Apostle first states' the grant måde to believers, in general terms, "all things are yours." He does not of course mean that the people of God as such, have a preferable right to the riches and honours of this world, as some have extravagantly asserted, which would involve christians in political intrigues, and would overthrow the frame of civil society. The kingdom of Christ is not of this world. It was never his intention that his followers should have their portion in this life. But the meaning is, that all things are imparted to them, that are conducive to their temporal, spiritual, and eternal welfare. He accordingly now specifies the particulars of which this grant is composed. First, they have a common interest in the labours of all the faithfu} servants of Christ. Not only Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, as the different factions supposed, but all of these eminent persons were their own. They were equally the servants of the churches for Jesus' sake. They derived their authority and gifts alike from him, and these were designed, not for their personal advantage, but for the edifying of the body of Christ. They were not to confine their attention to any one place, but they were to diffuse their exertions as much as possible, "that all might learn, and all might be edified." The churches in general had the advantage of their preaching, their writings, their example, and their prayers. Every individual christian ought therefore to rejoice in their success, and to pray for a blessing on their common labours. The same thing may be said of ordinary pastors, now. Instead of entertaining fears or jealousies respecting each other, every one should strengthen his brother's hands in the work of the Lord. They have a common cause, and therefore they have a common interest, and the greater the success of each preacher, the more is the happiness of the church at large promoted. Every new convert added to the Lord, will swell the song of praise in the church triumphant, and must afford unspeakable pleasure to those who know the worth of souls, and who pray for the prosperity of Zion. The benevolence of the Gospel is of the most diffusive kind. What though the person converted be an African or a Hindoo? he is still a brother of the human family; and when he is restored to his Father's house, it is meet that we should make merry and be glad. Thus should the churches rejoice in the reputation, gifts, and usefulness, not merely of their own pastors, but of all the faithful ministers of Christ, (See an ex cellent Essay on this subject in the Christian Herald for October 1824, signed Trophimus.) The Apostle further observes that the world is theirs. The christian studies the book of nature with an enlightened mind. He beholds the glory of the Creator in the magnificent structure of the universe: in the sun, moon, and stars, that roll in the vast expanse of heaven; in the mountains, rivers, and smiling fields that variegate the surface of the earth; in every flower that blows, in every tree that blossoms, in the innumerable tribes of animated creatures that people the earth, the sea, and the sky. He admires the divine energy by which the whole system is upheld, which “Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze, Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees; Another poet beautifully expresses the sentiment of the Apostle," the world is yours:" "His are the mountains, and the valleys his, And the resplendent rivers, his to enjoy With a propriety that none can feel, But who, with filial confidence inspired, Can lift to heaven an unpresumptuous eye, And smiling say-my Father made them all!"-Cowper. Thus, though the christian is forbidden to set his affections on things below, he can enjoy the blessings of Providence, with a relish unknown to the men of the world. When he contrasts the goodness of the Lord with his own unworthiness, he exclaims "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits?" He can eat his bread with gladness and singleness of heart, for God has accepted him. He may be placed in circumstances of comparative want, but he never distrusts the power and faithfulness of God to feed him with convenient food. In this sense it may be said, "the meek shall inherit the earth." Even the opposition of the world serves to promote his spiritual good, to humble him, to purify and invigorate his faith. The expression may also intimate, that the whole world shall ultimately be brought under the influence of the Gospel. Thus Abraham was constituted the heir of the world; and the prophet Daniel predicts a period when ