Disposed, through the Grace of The HOLY SPIRIT, to Make us Perfect in every good work, to do His Will; Working in us That, Which is Well-Pleasing in His Sight, for the Sake of His Blessed SON-Heb. xiii. 20, 21. In all things therefore should we strive to approve ourselves as the Servants of GOD, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by love unfeigned; by the Word of Truth; by the Armour of Righteousness; under honour or dishonour; under evil report or good report; though sorrowful yet alway inwardly rejoicing; and if poor in worldly wealth, yet making Many rich in the Treasure of Heavenly Hope; and all this by the acknowledged Power and Imparted Goodness of GOD and Guidance of The HOLY SPIRIT, in imitation of, and in grateful devotedness to JESUS CHRIST, as The SOURCE of our Salvation and Regeneration by His Sacrificial Intercession-2 Cor. vi. 4 to 8, 10. So will our conversation be without covetousness, and we shall be content with such things, as we have; under the Comforting Assurance, that our Heavenly FATHER will never Leave us, nor Forsake us-- -Heb. xiii. 5.— -CHRIST Calls on us, in the vastness of His Compassion and Tenderness of His Love, to abide in Him, as He is Ever Ready to Abide in us; for without Him we can do nothing, but with Him we may bring forth much fruit, in verification of our profession, as cherishing a lively faith in His Merciful Mediation. If we abide in Him, and His Words Abide in us, He hath Promised not only to Hear our petitions, if made according to His Gospel Principles, but to Grant them-John xv. 5, 7. As He Said unto Paul, He Saith unto every One of us, that, amidst our trials and acknowledged weaknesses and apprehensions, trust in Him, My Grace is Sufficient for thee; for My Strength is Made Perfect in your weakness; and with Paul we may therefore glory in our infirmities, that the Power of CHRIST persecumay Rest upon us; even taking pleasure in reproaches, in necessities, in tions, in distresses, endured for CHRIST's Sake, and in imitation of His Example; for under such weakness the Strength of Imparted Grace is Manifested through faith in Him and in His Blessed Promises-2 Cor. xii. 9, 10.

VERSES 14 to 18.-Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in the Beginning of The Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no Church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity: not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit, that may abound to your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things, which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a Sacrifice Acceptable, Well-Pleasing to GOD.

The forbearance and endurance of Christian Principle do not justify in Others the withholding all kindly interference and seasonable assistance in the exercise of the charities between Man and Man. The more Retiring generally are the more deserving of countenance and humanity. Paul, though above seeking aid, was willing to receive it, and rejoiced in the feeling, that prompted it, as growing out of true belief in and desire to honour so faithful a Servant of JESUS CHRIST and so sedulous a Dispenser of Gospel Truth. He could not therefore withhold from the Philippian Converts his sense of their zeal and generosity towards him, as so prominent and peculiar, when, in the early promulgation of The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, he was subjected to severe privations and beset with the obstacles of penury and want in his godly and Heavenward and Soul-saving way. Then the Philippians stood forward a noble Beacon for Others to imitate; an example, which may well attract both commendation and imitation in this our day, as characteristic of one of the many virtues in the Christian Code. Communities, it seems, there were of professing Christians, who were backward in the discharge of that obligation, and even suffered Paul to be destitute of their help,

when seemingly most in need of it; and he, who would willingly have sacrificed his Life for their Salvation, was left by them without the opportunity of alleviating, through any contribution from them, the temporal necessities of other Saints around him. But let us take heed, whilst we are passing sentence of surprise, if not of condemnation, upon them, that we be not found in a like offending, unmindful of the necessities of Saints around us! It was not that the Philippians gave countenance and encouragement to Paul only whilst with them; but, aware of his extended labours of love and devotedness to the Best of all Causes, they sought him out in his travels, and by accredited Messengers sent to him from time to time spontaneous relief, evincing even gladness in so communicating and enabling him, (to whom they felt they owed so much, even the Salvation of their own Souls, through his instructing them in the knowledge of JESUS CHRIST as The Way and The Only Way to It,) to distribute to Others. Nor was it from any selfish feeling, that the Apostle received their bounty; his enlarged and HeavenlyGifted mind considered it chiefly valuable and deserving encouragement as an evidence of DIVINE Grace Working in their hearts, and proving their conformity to Gospel Rule.In the sufficiency of Christian moderation Paul was above want, except in an ardent and ceaseless desire to promote the Glory of His REDEEMER, and to diffuse His Saving Faith. Yet he accepts the offering from Philippi, characterizing it, in poetic illustration, as an odour of a sweet smell, and acknowledging it as a Sacrifice Acceptable and Well-Pleasing unto GOD, as made in conformity with His Blessed SON's Will and Example. Still, not to be too burdensome to them, he indirectly checks their making any further donation of their worldly substance on his account, by assuring them, that he abounded in all he wanted.Even in his second Letter to the Corinthian Converts he, in animadversion on their backwardness to manifest a liberal feeling in aiding other less gifted Communities, writes, I robbed other Churches, taking wages of them to do you service; and when I was present with you and wanted, I was chargeable to no Man: for that, which was lacking to me, the Brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you; and so will I keep myself as the Truth of CHRIST is in me, no Man shall stop me of this boasting in the Regions of Achaia; and then he enters upon the reason of this resolution of seeming independance, saying, Wherefore? because I love you not? GOD Knoweth! But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them, which desire occasion: that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we-2 Cor. xi. 8 to 12.To do good and to communicate let us forget not! for with such Sacrifices GOD is Well-Pleased: superadding thereto the Offering to GOD of that praise, which is the best fruit of the lips-Heb. xiii. 16, 15.

