, if we have little or no reason to conclude we shall obtain an interest and share in it? Let us be all concerned that we may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour; by the knowledge of whom every grace will be greatly revived and strengthened. On these lively and important subjects of meditation let our thoughts frequently dwell, and let us endeavour, that the sentiments which result from them, may be wrought in our hearts, and control our lives. And as for those hard sayings which occur, either in St. Peter or -SV. Paul, or any other sacred and inspired) writer, let us neither wrest and torture them to our own mischief and destruction, nor be so curiously and sedulously diving into their meaning, as to neglect these and the like plain and serious admonitions; this sincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby. May all the powers of our souls be exerted in securing their deliverance from wrath to come, that so the patience of God, and his long-suffering towards us, may indeed prove salvation. And if that be the case, the light of heaven will mightily illustrate those mysteries both of the divine word and providence, which our weak and defective organs of vision have not enabled us clearly to discern and unfold, while by the comparatively fainter, though in itself glorious, light of revelation, we are guided through this dark and gloomy valley.THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN.*W*HE apostle John is the same with John the Evangelist. There is noth* ing but conjecture respecting either the persons to whom, or the time when this epistle was written. His design in it is, to demonstrate the vanity of faith separate from morality, to soothe and refine the warm and aver zealous tempers of the Cliristians to whom he writes,into that amiable charity and love for which he himself was so eminent, and to guard and arm them against the mares and efforts of antichrist, the grand apostate and seducer of the Christian church; and of all who were endued with Ms spirit. SECTION I.The apostle opens his design in bearing his testimony to the holiness of God, and his mercy to all true penitents. Ch.11 t I 'HAT which was from the beginning, that which we haveJL heard, that which we have seen with our own eyes, that which we have attentively looked upon, and our hands have hand2 led of the word of life: (for even the life was manifested, and we saw it, and we bear testimony and declare unto you that eternal3 life, which was with the Father, and was manifested to us :) what we have seen and heard we declare unto you, that ye also may have communion with us: and truly our communion is with God 4 the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things we5 write to you that your joy may be fulfilled. And this is the declaration which we have heard from him, and declare unto you,6 that God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have communion with him, and walk in darkness, we lie7 and do not the truth. But if we walk in light, as he himself is in the light, we have communion with one another, and the blood of8 Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we9 have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Jf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins10 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.REFLECTIONS. How seriously should we attend to the word of life, when addressed to us by those who were so intimately acquainted with it, and with Vol. II. Uu him who brought it and revealed it to the world! In like manner may all concerned in dispensing it, be able to say that it is what they have heard, and, asit were wen and handled: yea, tasted and felt in all its sweetness and energy. Java Christ is indeed that life which vraswith the Father, and is now manifested unto us: may we ever regard him as such, and have communion with John, and the other sacred writers, in their communion with ihe Father, and wiih his son Jesut Christ. Surely they, who by experience know the delight and benefit of that communion, will desire that others may be partakers of it with themselves. Their own joy, instead of being diminished, will be rather rendered more complete and intense, by being in this manner imparted to others.Nothing can be of more importance than to form right and worthy conceptions of God; and that we may do so, let us reflect on him, as the purest and even unmingled light, without any the least shade of darkness; as truth in perfection, without any mixture of falsehood or evil. And let us be particularly concerned, that as we desire to have fellowship wiih him, we allow not ourselves to walk in darkness of any kind, but put off all its works, that we may put on the whole armour of light, and walk in t/ie light as he is of the light. Let every action of our lives, every thought of our hearts, be brought to the light of the gospel, and tried and proved according to it. And as it would be very vain and criminal in us, to deny our having any sin ; as it would be selfdeceit to imagine it, and self-confusion to affirm it, let us with humble thankfulness, apply to that blood which is able to cleanse us from c'.l unrighteousness. Most freely confessing our sins, in all their aggravations, so far as our weak and limited thoughts can attain to the view of them, let us humbly plead his promise, and his covenant; and then fidelity and justice will join with mercy, to insure our deliverance from the punishment they merit: so that instead of being, as we have deserved, companions in condemnation and ruin, we shall share together, in that complete freedom from all the penal consequences of sin, which will be the portion of all those who truly repent, and obey the gospel.SECTION II.Farther to promote holiness he urges the advocacy of Christ, and the necessity of shewing our love to God, by obedience, by brotherly-love, and by overcoming the love of the world. Ch. ii. 1—17.1 "\ If Y little children, I write these things to you that you may i-VJ_ not sin: but if any man sin, we have an advocate* with2 the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one ; and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not only for ours, but also for the sins ofS the whole world. And by this we know that we are acquainted 4 with him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know* Dr. S. Harris has shewn that the word advocate- signifies the same with patron among the Romans, or a great person among the Hebrews, who patronised the cause of some of inferior rank, and was a sponsor for their gocd behaviour. * ... him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and in this re5 spect the truth is not in him. But whosoever keepeth his word, in him certainly is the love of God perfected: by this we know that6 we are in him. He that saith, he abideth in him, ought himself7 so to walk as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but the old commandment which ye had from the beginning of your acquaintance wit/i the gospel: the oid command8 ment is the word which you Heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which expression is true in him, and in you; because the darkness is passed away, and the9 true light now shineth. He that saith, he is in the light, and halo teth his brother, is in the darkness even till now. He that lovethhis brother, abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumb11 ling in him. But he who hateth his brother, is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because darkness hath blinded his eyes.12 I write unto you, little children, because by his name your sins13 are forgiven you. [* I write to you, fathers, because ye have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write to you,14 little children,] because you have known the Father. I have writfen to you, fathers, because ye have known him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome15 the wicked one. Love not the world, nor the things -which are in <- the world. If any one love the world, the love of the Father is not16 in him. For all that is in the world, is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life: these things are not of the17 Father, but of the world. And the world, and the luxury of it passeth away : but he that doeth the will of God, abideth for ever.REFLECTIONS. Often let us be lifting up our eyes and our hearts to him who is our great Advocate with the Father: too frequently do the infirmities of our lives demand our application to him under that character. Let us rejoice that he is Jesus Christ the righteous, that he is the Lord our righteousness. While we joy in him as the propitiation for our sins, let it comfort our hearts to think, how wide the efficacy of his atonement extends. O, that all the world might be engaged to apply to him under this important consideration! O, that all those who profess so to apply to him, might remember how necessary it is, that if they would shew they indeed know him, they should keep- his commandments: this, rather than any of those passionate transports of mind, on which some are ready to lay so great a stress, is the perfection of love to God. May the Spirit of Christ impress upon us more of our Master's image, and teach us with greater care and exactness to order our walk and conversation by his example. Since we have an illustrious light to direct our path, let us make use of it to this pur* This is such an apparent tautology, that the author thinks it the fault of a transcriber, and should be left out. pose, lest eternal darkness come upon us. Let tls learn the divine lesson we are here taught, to love our brethren, and gradually to rise higher above that love of the world, that attachment to temporal and present interests, which is inconsistent with the love of the Father. When we are tempted too fondly to admire, or too eagerly to pursue this gaudy pageant, let us survey the inventory here given of its boasted treasures. Let us compute the most it can even pretend to confer upon us, and impartially weigh all that can gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the [iride of life, against those solId pleasures which arise from the love of God, against those infinite benefits which will finally result from it. They who do his will abide for fver,noris their removal from this empty and transitory world any objection against it. Yea rather, how would it be possible, or how desirable, they should abide for ever, were not a removal from such a mutable, such an unsatisfying, and in many respects afflicting world, to make a part of the plan, formed by divine providence and grace in their favour!SECTION HI;He discourses of the Antichrists which then began to arise, and directs Christians to the best preservatives agaiiist their doctrines. Ch. ii. 18—28.18 T ITTLE children, it is the last time*: and as you have heard I 4 that Antichrist is coming, I assure you that even how thereare many Antichrists; by which we know that this is the last time.19 They went out from among us, yet they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would doubtless have continued with us. But this hath happened that they might be made apparent, because20 all are not of us. And ye have an anointing of the Holy One,21 and ye know all things. I have not written to you, because ye know not the truth; but because you know it: for no lie r is of22 the truth. Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is Antichrist who denieth the Father and the Son.23 Every one who denieth the Son, hath not the Father: [but he who24 acknowledgeth the Son, hath the Father alsof.] As for you therefore, let that which you have heard from the beginning, abide in you. If that which ye have heard from the beginning, abide25 in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise which he hath promised to us, even eternal26 life. These things I have written unto you concerning those who27 would deceive you. And as for you, the unction which you have received from him, abideth in you; and you have no necessity that any one should teach you. But as this unction teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, aiid hath no Falsehood in it, 28 even as that hath taught you, abide in him. Yea now, little children, abide in him, that when he shall appear, we may have boldness, and may not be put to shame before him at his coming.* The last of God's dispensations to our world.'j- These words, commoiilv printed in Italics to denote their doubtfulness, are found in many good copies. REFLECTIONS. Let us not be surprised, if there are some who revolt from Christianity in our days; evincing thereby the insincerity of their former professions; since even the apostolic age produced some instances of this kind. But notwithstanding this, the foundation of-God standeth firm, and the Lord knoweth them that are his. They will continue united with his church in faith and love, and no temptation will be able entirely to separate them from it.—Vain are all pretences to adhere to the -Father, if we desert the Son. To his gospel therefore let us stedfastly cleave, animated by the infinitely important promise of eternal life. Can we go to another Saviour? Can we expect from any Other hand a nobler, or even an equal reward? May we all, who profess a relation to him, receive an anointing from above, which may teach us all those things it is of importance for us to know, and which may engage us to abide in him with inseparable fidelity. Yet a little while, and he will again come, will appear with a glory which will warrant, and will reward the firm attachment we have manifested to his interests. May we not, at that important period, haye reason to be ashamed before him; may he not be ashamed of us; but having confessed him before men, may we be confessed by him before his Father^ and his holy angels! SECTION IV.The exalted privileges of the children of God, and the necessity of hotinesc to prove that we are of that happy number. Ch. ii. 29. iii. 1—lu.29 INCE ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one iii. kj that practiseth righteousness, is born of him.—Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God. In this respect the world knoweth2 us not, because it knoweth not him. Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that if he be revealed, we shall be like him, for we3 shall see him as he is. And every one who hath this hope in him, A purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Every one who practisethsin, practiseth also the violation of the law; for sin is the viola5 tion of the law: And ye know that he was manifested that he6 might take away our sins; and there is no sin in him. Every one -who abideth in him, sinneth not: every one who habitually sin7 neth, hath not seen him, nor known him. Little children, let no one deceive you: he who practiseth righteousness is righteous,8 even as he himself is righteous. He who practiseth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning: whereas the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the9 devil. Every one who is born of God, doth not practise sin, because his seed abideth in him; and he cannot sin like others, be10 cause he is born of God. In this are the children of God manifested, and the children of the devil: Every one who doth not practise righteousness is not of God, neither he who loveth not his brother. REFLECTIONS. How inestimable a privilege is it to be born of God! What infinite reason have those that possess it, to rejoice and be exceeding glad 1 "With what astonishment should -.ve reflect upon the divine condescension, in admitting us to such an endearing relation! Let us behold with admiration and joy, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we sinful wretched mortals, should be called the sons of God I Let us behold how high it rises, how wide it diffuses its effects I How glorious the inheritance, to which in consequence of this we are entitled! The world indeed knows it not; nor do we ourselves completely know it. Even John, the beloved discifile [the intimate friend] of our Lord, who drank so deep out of the fountain-head of knowledge and holiness, even he says, it doth not yet appear what we shall be. But let us in sweet tranquillity of soul, depend on our heavenly Father, that he will do whatever is becoming his perfect wisdom and goodness, in respect to the advancement and felicity of his own children. During our state of minority, let us be contented to be at his allowance, and rejoice that we are in the general told, that when Christ the first-born of the family, shall make his second triumphant appearance, we shall also appear with him in glory, new dressed from the grave, to adorn his train, and transformed into his illustrious image, not only with respect to the glories of the body, but the bright glories of the immortal spirit. W ith him we shall have an entrance into his everlasting kingdom, and for ever experience the efficacy of that near and intimate vision of him, which we shall there enjoy, to transform us into the same likeness from glory to glory. O that, in the mean time, we may all feel the energy of this blessed hepe to purify our souls, that our hearts and dispositions may correspond to our expectations! When Christ came in human flesh, it -was with this important purpose, that he might take away sin, that he might destroy the works cf the devil, and reduce to order and harmony that confusion and ruin, which Satan, by his malicious insinuations, had introduced into the world. Blessed Jesus! may this thy benevolent design be more and more effectual. May the empire of sin and corruption, which is the empire of hell, be entirely subdued, and thv celestial kingdom of grace and holiness advanced. And may none [of us]deceive themselves, nor forget, that he alone is righteous, who practiseth righteousness. By this let us judge of ourselves, whether we are the childrm cf God, or of the devil. And instead of flattering ourselves that though we do commit sin with allowance, yet there may be some secret seed of God still concealed in our hearts; let us judge of our having received this regenerating princifile, r by its tendency to preserve us from sin, and the victories it enables us t* gain over its destructive wiles and insufferable tyranny. SECTION V.The necessity of brotherly-love, as a distinguishing' mark of the children of God. Ch. iii. 11, Sec .11 TT'OR this is the message which you heard from the beginning,12 X that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of the wicked one, and slew his brother. And for what cause did he slay him? because his own deeds were evil and those of his13 brother righteous. Wonder not, my brethren, if the world hate14 you. We know that we are passed over from death to life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother, abid15 eth in death. Every one who hateth his brother, is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.16 In this we know his* love, as he hath laid down his life for us:17 and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. Whosoever therefore hath the good things of the world, and when he seeth his brother in necessity, shutteth up his bowels from him, how18 dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not19 love merely in-v. ord or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And in this we know. that we are of the truth, and shall assure our20 hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater21 than our hearts, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart22 condemn us not, then have we confidence before God. And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his command23 ments, and do the things which are pleasing in his sight. And this is his command, that we should believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he hath charged us.24 And he that keepeth his commandments, abideth in-him ; and he (i. e. God) abideth in that man: and by r this we know that he abideth in us, from the Spirit which he hath given us.REFLECTIONS. O, that the divine S/iirit which God hath given to dwell in believers, and by which he himself resides in them, may teach us more effectually this great lesson of love, which is so agreeable to the purposes for which [that Spirit] was conferred! Let us abhor the temper of Cain, as much as we abhor the actions it produced, and dread the doom they incurred. As for that hatred of the world, which in a steady adherence to'our duty may probably fall to our lot, let it by no means surprise or discourage us. It is surely enough to support our spirits under the malice and outrage of a wicked world, that if we are steady and consistent Christians, we may know that we are passed from death to life. O blessed transition! O the adorable riches of divine grace to which it is owing! May the ardour of our love to our brethren render this happy change more and more apparent: and may* Many copies, which I here followl read ecvlu his, instead of ?i? of God. this Christian benevolence be so ardent in our hearts, as to make tis willing, when certain duty requires it, even to lay down our lives for them: having been ourselves distinguished with the like token of the Jove of our divine master, who spared not hie own life for us; and 0, what are even thousands of our lives in comparison of his! And shall we then, while our brethren in the Lord are in necessity, be tenacious of our substance? When we are surrounded with plenty, shall we be unwilling to impart a little of our abundance for their relief, or content ourselves with the charity of words, wliich cost us nothing, while we withhold the things that are needful for them? How will fiuch shameful, detestable hypocrisy disgrace all our pretensions to the lone of God: but let us treat all hypocrisy either towards God or man, with detestation and abhorrence. Let us love, not only in word and in profession, but in deed and in truth, and rather choose that our -actions should exceed our engagements, than disappoint in any instance the expectations we have raised.Of what infinite importance is it to have confidence towards God'm ?all our addresses to his heavenly Majesty! And if we desire this to be the case, let us reverence our own consciences; avoiding every thing which would cause our hearts to condemn us, in the presence of him who is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things. And while we rejoice in this, that they do not condemn us, let us be very careful that we examine them thoroughly, that we be not imposed on by a false answer, as it is to be feared many are, through a superficial inquiry, whose expectations are the most sanguine, and whose pretensions are the loudest. Let us remember this great summary of Christian duty, that toe believe in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we keep his commandments, and do the things that are pleasing in his sight. An obedience, springing from such a faith, a faith verifieders shall be accepted of God now, and our persons accepted hereafter to eternal life. Amen. Cautions against being deceived by seducing spirits; and directions how to distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Ch.iv. 1— I2.1 IT) ELOVED, believe not every Spirit, but make trial of the Jj Spirits, whether they be of God: for many false prophets are2 gone forth into the world. In this ye know the Spirit of God: every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ, who is come in the3 flesh, is of God. And every Spirit that doth not confess Jesus Christ, who is come in the flesh, is not of God. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, of whom you have heard that he is coming,4 and is now already in the world. Dear children, ye are of God, and have overcome them [these false prophets] because greater is5 he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world; therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hear6 eth them. We are of God: he who knoweth God, heareth us j by such an obedience, will giSECTION VI. he who is not of God, doth not hear us: by this we know the'7 Spirit of truth, and the Spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another; for love is from God; and every one who loveth, is born8 of God, and knoweth God. He who loveth not, hath not known9 God; for God is love. In this is the love of God manifested in us, that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we10 might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our11 sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, how ought we to love one an12 other? No man hath ever seen God. