Christians are the temple of God: 221 but he himself shall will find he has been spending his time and sECT. be saved; yet so, as strength to little purpose, and has lost a great by fire. 16 Know ye not, vi. deal of that reward which he might, through 1 Cor. life. Again, before I dismiss this topic of your be- 16 that ye are the tem- ing the building of God, let me lead you into ple of God, and that seriously, some farther reflections, and ask you the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God? that the whole body of Christian converts is dedicated to his peculiar service, and honoured by his most gracious presence, as the Spirit Though such as employ themselves chiefly will,) amidst the flames of the last conflato inculcate in their preaching, doctrines, ceremonies, or forms of human invention, come nearer the case immediately referred to here. L'Enfant refers this loss to the reproach and shame which such shall suffer before the tribunal of Christ. gration, (Flem. First Resur p 44,) the text will admit so fair a sense on the interpretation here given, that I cannot persuade myself from hence, without farther evidence, that numbers of holy souls, who have long been glorified in heaven, will be reunited to their bodies, which are to be raised in glory, to be in the first moments of that union terrified and tormented; though it should be but for ever so short a time. That the Pagans, as well as some of the fathers, had a notion of some such purgatory, Elsner has shewn in the passage cited above. Through the fire.] To be as a brand plucked out of the burning, is well known, as a proverbial expression, to signify a narrow escape from extreme danger. Compare Zech. iii. 2; Amos iv. 11; and especially Isa. xxxiii. 11, 12; to which some have thought the apostle here alludes. A up, (Jude 23,) is put for passing through the You are the temple of God.] Elsner fire, as di udal, (1 Pet. iii. 20,) signifies to be saved from the water, by passing hath many passages here, from Philo, through it, as the ark did. The learned Plato, and other writers, in which they Elsner, who urges and illustrates these in- represent a virtuous mind as the temple of stances, shews, that the most approved God, and in which heathens speak in the heathen writers use the phrase in this highest and strongest terms, of the obligasense. (Observ. Vol. II. p 78.) Many di- tions men are under to keep these his temvines have well she wn how far this text is ples inviolate and unpolluted. And if, as from giving any support to a popish purga- Mr. Locke supposes, Paul's chief opposer tory. And though Mr. Fleming follows was a Jew, the vast veneration he would many of the ancient fathers, in explaining of course have for the temple at Jerusait of some terror, or pain, which Christians lem, would add great weight to this arof very imperfect character may be expos- gument with respect to him and his foled to, when they rise, (as he supposes they lowers. 222 SECT. vi. 1 Cor. 17 If any man de. If any man destroy his temple, God will destroy him. of God dwelleth in you, and you thereby appear to be consecrated to himself? Now if any one defile, or destroy the temple of God, it may well file the temple o ii. 17 be apprehended, that God, ever jealous of his own God, him shall God honour, will destroy him. And you may assure ple of God is holy, destroy: for the temyourselves from this view, that whatever preach- which temple ye are. ing, or whatever conduct, tends to diminish its purity and glory, will be very severely resented by him ; even much more than the violation of the place, (great as that impiety and provocation was,) where he so long caused his name to dwell upon Mount Zion. For the temple of God, considered as such, is undoubtedly holy, and awful. Much more then must that be so, which he hath erected by his grace in the breasts of intelligent creatures, and sanctified to himself, as the everlasting residence of his peculiar complacency. (Compare Isa. lvii. 15; chap. lxvi. 1, 2.) Now ye are this [temple ;] each of you, if a true Christian, is such a sacred shrine, and the whole Christian church the complete and magnificent building. It therefore becomes every member of it, to be very careful how he behaves, and what he teaches among you; lest he should commit an evil, of the enormity of which he may not be immediately aware. I know there are those among you whose pride and selfconceit may lead them to despise deceive himself. If this admonition, especially as coming from me; seemeth to be wise but let no man deceive himself with vain specu- in this world, let him lations of his own worth and abilities. If any become a fool, that one of you seem to be wise in this world, if he value himself upon what is commonly called he may be wise. wisdom among Jews or Gentiles, let him become a fool, that he may be wise indeed. Let him humbly acknowledge his own natural ignorance and folly, and embrace that gospel which the wisdom of the world proudly and vainly