who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared 9 10 unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye 10 What a comprehensive prayer! might walk worthy of the How fitting for the minister! how Lord unto all pleasing, being instructive to his people ! fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: I who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is 15 "He that hath seen me," saith the image of the invisible Christ, "hath seen the Father also.” God, the firstborn of every 16 St. John declares of Christ, that 16 for by him were "without Him was not any thing made that was made." all things created, that are in 9 He not only repeats the assurance that he prays for them, but adds the specific graces for which he prays. 13 creature: 12 By his word and Spirit God fits us for the light of his Gospel here; for the light of his glory hereafter. 13 Sin and ignorance are indeed, darkness a state of danger and misery. heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him : 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And 17 Blessed thought! This eternal Being is my Saviour and my friend. 18 The Church is a body, of which Jesus Christ is the head, and we are he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the might have the preeminence. in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were some- 21 Ye were aliens; but are now, in time alienated and enemies Christ, even sons of the living God. in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and the members. (See ver. 24, and Ephes. i. 23.) dead; that in all things he For it pleased the Father that 20❝ All things are delivered unto me of my Father"-is the express assertion of Jesus. (Matt. xi. 27.) 26 in 23 If thus the most resolved may fall away, how awful is their error, who rest in a presumptuous assurance. (See Phil. iii. 13.) unblameable and unreprove- tions. "It was Jesus," whom Saul 28 28 The wisdom which is found in God's word, and is given by God's spirit. That it is, which maketh wise unto salvation. 29 Thus the ministers of Christ cease not to labour and strive for thy soul! O be not wanting to thyself! CHAPTER II. MARCH 7, JULY 6, Nov. 2. CIRCUMCISION, evening. 1 FOR I would that ye knew The Apostle was continually what great conflict I have anxious in prayer for them. for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have 2 not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their faith in the mystery that their hearts might be of Christ and the Father, one God, comforted, being knit to- might be unmoved and steadfast. gether in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you 5 When is a minister's heart not with enticing words. For full of thought for his people? though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christm Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with 8 True philosophy is the handmaid thanksgiving. Beware lest of religion. False philosophy deany man spoil you through spoils, or robs us of our religions philosophy and vain deceit, hope. 8 after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, nances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took 15 He conquered sin, and death powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them fore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or Jesus is 19 Be true to the Church-that 18 Let no man beguile you body, of which Christ is the head, 20 False teachers would forbid a from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using ;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the 23 But such fallacies, with a show of a holy humility, are based upon a proud adoption of the will of man, not upon a lowly observance of the law of Christ. body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. CHAPTER III. MARCH 8, JULY 7, Nov. 3. 1 IF ye then be risen with Prove a renewed heart, by thoughts Christ, seek those things and affections set on heaven. which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear, with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members 8 5 3 Are you dead to sin? Does your life betoken this sure yet unseen union with your God in Christ ?—If it do-then blessed art thou! 5 Pure and elevated affections at once subdue whatever is unholy and debasing. which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in 8 This love to God naturally leads them. But now ye also put to peace and good will towards men. off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and : 10 9 Truth ever attends Christian courage. 10 The example of Jesus is left for our imitation. : have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffer 12 Mutual love and good will has ever been characteristic of a Christian spirit. Without it, Election is a vain fancy! ing; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 The only sure wisdom, is that 17 These specific directions are equally clear and beautiful. Happy the families, who in their several stations heed them! 16 Let the word of Christ supplied by the word of Christ. dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 The good shall be surely re knowing that of the Lord warded for Christ's sake. ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that 25 The evil shall be surely punished doeth wrong shall receive for whether master or servant: fur the wrong which he hath God is no respecter of persons. done and there is no respect of persons. 24 1 3 : CHAPTER IV. MARCH 9, JULY 8, Nov. 4. MASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to for which I am also in bonds: as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that 1 This abiding sense of responsi bility to God, is the strongest guard against wrong. Continue in prayer, and watch So let your prayer be offered for a blessing on the labours of your minister. speak the mystery of Christ. that I may make it manifest. Time is a precious talent. Use it well. |