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.REFLECTIONS. The spirit of error has been working in some measure, in all ages of the church ; nor are we to wonder, if, having infested that of the apostles, it be transmitted to our own. It is necessary therefore to try the spirits, whether they be of God: and we may safely try them by the homage they pay to Christ; and this not merely to his name, but to the genius of his religion, and to the great standard of it, which he hath left upon record in his word, that it might not be that uncertain thing which the fancies or traditions of fallible men might have rendered it. dntichristian principles and powers have arisen, but God has enabled, and he will enable, the remnant of his people to conquer them ; for the spirit in them is greater than that which is in the world. That may hearken to seducers, as they accommodate their doctrine to its prevailing lusts and passions ; but let us remember that the gospel is now established as a. test, and we may admit, or reject, all human teachings, as they agree or disagree with it. If we read and hear it to any valuable purpose, it will teach us to love one another: that great lesson of our divine Master, with relation to which we have line upon line, and precept upon precept. If we value ourselves in any degree upon knowing God, let us give this proof of it, without which all our most subtile speculations or debates concerning his nature and perfections will be utterly vain. And that we may attain to this, let us frequently contemplate that incomparable display of his love towards us, in sending his only-begotlen Son into the world, that we might live through him. Let us daily consider our lives as derived from that great act of mercy and grace ; and that it is through Christ alone, as thus given us of God, that we can obtain and secure life eternal, since in him we receive the only appointed propitiation for those sins, which would otherwise have obstructed the passage of all good to us, even from the great eternal fountain of felicity. He hath prevented us with the blessings of his goodness: we did not love him, but he first loved us. O, that this love on his part, may produce the warmest return on ours! and let us testify the sincerity of this affection, by remembering how it ought to influence our hearts to benevolence as well as devotion. And as we cannot see God at any time, nor extend any act of beneficence to him, let us see his image with due regard in every Christian, and in some degree in every human creaVol. II. Ww ture, that we may express our love to him, by doing good to them for his sake.S E C T I O N VII.The excellence of love, ac a proof of our knowing God, and dwelling in him l as doing him honour, and affording confidence to the soul. Ch. ir. 13, &c.13 Tn this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he14 J_ hath given to us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father hath sent the Son to be the Saviour of the15 world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God,16 God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love which God hath unto us. God is love, and he17 that dwelleth in love, dwelleth ifi God, and God in him. Herein is love perfected in us, that we may have boldness in the day of18 judgment; in that, as he is, so are we in this world. There is no abject fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment: He that feareth is not made perfect in love.19 We love him, because he first loved us. If any one say, I love20 God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for how can he who loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath21 not seen? And we have this express commandment from him, that he who loveth God, should also love his brother.REFLECTIONS. That all these repeated exhortations may not be entirely in vain, let us now call our hearts to a deep and affectionate contemplation of the astonishing love of God, that he hath sent even his Son to be the Saviour of the world, according to the testimony of this divine herald, who beheld his glory, and witnessed it to be such a glory, as became the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Let us think of the world as lost, of the whole race of rational creatures in it as perishing, as going down to eternal perdition. But a Saviour is provided : and O, what a Saviour? The Son of God, that almighty deliverer, to whom our salvation was dearer than his own life. So dear, that he was willing to be invested with mortal flesh, in order that he might be capable of enduring pain and death for our redemption. Have we not herein seen and known the love of God to us? That love wherewith he has so graciously prevented us ; for surely nothing can be more apparent than this, that if we do indeed love him sincerely and faithfully, it it because he hath first loved us. And therefore, instead of boasting of our love to him, as if -we could make him our debtor, let us humbly acknowledge that he is the great original and support of that beautifying affection of the human mind; and that our obligations to him are great, in proportion to the degree in which we feel it working in us.—Let us be encouraged boldly to confess Christ as the Son of God. Let us seek after more perfect love to him; and to the Father, as that which tends to make the mind happy by casting out every tormenting passion, and to establish it in an humble boldness amidst the most awful prospects. It is matter of deep lamentation, that our spirits should be so degenerate, as that while we are strongly impressed by sensible objects, wc should be the less inclined to love the blessed God, because he is an invisible being.—Let us adore his goodness, that in condescension to our weakness, he hath made himself visible in the person of bis Son; and as Christ has constituted our brethren, in some degree, bis representatives, to receive, as in his name, the tokens of our kindness and affection, let us be studious, by our love to them, and particularly to the poor among them, who have peculiarly this honour \ let us, I say, be studious to approve the sincerity of that love to him, -which we so universally profess, and the absence of which were so inexcusably criminal. SECTION VIII.The character of those that are born of God; who love Christ, conquer the world, and boldly maintain the gospel:—its witnesses, both in heaven and on earth, Ch. v. 1—12.1 T7' VERY one who truly bclieveth that Jesus is the Christ, is r i born of God. And every one who loveth him that begat,2 loveth him also that is begotten by him. By r this we know that we love the children of God, if we love God and keep his com3 mandments*. For this is the love of God, that we keep his com4 mandments; and his commandments are not grievous. Because whatever is born of God, conquereth the world, and this is the5 victory that conquereth the world, even our faith. Who is he that conquereth the world, except he that believeth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?6 This is he who came by water and blood, even Jesus the Christ: not by water only, but by water and blood. And the Spirit is that7 -which witnesseth; for the Spirit is truth. For there are three, -who bear witness [fin heaven, the Father, the Word, and the8 Holy Spirit: and these three are one. And there are three on earth who bear witness] the Spirit in its miraculous gifts, and the Water of baptism, and the Blood in the sacramental wine: and9 these three agree in one. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater; for this is the testimony of God,lO which he hath witnessed concerning his Son. He who believeth in the Son of God, hath the witness within himself: He that believeth not God, maketh him a liar, because he hath not believed* Some suppose this clause to be transposed, and that it should be read, J3y this we know that we love God, and keep his commandments, because we love his children. f I thought myself obliged to intimate a remaining doubt at least, concerning the authenticity of this passage, by enclosing it in crotchets. I am persuaded the words contain an important truth; but whether they have been #.dded by some, or omitted by'often, contrary to the original copy, I will net pretend to determine. in the testimony which God hath testified concerning his Son.11 And this is the substance of his testimony, that God hath given12 unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who hath the Son. hath life: he who hath not the Son of God, hath not life, but is under a sentence of death. REFLECTIONS. Let us regard the grand question, on which our life, our eternal Kfe, is suspended ! I mean, whether we have, or have not, the Son of God? Let us examine into this important matter, with the greatest attention. Let us- hearken to, and receive the testimony of God, as comprehended in this one word, that God hath given us, even to us, dying, perishing men, eternal life ; and this lifg is in his Son. Let us receive this transcendent gift with all humility and thankfulness; ami so much the rather, as it is given us in him. By firmly believing this, we shall conquer the world, and gain a victory of an infinitely different and more exalted nature, than they who are strangers to Christ, or who reject him, ever have done, or can possibly do.—May our stedfast faith in him furnish us with a substantial attestation that we are born of God; and may we prove it to be sincere, by loving the children of God, and by keeping all his cbmmandments. We must surely acknowledge, that his commandments are reasonable; and if we have a genuine love to God existing in our hearts, it will render the observance of them pleasant and delightful. And if we are not possessed of that evidence of love, which arises from a disposition to obedience, let'us remember, he hath fairly and frequently warned us, that no other expressions of love, how fervent and pathetic soever, will be accepted or allowed by him. That our faith may be confirmed, and our love awakened, let us often look to Christ, as coming by water, and by blood. Let us meditate on that mysterious stream of blood and water, which came forth from his wounded side. Let us solemnly remind ourselves of the baptismal water, in which we were washed, and of the sacred cup, the communion of the blood of Christ, referring to this great important event. And while we are contemplating the memorial of his humility, let us also consider him as one with the Father and the Holy Spirit; and as each of the sacred three join their testimony to the truth of the gospel, and join their kind offices for supplying to us the invaluable blessings of it, let us joyfully ascribe glory to each, world without end. Amen. SECTION IX.The Apostle declares his design to be the confirmation of their faith; encourages their hope, that their prayers should be hcard,and refects on the happy difference between them and a wicked world. Ch. v. 13, &c .13 "THHESE things have I written to you who believe in the nameJL- of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life; and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.14 And this is the confidence which we have towards him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he graciously heareth us. 15 And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know16 we shall have those petitions which we have asked of him.—If anyone see his brother commit a sin, which is not unto death, he shall ask*, and he shall give him life; / apeak with respect to those who sin not unto death. There is indeed a sin that is unto death.17 1 say not that he should pray concerning that. Every act of un18 righteousness is sin: but there is a sin not unto death. We know that whoever is born of God doth not sin: but he who is born of God keepeth himself, and the wicked one doth not touch him.19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wick20 edness. But we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true; and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is21 the true God and eternal life.—Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let us thankfully own the divine goodness, in giving us so many helps for the confirmation of our faith; and learn the importance of its being thus confirmed, from that variety of provision made for its establishment. The declared end of the apostle in writing this epistle was, that they who believe in the name of the Son of God, might more firmly believe in it. Lord, increase our faith! and with it our zeal for him in whose name we believe, and our love to each other, for his sake: then shall we have eternal life, the gift of God, in Christ Jesus our Lord; and in the mean time may address the throne with cheerfulness, and present our petitions in a pleasing and confident hope, that asking what is agreeable to his will (and all that he knows to be subservient to our' truest interest is so) he will hear us, and we shall receive the things that we ask. Encouraged by this promise, with what boldness may we come to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and grace to help in every time of need I Let his compassion to us teach us to have compassion en our brethren, on our afflicted brethren; yea on those whose miscarriages have evidently brought their afflictions upon them. Let us not too soon pronounce the cas<? of a sinner hopeless; but rather subject ourselves to the trouble of some fruitless attempts to reclaim him, than omit any thing where there may be a possibility of succeeding. May divine grace awaken [us] all to stand at the remotest distance, not only from the unpardonable sin, but from whatever might dishonour God, and endanger our own souls; for every sin is deadly and malignant, though every one be not the sin unto death. May we keep ourselves, and be kept by divine grace, in such a manner, that the wicked one may not touch us; but all his attempts be turned into his own shame and confusion! And O, may God excite our pity to a world which lies in wickedness; and animate us to use our utmost endeavours, to recover those out of the * " Let him ask" of God; and he shall give him life: not eternal life, but a recovery from sickness. M. snare of the devil, who are led cafiiive by him at his pleasure. May we be made sensible of the rich and distinguishing grace of God, if we can say that we are, not only by an external profession, but an inward union, in him that is true in the Lord Jesus Christ. Him let us adore, os with the Father, and the Holy S/iirit, the true God'. Him let us seek, as eternal life; and let us keep ourselves from all those idols, which would alienate our regard from God, and by the pursuit of which our eternal life might in any degree be endangered.THE SECOND EPISTLE OF JOHN.The Apostle John, addressing himself to a worthy Christian lady, expresses his joy in her good character, and that of her children; exhorts them to continued love, and to guard against deceivers. 1 r I ''HE Elder to the elect Lady, and to her children whom I loveX in the truth: nor I only, but also all those who know the2 truth ; because of the truth which dwelleth in us, and shall be in3 us for ever: Grace, mercy, and peace be with you, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in4 truth and love. I rejoiced greatly, when I found some of thy children walking in truth, according to the commandment which we5 have received from the Father. And now I beseech thee, Lady, not as writing to thee a new commandment, but that which we had.6 from the beginning, that we may love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, as ye have heard from the beginning, that ye should7 walk in it. Because many deceivers are gone out into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a8 deceiver aM an Antichrist. / beseech you and all my Christian friends, Look to yourselves, that we may not lose the things we9 have wrought, but may receive the ample reward. Every one who transgresseth and remaineth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that remaineth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the10 Father and the Son. If any one come unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither wish him 1 \ good success: For he that wisheth him good success, is partaker12 of his evil deeds.—Having many things to write unto you, I would not do it with paper and ink; but I hope ere long to come to you,13 and speak face to face, that your joy may be fulfilled. The children of thine elect sister salute thee. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let us observe this delineation of a love truly Christian; the love which the apostle, and all who knew the truth, are said to have had towards this elect and excellent ladyyfor the truth's take which dwelt in her. Adored be that grace, which preserved her in so high a rank of life, from temptations which could not fail to surround her! that grace, which rendered her an example of wisdom and piety, great and eminent in proportion to her exalted situation! Nor can we forbear reflecting, how happy, in consequence of this, she herself was, possessed of grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord, in truth and love! What were all the secular honours by which she was distinguished! What the possession of riches, which in their own nature, and unimproved to the pious and charitable purposes to which she improved them, are very empty and unsatisfactory; what are these, when compared with si/ch important blessings! We cannot but rejoice, at this distance of time, and ignorant as we are of the name, sitbation, and history, of this worthy lady, that her children -walked in the truth. It was a singular joy to John, and may be so in a degree to all; and may teach us to lift up our hearts to God in prayer, that all Christian parents, especially pious mothers, and more particular those whose character in life is so eminently distinguished, may enjoy this happiness, and see the seed they are with such commendable industry sowing in the minds of their tender offspring, growing vp, and bringing forth much fruit. We have, in the beloved apostle, an excellent pattern of a becoming care, to make a correspondence with our Christian friends useful; which we shall do, if, like him, we are exhorting them to the cultivation of mutual love, and to a constant uniform care in keeping the commandments of God: if we continue -warning them against the prevailing sins and errors of the day, and urging them to a holy solicitude, that they may not lose -what they have already attained; but may receive full reward for every work of faith, and labour of love, in consequence of a course of resolute and persevering piety.—Persons of the most distinguished goodness have need to be cautioned against that excess of generosity and hospitality, which might sometimes make them partakers with seducers in their evil deeds, by giving them their audience and wishing them good success, while by their fair speeches they impose upon the simplicity of open and upright hearts, who, because themselves are void of fraud, are often-void of suspicion too. But there is a prudent caution to be observed upon this head; and it is the part of faithful friendship to suggest it; for many deceivers are come out into the world. For our security against them, let us be always upon' our guard, and take care to continue in the doctrine of Christ; that so we may have the Father, and the Son; and if we are interested in their favour, we shall stand in need of nothing, and shall have nothing of which to be afraid. Amen. THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN.The Jfioszle Jo!m,in this short epistle to Gaius, expresses /ds concern for hir proxfterity, and hi* joy in the honourable character he maintained for Christian candour, hospitality and zeal; cautions lam against the ambiiious and turbulent practices of Diotrephes ; and recommends Demetrius to hia friendship. 1 r I ''HE Elder to the beloved Gaius*, whom I love in the truth.2 X Beloved, I pray that, in every respect, thou mayest prosper3 and be in health, even as thy soul'prospereth. For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified concerning thy truth, as4 thou walkest in the truth. 1 have no greater joy than this, that I5 may hear my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, thou dost faithfully whatsoever thou performcst towards the brethren,6 and towards strangers: who have testified concerning thy love before the church; whom thou dost well in bringing forward in their7 journey, in a manner worthy of God. For on his account they went out, that they might spread his gospel, receiving nothing of the8 Gentiles. We ought therefore to receive such, that we may be9 come fellow-labourers in the truth. I have written to the church; but Diotrephes who affecteth pre-eminence among them, hath not10 received us. Therefore if I come, I will be mindful of the works he doeth; prating against us with malicious words ; and not content with this. he receiveth not the brethren himself, and hindereth11 those who would; and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, imitate not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doth good is of God: but lie that doth evil, hath not seen God.12 Demetrius hath a good testimony from all men, and from the truth itself; and we also do bear the same testimony ; and ye know that13 this our testimony is true. I have many things to write ; but I will14 not write them to you by ink and pen ; but I hope quickly to see thee, to speak face to face. Peace be to thee. The friends here with me salute thee. Salute the friends with you by name.REFLECTIONS. How happy was Gaius in the friendship of that apostle whom Jesus had honoured with such a distinguished degree of his friendship. How much happier still was he, in a soul so thriving and prosperous., that even such a friend, who could not but hold flattery in detestation, should be able to make the good slate of his soul, a standard by which to adjust his wishes in relation to his tcmporal affairs. O, what a curse would this be upon many, that they might prosper even as their souls prospered! And yet what is all other prosperity without this, but like that of fools, which destroys them. How agreeable is it to a true Christian, to hear well of the behaviour of those who are dear to him in ther* Probably the person Paul mentioned, Rom. xvi. 23, as having receive* him hospitably. bonds of peculiar friendship; to hear of their walking in the truth; and especially when these are our own children, or those whom God has made us the means of converting, or those whom we have been concerned in training up for him. O, that those especially, to whom the education of many has been committed, may have this great happiness. "Visit each of our children, and young friends, O Lord, with thy mercy; animate them to walk in thy truth; and entail thy blessing upon them, when nothing remains, of all the offices of love we have bestowed, but the memory of our exhortations and examples."May sentiments of true generosity fill and expand our hearts more and more. May we act towards strangers, and especially our brethren, in all the instances in which they need our assistance, in a man-" ner worthy of God, worthy of the relation in which we, and they, have the honour to stand to our heavenly Father: and especially, let owr love abound to those who have a desire to sfiread the gospel. And O, that it were o universal! O, that divine grace would excite more to quit the indulgence of their homes, or their countries, if there be no bond of duty to detain them there, that they may go and preach to the Gentiles! And though there be no prospect of any requital from them, God will open to them the inexhaustible stores of his celestial treasure, and they shall be recompensed in the resurrection of the just. Let them but see it, that their intentions are pure, that they do it for his sake; and their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.—But alas, how much more common even to this day, and that among the ministers of the gospel, is the character of Diotreplies, who loved to have the pre-eminence ! How has the spirit of opposition and ambition prevailed in the church, as well as in the world! How does it still prevail! and in this view, how many malicious words have been uttered against those who have with the greatest simplicity desired to follow the apostles! With what contempt have they been cast out of ? the church I Yea, in a thousand instances, with what savage cruelty hunted out of the world! How long, O Lord, holy and true! Let us not however be impadent, but glorify God, in the most humble or painful station he shall allot, by doing, or suffering all his will: still imitating that which is good, as becomes those who are of God, who hope to see him, and enjoy him for ever.—Let us endeavour, like Demetrius, to secure to ourselves a good report of all men; but especially, let us see to it that we reverence our own consciences, and that we secure their testimony, which will be agreeable to that of the truth itself. So will our honour, and our happiness, be secured; and if any vapour should now rise to obscure it, the day is near, when the Sun of righteousness shall undoubtedly chase it away. THE EPISTLE OF JUDE.J UDE, or Judas, was one of the apostles of our Lord, and the brother of ** James the less. This epistle is remarkably similar to a fart of the second epistle of Peter, and written some time after it, which probably the writer had before him. The design of it is, by describing the character of the false teachers, and the divine judgments wldch such persons might expect, to cauiion Christians against listening to their suggestions, and being thereby perverted from the faith and puriiy of the gospel. SECTION I.Jude exhorts Christians to assert the purity of their common faith; reminding them of the awful judgments of God upon sinners, and describes certain deceivers from whom they were in danger. Ver. 1—11.1 TUDE a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those J who are sanctified in God the Father, called and preserved in2 Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.3 Beloved, giving all diligence to write to you concerning the common salvation, I judged it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to strive earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.4 For some men have with a serpentine art glided in among us, who were of old registered to this condemnation: impious men, who turn the grace of our God into an occasion of lasciviousness, and5 (':ony God the only sovereign, and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I would remind you, as you once knew this, that the Lord having saved the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt, afterwards6 destroyed those that did not believe. The angels who kept not their' first state, but left their proper abode, he hath reserved in perpetual bonds, under darkness, to the judgment of the great day. And the 7 earth has produced awful scenes of the divine vengeance: As Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, in like manner with them, committing fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth8 for an example, suffering the vengeance of an eternal fire*. So these dreamers also [among you} defile the flesh; they make light of9 dominion, and speak evil of dignities: Whereas Michael the archangel, when contending in dispute with the devil concerning the body of Mosesf, did not presume to bring against him a railing10 accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Bet these blaspheme what indeed they know not: and what they know r naturally, as* Whose effects will remain while the world continues. M.f The author understands this of Moses' burial, the angel being ordered * to bury him privately, to prevent an idolatrous honour to iris remains, which Satan wished to promote by revealing the place of his interment. (See Deut. xxxiv. 