VERSES 19, 20.-But my GOD shall Supply all your need, according to His Riches in Glory by CHRIST JESUS. Now unto GOD and our FATHER be Glory for Ever and Ever! Amen. The deep confidence Paul cherished in the Unfailing Providence of GOD, and in the Ceaseless Outpouring of DIVINE Grace by The HOLY SPIRIT, warranted his thus encouraging the Philippians to go onward, as they had begun, in the best proofs of the Faith they had adopted under the Apostle's teaching and writing; as well knowing from his own experience and DIVINE Communication with The SON of GOD in His Glory, that the Promises of The Gospel were as Sure as were the Providences of GOD Effectual. Such is the Estimate in The DIVINE Councils of the Vastness of the Value of the Sacrificial Incarnation of The SON of GOD, that no Compensation in the Dedication of Human Souls can equal It, even were the whole Descendants of Adam brought within the Pale of Salvation. How unfailing should be our individual gratitude at this just thought! And how

unfeigned our praise of The GOD of Mercy in thus Surrendering Such A SON to Such a Service. Eternity cannot exhaust the Theme. Why then should Time in any instant be silent upon It?- David's confidence in the days of his obedience was thus expressed-THE LORD is my SHEPHERD; I shall not want! HE Maketh me to lie down in green Pastures; He Leadeth me beside the Still Waters: He Restoreth my Soul: He Leadeth me in the Paths of Righteousness for His Name's Sake! And then looking forward, with the eye of faith, to the Life beyond the grave, he in the Sustaining Revelation of Its Nature adds, Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no evil: for Thou, (my SAVIOUR-GOD) art with me: Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort me. Surely Goodness and Mercy shall Follow me all the days of my Life; and I will dwell in the House of The LORD for Ever!— Psl. xxiii. 1 to 4, 6. And this confidence he owed and this hope he cherished through faith in his LORD, Who yet was to Become his SON by A DIVINE Operation for the Salvation and Sanctification of All of Human Nature, who were finally to be Received into the Mansions of Eternal Blessedness; and amidst the Providence and Grace Dealt out to them in their sojourn here, for the Supply of all their Spiritual necessities, were to be Glorified by dwelling in the House of The LORD for Ever in the Life to Come. For this Cause we should bow our knees and the knees of our hearts unto The FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, The SON of David, of Whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth shall be Named, that He would Grant to our faithful prayers according to the Riches of His Glory, that we should be Strengthened with Might by The HOLY SPIRIT, that CHRIST may Dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in Spiritual love, may experience What is the Breadth and Length and Depth and Height of the Love of CHRIST, (Which indeed Surpasseth the knowledge of Angels as well as of Men,) that we may be Filled with all the Fulness of GOD-Eph. iii. 14 to 19.-The becoming conclusion both to our prayers and praises, in contemplation of The DIVINE Love, and The Unfailing Supply of It, through the Intercession of The Glorified and Incarnate SAVIOUR, is the acknowledgment of The Unity of The GODHEAD with that of The MESSIAH, as St. Paul uniformly adopts, To GOD Only Wise be Glory through JESUS CHRIST for Ever!-Rom. xvi. 27.

VERSES 21 to 23.-Salute every Saint in CHRIST JESUS! The Brethren, which are with me, greet you all the Saints salute you; chiefly they, that are of Cæsar's Household! The Grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you All! Amen.

The silken cord of communion in the true spirit of Christianity is thus drawn closer amongst the Members of that Social Compact, however wide apart may the several Members personally be. No bounds are set to the operation of Christian love and Fellowship; for CHRIST Calls All to Unity; and Ranks All but as Members of that Body, of Which He is The HEAD. The interchange of good feeling and of mutual encouragement in the onward course of the Christian Life is happily extended, by the communication of letters and the interchange of posts. The commission to salute every Saint should be the desire of every Sanctified heart. In Heaven this will be the rejoicing of every Soul and the reciprocal insight of Each into Other will prompt unequivocally and unhesitatingly to this delighting exercise. But alas! Human Nature is often so suspicious of itself, and mistrustful of Others, whatever may be their profession, that too much coldness and backwardness obtain in this respect. Still to hope of Others as Fellow-Heirs of Immortality and to regulate our Lives and conversation and correspondence on Gospel Principles, and to seek by prayer, that Others may be matured as Such, through the Means of Grace, is becoming in us.The reference to Cæsar's