derides as foolishness, if he desire to approve himself really and substantially wise, and to reap at last the honours and rewards of those who 19 are truly so in the sight of God. For all the 18 18 Let no man any man among you 19 For the wis foolishness with God. boasted wisdom of this world is foolishness with dom of this world is Christians belong to Christ, and all things are their's : that they are vain. 223 1 Cor. 20 And again, The policy, and were most intent upon executing. SECT. Lord knoweth the And again, it is said elsewhere, (Psal. xciv. 11,) vi. thoughts of the wise, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. He sees, how they ensnare them-iii. 20 selves in their own subtleties, and when they think themselves most sagacious, are only amused with their own sophistry and deceit. 21 Therefore let to man glory, in men: for all things are your's: Therefore, upon the whole, (that I may re- 21 turn to the point from whence I set out,) considering all I have said, and especially considering in what view the great God regards these things which we are so ready to value ourselves upon; let none glory in men, or divide themselves into parties, out of attachment to this or that teacher. For all things are your's, and we in particular, are to be regarded, not as your lords and commanders, that you should list under our banners; but rather as your servants. 22 Whether Paul, I except not myself, or the most honoured 22 Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, among my brethren; whether Paul, or Apollos, or life, or death, or or Cephas, be in question, we are all equally things present, or your's, to serve you to the utmost of our abil things to come all ities, in the advancement of your best interests. are your's: Yea, I may go farther, and say, whether we 23 And ye are in privileges and hopes. you And bear in your 23 mind too, as the counterpart of this happy detail, that ye are Christ's, his property, his subjects, his people; and let that engage you to 224 vi. 1 Cor. Reflections on the treasures and hopes of Christians, SECT. attend to his royal law of charity,f by which Christ's; and Christ you may be peculiarly known to be his. And as is God's. Christ [is] God's, and refers all his services as iii. 23 a Mediator, to his Father's glory, it will most effectually promote that great end of his appearance, that you should learn such a subjection of soul to him, and imbibe those candid and generous sentiments which I am labouring to produce and cherish in your minds. verse 21, 23 IMPROVEMENT. WITH what delight may the Christian survey this grand in. ventory, 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 Apollos, 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 16, 17 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 defile ourselves, nor to injure our brethren; lest, in either view, it should be resented and punished by the holy God, as a sacrilegious profanation. 19 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 our 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, f Royal law of charity.] Nothing could have a greater efficacy to put an end to the contentions, so prevalent among the Christians at Corinth, than the consideration of those high privileges and hopes which were common to them all, as it would tend to sweeten their spirits, and inspire them with honourable and affec tionate sentiments with respect to their brethren. and their obligation to build so as to stand the trial. 225 if we approve our fidelity to him, and if we build a wise super- SECT. structure on Christ, as the great, the only Foundation. vi. verse Let his ministers especially, be solicitous, that they may not lose the labour of their lives, by choosing unhappily to employ 11, 10 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 as gold, and silver, and precious stones, 12 15 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 13 period of all, 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. SECT. VII. To lay in a farther remedy against the pride and faction so ready to prevail among the Corinthians, the apostle leads them into several useful reflections on the nature of the ministerial office, the final judgment of him who searcheth all hearts, and the ob ligations they were under to the Divine goodness, for every advantage by which they were distinguished from others. 1 Cor. IV. 1-7. 1 Cor. IV. 1. ET a man so ac count of us, as 1 CORINTHIANS IV. 1. 1 Cor. iv. 1 L I HAVE told you, how rich and happy you sECT. are in the Divine donation, in consequence vii. of the ministers of of which all things are yours; and particularly, Paul, and Apollos, and Cephas, with their various gifts and endowments. Learn therefore to form your estimate of us aright; and let a man so account of us, not as the masters of the church, but as the servants of Christ, who are in obedience to his commands, to wait on his family; esteeming it honour and happiness enough, if we approve ourselves as stewards of |