6.) Eut Dr. M. supposes the body oj Moses to mean the Jewish Church, as the Christian church is called the body of Christ, and thinks the angel was che same mentioned Zech. iii. 1. See also verse 2. H the irrational animals, in these they are corrupted. Woe unto them! for tiiey have gone in the way of that persecutor Cain; and have run on in the deception of Balaam's reward; and have persisted in the contradiction of Korah, opposing God's messengers and even his own Son. REFLECTIONS.How happy are the people of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in him are called, sanctified, and kept by the divine omnipotence, through faith unto salvation! For mercy and peace shall be multiplied upon them, till mercy hath, as it were, finished his commission, and conducted them to eternal peace. We learn from the example of the apostle before us, of how great necessity it is, in some circumstances, if ministers would promote the common salvation of their hearers, to guard them against the prevailing errors of the day, and to excite them earnestly to strive for the faith once delivered to the saints, as for a prize of the highest importance. May we rightly discern its nature, and be very careful, that while we are attempting to exert a Christian zeal, we do not mingle with it our own mistakes, and our own irregular passions, in such a manner as to tear in pieces what we are so eager to preserve. In short, let us learn from scripture, what that faith is, and what the importance of its respective articles are; and let us always be endeavouring to maintain it in the spirit of love. May all who would disturb the church by pernicious doctrines, - or scandalous practices; and especially, they who would ungratefully turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, and thereby deny the only true God, and our Saviour, reflect upon the awful judgment of God on the rebel angels, and on sinful men; not on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah only, but even on his own people, whom he had delivered from Egypit, when they proved obstinate and unbelieving; and as we dread an exclusion from the heavenly Canaan; yea, as we dread the chains of darkness, and the vengeance of eternal fire; let us avoid and abhor the character described in the following verses : the dream of lewdness, the brutal indulgence of sensuality, the contradiction of Korah, the covetousness of Balaam, and the malignity of Cain. God has written down their condemnation and destruction in the eternal records of his word; that they might be for a sign, and that others may bear and fear, and take heed that they do not so wickedly. SECTION II.The scandalous professors further described. Christians exhorted to secure their own edifica.tion in faith and love, and to endeavour the preservation and recovery of others. Yet. 12, &c.13 r I THESE wicked seducers are spots in your love-feasts*, who . JL when they banquet with you, feed themselves without fear: they are clouds without water, borne about by the winds : trees* In consequence of the disgrace thus brought upon these feasti of charity, they were soon laid aside, whose early buddings are withered, without fruit, twice dead,13 to be utterly rooted up: fierce waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame: wandering stars to whom blackness of14 darkness is reserved for ever. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied against them, and such as these, when he said,15 " Behold the Lord cometh with myriads of his holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly among them, of all their impious works, which they have impiously committed: and of all the hard things which impious sinners16 have spoken against him." These are murmurers, that find fault with their lot, walking according to their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh extravagant things, having * persons in admiration17 for the sake of gain. But you, beloved, remember the words which were formerly spoken by the apostles of our Lord Je18 sus Christ: For they have' told you, that in the last time mockers19 shall come, walking according to their own ungodly lusts. These are they who separate themselves; sensual, that have not the20 Spirit. But you, beloved, edifying yourselves in your most holy21 faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal22 life. And do your utmost for the preservaiion of others; on some33 have compassion, making a difference: but others save with fear, snatching them out of the fire; ever careful to preserve your own purity hating even the garment spotted with the flesh.34 Now to him, who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with exceeding25 joy ?- to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and through all ages. Amen.REFLECTIONS. Let those who have the honour of being numbered among the disciples of Christ, stand at the remotest distance from the evil withwhich these unhappy creatures are branded by the apostle in this epistle. And may divine grace preserve all his churches from such spo f, in their feasts of charity! May our horizon be secured from those dark and gloomy clouds without water; may the plantations of God among us be free from the incumbrance and disgrace of those withered and fruitless trees, twice dead, and plucked up by the roots! How illustrious was the prophecy, with which Enoch the seventh from Adum was inspired; and how precious is that fragment of antediluvian history, which is here preserved, and which shall surely be accomplished in its season! The day is now much nearer, when the Lord will come with ten thousand of his saints: may the ungodly remember it, and suppress in time the speeches which will then assuredly be re.proved, and repent of the deeds, which if unrepented of, however forgotten now, will be brought into open view, and draw down upon their heads the destruction which at present seems to linger. That we may have confidence before him at his coming, let us remember the words of the apostle, and implore the influences of the divine Spirit, -which sensualists, who walk after their own lusts, quench and stifle, and which they mock and deride. Let us, however, be concerned to edify ourselves in our most holy faith, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, under his influence, direction, and assistance. The security of the heart amidst so many temptations, and its richest cordial in all its afflictions, is the love of God; but how soon does the celestial flame languish and die, if it be not constantly fed with new fuel! Let it then be our care, in humble dependance upon divine grace, to keep ourselves in the love of God; which will be cherished in proportion to that degree of faith and hope, with which we look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life; for what can so powerfully excite our love to God, as such a consideration?If we do expect it, let us express our regard to the salvation of others, as well as to our own; and apply ourselves to those, who seem to be in danger, with such different addresses of awe or tenderness, as their different circumstances and tempers may require. But some way or another, let us exert ourselves to pluck them out of the fire, who are in danger of falling into it, and perishing for ever.—A care to preserve our own characters and conscience unspotted, will be necessary to our courage, and hope of success, in such efforts as these. Let us therefore be more frequently looking up to him who is able to keep- us from falling, and to improve as well as maintain the work he has wrought in us, till we shall be presented blameless before the presence of his glory. Then shall our hearts know a joy beyond what earth can afford, beyond what heaven itself shall have given us, in the separate state; then shall God also rejoice over us, and the joy of our compassionate Saviour be completed, in seeing the full accomplishment of the travail of his soul. To him who has so wisely formed the scheme, and will faithfully and perfectly accomplish it, be glory, and majesty, dominion, aad power, both now and forever. Amen. THE REVELATION OV JOHN.'THHOUGH the authority of this book was questioned in the third century, in -* a few years after it was written it was very generally numbered among the apostolic writings; and, as Dr. Mill observes, hardly any one book hath received more early, more authentic, or more satisfactory attestations.—Inhere is very little reason to doubt that John, to whom these revelations were made, was the evangelist of that name, and the author of the three epistles. According to the charge delivered to him, Ch. i. 19, this book maybe divided into three parts. 1. The glorious vision he had of Christ, Ch. i. 2. The epistles he ordered him to write to the seven churches relating to their present circumstances. Ch.ii.iii. 3. The condition of the Churches in after times, from Ch. iii. to the end.—After a sublime description of the Deity, enthroned in glory, is a reprenentalion of a sealed book, given to the Lamb', who alone was worthy to open it, Ch. iv. v. Here the scene of prophecy begins; which according to Mr. Ixiwman, may properly be divided into seven periods. The first, that of the seals (Ch. vi.vii.) The second, that of the trumpets (Ch. viii. ix.x.) The third (which isintroduced by various representations (Ch- xi. xii.) the pouring out of the seven vials (Ch. xiii.—xix.) The fourth, an angel descending.to conHn" the great dragon a thousand years, Ch. xx. 1—6. The fifih, Satan loosed again, for a short season, ver. 7—10. The sixth, the general resurrec. tion, the last judgment, and the destruction of the wicked (ver. 11.) The seventh, the glory and happiness of the new Jerusalem, Ch. xxi. xxil which concludes with a solemn charge to John to reveal to the churches what he had received; a declaration of Christ's speedy approach, and an awful sentence against such as should add to or diminish the words of this prophecy ; many things in which are so dark and mysterious, that the author does not pretend to explain them. Saurin well observes, " This is a very mortifying book to a mind greedy of knowledge and science, but a very satisfying and agreeable one to a heart solicitous about maxims and precepts, for regulating our temper* and lives." SECTION I.The preface and dedication; a display of the glory of our Lord Jesus, and sublime songs of praise to him. Ch. i. 1—8.1 r I *HE book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ; which God gaveX to him, to shew to his servants the things which must shortly be ; and sending by his angel, he signified them to his servant2 John: who testified the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus3 Christ, whatever he saw. Happy is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it; for the time is at hand.4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia*; grace and peace be with you, from him who is, and who was, and who is to come;* That is, the proconsular Asia. 5 and from the seven spiritsf which are before his throne; and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who hath loved us,6 and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests to his God and Father; to him be glory and do7 minion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming in the clouds; and every eye shall see him, even they who pierced him:8 and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of him. Yea: Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega:):, the beginning and the end,,J s>iith the Lord, who is and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.REFLECTIONS. With what sublimity doth this wonderful book open! which, though pregnant with inexplicable mysteries, is, at the same time, pregnant with instruction; which the weakest of Christ's humble disciples may peruse with sacred complacency and delight. For surely we are not to imagine that divine book to be unfit for our perusal, and undeserving our regard, concerning which its divine author expressly declares, Blessed is he that rcadeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy! Thanks be to our heavenly Father, that 1:3 gave it to his Son Jesus Chris! I Thanks to the Son of God, that he gave it to his servant John, to be transmitted down to future generations.—Let us attentively view the divine glory of the Father, and of his only-begotten Son, who is the brightness of that glory, and the express image of his person ; and of the Holy Ghost, who is here represented by the seven spirits of the throne. From us, and from all created nature, let there be glory to him thai is, and that was, and that is to come and to the first-born from- the dead, who is superior to all the kings of the earth, and to all the angels of heaven, who is so intimately united with the Father in divine perfections and glories, that he also is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: that he also is almighty ; able by his mighty power to subdue all things to himself; and is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Never let us be unmindful of the condescension of the Son of God, in becoming, for our redemption and salvation, the Son of man. Let the great things he has done for us, the great things he has taught us to expect from him, be ever familiar to our minds. How astonishing was that love, which engaged him to wash us from our sins in his own blood! How glorious is that exaltation to which he is raising us! rendering us, even in the present world, kings and priests to God, and inspiring us with the ardent hope of an immutable kingdom, and an everlasting priesthood in the temple of our God above. This is the sublime and transcendent happiness of all who with lively faith look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This illustrious personage is coming in the clouds, and our eyes shall see him: too often already have we pierced him; let us mourn over our? + We may suppose the Spirit of God to be hereby symbolically represented.i Some" readers may need to be informed, that these are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. sins at present, that we may not pour forth floods of unprofitable tears in that awful day; as all the tribes of the earth shall do, who have dared to set themselves against the kingdom of Christ; a kingdom which shall then be triumphant over all opposition, the last of its enemies being vanquished and destroyed.SECTION II.Our Lord's appearance to John in Patmos. Ch. i. 9—16.9 T JOHN, who am also your brother, and partaker in tribulation, _L and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the island called Patmos*, for the sake of the word of God, and for10 the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's11 dayf, and heard a great voice behind me, as of a trumpet, which said, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: And what thou seest, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches in Asia; to Ephesus, and to Smyrna, and to Pergamos, and to Thyatira, and to Sardis, and to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.12 And I turned to see the person who uttered the voice w hich spake13 unto me; and being turned, I saw seven golden lamps; and in the midst of the seven lamps one like the Son of Man, clothed in a long robe, and girded about the breasts with a golden girdle.14 His head, even his hairs which adorned it, were white like w ool,15 yea as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like fine brass, when purified in a furnace; and his voice16 as the voice of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars; and out of his mouth there went a sharp two-edged sword; and his countenance was as the sun, when he shineth in his power.REFLECTIONS. What unspeakable happiness can our blessed Redeemer confer on his faithful servants, while suffering in his cause! How wretched was Casar on his imperial throne, compared with this despised and persecuted disciple of Christ, in his old age banished to the desolate island of Paimos! There his Lord condescended to visit him, opened his eyes to prophetic visions, and diffused around him celestial glories. May we in no case be ashamed of the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ, a zeal for which was so graciously acknowledged, so gloriously rewarded. It was on the Lord's day that the apostle was in the S/iirit: how often has the Spirit of God visited his people at that sacred season! visited them as well in their secret retirements as in the public assembly; when the hand of providence, as in the instance before us, and not their own negligence, and indifference to divine ordinances, occasioned their absence from them : otherwise we might fear that those raptures of mind, which in the contempt of* A desart island in the iEgean sea, to which he was banished by the Emperor Domitian.| Under his miraculous energy, on the first day of the week, called the Lord's, from his resurrection en that day. ordinances some make their boast and glory, arise from the artifices of the great enemy of souls, and are to be numbered among the most dangerous engines by which he attempts our ruin.Let our souls again bend, in humble veneration, to him who is the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega. And if we heard his awful voice proclaiming himself by these illustrious and divine titles, let us turn, as it were, to behold him; and by these marvellous visions in which he manifested himself to St. John, let us endeavour to form some imperfect ideas of our blessed Lord, and the magnificence and glory with which he appears to the inhabitants of the heavenly regions. Every circumstance, not excepting the minutest and most inconsiderable, attending this appearance of Christ to his beloved apostle, seems designed to convey some divine truth, some important lesson, for the contemplation and instruction of future ages. It was, in general, beyond all question, intended to impress us with the lowliest reverence of our glorified Redeemer, that we may pay him our humble and devout adoration, and thus in some degree anticipate the pleasure with which we hope to appear in his immediate presence above.SECTION III.Christ addresses the apostle John, giving him an epistle to each of the seven Asiatic churches ; and, first, to the church of Ephesus. Ch. i.17.—ii. 7. 17 A ND when I saw him who appeared in this glorious form, I fell J\. down at his feet as dead; and he laid his right hand upon18 me, and said to me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he who liveth and was dead; and behold, I am living for ever and ever; amen! and I have the keys of the unseen world, and of19 death. Write the things which thou now seest, and those which20 are at present, and the things which shall hereafter be. As to the mystery of the seven stars, which thou seest in my right hand, and of the seven lamps of gold; the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven lamps which thou seest, are the seven churches themselves. ii. To the angel* or minister of the church in Ephesus write; These things saith he, who hokleth the seven stars in his right2 hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden lamps ; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and that thou canst not bear those who are evil : and thou hast tried those who say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them to be liars:3 and thou hast sustained with fortitude the trouble they have given thee, and hast patience under all thy sufferings; and thou hast la4 boured for my name's sake, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have something against thee, That thou hast lost thy first love.5 Remember therefore from what thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; otherwise I will come unto thee quickly, and6 take away thy lamp out of its place, unless thou repent. Never* The word commonly rendered angel signifies messenger, and is sometimes to translated.' Vol. II. Y y theless thou hast this praise remaining, that thou hatest the works 7 of the Nicolaitans*, which I also hate. Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To him who conquereth, I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.REFLECTIONS.With whatever humble and holy reverence this awful representation of our blessed Redeemer may strike us, let us be encouraged to look up to him by a lively faith, and to hear with joy, and with purposes of the most grateful obedience, the gracious declaration he makes of that amazing contrast of divine perfections and characters, and of human weaknesses and infirmities, which met in him. The Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, is he who lives and yet was dead, but is now alive for evermore: for us he became liable to death, but is now risen to a divine and immortal life; in which consideration let us continually rejoice on his account, and on our own. It is exceedingly reviving to the heart of a sincere Christian, that Jesus has the keys of the unseen world, and of death; so that whenever we are removed by the stroke of this our last enemy, it is only to be considered as his turning the key, which will let us out of this world into another, of happiness and glory everlasting. How delightful to reflect, that heaven is under the command of our Redeemer, and hell is under his controul! What have his faithful servants to fear from the one? What have they not to hope from the other? How does this cheering sentiment disarm both life and death, of their respective terrors!Let us attend to each of these excellent epistles, which Christ condescended himself to dictate, and to address, by the [penj of his servant John, to these Asiatic churches. Let us attend to his titles, his admonitions, his promises, that we may be awed with holy reverence, that we may be animated to humble hope, and steady courage, in every encounter with the enemies of our salvation.—Let the ministers of Christ rejoice, that they are as stars in the right-hand of their Redeemer. "Support them., O Lord, by thy almighty power, and guide all their motions by thine infinite wisdom." Let all the churches of Christ remember, that he walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks; may they be pure gold; may their lamps shine with unsullied lustre ; that their Father may be glorified, and their saviour delighted with the survey. He sees our labour, our patience, our fidelity, and our zeal. May he see that we cannot bear those who would corrupt our religion, without exerting ourselves to silence their false pretensions, and to guard the churches, to which we are related especially, from the venom they might diffuse over them ! In all these respects, may we daily approve ourselves to him in a more perfect manner. But alas I does he not perceive in many of us, what he complained so early of, in the church of Efihesus; that we have lost our first * A sect of heretics, who taught that lewdness and idolatrous sacrifice* were things indifferent, and therefore lawful. love, and that much of that zeal with which we set out in religion is declined? If so, let us take the alarm : for dreadful indeed would it be, to have our candlestick removed out of its place; to have the gospel and all its privileges taken away from us. To prevent this awful judgment, let us recollect from whence we are fallen, if we are indeed in a backsliding and declining state ; and humbly and heartily repent, and vigorously exert ourselves against the enemies of our salvation ? that overcoming the difficulties of this howling wilderness, we may be received to the enjoyments of the heavenly country ; and when we can no longer share in the bounties of providence, in this inferior state, be feasted with the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. SECTION IV.The epistles to the churches of Smyrna and Pergamos. Ch. ii. 8—17.8 \ ND to the angel or minister of the church in Smyrna, write* J\. These things saith the first and the last, who was dead and9 is alive: I know thy works and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art [spiritually] rich ;) and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.10 Fear none of the things which thou shalt suffer ; behold the devil will cast some of- you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: Be thou faithful unto death, and111 will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches: The conqueror shall not be injured by the second death.12 And to the angel or minister of the Church which is in Pergamos, write, These things saith he who hath the sharp two-edged13 sword: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest; even where the throne of Satan is fixed; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days of danger in which Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you,14 where Satan dwelleth. Nevertheless, I have a few things against thee, That thou hast there them uncensured, who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and15 to commit fornication. Thou in like manner hast those that hold16 the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which I hate. Repent; or otherwise I will come unto thee quickly, and I will fight against them17 with the sword that cometh out of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches: To the conqueror I will give to eat of the hidden manna ; and I will give him a white stone*, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth, except he who receiveth it.* Among the Greeks, a white stone was a token of absolution; a black stone, of condemnation. REFLECTIONS. Again let us direct our eyes to that glorious person, who is the first and the last; and who, though it may appear incompatible with that divine title, was once dead, and is alive again; and since he is here awfully represented as with a sharp sword going out of his mouth, let us be greatly concerned, that we do not incur his displeasure by our irregular conduct, lest he smite, or even destroy us. Let us observe and imitate what he commends in the churches whom he here addresses; their humility in being sensible of their poverty, when enriched by his grace ; their patier.ce, their diligence, and the resolution with which they retained the honour of his name, notwithstanding the throne of Satan was in the midst of them, and the rage of persecution had destroyed Antipas before their eyes ; that blessed, that triumphant hero, whose fidelity and constancy his divine Saviour commemorates with approbation, and even with satisfaction and pleasure. Who would not be ambitious of dying in the same manner, were it ever so severe and terrible, to be thus honoured and celebrated by our Lord Jesus Christ, or any of his faithful apostles? Let us not be terrified at the apprehension of what we may suffer from the malice of Satan, and by his instruments, even though not merely imprisonment, but death itself were to wait us. It is only for a limited time that he can occasion tribulation to any of the people of God; and our blessed Lord will never be unmindful of that gracious promise, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. O ! let us by faith survey that innumerable company, who, though they have fallen by the stroke of the first death, have been, and shall for ever be, unhurt by the second: that blessed society who are encircled with immortal crowns, which their triumphant leader, whom they followed with such undaunted fortitude, hath bestowed upon them; who though they partake no longer of the bread that perisheth, nor are feasted with earthly viands, are yet eating of the hidden manna; who have received the white stone, in token of their absolution ; and while the names and memory of many of them have sunk into oblivion, and the honours attending others are of little consequence, they are known in the heavenly regions by a new name, conferred as a mark of favour and distinction by the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. We are drawing on, if we are true Christians, to the completion of that blessed hope. And that we may not be disappointed, may we, by divine grace, be preserved from the artifices of those who call themselves -the people of God, while they are indeed of the synagogue of Satan, and whatever, like the doctrine of Balaam, would ensnare our consciences, and .defile our souls.SECTION V.The epistlcs to the churches of Thyatira and Sardis. Ch. ii. 18.