angels or bishops of these Asiatic Churches. The Apostles are called by our Saviour "the light of the world;" and John the Baptist is spoken of as a "burning and a shining light." The same.representation suits the character of the bishops and ordinary ministers of the Gospel in every age, when they are duly qualified for the office, which they bear; for by the doctrine which they preach, and the wholesome example which they manifest before the world, they shed forth the beams of heavenly light in the several spheres in which it is appointed them to move. These "seven stars" are represented as held by our Saviour "in his right hand," which is intended to intimate that the true ministers of the Gospel are under his special care and direction; that he fixes them in the various orbits in which it is intended they should move; that he guides their motions, imparts to them the light and influence they are to reflect upon the world, and holds them in his hand to keep them from falling.

Another particular in the description of our Saviour is, that he "walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks." This will be easily understood as alluding to the seven Asiatic Churches. The expression intimates, that in some peculiar manner our Saviour is present in the Churches which his right hand hath planted, according to his declaration, "wheresoever two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them;" that he walks among the Churches as a man in a garden in which he delights, to inspect the tender plants and watch over their growth. The idea is beautifully expressed in Canticles-"I came down into my garden, to behold the fruits of the valley, to

see how the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded." The purpose of Christ's presence in the midst of his Churches is to perform the part of chief bishop or overseer, to inspect, to aid and to bless. "As the High Priest of the Jews was to order the lamps in the temple, and keep them continually burning, so our Lord, walking amidst the golden candlesticks, amidst the Churches of his saints, diffuses among them the oil of grace, causes them to shine as lights in the world, and rejoices over them as the objects of his special regard."*

II. We consider the commendation passed on the Church of Ephesus, "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne and hast patience, and for my name sake hast laboured and not fainted."

As preliminary to the commendation, our Saviour expressly declares his omniscience-"I know thy works." Nothing is hidden from me, I am perfectly acquainted with every thing connected with the affairs of your Church at Ephesus, as if I was visibly among you and personally connected with all your concerns. When the Lord Jesus Christ thus declares his omniscience, who can doubt but that he claims for himself the honours of a true and proper divinity? "I know thy works." From the terms of the commendation, we ascertain that the Ephesian Church was at that time composed of those who were fruitful in every good word and work. That the ge

* Wadsworth's Lectures, p. 12.

neral aspect of all outward affairs was promising, and that the members appeared to be adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in holiness of living; and that there was still among them that which might constitute them a peculiar people, zealous of good works. They had "laboured" for the promotion of the cause of Christ, and the motive by which they were actuated was the glory of their master. Our Saviour not only declares that he knew their works and their labour, but their "patience;" that is, their meek endurance of trial, of temptation and of suffering "for his name's sake." What those difficulties were, which they had borne with patience and yet with firmness and resolution, we are not able accurately to ascertain, but may gather some information from the next declaration, "I know that thou canst not bear with them that are evil, and that thou hast tried them which say they are apostles but are not, and hast found them liars." This appears to be principally a commendation of the Ephesians for their zeal in the cause of truth and godliness. They had not only sought to remain free from gross evil themselves, but they had a holy indignation against those in whom it was exhibited. They were so far from being indifferent to the evil which is in the world, that their zeal was ardently directed against all those practices which had a tendency to dishonour their Master, and bring discredit on his cause: and the difficulties into which they brought themselves may have been on this account, for zeal in the cause of Christ will most generally bring down the indignation and opposition of the world. But there was a still further cause of commendation. Some, it appears, had come to these members of the Church of

Ephesus, with the mere pretence that they were apostles-wolves in sheep's clothing, who had, in all probability, made an effort to bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them. The Ephesian Christians had brought these persons, as well as the doctrines they preached, to the test of severe examination, and had found their pre

tensions false.

Thus then, for works and labours of love, springing from a vital faith in Jesus Christ-for patient endurance of suffering,-for soundness in the faithand for a determination to discover and to discountenance error, was this Church of Ephesus commended. But here the commendation thus far rested; and here I stop to offer such practical suggestions as the passage already considered, presents to our meditations.

1st. It suggests the necessity, that both ministers and more private Christians should live, as if conscious of the inspection of the Great Head of the Church.

As walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks, the Lord Jesus Christ knows every thing which transpires in the Church on earth, as well as the employments of his saints in his kingdom above. And he not only observes the actions, but knows what transpires in the hearts of those who compose the visible communion of the faithful. "How sublime and affecting the thought, that our Saviour is ever at hand, constantly watching over his people, observing their social order, as well as their individual circumstances, and being on all occasions ready to communicate necessary supplies of grace. How greatly ought his name to be revered: nor should

any thing offensive to him ever be allowed among those who profess to be his servants and worshippers. Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever."* Would to God that this idea dwelt more impressively in the minds of all who call themselves Christians, for then there would be in all the concerns of the Church on earth, a caution, a circumspection, and a charity, which would leave the enemies of the cross far less occasion to blaspheme. Then would the ungodly of the world be constrained to exclaim, "See how these Christians love one another," and see how these Christians "adorn the doctrine" of him whom they call their Master. Brethren, remember that as connected with the Church of the living God, you are peculiarly under the inspection of his eye "who searchest the hearts, and trieth the reins of the children of men." And "seeing these things are so, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?"

2dly. We are taught from the commendation of the text, the duty of labouring earnestly for the cause of Christ, and patiently submitting to injury and reproach for his name's sake.

A Christian must be, one who, building on the Lord Jesus Christ that one foundation which is laid, is also zealous of good works. If this is not the case, his claims, however loftily urged, may and must, in fidelity to him, be questioned. "This is a faithful saying, and these things. I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, be careful to maintain good works. These

* Wadsworth, p. 25.