He suffered not his time to pass in restless impatience, or useless indolence. He knew how to be contented in bonds: He could still be active in promot. ing the cause of Christ, and the salvation of men. He received all who came to him, and preached to them the kingdom of God and the things which concerned the Lord Jesus with all confidence. He instructed his fellow prisoners, and, in some instances, was so happy as to reclaim them from a vicious life, and bring them to the faith of the gospel. It was at Rome, in his bonds, that he recovered Onesimus from a profligate course, and made him, who in time past had been unprofitable, now profitable to all who were connected with him. He spent much of his time in prayer for the churches. He says, "He prayed for them always

without ceasing-night and day." He was industrious in writing to the churches, and to particular persons. Several of his epistles, besides this, were written, when he was in bonds. His confinement turned to the furtherance of the gospel, as it gave occasion for a number of most excellent epistles, which are of standing use and importance in the churches. If Paul had only preached, we should, at this time, scarcely have known what he did preach. We should not have been favored with those books, which are some of the most instructive parts of holy scripture. The wisdom of God disposes things in such a manner, as leads to the accomplishment of his own purposes.

Time so piously and usefully spent, as Paul's time was, may be pleasant, even in a prison. He was will. ing the churches should know what he did. He was not ashamed that his manner of life should be made public. Do not many so spend their time, that they are almost ashamed to review it themselves; and would be more ashamed to let others know, what they do?

Paul's example teaches us, that we should do good in every condition. Even confinement excuses not VOL. III.

3 B

from works of piety and beneficence. Under particular circumstances we may be incapable of the services, which we wish to perform; but perhaps, under these circumstances, we may do more good, than if we were in that condition of life, which we think most eligible, and most favorable to our usefulness. Let us only be solicitous to do good, in every state, according to our ability; and thus leave it with God to order our affairs, as his wisdom sees best.

IV. When Paul sends Tychicus to Ephesus, and to Colossee, he gives him written testimonials, that he might be received of the churches, in the character of a minister. "I send Tychicus, who is a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord."

If you read, with attention, the Acts, and the Epis. tles of the apostles, you will find, that they who undertook to preach the gospel, were approved and separated to that work by men already in office; and that these preachers, when they travelled abroad, carried with them written recommendations from some known apostle, minister, or church. This precaution was taken, that the churches might not be imposed upon by ignorant pretenders, or artful deceivers.

This early example teaches us, that, whenever ministers go forth to preach the gospel, in places where their names and characters are unknown, they ought to exhibit proper evidences of their authority to preach, and of their good standing in the church of Christ; and that, without such evidences, they ought not to be received in that sacred character. The church of Ephesus is commended, because she tried them, who said they were apostles and were not, and found them liars. On the contrary, the church of Thyatira is reproved, because she suffered those to teach, who called themselves prophets, but could produce no testimony in support of their character. The consequence of this credulity and negligence was, that these pretended

prophets seduced the servants of Christ from the purity and order of the gospel.

The church of Christ is a regular, organized community. The work of ministers is to build up this community in knowledge, peace and holiness. The qualifications for the ministry, the manner of introduction to the office, and the duties which belong to it, the gospel has clearly stated. We are to receive none as ambassadors of Christ, but those who come to us, açcording to the order which he has settled. All are not teachers in his church: He has given some to be teachers. We are not to suppose, that every man, at his own pleasure, may assume the office, or that we are to acknowledge in the office, every man who does assume it. If any man offers himself to us in the character of a Christian teacher, on him it is incumbent to exhibit proof of his Christian standing and official authority. If we give heed to every vain pretender, and countenance every bold intruder, we bring confusion into the church, where all things ought to be done decently and in order.

V. The ministers of Christ ought to act in concert and unite their labors in building up his kingdom.

Tychicus cooperates with Paul in the work of the ministry; Paul therefore sends him to the churches to which he himself had ministered, and calls him a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

There ought to be, among ministers, unity of affection, correspondence of design, and concurrence of labors. There should be no contention for superiority; no undermining arts; no attempts to magnify their importance at the expense of their brethrens' usefulness. Paul would not enter into the labors, or build on the foundation of other men. He would not stretch himself beyond his line. But then, in an orderly way, he would impart to, and receive from his brethren, all proper assistance in promoting the common cause. Ministers should strengthen the hands, and animate the

hearts of one another, and thus be fellow helpers to the truth.

VI. Fidelity is an essential part of the ministerial character. Paul says of Tychicus, "He is a faithful minister."—" It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." Timothy is charged to "commit the things which he had received, unto faithful men.” The faithful minister undertakes his work with pure intentions and abides in it with constancy, even though he may meet with worldly discouragements. His gov. erning aim is to approve himself to God, and promote the essential interest of his fellow men. He applies himself to the various duties of his office with assiduity and diligence. He shuns not to declare the whole counsel of God. He handles not the word of God de. ceitfully, but uses great plainness of speech, and, by manifestation of the truth, commends himself to the consciences of his hearers. Such a faithful pastor, when the great shepherd shall appear, will receive the crown of life. Though his people should not be gathered, yet he will be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and his God will be his strength.

VII. Paul sent Tychicus to the Ephesians," that he might comfort their hearts."

The Apostle was in bonds for the gospel. Appre hensive, that these new converts might by his sufferings be discouraged in their religion, and turned away from their profession, he sends this messenger to animate and confirm them. He says in the third chapter, "I Paul, the prisoner of the Lord for you Gentilesdesire that ye faint not at my tribulation for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would grant you to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man"-" I the prisoner of the Lord beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called."-Tychicus was sent on the samė design, to comfort them under their grief for Paul's

imprisonment, and to guard them against any discouraging apprehensions from so unhappy an event.

Ministers are to strengthen new converts and young professors to constancy and perseverance in religion, by laying before them the comforting and animating motives of the gospel.

Christians often meet with discouragements from external afflictions-from the pressure of temptations-from the strength of inward corruptions-from a consciousness of infirmity-from their unsuccessfulness in striving against sin from the want of bright evidences of their sincerity-from the coldness of their hearts in spiritual duties and from the inconstancy of their good resolutions.-We are to comfort desponding souls, not by bold pretensions to know their spiritual state and their title to heaven, but by proposing to them those scriptural marks and characters, by which they may prove their own hearts, and judge their own We are to put them in the way to obtain comfort, by assisting them in the trial of themselves, and by encouraging them to diligence and perseverance in religion. We are to lead their minds to the contemplation of the divine promises, and to instruct them how they may apply these promises to themselves. We are to remind them of the abundant grace of God, and invite their approach to his throne for grace to help in time of need. We are especially to animate and strengthen them from the particular promises, made to those who patiently continue in well doing.

state.

Ministers should apply the comforts and terrors of the gospel to the proper characters; and direct their hearers, on a strict examination of their own hearts, to make the application for themselves. If we take upon us to apply promises or threatenings to persons instead of characters, we shall often misapply them, or if we give a false description of religion, we shall lead our hearers to misapply them. Thus we shall bring on ourselves the curse denounced against those corrupt