—iii. 1—6.18 A ND to the angel or minister of the church in Thyatira, write, ±\. These things saith the son of God, who hath his eyes as a19 flume of fire, and his feet like fine brass : I know thy works, and love, and service, and faith, and patience, and thy works ; the last are20 more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against thee; That thou permittest that woman Jezabel*, who saith that she is a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornica21 tion, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I have given her22 time to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and those who commit fornication with23 her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their works: And I will slay her children with death ; and all the churches shall know, that I am he who searcheth the reins and the heart: and I24 will give to every one of you according to your works. But I say to you who are faithful, even to the rest in Thyatira, As many as do not hold this doctrine, and who have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will lay upon you no other burden.25 Nevertheless what you have received, hold fast till I come.26 And as for him that conquereth, and keepeth my works unto the end, I will give him in my final triumph, power over the nations:27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and they shall be dashed in pieces like a potter's vessels: as I have also received28 of my father (Ps. ii 9). And I will give him the morning star.29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.iii. And to the angel or minister of the church in Sardis, write, These things saith he that hath the Seven Spirits of God, and the Seven Stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou2 livest, but art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, which are ready to die : for I have not found thy3 works perfect f in the sight of God. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast what remains and repent of thy negligence: Unless, therefore, thou art watchful, I will come upon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what4, hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast [however] a few names even in Sardis, who have not polluted their garments: And they5 shall walk with me in whitef, for they are worthy. As for the conqueror, he shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name from the book of life ; but I will confess his name6 before my Father, and before his Angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.REFLECTIONS. Let the disciples of Christ always remember, that his eye penetrates the most hidden recesses; that he searcheth the hearts and trieth the reins of the children of men: accordingly, let them take heed to cherish nothing, even in their hearts, which their great Master will be* Probably the same heresy with that of the Nicolaitans. Some think a particular female to be referred to, resembling the great idoiatres, 1 Kings xvi. 31. xxi. 25. Dr. Scott supposes it was Helena, the harlot of Simon Magus, the ring-leader of the Gnostics. f " Filled up" D.f White robes were worn on occasions of joy, and in triumphant processions. hold with displeasure. There may faith, and patience, and charity, erect their throne; and may their dominion so prevail, that our last works, like those of the church of Thyatira, may be more than the first. And surely it is most reasonable, as we approach the end of our course, as we experience more of the vanity of life, and the substantial and so? lid pleasures of religion, that they should be so. But, alas! how much more common is the character of the church of Sardis, and of those who have only a name to live, while they are dead? Censorious and uncharitable as too great a part of the world is, are there not some who are ashamed and humbled in the view of the esteem in which they are held by their brethren, while conscious of so many inward, though unallowed, infirmities; of so much deadness and coldness in religion, even where they would be most zealous and lively? Alas I how far are our -works from being filed u/t before God! Let us often lament these our imperfections and declensions ; let us deeply humble ourselves before God on account of them; and let us be as vigilant as possible, that we may strengthen those things, which if they do indeed remain seem ready to die. The more general the prevalence of such an indolent temper is, the more let us emulate the distinguished honour of those few names in Sardis which had not defiled their garments ; that we may -walk with them, and with Christ, in white raiment; that we may arrive at that happy state of everlasting purity, of everlasting festivity, of everlasting triumph, which our divine Master has encouraged us to expect. We know not how unexpectedly he may come upon us: let us be always ready, always strenuous in maintaining a holy war against the enemies of our salvation; and then we shall conquer, we shall triumph ; our name shall remain in the book of life; h shall be confessed by Christ before his Father and his holy angels; we shall share with him in his triumph over all the rebellious nations, in that day, when he shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessels; we shall for ever wear the lustre of the morning-star: yea, we shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of our Father. Amen. SECTION VI.The epistles to the Philadelphian and Laodicean churches. Ch. iii. 7—22.7 \ ND to the angel or minister of the church in Philadelphia,write, These things saith the holy one, and the true one; he who hath the key of the house of David; he who openeth, and8 no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door for spreading tny gospel, and no man can shut it; because thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.9 Behold, I will give into thy power those who are of the synagogue of Satan; they say they are Jews, pretending to be my people, and are not, but lie: behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet; and they shall know that I have loved thee.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the 11 world, to try the inhabitants of the earth. Behold, I come quick{2 ly; keep that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. As for the conqueror, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: and I will inscribe* upon hira the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is to come down from heaven from my God; 13 and he shall bear my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.14 And to the angel or minister of the church in Laodicea, writef These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the15 beginning of the creation of God. I know thy works, that thou16 art neither cold nor hot: I wish thou wert cold or hot. Therefore because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will17 cast thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am wealthy, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretch18 ed, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eye19 salve, that thou mayest see. Whomsoever I love, I reprove and20 correct: Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will enter into his house, and will sup with him, and he shall 21 sup with me. As for the conqueror, I will give him to sit down with me upon my throne; as I also have conquered, and am set22 down with my Father upon his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.REFLECTIONS. In what age, or in what place, will the church be entirely free from this Laodicean temper, which is so jusly complained of by our Lord, and represented as so loathsome to him; I mean, an indolence in religion, often joined with ignorance and spiritual pride too, as if great attainments were made, where it is almost matter of doubt -whether the very essentials be remaining! Let us not indulge in a vain conceit of our own wisdom, and riches, and sufficiency; but, let us thankfully hearken to that kind invitation, which he here gives us, to come and purchase that of him, without money, and without price, by which we may be truly and substantially enriched; that by which we may attain to real knowledge and true discernment; and may be clothed with ornaments and glories, which shall render us amiable in the eyes of God. How long has our compassionate Saviour been -waiting upon us! How long has he stood knocking at the door! And O, for what guests hath he been excluded! who have filled our hearts and taken the throne in them, while the entrance has been denied to the Lord of glory and of grace i Let us humble ourselves in the dust before him, and entreat that he would now enter as into his own habitation; that he would do us the honour to sup with us; that he would* The names and victories of illustrious warriors, and of the cities to which they belonged, were inscribed on pillars in the temples of the gods. cause us to sup with him; opening to us the stores of his love and bounty, and causing our souls to rejoice in his salvation. "Awaken us, O blessed Jesus, to give thee a most cheerful admittance; and rather show thy love to us by chastisements and rebuke, than suffer us entirely to forfeit it, by continued insensibility and negligence. Holy and true, who hast the key of David, exert thy power, irresistible in heaven and on earth, in opening our hearts: and O, set before us ari open door of service; and give us to use it to the utmost, for thy glory. Strengthen us to keep the word of thy patience, and make us unshaken in our attachment to thee, in every hour of temptation, which may come upon the earth, that none may take away our crown."—VV hatever our trials may be, let us rejoice in this, that they will be only for a short duration; for our Lord is coming quickly: whatever our combat may be, let us arm ourselves with faith in those glorious promises, which our Lord makes to them that persevere and overcome. Have we not experienced the pleasure of filling a place in the house of God on earth? But this sacred satisfaction, and the holy season which affords it, is quickly over; let us long for the blessed time, when we shall be fixed as immoveable pillars in the temple of God above. And O, may we now wear, engraven on our hearts, the name of our God, and of his heavenly ciiy, and the new name of our triumphant Redeemer, as a token for good, that we shall bear the inscription in bright and everlasting characters above. But even this most expressive promise was not equal to all the purposes of a Saviour's love: that nothing, therefore, might be wanting to enkindle the most generous ambition, he has been pleased to speak of our sitting down with him upon his throne, as he is set down on his Father's throne. And who then will ever scruple to suffer with him, when thus assured of reigning with him, in everlasting glory! O, who would grudge to resign, not merely the accommodations of life, but even an earthly throne, in the hope of one so much more radiant, exalted, and permanent! Fear not, little flock I it is your Father's and your Saviour's good pleasure to give you the kingdom, and he animates you to pursue it with such compassionate earnestness, as if he could hardly enjoy it himself unless it were communicated to you. SECTION VII.God is represented as enthroned in celestial glory, surrounded with the hieroglyfihical representation of angels, and the glorified Church. Ch. iv.1 \ FTER these things, I saw, and behold a door opened inheaven: and the first voice which I heard was as of a trumpet speaking to me; and it said, Come up hither, and I will shew2 thee what shall be afterwards. And immediately I was in the Spirit*. And behold, a throne was set in heaven ; and one sitting* This phrase signifies, to be under a strong and supernatural impulse, caused by the miraculous operation of the Spirit of God acting on the imagination so as to open extraordinary scenes, which had not any exact external archetype. And it is much illustrated by Ezek. viii. 1. We are not to imagine, "3 upon it. And he who sat on it was in the lustre of his appearance like a jasper and sardine stone; and a rainbow* was round about'* the throne, in appearance like an emerald. And round about the throne there were twenty-four other thrones; and on the thrones I saw twenty-four eldersf sitting, clothed with white raiment; and they5 had upon their heads golden crowns. And out of the throne there came lightnings, and thunders, and voices. And seven lamps of fire were burning continually before the throne, which are the6 Seven Spirits of Godi. And before the throne there was a sea or great laver of glass, like clear crystal. And in the middle of the throne and the circle about the throne, there were four living crea? tures§, full of eyes before and behind. And the first animal was like a lion; and the second animal was like a calf; and the third animal had a face like a man ; and the fourth animal was like a fiy8 ing eagle. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings round about: and within they were full of eyes: and they rest not day nor night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Al9 mighty, who wast, and art, and art to come. And while the living creatures are giving glory, and honour, and thanks to him that10 sitteth upon the throne, who liveth for ever and ever; the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sitteth upon the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever; and they cast down their11 crowns before the throne, saying, Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy will they are and were created.REFLECTIONS. And shouhjnot we likewise fall down with the angels and glorified spirits, and pay some homage to the Sovereign Majesty of heaven, though it be impossible for us to equal theirs? For ever adored be the divine grace, that a door is opened in heaven; in consequence of 'which, even before we enter, we are allowed to look in, and thus to confirm our faith, and to animate our devotion; which, alas! after all, is too ready to decline and languish. That it may be greatly invigorated let us look up to the throne, and to him that sitteth thereupon; and rejoice to see that peaceful emblem with which the seat of his glory is surrounded, the rainbow of vivid and pleasant green; signifying, that the majestic Being who fills it, is the covenant-God of all his believing and obedient people, and that mercy and love reign triumphant, in the -whole constitution of that perpetual covenant.that the person sitting on the throne, or the four animals, or the 24 elders. Sec. were real beings, though represented in a figurative manner, as things that did really exist. I think it most probable, that all that passed was purely in the imagination of John. This will keep us clear of a thousand difficulcies and absurdities, which would follow from a contrary supposition. * Expressive of God's kindness and covenant. As an emblem of the old testament church, and also of the new. Representing the Spirit's various operations.Or four animate beings. A. It was a most unhappy mistake in our translators to render ??? beasts. These seem to have been intended as hieroglyphical representations of the angelic nature, Vei. II. % % Let us contemplate with veneration the blessed angels, the ministers of God, who do his pleasure, represented here under hieroglyphical characters, as possessed of amazing strength and courage, resolution and patience, of the sublimest reason, and the most deep and penetrating sagacity, active and pure a3 flames of fire; and with these lofty ideas in our minds, let us ardently pray that the willof God may be so done on earth as it is done in heaven. Let us also remember the elders here mentioned, the representatives of the church of the redeemed, seated on glorious thrones, clothed in that white raiment, which is the righteousness of the saints, and adorned with crowns of glory. And let us especially consider, how the angels and the saints are employed: they rest not day nor night from breathing out the most ardent devotions; they feel nothing of that weariness and languor with which we are too frequently invaded in this state of mortality, even in our best moments, and divinest frames; but they cry continually, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come ; they give glory and honour, and thanksgiving to him that sittcth on the throne. And infinitely worthy is he to receive it: He who is the Almighty creator, He who is the ever-present, and ever-gracious supporter of alll Thou art worthy, O Lord, thou alone art worthy; and though thou with-holdest from us the face of thy throne, while we dwell in these tabernacles ofclayT yet as we are thy creatures, thy rational creatures, we partake of thy protection and bounty; and, feeble as our faculties are, and dark as the world is in which we dwell, we are able to discover thee as our almighty creator, our constant preserver, our never-failing benefactor. And, as such, may we daily worship and adore thee, with our feeble -voices in this state of mortality; that when we are duly prepared, we may begin a nobler song, and join in the sublimer anthems and hallelujahs above. Amen.SECTION VIII.The vhion of the scaled Book, and ihe Lamb that was slain, who was found worthy to open it. Ch. v.1 4 ND I saw in the right-hand of him who sat on the throne, a ±\. book written within and without, sealed with seven seals*.3 And I saw a mighty Angel proclaiming with a great voice, Who is. worthy to open the book, and to loose its seals? and disclose its con3 tents? And no one in heaven, or upon earth, or under- the earth, was4 able to open the book, or to look into it- And I, desiring to know its contents, wept abundantly, because no one was found worthy to5 open and read the book; nor to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, Weep not; behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and6 to loose its seven seals. And I beheld, and lo! in the middle space between the throne and the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, there stood a Lamb, which had been slain, wearing the marks of slaughter, having seven horns, and!* Each seal is to be considered as belonging to a distinct leaf [or division} of the book. seven eyes, expressivc of extraordinary fwwer and knowledge, these are the Seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth.7 And he came, and took the book out of the right-hand of him8 who sat upon the throne. And when he received the book, the four living creatures, and the twenty-four elders, fell down before the Lamb, having every one harps and golden vials* full of per9 fumes, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every tribe, and language, and people,JO and nation; and hast made us to our God, kings and priests: and11 we shall reign on earth. And I beheld, and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and of the living creatures, and of the elders: And the number of them was myriads of myr12 iads, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing!13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, even all things that are in them, I heard saying, To Him who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing, and honour, and glory, and strength, for ever14 and ever! And the four living creatures said, Amen: and the twenty-four elders fell down, and worshipped him who liveth for ever and ever.REFLECTIONS. It should fill us with unutterable joy, when we lift up our eyes to the throne of God, that we there discern the Lamb wearing the marks of slaughter. We should then gratefully remember his dying love; for it is his precious blood which cleanses us from all sin, and emboldens our addresses to God, conscious as we are, that our guilt is attended with great aggravations. Surely, had it been queried, with respect to the great atonement to be made for our transgressions, as it was with respect to the opening these seals, Who is worthy to complete this gracious undertaking? we should have seen with unspeakable anguish, that none in heaven, or on earth, would have been found equal to the task. But here likewise, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed. How divinely is he furnished for the high station he sustains, and for all the glorious services assigned to him! What amazing fwwer, what adorable wisdom is implied in the seven horns and seven eyes, with which he is here delineated? and O! what love, in submitting to be slain, that he might redeem us to God by his blood! With the prayers of the saints, which come up before God as incense, may they ever mingle their most ardent praises for this divine condescension. And out of gratitude to their Redeemer, let them rejoice to see the glorious change in his condition, from his humiliation and sufferings on earth, to his exaltation and reward in heaven: and let them ardently long for the happy season, when the full choir of the redeemed, from every nation, and people, and tongue, shall unite in this* Or censers, alluding to the censers used in the temple, in which the priests offered incense. joyful acclamation, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches, and -wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.—In this world the disciples of Christ are only a little flock, but when they stand together upon the heavenly mountain, they shall appear ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; and all the harmony of their voices, and all the ardour of their souls, inconceivably improved as all their powers will be, shall be united on this happy occasion. Form us, O Lord, we entreat thee, for this divine employment, and teach us, in some measure, to anticipate its pleasure, in these regions below. Even now, in spirit and intention, we prostrate ourselves before thee, and lay down the crowns, which faith, as it were, hath already received, at thy feet; giving glory to him who sitteth upon the throne, and celebrating the victories and honours of the Lamb. SECTION IX.The aliening the first six seals, and the auful events which accompanied it. Ch, vi.1 \ ND I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I Jl\. heard one of the four living creatures, which said, as with2 a voice of thunder, Come and see. And I looked r, and behold a white horse; and he who sat thereon had a bow, and there was" given to him a crown, and he went forth conquering, and to con3 quer.—And when he opened the second seal, I heard the second4 living creature, saying, Come and see. And another horse came out, which was red; and it was given to him who sat Upon it, to take peace from the earth; and that they should slay each oth5 er: and there was given to him a great sword.—And when he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature, saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a black horse ; and he6 that sat upon it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures, saying, A small measure of wheat for a penny*, and three small measures of barley for a penny; yet see that thou injure not the oil, nor the7 wine.—And when he opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of8 the fourth living creature, saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a pale horse; and as for him that sat on it, his name was Death; and Hell (Hades) followed him: And there was given unto him power to slay the fourth part of the earth with the sword, and with famine, and with death, and with the wild beasts9 of the field—And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar, the souls of those who were slaughtered on account of the10 word of God, and the testimony which they retained. And they cried with a loud voice, and said, How long, Lord, holy and true, ere thou dost judge and avenge our blood upon those who dwell11 on the earth? And there were given unto each of them white* The Roman penny was 7fd. of our money. A measure (or chcenix) was what was allowed a slave for his daily food. This therefore is a description of great scarcity. robes; and it was said to them, that they should rest yet a little while, till the number of their fellow-servants and brethren, who12 should be killed as they had been, should be fulfilled.