Household bespoke Paul's being then at Rome; and, though he was there in bonds and under a Military Guard, the efforts of his mind and the energies of his Soul were given to spread the Glad Tidings of SPIRITUAL Freedom and Peace from the Lowest to the Highest, and even in the very Palace of the Emperor; endeavouring to influence All to become Saints on Earth, that they might share the Glories and the Crowns Reserved for All, who should be translated to The KINGDOM of CHRIST in Heaven at the General Resurrection. The concluding Invocation of That Best of All Blessings and That Richest of all Possessions, the Grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, is an earnest of the Influence both of Faith and Charity in the Apostle's mind and heart; and a Consummation of the Fruit he hoped would be gathered from the Seed of Holiness and Christian Knowledge he had sought so industriously to sow and foster in the Philippian Converts' hearts and minds. The same goodly prayer we may and should adopt both for ourselves and Others. And that GOD in His Goodness and Mercy may Give it Efficacy, may the response of Each of us, both in feeling and confidence be, Amen! So be it, O HEAVENLY FATHER, for the Love of Thy Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST's Sake!

COLOSSIANS, CHAPTER I.

VERSES 1, 2.-Paul, an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST, by the Will of GOD, and Timotheus, our Brother, to the Saints and faithful Brethren in CHRIST, which are at Colosse, Grace be unto you, and Peace, from GOD, our FATHER, and The LORD JESUS CHRIST! The Office of an Apostle of JESUS CHRIST, which Paul, almost universally throughout his numerous Epistles, lays claim to and sets forth at their very opening, is the Ground on which he feels not only called upon, but bound to proclaim the Great Message of The MESSIAH, Which he had received, and to publish to the Gentile World, amidst their Spiritual darkness, the Enlightening Truths, Which That Message of Mercy and of Reconciliation Contained, as the Fruit of the Mysterious Intercession of The SON of GOD for the Expiation of Human sin, and the Restoration to DIVINE Grace. In the Gracious Councils of The MOST HIGH, he acknowledges, that he was Drawn from a worse than Heathen darkness, and Mercifully Called to the Service of his DIVINE MASTER, and Fitted, by the Imparted Influence of The HOLY SPIRIT, for the great Work he was Appointed to do-a Work of the deepest Blessing to himself, and of the most enduring Benefit, by his setting forth and illustrating The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, to the then present and every succeeding Generation of Mankind, by whom the knowledge of his Writings, Inspired as they are by the Wisdom from Above, has been or shall be attained.His beloved Timothy was at this time with him, alike faithful to his trust, in a subordinate degree, reflecting the light which the Apostle had shed around him, and Aided by The SPIRIT of Grace; contributing his labours gratefully and cheerfully towards advancing the Great Doctrine of Redemption and Sanctification unto Glory Everlasting, through faith in The Incarnate SON of GOD;-to the Jews The Promised MESSIAH-to the Gentiles The DAY-SPRING from On High, That was to Visit them with the Offer of Salvation. The address is to Such as formed the Community or Church at Colosse, and had imbibed the faith, as it is in JESUS, and had adopted the Doctrine and Revelation, promulgated by Paul amongst them in his Apostolic Character, as The Word and Truth of GOD, now so Especially Made Known to Mankind as The Call to Righteousness and Holiness of Life, and the Assured Prospect of eventual Existence in the Realms of Light and Life Eternal, through the Working of the Wondrous Love of CHRIST, unto All Such, as obey the Truth in sincerity, and repose implicitly and gratefully their trust in CHRIST's Mediation. The Invocation of Blessing upon Such as indeed answered to Such Call, is twofold, that of DIVINE Grace from The HOLY SPIRIT, by Which all Sanctity is acquired, and that of the Peace of GOD, Which is the inward Feast of the Soul, which nothing but the failure of faith can disturb; Which surpasseth the understanding and comprehension of the Unholy, and Which the World can neither give nor take away. From The GODHEAD in Its TRINITY in UNITY, and from CHRIST in His Union with our Nature by His Adoption of it, and His Retained Possession of it in the Highly Exalted and Glorified State thereof, on The Right-Hand of The MAJESTY On HIGH, (to Which He Ascended, on having Finished His Mediatorial Sacrifice and MESSIAH-SHIP on His First Advent to Earth,) are These Double Dispensations of DIVINE Communication and Inestimable Privileges sought by the prayer of the Apostle. And to us, if indeed we be Mercifully Numbered in the Rolls of the Faithful in CHRIST JESUS, by our steadfast adherence to His Service, the Same Blessings are Assured; for to no Age or Generation are They Confined, whilst the World lasts.

-David, in his Spiritual reflections, felt that all his goodness in