—And I saw when he opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair; and13 the moon became as blood; and the stars fell from heaven upon the earth, as a fig-tree droppeth its untimely figs, being shaken14 by a mighty wind: and the heavens passed away like a volume, when it is rolled up; and every mountain and island were moved15 out of their places: and the kings of the earth, and the grandees, and the rich men, and the chief officers, and the powerful men, and every slave, and every free man hid themselves in the caves,16 and rocks of the mountains: and they said to the mountains, and to the rocks, Fall upon us, and hide us from the face of him who17 sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb! for the great day of his wrath is come, and who can be able to stand!REFLECTIONS. To whatever event these seals may refer, it is certain, that the representations here made are very awful, and very instructive. Let us consider ourselves as invited to come up and see, and let us observe the memorable spectacle with attention. Let the view of the white horse, and his rider, who went forth conquering and to conquer, lead us to reflect on the peaceful purposes of our blessed Saviour's appearance, and the rapidity of his conquests; and engage us frequently to pray for the further prosperity of his kingdom, that kingdom of righteousness, love, and happiness. When we think of the terrible effects of war, offamine, and oipestilence, represented by the three folio-wing horses, and their riders here mentioned, let it excite our thankfulness, that not one of this dreadful triumvirate is sent forth against us, though our national crimes have indeed deserved, that they should invade us -with united terrors; that peace should be taken from our land, that our bread and water should be received by weight and measure and that the dead should lie unburied in our streets, the food of the fowls of heaven, and the beasts of the earth : nor can any thing more justly excite our gratitude and thankfulness, than that the terrors and the guilt of sanguinary persecution, are not to be found in the midst of us. The history of its horrors and ravages in other nations and ages, may sometimes be an exercise of our faith; and we may be ready to cry out with the souls under the altar, How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt thou not avenge the blood of thy saints upon the earth ? But let us wait with patience ; let us not form a hasty and inconsiderate judgment. The dead who die in the Lord, and those who had been persecuted to death for his sake, and in his cause, are incomparably more happy than those who are the happiest among the living. The white robes, and golden crowns, with which they are adorned, are an abundant compensation, not only for every lighter suffering, but even for the slow fire, and the rack, those most dreadful instruments of torture. And though their malicious and implacable enemies may bitterly insult over them for a while, yet the triumphing of the wicked is for a short lime, their guilty spirits will soon be summoned before the great avenger of blood; and the day is coming when they shall be publicly brought forth, to suffer the utmost demands of his justice; even that day, when all the figurative descriptions here used shall be fully answered, in their literal meaning; when the Sun ahull indeed be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood; when the volume of heaven shall be rolled up as a scroll, and its stars shallfail from their orbs. It is no wonder that ungodly sinners fly from this alarming and tremendous scene, with wild consternation and confusion ; no wonder that they rend the very heavens with their cries, and cull upon the mountains to Jail ufion them, and the rocks to cover ihem: for O! what were the sudden and irresistible crush of a rock, or a mountain, when compared with the weight of the wrath of the Lamb, and with the fire and brimstone of this second death. O! that by the expectation of this awful day, men of all ranks and conditions, may be influenced to make their application to him, while he yet appears in the displays of his grace and mercy, to kics the Son, lest he be angry, and they perish from the way, ci'en when his wrath is only beginning to be kindled .' SECTION X.The increase of the church, represented by the vision of twelve thousand sealed out of each tribe of Israel: the glory and happiness of those who should endure persecution. Ch. vii.1 \ ND after these things I saw four angels standing at the four X\. corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth; that the wind might not blow upon the earth, nor upon the sea, nor2 upon any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun (i. e. the east) having the seal of the living God: i?nd he cried with a great voice to the four angels, to whom pow3 er was given to injure the earth, and the sea; saying, Injure not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the ser4 vants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of those that were sealed; which was in all one hundred and fortyfour thousand, who were sealed out of every tribe of the children5 of Israel. Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of6 Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Asher were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasseh were sealed twelve thousand.7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar8 were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zebulun were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph* were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.9 After this I looked r, and behold a great multitude, which no one could number, out. of every nation, and tribe, and people, and* i. e. of the tribe of Ephraim, the other son of Joseph.—The tribe of Dan is omitted: some suppose because this was the first that fell into idolatry. Dr. Hammond, because it had been long destroyed. N. li. It is not numbered, 1 Chron. ii. &c . language, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands, to signify their victo10 ry and joy; and crying with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our11 God, who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb ! And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell down on their faces before12 the throne, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: the blessing, and the glory, and the wisdom, and the thanksgiving, and the honour, and the power, and the strength, be to our God for ever, and ever,13 amen. And one of the elders answered, saying to me, As for those who are clothed with white raiment, who arc they, and whence do14 they come? And I said to him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they, who are come out of much tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the15 Lamb: therefore they are before the throne of God, and perform divine service to him day and night in his temple ; and he who sitteth upon the throne, pitcheth his tabernacle among r them.16 They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst anymore;17 nor shall the sun fall upon them, nor any heat: for the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and he shall lead them to fountains of living water; and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.REFLECTIONS.How inexpressibly happy are the thousands of those who are sealed, those whom God has marked out for his own, and in that character, has taken o under his special protection. Whatever storms and tempests may arise, they are in no danger of being forsaken; they shall be preserved inviolably safe, and their happiness is secure. They shall be brought at length to join with the innumerable multitude, who surround the throne, and ascribe, as all Israel must do, salvation to God who sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb. And O / that the salvation of Israel were come out of Sion! that their praises might sound sweeter here on earth, and that myriads of new voices might unite in the harmonious concert! Those songs of heaven let us begin below, and say, Amen; blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, find power, and might, be to our God for ever and ever : amen! If, through his grace, we can call him our God, how cordially should we join in this sublime ascription!In the mean time, we may see the church in affliction; we may feel a large share of personal, or public tribulation; but, when it presses hardest upon us, let us lift up our eyes to that glorious scene which the apostle beheld, and which was so excellent and sublime, that it might well transport him, even under the tribulations through which he was then making his way to it. Let us persevere, steadily and faithfully, as they did, [whose triumph he describes] and the day will come, 'when our robes shall be as white, and our crowns'&s radiant, and our palms as verdant as theirs. Let us then bear with patience, hunger and thirst, heat and weariness, while we travel through this vale of tears; rejoicing in hope of the everlasting refreshment and pleasure to which the Lamb will lead us; even those fountains of living water, of which he will give us to drink, when God has wiped away all tears from our eyes, and placed us before his throne, where we shall serve hint day and night in his temple, and see his face, and dwell with him, and have him for ever dwell with us, and in us. Amen.' SECTION XI.The seven angels appear with their trum/iets, and four of them sound. Ch. viii.1 A ND when he (before described as the Lamb ) had opened the ±i. seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.2 And I saw the seven angels, which stood before God ; and seven3 trumpets were given to them. And another angel representing the great higli-piiext, came and stood before the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given to him much incense, that he might present it with the prayers of all the saints, upon the golden altar4 which was before the throne. And the smoke of the perfumes went up with the prayers of the saints, from the hand of the angel,5 before God. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the brazen altar, and threw it upon the earth; and there were voi6 ces, and thunders, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels, who had the seven trumpets, prepared themselves,7 that they might sound. And the first angel sounded; and there was hail and fire, mingled with blood, and it was cast down upon the earth; and a third part of the trees was burnt up, and all the8 green grass was also burnt up. And the second angel sounded; and it was as if a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the9 sea; and a third part of the sea became blood ; and a third part of the creatures which had life in the sea, died, and a third part of the10 ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded; and there fell from heaven a great star, burning like a torch ; and it fell upon a third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters:11 and the name of the star is called wormwood, and a third part of the waters became impregnated wiih wormwood ; and many men died of the waters, because they were become bitter. (Comp. Ex. vii.12 20, 21.) And the fourth angel sounded; and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars, so that the third part of them was darkened, and the day did not appear with respect to a third part, and the night also.13 And I beheld, and heard one of the angels flying in the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to those that dwell upon the earth, for the remaining sounds of the trumpet of-the three angels, which arc yet to sound!REFLECTIONS. While we prepare ourselves, with silent admiration, to attenc": the discoveries here opening upon us, let us rejoice in the symbolical representation of the intercession of Jesus, our great highpriest, shadowed forth in so beautiful and expressive a manner, by the angel standing at the altar with the golden censer, and much incense. Behold, how the prayers of all the saints ascend before God 'with acceptance! See the method we are to take, if we desire that ours should be acceptable to him; and, encouraged by such a view, let us offer them up, not only with humility, but with cheerful confidence, though we are conscious of their great unworthiness. To what wretchedness are they exposed, who oppress and injure those, that, through their great representative, have such an interest in the court of heaven. The hail and the fire shall, at the divine command, powerfully plead their cause ; the mountains shall be torn from their basis, and easc into the midst of the sea; the sun, the moon, and the stars shall be darkened in their orbs, and all nature be thrown into convulsive agonies, ere God will suffer them finally to be overborn, or fail to punish, with becoming severity, those who continue to persecute, or evil-entreat them. Let such awful representations as these, remind us of the sovereign almighty power of God, whom all the hosts of heaven worship with reverence; and at whose awful word, when he gives forth his voice, hailstones and coals of fire descend; at whose rebuke the pillars of heaven tremble, and the foundations of the earth are shaken; who speaks to the sun, and it shineth not; who darkenelh the moon and sealelh up the stars. Who would not fear thee, O thou King of nations, so terrible in the judgments which thou executest on the earth? Deliver us, we entreat thee, from the multiplied and accumulated miseries of those who continue obstinately to oppose thee; and conduct us at length to thy heavenly presence^ though it should be through days of darkness, and waters of bitterness, and seas of blood. Amen.SECTION XII.The fifih and sixth angels sounding their trumpels. Ch. ix. 1 4 ND the fifth angel sounded; and I saw an angel like a shoot' ±\_ ing star fallen from heaven to the earth, and there was given2 to him the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened- the bottomless pit, and a smoke ascended from the pit, as tjie smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the3 smoke of the pit. And out of the smoke there came locusts upon the earth; and power was given to them, as the scorpions of the4 earth have power. And it was said to them, that they should not injure the grass of the earth, nor any green thing, nor any tree; but only the men who had not the seal of God in their foreheads.5 And it was given to them that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormente'd five months (i. e. about 150 years'). And their torment was like that of a scorpion when it striketh a man.6 And in those days men shall seek death, and shall not find it; and7 they shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. And the likeness of the locusts was like horses prepared for war; and on their heads were, as it were, crowns like gold; and their faces like8 the faces of men: And they had tresses like the tresses of women;9 and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates like breast-plates of iron ; and the noise of their wings was like the noise of chariots, and many horses rushing to war.Vol. II. A a a 10 And they had tails like scorpions, and their stings were in their tails; and their power was to hurt men five months, or about 15011 years. And they had a king over them, the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew language, Abaddon; and12 in the Greek he hatli the name of Apollyon the destroyer. One woe is gone,a?d behold yet other two woes besides it, coming.—13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four14 horns of the golden altar which was before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, Loosen the four angels, which15 are bound, by the great river Euphrates. And the four angels were loosened, who were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month,16 and a year*, that they might kill a third part of men. And the number of the horsemen was two myriads of myriads, i. e. two hundred millions. And I heard the number of them mentioned. 17 And I saw the horses, and those that sat upon them, thus in their appearance; having breast-plates of fire, and hyacinth, and brimstone: And the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions, and out of their mouths went fire, and smoke, and brimstone.18 By r these three things, viz. by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, that went out of their mouths, they slew a19 third part of men. And their powers are in their mouths and in their tails; and their tails are like serpents, having heads, and20 with them they injure. Yet the remainder of men, who died not by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they might not worship demons, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and wood; which can neither see, nor hear,21 nor walk. And they repented not of their murders, and their sorceries; nor their fornication, nor their thefts.REFLECTIONS. It is exceedingly natural to reflect, while reading this representation, how exactly the mightiest princes, and most savage destroyers of mankind, execute the plan of divine providence, and fulfil the decrees of God; even while they are intending nothing but the gratification of their own ambition, and avarice, and cruelty. The angel of God holds the keys of the bottomless pit ; and it is by divine permission, that these voracious locusts issue forth and infest the earth. The ministers of God's pleasure, bind the messengers of destruction, and loosen them at the divine command. And the season wherein they shall ravage the world, is here limited to a year, to a day, to an hour : Abaddon, Apollyon, the great and mighty destroyer, cannot effect the least of his mischievous and ruinous purposes, without the permission of the Preserver and Redeemer of mankind ; and cannot go beyond his limits. And even the mi'schief which he does, is intended and over-ruled to subserve the wisest and kindest designs. But O, how grievous it is to think of that degree of obstinacy and perverseness which so generally prevails in the world, and which renders men so incorrigible, under the most painful chastisements Satan is permitted to inflict. Send forth, O Lord, the gentle influences of thy* Perhaps, according to prophetic reckoning, about 391 years. Spirit, and melt those hearts, which will not be broken by the weightiest strokes of thy vengeance; and deliver us from a temper, so much resembling that of hell, and so evidently leading down to those dreadful abodes; the temper of those, who are hardened by correction, and in the time of their affliction and misery , increase and multiply their transgressions against thee.SECTION XIII.7%!? vision of a mighty angel who held a little book, which John was commanded to eat- Ch. x.1 \ ND I saw another mighty angel descending from heaven, _/"Y. clothed with a cloud; and a rainbow was about his head;$ and his face was as the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. And he had in his hand a little book open; and he put his right foot3 upon the sea, and the left upon the earth; and he cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth; and when he had cried, the4 seven thunders uttered their voices. And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to have written what they uttered: and I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Seal up what the seven thunders have spoken, and write thenv5 not. And the angel, which I saw standing on the sea, and on the6 earth, lifted up his hand towards heaven: and sware by him who liveth for ever and ever; who created the heaven, and those things which are in it; and the earth, and the things which are in it; and the sea, and the things which are in it; that time should be7 no longer: but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, who was about quickly to sound, the mystery of God, as he had revealed its glad-tidinge to his servants the prophets, should be ful8 filled—And the voice which I heard from heaven, spake to me again, and said, Go take the little book which is opened, out of the hand of the angel, which standeth upon the sea and upon the9 earth. And I went to the angel, and said to him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall imbitter thy belly, but in thy mouth it shall be as sweet as10 honey. And I took the little book out of the hand of the angel, and eat it up; and in my mouth it was as sweet as honey, buti 1 when I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. And he said to me, Thou must again prophesy to many people, and nations, and tongues, and kings.REFLECTIONS. If other parts of this chapter should seem to be less pregnant with important practical instructions, perhaps the design was, that we might be engaged to fix our entire and undivided attention on the awful words of this illustrious angel; v hose appearance is described in colours so exceeding beautiful and striking; with the radiance of the sun streaming from his countenance : the variegated colours of the rainbow encircling his head; of a stature so vast and majestic, that he at once bestrode the earth and the sea; with his hand solemnly lifted up to heaven; with a uoicff a7i>/"u/ as thunder, appealing to the venerable name of God, the Creator of the heavens, of the earth, of the sea, and of all their various inhabitants, in order to add the sanction of an inviolable oath, to a declaration which in itself, from such a divine messenger, was worthy of absolute and entire credit; a declaration, that time should be no longer: which is a certain truth, in the most sublime and interesting sense of which the words are capable. Time, as distinguished into days, and weeks, and months, and years, by the revolution of the heavenly luminaries, when the most resplendent of these are extinguished in their orbs, as they quickly will; when the nun shall be turned into darkness, and ihe moon into blood; time, shall then o be absorbed in an immeasurable eternity. And O, what an eternity! An etermty, either of perfect and inconceivable felicity, or hopeless and remediless misery. But, besides this general construction, there is an important sense in which the proclamation of this celestial herald shall be fulfilled, with regard to individuals; that time shall be no longer; ihe time of divine patience in waiting upon us; the time in which we shall be continued under the sound of the gospel, and the offers of mercy, and the means of salvation; the time in which we shall be conversant with these scenes of mortality, and with the persons who are here most familiar to us; at least in the present circumstances of their being. The period during which we are to inhabit this earth, and enjoy our spiritual advantages, or our worldly possessions and pleasures, is confined within very narrow limits'. The oath of this mighty angel is, perhaps, just ready to be accomplished, and time is closing, and eternity is opening upon us. O, that we may consider time and all its concerns, as very shortly to vanish, that our thoughts and our cares may be directed more and more to our own eternal interest, and to that of our fellow-creatures. The Judge is even at the door: let us endeavour therefore to be ready; let us improve every transient moment to the purposes for which it was given us; and in these views of the brevity of time, and the importance of preparing for eternity, let us detest all the pleasures and allurements of sin; for they will soon appear like the mysterious morsel of the apostle, bitter as wormwood in the belly, though with deceitful and fatal indulgence we may, for a few moments, have rolled them, like a sweet morsel, under our tongues; vainly desiring to prolong those pleasures, which can serve only to add more keen and exquisite sensibility to our future pain.SECTION XIV.The Angel commands John to measure the temple; declares that the Gentiles should tread dawn the outer court; tliat the two witnesses should be slain, and raised from the dead. The seventh trumpet sounds, and the triumpha of divine vengeance are celebrated. Ch. xi. 1—18.1 A ND there was given to me a reed, like a measuring rod: And f\. the angel stood by me, saying, Arise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and the space filed by those who wor3 ship at it: but r the outer court of the temple throw out of the: account, and measure it not; for it shall be given to the Gentiles, 3 and they shall trample upon the holy city forty-two months. And I will give to my two witnesses commission, and they shall prophesy during that time, or a thousand two hundred and sixty days,4 clothed in sackcloth. These are* the two olive-trees, and the5 lamps, who stand before the God of the earth. And if any one will injure them, fire shall come out of their mouth, and devour their enemies: and if any one willf injure them, so must he be6 put to death. These have power with God by their prayers, to shut heaven, so that no rain shall be showered down in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth, as often as they will,1 with every plague. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the savage beast which ascendeth out of the abyss, shall make war against them, and shall conquer them for a while, and 8 kill them. And their corpses shall lie in the street of the great city, Which is spiritually called, on account of its lewdness and persecutions, Sodom and Egypt; where also our Lord was crucified -9 over again\. And persons of various people, and tribes, and tongues, and nations, shall look on their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not permit their corpses to be laid in the10 graves. And they who dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and be glad, and in their exultations shall send gifts to each other; because these two prophets who tormented those who! 1 dwelt upon the earth by their faithful rebukes, are silenced. And J saw that after three days and a half, the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet: and great fear12 fell upon those who looked upon them. And they (the witnesses) heard a great voice saying unto them from heaven, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their13 enemies looked on them with surprise and fruitless rage. And in that hour there was a great earthquake; and a tenth part of the city fell, and seven thousand men were killed by the earthquake; and the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven.14 The second woe is past, and behold the third woe cometh quickly.15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever16 and ever. Ami the twenty-four elders that sat before God on. their thrones, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, .saying,17 We give thanks unto thee, O Lord God Almighty, who art, and who wast, and who art to come; because thou hast taken thy18 great power, and hast reigned. And the nations were angry r; and thy wrath came; and the time of the dead, when they should be judged, and a reward should be given to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, small and great; and when thou shouldest destroy those that de-stroy the earth, by their vices and cruelties. * Like Joshua and Zerubbabel, Zech. iv. 3,11,14.f " Whosoever shall wi. h to hurt them"—. W.% Or, as it were, in effigy, in his spiritual members. REFLECTIONS. Long hath the court of God's temple been trodden under foot by the Gentiles, and a party of very corrupt and degenerate Christians (if they at all deserve the name, though they proudly arrogate to themselves the title of the Catholic church ) been introducing and countenancing ail the fopperies and absurdities of pagan superstition, as 'well as more than the horrors of pagan cruelty, so as indeed to have disgraced, not the gospel alone, but human nature itself. A wise and gracious providence hath raised up witnesses for the truth in all ages; and it is a signal honour to bear a faithful and courageous testimony against these enormous corruptions, though it were unto bonds and imprisonment, and even at the expense of life. Those noble and heroic confessors God hath remarkably supported; and even when they had been in a state of mourning and oppression, they have borne their testimony and prophesied; their prayers have been remembered before God, and many have been smitten, who injured and oppressed them. But, notwithstanding this, the beast hath continued his war upon the saints, and their oppressions have increased, until, in many places, they have been cast down, and trodden in the dust, and their blood hath been poured out like water on the earth. Thus hath that great city, the metropolis of the world, once faithful and celebrated, become even as Sodom and Egypt, or even as Jerusalem, where Christ himself, our divine master, was crucified. Thus have the enemies of the truth triumphed over the servants of the Lord, and have erected trophies of their victory. But thanks be to God, their triumph shall not be perpetual; Christ our Redeemer will revive his expiring cause, in a manner as glorious and wonderful as a resurrection from the dead: he will glorify the remnant of his people; he will cause ihe earth to tremble, and shake down the towers of the enemy ;. and when the first and second woe is past, will bring upon them a third and more terrible woe. In the faith of this triumphal event let us rejoice; and though in our day we see not this glorious scene, let us consider it as approaching, when the seventh angel shall sound, and when all the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Christ. Let our prayers do all that the most earnest prayers can do, towards promoting this great event. O Lord God Almighty, who art, and art to come, we beseech thee to take to thyself thy great power and reign; for the proudest of the enemies who oppose thy kingdom, reign and even live, only by thy permission. Overbear, by thy superior rebuke, the rage of the angry nations; and give patience to thy afflicted servants, that if they should wait even till the dead be judged, they may never resign the hope of the reward which thou wilt at length confer upon them: not only on the prophets, and most eminent and distinguished of the saints, but on all them that fear thy glorious and tremendous name; on the small, as well as on the great; when the destroyers of the church, and of the earth, shall be destroyed together. Amen. SECTION XV.A view of the temple of God as opened; a vision representing the multiplication and preservation of the church, which U persecuted by a great dragon. Ch. xi. 19.—xii .19 A ND the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of ±\_ his covenant appeared in his temple: And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and greatxii. hail. And there appeared a great sign in heaven, an emblem of the church, a woman clothed with the radiance of the sun; and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:2 And she being pregnant, cried out in travail, and in pang?to be3 delivered. And there appeared another sign in heaven : And, behold! a great fiery dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and4 upon his heads seven crowns. And his tail drew down a thin! part of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman, who was about to bring forth,5 that when she was delivered, he might devour her child. And she brought forth a masculine son, who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God, even to6 his throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, that she might there be nourished one thousand two hundred and sixty days.7 And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels made war against the dragon and the dragon made war, and his angels:8 nevertheless they did not prevail, neither was place found for9 them any more in heaven. And thus the great dragon was cast out; even the old Serpent, called the Devil and Satan, who deceiveth the whole world, was cast out to the earth, and his angels10 were cast out with him. And I heard a great voice saying in heaven, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: because the accuser of our brethren is cast out, who accused them before our11 God day and night. And they have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved12 not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye who inhabit them. But woe to those that inhabit the earth, and the sea; for the Devil is come down to you, having great13 wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast out on the earth, he perseJ4 cuted the woman, who had brought forth a male child. And there were given to the woman two wings like those of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, unto her appointed place: where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time (i. e. three prophetic years and a half or 1260 days) from the15 face of the serpent. And the serpent cast out of his mouth water, like a river, after the woman, that he might cause her to be16 carried away by the stream. And the earth assisted the woman; and the earth opened its mouth, and drank up the flood which the17 dragon cast out of his mouth. And the dragon was enraged against the woman, and went away to make war against the re?i maindcr of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and retain the testimony of Jesus Christ.REFLECTIONS. Whatever concealed and unknown wonders may he intimated in some parts of this grand and awful vision, in others it contains very obvious and important instructions.—While we are beholding this emblematical representation of the Christian church, let us adore the great original Sun of Righteousness, who has decked her with his glorious beams, and will at length cause every faithful member of this blessed society, to shine forth as the Sun in his Father's kingdom. And let us be desirous of treading this changeable and uncertain world under our feet. Let us thankfully own the hand which has crowned the church with the apostles, as with a diadem; and, taught by their precepts, and inspired by their example, let us prepare ourselves for that sacred war to which we are called, the war against the devil, and his confederate hosts. It is, indeed, under a very formidable type, that he is here represented :—His cruelty, his subtilty, his experience in all the arts of destruction, are painted out with dreadful propriety, in the eld serpent, the great dragon. But, formidable as his violence, or artful and potent as the confederacy of infernal spirits may be, here is a victory gained over him, which calls for the congratulation of all the armies of the Lord: the dragon and his angels are cast out ; the saints are enabled to triumph over him, feeble and impotent as they are. But in what way are they able to overcome him? It is by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony. Instructive and edifying admonition! Let this be our confidence, even the banner of the cross, the blood of the Saviour, who died upon it; and, in this signal, we shall come off conquerors too. Faith in him shall be our shield, the word of God shall be our sword, the sword of the spirit ; and Satan, thus resisted, shall flee before us. In vain are the floods of temjualion, which he may attempt to throw out of his mouth to debauch our principles, or practices; they shall be entirely swallowed up. And though the church be for a while in the wilderness, it shall be happily sheltered, and tenderly nourished; there its members shall be in safety, as if they were taken vp to God, even up to his throne, till the time which he has appointed for its triumph. In the mean while, however the sons of malice, under the instruction and influence of the great accuser of the brethren, may defame them: however persecution may attack and harrass them; let them be courageous and undaunted, not loving iheir lives even to the death, in the cause of Christ: for, thouglw/fei/./a//, they shall rise again to certain victory and glory ; nor shall death bring down their heads so low, as to rendeu them unworthy of wearing a crown of life. SECTION XVI.The vision of the two beasts, and the outrages committed' by them. Ch. xiif.1 A ND I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a savage beast _?"Y. ascending out of the sea, having seven heads, and ten horns; and upon his horns were ten diadems; and on his heads there were 2 names of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and its feet were like those of a bear, and its mouth like the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his3 throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads wounded, as it were to death; and yet its mortal wound was healed. And the whole earth wondered, and followed after the wild beast.4 And they worshipped the dragon, who gave authority to the wild beast; and they worshipped the wild beast, saying, Who is like5 unto the beast? who can war against him? And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemous: and there was given unto it power to make war forty-two months (i. e. 1260€ prophetic days or years). And he opened his mouth to utter blasphemy against God ; to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle, and7. those that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given8 to him power over every tribe, and tongue, and nation. And all the inhabitants of the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain*, from9 the foundation of the world. If any one hath an ear, let him hear.10 If any one lead them into captivity, he- vstoH be led into captivity himself. If any one slay with the sword, lie shall himself be slainwith the sword- Here is the patience and faith of the saints.11 And I saw another beast ascending out of the earth, and it had12 two horns, like a lamb; but it spake like a dragon. And it exerciseth all the power of the first beast, in its presence; and it maketh the earth, and those that dwell in it, to worship the first13 beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wondersf, so as to make fire comc down from heaven to earth before14 men : And he deceiveth the inhabitants of the earth by the signs which it is given him to do before the beast; commanding the inhabitants of the earth to make an image of the beast, that had the15 wound of the sword, and yet' lived. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might speak, and cause as many as will not worship the image of16 the beast to be put to death. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, freemen and slaves, to receive the mark on17 their right-hand, or their foreheads^; and that no one should be able to buy or sell, but one who hath the mark, or the name of the18 beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: Let him therefore who hath understanding, compute the number of the beast; fork is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred and sixty-six||.* i. e. written, or registered, from the foundation. Comp. Ch. xvii. 8. and Phil. iv. 3.+ C. T. and W. "Miracles." D.:f It was customary thus to mark- soldiers and slaves.|| Of all the interpretations given to this text, none pleases me so well, as that of Sir Isaac Newton; that the words Aalciw and (Momiit/i) the man of Latiwn, or of Kome, are here referred to, whose numeral letters, taken together, make 656. And I suppose this number is mentioned to signify, that the appearance of that power, whose efforts were to continue 1260 years, was to happen about 666 years after the date of the Revelations, A, D. 95. AndVol. II. B b b REFLECTIONS. Whoever is the Beast intended, and whatever be meant by his image, his character, beyond all controversy, is very odious and detestable * for he is represented as blaspheming the name of God, and his tabernacle, and as making war with the saints. There have arisen such impious monsters in the Christian church; and none among them have been more openly and enormously wicked and profane, than those who have made the loudest pretensions to be the vicegerents of Chrisi, and invested with his whole authority. Many of the saints of God have seemed to have been overcome by this antichristian tyranny; many have been led into captivity; many have been slain with the s word: but those who took them captive, continuing impenitent, shall be taken, and the slayers slain. O, may our names be written in the Lamb's book of life! then shall Ave be secure in the midst of all these formidable evils; and, from every trial of our faith and patience, shall come out as gold seven times purified.—us not be troubled and offended, to discern these usurpations in the course of divine providence prevailing, and the lime actually come, in many parts of the world, in which men can neither buy nor sell, nor are permitted to enjoy any other natural or civil privilege, if they will not give up their names to the beast, receive his mark, and implicitly submit to his authority. The prophecy justly removes all offence which might be taken at the event; and, discerning its accomplishment, we may embolden our hopes, that the triumphs of divine justice over these ministers of the dragon, as they are also foretold, will be fulfilled with the like punctuality. And O, may the church of God be secured from their artifices, and fortified against their terrors; and, in his own due time, may he break the jaw bone of the wickid! May he utterly disarm all the power and policy of those who take counsel together against the Lord and his anointed; and though their confederacies may seem to mock all human opposition, yet, at his appearance, they shall melt away as snow before the sun, when the time to remember Sian, yea, the set time is come. SECTION XVII.The vision of the Lamb upon mount Sion, with his redeemed; and of angeh proclaiming his vengeance upon the beast, and his worshippers. Ch. xiv.1 \ ND I looked, and behokl the Lamb was standing upon mount J\. Sion, and with him one hundred and forty-four thousand,2 who had the name of his Father written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice out of heaven, as the sound of many waters, and like the sound of great thunders: and I heard the voice of har3 pers playing upon their harps. And they sung, as it were, anew song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and . the elders: and nor.e could learn the song, unless the one hundred and forty four thousand who are redeemed from the earth.4 These are they who have not been polluted with [lewd] women; for they are chaste as virgins; being free from idolatry. Thesethis I take to be the grand key by which the .era of the fall of Babylon is to be calculated, as it fixes the rise of the beast to about the year 756, when the Pope became a temporal monarch; that is, in prophetic language, a beast. are they who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, as the first-fruits to God, and5 to the Lamb. And no deceit was found in their mouth, for they are blameless before the throne of God.6 And I saw another angel flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to the inhabitants of the earth, even to every nation, and tribe, and tongue, and people;7 saying, Fear . God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him who made heaven and& earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water. And another angel followed, saying, It is fallen! it is fallen! even Babylon the great city; because it made all the nations drink of the wine of9 its raging fornication. And a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any one worship the beast, and his image,10 and receive the mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he also shajl drink of the wine of the indignation of God, which is tempered without mixture of mercy in the cup of his wrath; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the11 holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever12 receive the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are those who keep the commandments of God, and13 the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying to me, Write; henceforth blessed are the dead that die in the Lord;- yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and14 their works follow them! And I looked r, and behold a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like the Son of Man*, having15 on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple of God, crying with a loud voice to him that sat upon the cloud, Put forth thy sickle and reap, for the season of thy reaping is come, because the harvest of16 the earth is ripe. And he that sat upon the cloud, put forth his17 sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. And another anr gel came out of the temple that was in heaven; and he had a18 sharp sickle. And another angel came from the altar, having power over the fire; and he called out with a great cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, Put forth thy sharp sickle, and lop off the clusters of the vine upon the earth; for its grapes are19 ripe. And the angel thrust out his sickle upon the earth, and lopped off the grapes from the vine of the earth ; and he threw20 them into the great wine-press of the wrath of God. And the wine-press which stood out of the city was trodden, and the blood came out of the wine-press, even to the bridles of the horses, at the distance of one thousand six hundred furlongs, or two hundred miles. REFLECTIONS. In what awful characters is the righteous vengeance of God here described! How quickly do his haughtiest enemies fall before him, * As represented in Daniel. ( like corn before the sickle, or cluster* of grapes before the knife! His wine-press shall indeed be trodden, and the blood of his enemies shall overflow: but, blessed are all they that put their trust in him, and look to him, who trod the toinc-press alone, and who distinguishes himself by the title of him, who is mighty to save, and who travels in the greatness of his strength. Arrayed in terror, he will vanquish all the enemies of his people; but, to his faithful followers,- will appear with the gentleness of the Lamb, of the Lamb their Redeemer, to whose honour their voices and their harps shall resound. O, how happy are those souls who, by his special love, being redeemed from among men, and having humbly traced the steps of his purity and goodness on earth, shall, in the heavenly world, follow the Lamb whiiha'soever he goes! Let us be accordingly engaged to present ourselves unspotted from the world, and to walk worthy of so exalted a, hope and expectation; to keep our mouths from every deceit, that we may be found blameless in the presence of God, and of the Lamb. God hath granted us the everlasting gospel, on purpose that we might be taught to fear him, and to givn glory to his name; to worshifi himy as the great Creator and righteous Governor of the universe: and while we are under the conduct of his providence, and devoted to his service, let nothing discourage or dismay us. Though for the present we see that Babylon is triumphant, though its patrons are making themselves drunk with the blood of his saints, a very different cufi is prepared for her, and will assuredly be given her to drink; even the cup of the wrath of God, poured forth without mixture; while blessings, inconceivable and eternal, are reserved for those that suffer for righteousness' sake. Let the patience, therefore, of those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Christ, be invincible; for their fiercest, and most formidable enemies can only kill the body; and, having done that, can neither prevent, nor delay, the blessedness of the dead that die in the Lord. The infallible Spirit has .said it, the blessed apostle hath, by divine command, recorded it, for the instruction and triumph of his people in all ages, that they rest from their labours, and that their works follow them; while those that persecuted and hated them, rest not day nor night; but the smoke of their torment ascendcth vp for ever and ever. And O, that numhers of those who worship the beast, and who receive its image, may be awakened, while the day of their visitation continues ; lest they also, after having dealt damnation, in their arrogant censures, upon men of much purer faith, and holier lives, than themselves, be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. SECTION XVIII.The appearance of seven angels, with seven vials, full of the seven last plagues: the first three poured out. Ch. xv.—xvi. 1—7. 1 A ND I saw another great and wonderful sign iii heaven; sevXjl en angels, who had the seven last plagues ; so called because2 in them the wrath of God was to be completed. And I saw, as it were, a sea* of glass, mingled with fire; and those who over* A great crystal vessel, hke the sea in Solomon's temple. came the beast, and his image, and his mark, and the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having the harps of God.3 And they sung the Song of Moses the servant of God, and the Song of the Lamb, saying, Great and wonderful are thy works,0 Lord God Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, O4 King of saints. Who should not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name; for thou only ari'holy? Surely, all nations shall come and worship before thee, because thy righteous judgments are5 made manifest.—And after this I looked r; and behold the temple6 of the tabernacle of the testimony was opened in heaven: and the seven angels, who had the seven plagues, came out of the temple, clothed with pure and shining linen garments, and were gird7 ed about the breasts with golden girdles. And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden vials or censers full of the wrath of God who liveth for ever and ever.8 And the temple was full of smoke from the glory of God, and from his power: and no one could enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.xvi. And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the2 Earth. And the first went forth, and poured out his vial upon the Earth; and there was a malignant and grievous ulcer upon the men who had the mark of the beast, and upon them who worship3 ped his image.—And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became blood, like that of a dead manf: and every4 living soul that was in the sea died.—And the third angel poured out his vial upon-the Rivers, and on the fountains of water; and they5 became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters saying, Righteous art thou, O Lord, who art, and who wast: and thou art holyf,6 because thou hast judged these: Forr they have poured forth the blood of thy saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to7 drink; for they are worthy of it. And I heard another angel from the altar saying, Yea, O Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.REFLECTIONS. Let us now raise our eyes and our hearts above the low and sordid scenes of mortality, to those happy and exalted spirits who are described as standing before the crystal sea, with golden harps in their hands. Let us attentively hearken to those broken and imperfect echoes of the song of Moses, and of the Lamb, which a gracious God causes to descend, as it were, to this world of ours, and which sometimes sweetly mingle themselves with the clamour of strife, with the din of folly, with the groans of misery. Happy and glorious is their condition now, who are freed from all these evils, and who triumph over all their enemies ; whom (as it was said to Israel of the Egyptians) having beheld, they shall see them no more for ever. They are now acknowledging their great deliverer, singing everlasting praises to his name, andf Man is not in the Gr. VV. supplies animal, and renders the next words "every living creature." 1 I follow those copies which read crios. celebrating the wonders of his works, and the righteousness and truth of all his ways. O Lord God Almighty, 0 thou King of caints, who would not fear thee, and glorify thy holy nam:? Let the nations come, and worship in thy presence: let them pay thee their humble reverence and homage, before the vials of thy wrath are poured out : those vials which, terrible as their contents are, the benevolent spirits of heaven prepare themselves, at thy command, to pour forth with pleasure; applauding, in their responsive hymns, thy righteous judgmetits, even when the sorest and most dreadful plagues torment the worshippers of the beast and his image; even when their seas and their rivers are turned into blood. Whatever be the calamities, whether past or future, to which any of these particulars may refer, surely they are big with terror to those wretches who on any pretence, are pouring forth the blood of thy propliets and thy saints. They are worthy of having blood given them to drink; and accordingly, thou hast a dreadful draught in reserve for them. And, though some of them may have laid down their hoary heads in pence, which we might rather have expected, would have been brought to the grave with blood, the day of thy vengeance will surely come: a vengeance so terrible, that nothing but a zeal for thy violated law, and thine injured gospel, would make the very sight of it supportable to those whose cause shall then be pleaded, and whose blood shall be visited on their tormentors and murderers.SECTION XIX.The four last vials poured out, and the incorrigible obstinacy of sinners. Ch. xvl 8, &c.8 A ND the fourth angel poured forth his vial on the Sun; and9 Xll power was given to it to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat; and they blasphemed the name of God, who had power over these plagues, and they repented10 not, to give glory to him.—And the fifch angel poured forth his vial upon the throne of the Beast; and his kingdom was darkened,11 and they gnawed their tongues for anguish, and blasphemed the God of heaven, for their pains, and their ulcers; and12 repented not of their works. And the sixth angel poured forth his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that a way might be prepared for the kings from the rising of13 the sun. And I saw, o out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false14 prophet, three unclean spirits, come like frogs: for these are the spirits of demons working pretended miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to bring them together to the battle of the great day of God the Almighty. Then 15 heard I the voice of the Lord Jesus saying, Behold I come suddenly as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments*, that he may not walk naked, so that men should see his* Probably an allusion to the custom of setting fire to the clothes of the watch in the temple if found asleep. 16 shame. And he gathered them together into a place, which is 17 called in the Hebrew language, Armageddonf.—And the seventh 'angel poured forth his vial into the Air; and there came forth a great voice from the temple of heaven, even from the throne,18 saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as there had not been from the time that men were upon the earth; such and19 so great an earthquake was it. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the Gentiles fell down. And Babylon the great came into remembrance before God, to give20 her the cup of the wine of his fiercest wrath. And every island21 fled away, and the mountains were found no more. And a great hail, each stone as the weight of a talent, descended from heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague of it was very great.REFLECTIONS. Whatever particular events these Vials might be respectively intended to represent, they all agree in giving us most awful views of the divine power and agency over the whole universe. He is able to scorch and blast the earth with insufferable heat; to vail it in midnight darkness; to dry up its rivers, or even shake its foundations, so as to throw down, in a moment, the strongest and the proudest cities. From the air he can cause even rivers of ice to descend, sufficient not only to destroy our frail and tender bodies, but those regular fortifications which are deemed impregnable; turning them into the graves of those who seek and expect protection from them. How worthy is this tremendous Being of our homage and reverence? And yet men hear of his awful judgments, and sometimes see and feel them too, and continue unreformed. Even while they are gnawing their tongues through the extremity of pain and anguish, it is possible that, as far as their wounded tongues will give them leave, they may 4/a?* pheme the God of heaven, and utter their impotent rage and malice against him. The infernal regions resound with diabolical language: and O, that so many parts of this earth bore no resemblance to them. But let the outrage of the wicked be what it may, God, when he en? ters into judgment, will overcome. And though the rage of his enemies engages them to gather themselves together, the event will prove, that it is only as sheep- for the slaughter. And, while they are acting in this with the utmost freedom, they are indeed assembled by Him, their own angry passions subserving the purposes of his righteous providence.—?-Let us confide in his work, let us attend to his voice; and, in spite of all our difficulties and dangers, let us do our endeavour, to secure the blessedness of that man, who watcheth and keepcth his garments; who is always on his guard against every surprise, which might expose him to shame in the presence of his Master, though he should come in ever so unexpected a manner, even like a thief in the night. f Or, the mountain of Megiddo; a place- remarkable for slaughter. Judg v. 19. 2Kingsix. 27. SECTION XX.To explain to John the meaning of the seven inals, he is shewed the great harlot sitting upon a mysterious beast; and hears her doomed to destruction. Ch. xvii.1 \ ND one of the seven angels who had the seven vials, cameand spake with me, saying to me, Come, and I will shew thee the judgment of the great harlot, that sitteth upon many wa2 ters; with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been drunk with the3 wine of her whoredom. And he brought me in the Spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.4 And the woman was clothed with purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold, and precious stones, and pearls; having a golden cup in her hand full of the abominations and pollution of her whoredom.5 And she had upon her forehead her name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abomina6 Tioks Of The Earth. And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.7 And I wondered, when I saw her, with great amazement. And the angel said unto me, Why dost thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast which carrieth her, which8 hath the seven heads and the ten horns. The beast which thou sawest, was, and is not; and he will ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into destruction; and the inhabitants of the earth(whose names are not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world) shall wonder, on seeing the beast, who was, and9 is not, though he is*. Here is the understanding that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the wo10 man sitteth. And there are seven kings, or forms ofgovernment; five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come ; and11 when he cometh, he must endure but for a little time. And the beast that was, and is not, he is the eighth, and is of (i. e. springing 12 from) the seven, but goeth into destruction. And the ten horns which thou sawest, are ten kings, which have not yet received their kingdom ; but they shall receive authority from the beast13 as kings for one hour. These have one mind, and shall deliver14 their own power and authority to the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb; and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and those that are with15 him are called, and chosen, and faithful. And he said unto me, The waters which thou sawest, on which the harlot sat, are people,16 and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest on the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and make her desolate and naked, and they shall eat her flesh through * (*. e. who shall quickly be overthrown, though he is to appear for a while.—" That the beast was, but is not, yet will soon come." "To this let the xnind that hath wisdom attend." W. 17 indignation, and shall burn her with fire. For God hath given it into their hearts to execvite his sentence, even to perform one purpose; and to give their kingdoms to the beast, till the words of18 God be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawestl is the great city that ruleth over the kings of the earth.REFLECTIONS. Easily might we have apprehended, that Rome had been here designed, though it had not been so particularly described by its situation, on srven hills, or by the empire it then possessed over all the kingdoms of the world. The horlot might be sufficiently distinguished by her names of blasphemy, by her cup of enchantment, by her titles, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots, And Abominations Of The Earth. Yea, she might be known by this single character, of having made herself drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And is it heathen Rome, to whom these characters are more remarkably applicable? The apostle would not then have wondered with so great admiration, that idolatry and persecution should prevail, where the former had raged for so many ages, and the latter almost from the very beginning of Christianity; and to such a degree, in the days of Nero, who, as their own historian tells us, had, thirty years before this, added mockeries and insults to torment, that Christians were dressed up in the skins of wild beasts, and so exposed to be worried on the theatre: a method which hath indeed, figuratively speaking, been every where practised, and must be practised, if Christianity is to be made ridiculous, or odious. But the true occasion of the apostle's astonishment Was, that Rome professing Christianity, Rome setting up for the Head of the Christian world, should have emulated and. exceeded any Pagan city, and even itself in its Pagan state in its idolatries, and in its cruelties. And this is a fact indeed wonderful. But these are the secret counsels of God, even those counsels which are to us unsearchable. Nevertheless, the beauty and glory of them shall at length be apparent. The kings of the earth, though, like Nebuchadnezzar, they meant it not, are now fulfilling the plan of divine providence; a plan that shall at length appear wise and harmonious, though the permission of all these absurdities and horrors make a part of it. And when the words of God are fulfilled, they who with one mind have given their power and strength to the beast, in order to support the harlot, shall be as unanimous in hating her, and making her desolate and naked; shall be ready to devour her flesh, and consume her in her own fires. Fierce and savage as the beast may at present appear, its war with the Lamb shall be utterly in vain; for the Lamb is always victorious, and will assert his grand imperialgtitles, Lord Of Lords, And King Of Kings. May we all list under his banner; may we not only be called, but chosen and faithful, faithful even to death; since all the rage of men, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues, if it were united against us, could not prevent his giving us a crown of victory, and a part in his everlasting triumphs.Vol. II. C c c .SECTION XXI. A sublime description of the fall of Babylon. Ch. xviii. 1 AND after this I saw an angel descending from lieaven, who J\. had great power; and the earth was enlightened with his2 glory. And he cried with great might, and a loud voice, saying, It U fallen! it is fallen! even Babylon the great: and it is become the habitation of demons, and the hold of every unclean spirit,3 and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird: For she hath caused all the nations to drink of the wine of her raging whoredom; pnd the kings of the earth have committed whoredom with her, and the merchants of the earth have been enriched by the abun4 dance of her luxuries. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out from her, O my people, that ye may not be partakers with her in her sins, and that ye may not partake of her5 plagues; for her sins have followed up to heaven, and her un6 righteous actions are come up in remembrance before God. Give her, as she also hath given to you, and recompense to her double according to her works: In the cup which she hath mingled,7 mingle her a double quantity. In proportion to the degree in which she hath made ostentation of her glory, and lived in luxury, inflict upon her torment and grief; because she hath said in her heart, 1 sit a queen, and I am not a desolate widow, and shall notjg see sorrow. Therefore in one day shall her plagues come; death and mourning and famine; and she shall be burnt with fire; for9 strong is the Lord God who judges her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication, and lived in luxury with her, shall mourn over her, and lament for her, when they shall10 see the smoke of her burning; standing afar off for fear of her torment, saying, Woe! woe! O thou great city, Babylon, the11 strong city ! for in one hour thy judgment is come. And the merchants of the earth shall wail and lament over her, because no one12 any longer shall buy their wares: the ladings of gold and silver, and every precious stone, and pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and every odoriferous wood, and every vessel of ivory, and every vessel of most precious wood, and oT13 brass, and of iron, and of marble, and cinnamon, and perfume, and myrrh, and incense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and kine, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves,14 and the very lives and souls of men. And the fruits which thy soul desired, are gone from thee, and all delicious and splendid things are departed from thee, and thou shalt never find them any15 more. The merchants of these commoiiiics, who were enriched by her, shall stand afar off for fear of her torment, weeping and16 mourning*, and saying, Alas! alas! the great city, that was* An evie'ent reference to the lamentation over Tyre, Ezck. 2P. Is. xxiii, j 7, i4.—Some think the circumstances of Popish worship, and the trade of their priests, 2ic. intended in these \erses. clothed with fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and adorned with17 gold, and precious stones, and pearls! for in one hour all these riches are made desolate. And every pilot, and every one of the ship's company, and the mariners, and all that bestow their la18 bour upon the sea, stood afar off, and cried, when they saw the' smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like to the gre^t city?19 And they cast dust upon their heads, and cried weeping and mourning, saying, Alas! alas ! the great city, by whose magnificent expenses all that had ships in the sea were enriched! for20 she is made desolate in one hour. Rejoice over her, O thou heaven, and ye holy apostles, and prophets; for on your account God hath pronounced sentence upon her.21 And a strong angel took a stone, like a great millstone, and hurled it into tlie sea, saying. Thus shall Babylon the great city22 be violently hurled away, and never be found any more. And the* sound of harpers, and musicians, and those who sound the flute, and the trumpet, shall no more be heard in thee ; and every artificer of every trade, shall no more be found in thee; nor shall the noise of the millstone to prepare bread be heard in thee any more.23 And the light of the lamp shall no more be seen in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and the bride shall be heard in thee no more: because thy merchants were grandees of tlie earth, and 24 because all the nations were deceived by thy sorceries. And in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of the saints, even' of all those who were slain upon the earth.REFLECTIONS. Ffom the particular detail which is here given us, of the various' commodities in which Babylon traded with its merchants, we may surely take an incidental occasion to reflect upon the rich bounty of divine providence to the children of men, in giving- them such a variety of good things, which tend not only to their necessary support, but their ornament and delight. To whatever pernicious purposes vanity and luxury may abuse the silver and the gold, the gems arid the pearls, the fine linen and silk, the purple and scarlet, the ivory and marble, the cinnamon and the myrrh, as well as the more important blessings of wheat and oil, of tine, and sheep, and horses, ali are the gifts of God; and, if wisely and properly used, may justly excite our thankfulness to him; and it is on ourselves, and not on him, that we are to charge it, if what should have been for our welfare becom**^ a trap, and our treasures be turned into idols. Nor is the wk^s6 sition of providence to be disregarded, in causing m^>^y'inS to things to be the peculiar products of different coupi*<(mmel'ce nlay some what he has given to the rest, that so tndJWtrextended among be encouraged, and by it, society and inj*-Spread of divine kno\vldifferent nations, and provision madejieli impossible, if human incdge, which had, in many instanjlrthe prospect of gain, had not industry, quickened by necessijtffto which Great-Britain, above all vented those arts of nayifldebted, and without which, indeed, our other nations, is so m/gad had been a desert, inaccessible to meu. beautiful and fr\ihr But though this oblique reflection may profitably be made, the great object to which we are directed by this chapter, is the certainand final ruin of Babylon, which, how highly soever exalted, how superbly soever adorned, how luxuriously soever regaled, shall fall, shall fall a* a milUtone cast into the sea. Strong is the Lord God who judgeth her; and it is impossible she can withstand the force of his omnipotent arm. Long has she, in a metaphorical sense, been the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird: and God 'will make her so in another, even in a literal sense, when he shall appear to remember and punish those iniquities, -which have reached unto heaven: among which, various and detestable as they have been, shedding the blood of the propheis and the saints must be reckoned as most enormous. Let no triumph of the antichristian powers, for the present, shake our faith in these most certain and indubitable prophecies; and let that charge never be forgotten, Come forth from her, O my pcople, and be separate. Blessed be God, that a separation has been begun; that it has been so long supported, and that so many attempts to bring back God's Israel into captivity have been defeated. IMay the boundaries of the Reformation be extended; may the purity of the reformed churches be more and more advanced, and all remainders of superstition, persecution, and imposition, be taken away. And, to conclude all, let those who are now living dcliciously, and glorifying themselves in the forgetfulness of God, abusing the various gifts of his bounty to his dishonour, and saying in their hearts, that they shall see no sorrow, remember how suddenly their state may lie changed; how quickly they may sink into the depths of misery, proportionable to the height of their abused prosperity; and experience a torment and sorrow, which will be doubly bitter in the remembrance of their former condition. Let such, therefore, in whatever rank of life they are, according to the words of Daniel (Ch. iv. 27.) to the most illustrious king of Babylon, break off' their sins by righteousness, and their iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening out of their tranquillity; and give glory to God, before all their cheerful light be exchanged for darkness, and all the harmony of their music for weeping and wailing, groaning and lamentation for ever.SECTION XXII.The triumphs of the heavenly host in the fail of Babylon. Christ's attack on the beast ends in an entire victory. Ch. xix.-fcer these things, I heard the voice as of a great multi1 \ ND a. - ,,ven> saying, Hallelujah ! salvation, and glory, J\_ tude in I-. ..^ t0 tne Lord our God; for his judgments2 and honour, and pov . e^r he natn judged the great harlot, who are true and righteous; K ronljcationi and he hath avenged the corrupted the earth with her ?. h^ An(, a second time they3 blood of his servants shed by ncr . ,<1{.ends fm. ever and ever. said, Hallelujah And her smoke r , fcfl ^ ^4 And the twenty-four Llders, and the lour _ worshipped God, sitting upon the throne, saying, Amen: halle5 lujah. And a voice came out from the throne, which said, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and6 great. And I heard a sound which was as the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord God, the7 omnipotent reigneth. We will rejoice, and exult, and give glory to him, because the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife8 hath prepared herself. And it was given to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, pure and resplendent: and the fine linen9 is the righteous acts* of the saints. And he said unto me, Write, happy are they who are invited to the marriage-supper of the Lamb. And he farther said unto me, These are the true words10 of God. And I fell before his feet to pay homage to him; and he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee, and with thy brethren, who keep the testimony of Jesus. Pay thine homage to God; fof the spirit of prophecy is the testi11 mony of Jesus. And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and he that sat upon it was called faithful and true; and he12 judgeth and maketh war in righteousness. Whose eyes are as a flame of fire; and many diadems were upon his head, having a13 name written which no man knoweth but hiraself. And he was clothed in a garment dipt in blood; and his name is called14 The Word Of God. And the armies which are in heaven followed him, riding on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white15 and clean. And there went out of his mouth a sharp sword, that with it he might smite the heathen: and he shall govern them with a rod of iron; and he treadeth the wine-press of the indigna16 tion and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath upon his garment and his thigh, a name written, King Of Kings And Lord Of 17 Lords. And I saw a single angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds of prey which were flying in the midst of heaven, Come and assemble yourselves to18 the supper of the great God; that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of commanders, and the flesh of the mighty, and the flesh of horses, and those who sat thereon, and of all freemen and slaves, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together, to make war with him who sitteth upon the white horse, and with his ar20 my. And the beast was taken captive, and with him the false prophet, who had wrought signs before him, by which he had deceived those who received the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image: both of them were cast alive into the21 lake of fire, which burned with brimstone. And the rest were slain with the sword, that came out of the mouth of him who sat on the horse: and all the birds were satiated with their flesh.* So hxawpucl* evidently signifies, and therefore cannot refer, as some suppose, to the imputation of Christ's righteousness. I hope Christian divines will have the courage to speak wiih the scripture, though it should be at the expense of their reputation, with some, for their orthodoxy. REFLECTIONS.Let us learn by what we have here been reading, to adore the Lord God Omnipotent, who reigneth over all, and who displays the truth and righteousness of his judgments, in his vengeance on the enemies of his church, even when he inflicts on them a torment, the tmoke of which rises ufi for ever and ever. In the certain assurance, that in due time he will plead his own cause, and rescue and exalt his people, let all his servants and people praise him, even all ihat fear him, both small and great, and labour to live that divine life of gratitude, and joyful thanksgiving on earth, which may anticipate the pleasures and employments of the heavenly world. The time will at length come, when all of such a character shall celebrate the marriage-day of the Lamb ; yea, when the whole society shall appear in his presence as one chaste virgin, whom he has espoused to himself; and whom, with unutterable delight, he places in his more immediate view, not only as arrayed in robes of pure and shining linen, -which is the righteousness of the sainis, but as perfectly free from spot, or blemish, or any such thing. He will admit them all to feast in his own presence ; yea to dwell for ever with him ; so shall we ever be with the Lord. These are the true sayings of God. And though a consciousness of our own utter unworthiness of such honours, might be ready to detract from the credibility of these divine assurances, or at least prevent us from giving so clear an assent to them, as we inight otherwise do, yet let God be true, and every man a liar. And in the mean time, in the mingled scenes of adversity and prosperity, which attend the Israel of God, let us direct our believing eyes to him, who is faithful and true; to him, who both administers justice, and wages war in righteousness. Let us reverence his penetrating eyes, which are Hie a fame of fire. Let us rejoice in the diadems placed upon his head, to signify the extent of his dominion ; and read with awe the inscription upon his vesture, and his thigh, The word of God, the Xing of kings, and the Lord of lords. As such let us pay our homage to him ; and let the favour of lords and kings be as nothing to us, where his favour or his honour is concerned. The proudest of earthly potentates oppose his dominions in vain. In vain do they marshal their captains, and their mighty men; vain is the strength of horses, and of them that sit thereon, and the combinations of bond and free, though Satan himself abet their rebellion, and inspire them with subtilty, and arm them with rage : their subtilty shall be defeated, their rage shall be repelled. The sword of the Lord shall devour them. The birds of prey shall at his pleasure be fasted with their carcases ; and the sad catastrophe of their bodies shall be only an imperfect emblem of the anguish and misery of their spirits, when plunged with the evil spirit that deceived them, they sink deep into the hike that burns for ever, and feel the terrors of the second death- lie wise now therefore, O ye kings, and be instructed, ye judges of the earth, serve the Lord with fear; and, sensible of his uncontrollable dominion, and your own weakness and imperfection, even while ye rejoice before him, rejoice with trembling. SECTION XXIII.The binding of Satan for a thousand years, when the gospel is greatly to prevail. The destruction of Christ's enemies on their last attempt against his church ; and the universal judgment. Ch. xx.1 \ ND I saw an angel descending from heaven, who had the Xi. key of the bottomless pit, and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, who is the Devil3 and Satan, and he bound him (or a thousand years ; and he cast him into the abyss, and shut him down, and set a seal upon him, that he might not deceive the nations any more, till a thousand years were accomplished ; and then he must be loosed again for4 a little time. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them ; and the souls of them who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and who had not worshipped the beast, nor his image, and had not received his mark in their foreheads, and upon their hands; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.5 But the rest of the dead revived not till the thousand years were6 accomplished; this was the first resurrection. Happy and holy is he who hath a part in the first resurrection ; on such the second death shall have no power, but they shall be the priests of God, and of Christ ; and they shall reign with him a thousand? years. And when the thousand years shall be accomplished, Sa8 tan shall be loosed from his confinement; and he shall go forth to deceive the nations who are in the four cornerslof the earth, Gog and Magog*, to gather them together in war; whose num9 ber is like the sand of the sea. And they went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city; and fire came down from God out of heaven,10 and devoured them. And the Devil, who had deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were; and they shall be tormented day and11 night for ages of ages. And after this I saw a great white throne, and him who sat thereon, from whose face earth and heaven fled12 away, and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life': and the dead were judged out of the things written in the books,13 according to their works. And the Sea gave up the dead that were in it; and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them; and they were judged every one according to their works.14 And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire : this is tlie15 second death. And if any one was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.* The enemies of God's people. Some think the Scythians and other ttorthem nations to be intended. See Ezck. xxxviii. xxxix. REFLECTIONS.We have here a most affecting view before us, of that important event, in which we are all intimately concerned. Whatever the first returrecthn may import, or that glorious reign of a thousand years (which probably intimates a signal revival of the Christian cause in the world, and a display of its influence beyond what hath yet been known) o the illustrious day in which heaven and earth is to pass away, demands the attention of all mankind. For the dead, both small and great, whether buried in the earth or the sea, must then stand before God: Therefore let all the living, both small and great, seriously weigh the solemnity and importance of that appearance. Let them often look forward to the awful period, when the glorious throne shall be set, the important volumes opened, which contain the record of our lives and actions, and of God's gracious and merciful transactions with us. We must be judged according to our works. That God, before whom are all our ways, and who searches all our hearts, will bring every work into judgment, and every secret thing, vihether it be good, or whether it be evil. Let ns judge ourselves impartially, that we be not condemned of the Lord; and conscious how unable we should be to stand in that judgment,if God were rigorous to lay justice to the line, and righteousnecs to the plummet, let us humbly apply to the throne of mercy, to the blood of his Son, to the grace of his gospel-covenant. So shall we find mercy of the Lord in that day, and be the priests of God, and of Christ, and reign with him, not a thousand years alone, but for everlastingages.—In the mean time, let those who have no reverence for his majesty, who have no esteem for his gospel, who have never taken this awful alarm, who have never fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them, fremble at these awakening views. Let them all, of every condition, both small and great, say in their heats, Who shall dwell with devouring fames, and lie down in everlasting burnings, even inthis lake of fire, into which every one who is notfound written in the book of life, shall be cast, and where the wretched victims of divine justice shall be tormented for ever and ever? How melancholy does the face of our earth appear, when we reflect on the reign of Satan on it, on the influence of the dragon, and the beast, and the false prophet! O Lord, cut short their power ; send down the angel that has the key of the bottomless pit, to bind this destroyer. Yea, when he shall be loosed for a season, moderate his rage ; support thy saints under the terror of every assault, till thou appear to the last confusion of their enemies, till thou appear to close this perplexing scene, by the wise and glorious catastrophe of all things; when it shall be seen, that the souls of them who are beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, were not lost, and that it was wisdom strenuously to refuse the mark of the beast, and the homage so generally paid to his image, though men might neither buy nor sell, nor enjoy their liberty, nor their lives,without making an entire submission to it. SECTION XXIV.The glorious vision of the new heaven and earth: the blessing to attend the faithful conqueror, and the misery of the wicked. Ch. xxi. 1—8.1 A ND I saw a new heaven, and a new earth; for the former Xjl heaven, and former earth was passed away; and the sea was2 no more. And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending from God out of heaven, prepared like a bride adorned3 for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying. Behold the tabernacle of God is with men; and he shall pitch his tent among them, and they shall be his people, and God4 himself'shall be among them as their God. And God shall wipe away their tears from their eyes; and death shall be no more, nor grief, nor crying; nor shall there be any more pain; for the for5 mer things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write,6 for these are true and faithful words. And he said unto me, It is dene. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the- beginning and the end: I will give to him that is athirst, of the fountain of the water7 of life freely. The conqueror shall inherit all things; and I will8 be to him a God, and he shall be my son. But as for the fearful and unbelieving, who dare not face the difficulties of religion, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all Ifers; their part shall be in the lake which burnetii with fire and brimstone ; which is the second death.REFLECTIONS.Let us pause a little, before we proceed to the more particular description of this glorious scene; and kt our hearts rejoice in this general view of the new heaven, and the new earth, and of the holy city descending out of heaven from God. Will God in very deed dwell with men? Will he dwell with them for ever? Will he fix his tabernacle with them, and condescend to avow them for his people, and to make himself known unto them as their God? Let our souls then be awakened, to pay a due attention to such glorious and important promises. Let us hearken to the voice of him who sitteth upon the throne, whose words are undoubtedly true and faithful. Lord, dost thou make all things new? Verify the word first, we implore thee, in our hearts, that it may be verified at length in our state and condition. O thou Alpha and Omega, who art the Beginning and the ?nd I thou who hast done so much to introduce this divine scheme of salvation, perfect it, we entreat thee, with respect to us, exciting our thirst after the water of life; and may we come and take it as freely as it is offered in the gospel.In what part of the holy scripture is life and death, the blessing and the curse, set before us, if not in these awful passages? Let those who are too timorous resolutely to adhere to their duty, be recovered, and, as it were, driven back to it, by the fear of divine vengeance.Vol. II. Ddd And let all habitual and obstinate sinners, and especially all liars, who bring up the rear of a catalogue, in which murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, make a part, be awakened by this awful threatening. O desperate and inexcusable folly! to be afraid of the displeasure of men, and the inconveniences which may possibly attend an adherence to the truth, and not to fear the lake which burns for ever with fire and brimstone! But let us courageously encounter, and then we shall conquer, all our enemies ; animated by these glorious promises, in which all the encouragements contained in the sacred volume, are comprised, that Ac who overcomes, shall inherit all things, while God owns himself his God, and acknowledges him as his son; and if a son, then an heir, an heir of God, and joint heir with Christ; and if so, all things are indeed our*. Let those tears, that will now sometimes silently steal down our cheeks, be shed as tears which we expect quickly to have wiped away, even by the soft and compassionate hand of our heavenly Father. Let us bear our sorrows, and our pains, as those that know we shall, through divine grace, soon be out of the reach of them; and let us meet death itself, if we are sincere believers in Christ, as those that know iis reign will soon come to a period; and that when once we are recovered from it, by the almighty power of our great General, we shall never more be subject to its invasion, or any of its terrors j even then, when all former things shall have passed away* SECTION XXV,A particular description of the splendour, purity, and happiness of the heavenly Jerusalem. Ch. xxi. 9, &c.? A ND there came to me one of the seven angels who had the Xjl seven vials full of the seven last plagues; and spake with me, saying, Come and I will shew thee the bride, the wife of the10 Lamb. And he brought nie in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and he shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem,11 coming down out of heaven from God, and having the glory of God shining around it: and its lustre was like to that of a most12 precious gem, even as a jasper stone, clear as crystal: and having a great and high wall; having also twelve gates, and over the gates twelve angels, and names written upon them, which were13 the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. On the east three gates; on the north three gates j on the south three gates;14 and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations; and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the15 Lamb. And he that spake with me had a golden reed that he16 might measure the city, and its gates, and wall. And the city was a square, its length [being] equal to its breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, [and found it} twelve thousand furlongs: its length, and its breadth, and its height were equal.17 And he measured the thickness of its wall, which was one hundred forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of 18 the angel who took its dimensions. And the building of its wall was like a rock of jasper, and the city was of pure gold, bright 19 and clear like refined glass. And the foundations of the walls of the^city were adorned with every precious stone. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony;20 the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, crysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, hyacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each of the gates was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, transparent22 as glass. And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty,23 and the Lamb, are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine therein; for the glory of the Lord24 enlightened it, and the Lamb was the light thereof. And the nation? of the saved shall walk in its light; and the kings of the earth25 do bring their glory, and their honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut by day, nor at all; for there shall be no night26 there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations27 into it. And nothing unclean shall enter'into it, nor any thing which practiseth abomination and falsehood; but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Ljfc.REFLECTIONS.GLORIOUS things are indeed spoken of thee, 0 thou city of God. Thus does the divine Being condescend to aid our feeble faith, by such sensible representations. But none of these things which are spoken, can give us an idea grand and magnificent enough. The pearls and the gems, the gold and the crystal, the honour of kings, and all the nations they govern, all these fall inconceivably short of that glory; for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor (active and boundless as the human imagination may seem) has it entered into the heart of man to conceive, what God hasprepared for them that love him,' in these regions of perpetual day, of everlasting security, in this grand temple, the whole of which shall be replenished with the most sensible tokens of his presence.And who shall abide in this thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in this thy holy hill? They who are written in the Lamb's book of life; they whom God has, from the beginning, chosen to salvation through sanetification of the Spirit,and belief of the truth, being predestinated to the adoption of children, through Jesus Christ unto himself. And who are these? None that are unclean and profane; none that work abomination and a lie; but the pure and pious, the humble and holy. "Form us, O Lord, to this character by thy grace: and never let the gaudy glare of sensual enjoyments, and worldly possessions, turn our eyes from contemplating this glorious sight, or alienate our hearts from the pursuit of this blessedness; till, having heard of it by the hearing of the ear, and believed the faithful report, our eyes shall behold those divine substantial glories, which these emblems, resplendent as they are; can but imperfectly represent. In the mean time, O Lord, lead us onwards through what dark and gloomy path thou pleascst, tQ these abodes of light and glory; determine for us in -what cottages we shall lodge, though ever so mean and obscure, while we are pursuing our journey to this royal, tliis imperial palace. SECTION XXVI.Afurther vision of the river of life, and of the tree of life; the happiness of the inliabitams of the New Jerusalem. Ch. xxii. 1—9.1 A ND he shewed me the pure river of the water pf life, clear II as chrystal, issuing out of the throne of God, and of the2 Lamb. In the midsc of the street of it, and on the one side and the other of the river, wan the Tree of Life, producing twelve kinds of fruits, every month producing one kind of fruit: and3 the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. And every curse shall cease. And the throne of God and the Lamb,4 shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be borne upon their foreheads.5 And there shall be no night there ; and they have no need of a lamp, nor of the light of the sun ; because the Lord God shall6 enlighten them ; and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said to me, These words are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets hath sent his holy angel to shew his7 servants what must quickly be done. Behold 1 come quickly: Blessed is he who keepeth the words of the prophecy of this8 book. And I John saw and heard these things: and when I heard, and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the0 angel, who shewed these things to me.. Hut he said to me, See thou do it not : for I am a fellow-servant with thee, and of thy brethren the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book; Worship God,REFLECTIONS. We will not now employ our lime in.reviewing the infirmity of this holy apostle, who seems again to have fallen into the same danger of idolatry from which he had so lately been recovered. Nor will we stay to examine whether he took this angel for our Lord Jesus Christ, as some have imagined; or to determine what homage it 'was he attempted to pay. Let us content ourselves for the present with reflecting, how necessary it is we should be on our guard, against exceeding in our esteem and affection for creatures who have been the means of conveying to us signal advantages, and especially assisting our views of the JVew Jerusalem : To the contemplation of which m<-y we now return with new and growing delight*—Let us raise our eyes to the water of life, which issues from (he throne of God and the Lamb ; to the tree of life which grows on its banks, and produces such a variety oj fruit, both for food and refreshment, and for the healing of the nations ; to that more excellent paradise, in which there shall be no curse; where, from the throne of God and of the Lamb, shall be scattered ten thousand blessings on all his servants; who shall there serve him, with everlasting, with increasing delight, being admitted to iff his face, and exulting in their having the name of God written upon their foreheads; which they reckon a brighter and nobler ornament, than the most glorious crown or diadem, without such an inscription, could be. These are the words of truth and faithfulness; and, as such, may our faith embrace them, and our souls ever rest upon them. O, that we may feel our thirst after this water of life, our hunger after this fruit of the tree of life, more powerfully excited. We shall, in both respects, be satisfied in the proper season ; and, in the mean time, God will send us some refreshments, during our continuance in the wilderness. Already are we, if we are true believers, delivered from the curse; and those things which were the original effects and consequences of it, shall be over-ruled by bur gracious God, and converted into a blessing. And O, may divine love, and every genuine regard to God and to the Lamb, prevail and govern in our hearts; and may our lives be devoted to that service in which we hope our eternity will be employed. Have we not already, as it were, received the mark of God in our foreheads ? Have we not solemnly enlisted ourselves to light under the banner of Christ ? Have we not, in repeated and most affecting solemnities and ordinances of his own institution, declared our desire of being for ever devoted to him? Q, let us ever remember the sacred engagement. Let holiness to the Lord be written on our hearts, as well as on our foreheads. Let all our affections and all our faculties, all our possessions and all our pursuits, be consecrated to God. To bear this name and inscription, will now, even in this dark and benighted world, shed a glory around us. It will be as a sacred guide to our ways, it will cheer and anir mate our hearts, it will bring down to us many a delightful fore-taste of that world, where, in his light, we shall see light, and where we shall reign with him for ever and ever. Amen. SECTION XXVII.Christ orders John to publish what /iad been miealed to him ; and declares his speedy approach to reward men according to their works. Ch. xxii. 30—15.10 A ND he (i. e. our Lord Jesus Christ) said unto me, Seal not Jtjl up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is11 near. Let him that is unjust, be unjust still ; and lethim that is polluted, be polluted still; and let him that is righteous, be rigbt12 eous still ; and let him that is holy, be holy still. And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me : 1 will recompense to ev13 ery man according as his works shall be. I am the Alpha and the14 Omega, the beginning and the end ; the first and the last. Happy are they who do his commandments, that they may have the privilege to eat of the tree of life ; and they shall enter by the15 gates into the city. But without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and every one who loveth and maketh a lie. REFLECTIONS. Let us be very thankful that the words of this profihecy are not sealrd from us; but that truths in which we have so important a concern, are so plainly published and proclaimed. The time is near when a seal will be set on the characters of men : blessed be God, he who is nov> unrighteous and polluted, may be purified and reformed, justified and saved. Adored be that grace that waits so long upon sinners! But the divine long-suffering towards them will have its period: yet a little while, and Jesus comes to render to every man according to his works. May wc then be fixed in a world of immutable holiness and happiness!The Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, has discovered to us many evangelical truths in this mysterious book. He hath directed our eyes to the Lamb that was slain to redeem us to God by his blood; and hath shewed us the saints in glory, laying down their crowns in his presence, and ascribing the praise of all their salvation to him; but he hath shewed us nothing that is inconsistent with the necessity of real and universal holiness. Yea, he himself proclaims them alone to be entitled to enter the gates of the New Jerusalem, and to eat of the fruit of the tree of life, who do God's commandments. Let us not, therefore, deceive ourselves with vain words, nor attend to any who would sophisticate the word of God, and fixing their view only on some detached passages of it, enervate, by their unguarded interpretations, its general scope and meaning. Let us, in reviewing scripture, observe what God commands and requires, and compare it 'with what he forbids, that we may thereby impartially judge and try ourselves. And how free soever we may be from any of the grosser crimes here enumerated, such as fornication, murder, and idolatry, let us not allow ourselves in the love and practice of any thing inconsistent with the immutable rule of righteousness and iruth; as well knowing every allowed and continued indulgence of that kind, to be utterly irreconcileable with a well-grounded hope of inheriting eternal life. May it please thee, O Lord, to inscribe all these laws upon our hearts! that our joy, in the hope and prospect of the promised bles.sedness, may rise in proportion to our acquaintance with thy unerring -word, and the impartiality and diligence with which we trace the actions of our lives, and the affections of our hearts, in comparison with it, and reduce them to a holy conformity to its precepts.SECTION XXVIII.Christ repeats his august titles, and gracious invitation: warns all against adding to, or taking from his words; and declares his purpose of coming quickly. Ch. xxii. 36, &c.16 \ ND the Lord further said, I Jesus have sent my messenger XV. to testify these things to you * [who are] in the several * In English the word- you is ambiguous. In the Greek it is plural (iifi<? ) It ssemed proper therefore to insert [who are] the more fully to express this. The messenger (C. T. angel) was undoubiedly the apostle iohn. Ed. -.hurches. I am the root and the offspring of David; the bright ^ ,.iid the morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come: and let him that is thirsty, come ; and whoever will, let him receive of the waters of.life18 freelyf. And I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book:19 And if any one take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and the things which are written in this book.20 He who testifies^ these things, saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus!SI May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.REFLECTIONS. How sweetly and delightfully does the canon of scripture conclude! leaving, as it were, the music of heaven upon the attentive ear.— "O thou blessed Root and Offspring of David, O thou bright and morning Star, impress on all our hearts these thy gracious words, which thou hast condescended to speak from the throne of thy glory; thereby, as it were, to aid the weakness of our faith, in those which thou didst deliver, while dwelling in mortal flesh."—Then did the compassionate Saviour proclaim, from an eminence in the temple, to a crowded assembly on a day of peculiar solemnity, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink. And now behold he makes the same proclamation from his celestial temple; he points as it were, to the fountain-head of happiness, to the springs of the water of life, near the throne of God, and says, Whoever will, let him come, let him take, let him freely take of this living water. Yea, and not content with speaking this language by his Spirit only, he calls on his bride to lift up her melodious voice, to publish this kind invitation: he calls on every one that hears it to echo it back, as if the excess of his goodness overcame him, as if it were necessary to his own happiness, that men should accept of their own salvation.f Such a declaration of free grace seems to have been wisely inserted, just in the close of the sacred canon, to encourage the hope of every humble soul, that is truly desirous of the blessings of th§ gospel; and to guard against those suspicions of divine goodness which some have so unhappily abetted. The word AccfiGccnla, which we render take, does often signify receive ; and the word Suriax, is as much as gratis, which implies the freedom of the gift; and I think it may refer to that celebrated invitation, Isa. lv. 1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat, buy wine and milk without money, and without firice. X Though this particularly refers to the book of the Revelation, the parity of reason extends to the other books. God forbid we should imagine every honestly mistaken criticism, where there is a question of receiving or excluding any particular verse, should affect a man's salvation. Such a passage should indeed make men very cautious, that they may not rashly incur any censure on this account; but the terror of the threatening is planted against any designed erasement or addition. With what sacred observance should these books be guarded, which contain u message of such infinite importance! Of what dreadful curses are they worthy, who presume to add to what is already perfect, or to take away from that which is in every part divine- r Let none of us ever presumptuously attempt to do it: and may we be preserved from those mistaken interpretations, in consequence of which we should teach the world, as by his authority, any thing which he has not dictated, or deny any thing which carries along with it the stamp of such an authority.—" Have pity, O Lord, upon our weakness; impute not prejudices which thou knowest we dp not allow; and give us a greater penetration of mjnd, to understand the true sense of thy word; a simplicity of heart, to receive it; an integrity, so far as the duty of our places requires, to declare it; and a zeal to inculcate and defend it."And while we are thus employed, or employed in any other services which providence has assigned us, in our respective stations and circumstances of Life; whatever labours may exercise us, whatever difficulties may surround us, whatever sorrows may depress us, let us with pleasure hear our Lord proclaiming, Behold, I come quickly; I come to put a period to the labour and suffering of my servants; I come, and my reward of grace is with me, to recompense with royal bounty, every work of faith and labour of love; I come to receive my faithful persevering people to myself, to dwell for ever in that blissful world, where the sacred volume, which contains the important discoveries of my will, shall be no more necessary; but knowledge and holiness and joy, shall be poured in upon their souls in a more immediate, in a nobler and more effectual manner. Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus! Hasten the blessed hour to us, and to all thy churches, as far as it may consist with thy wise and holy counsels. And, in the mean time, may thy grace be with us, to keep alive the remembrance of thy love, and the expectation of thy coming, in our hearts, and to animate us to a temper and conduct, which may suit the blessings we have already received, and the nobler felicity after which thou hast taught us to aspire. Amen and amen! _ ^^t^Lincoln & Gleason, printers. STAMPED BELOWAN INITIAL FINE OP 25 CENTSWILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE TO 50 CENTS ON THE FOURTH DAY AND TO $1.00 ON THE SEVENTH DAY OVERDUE. About this Book - From GoogleThis is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project to make the world's books discoverable online. 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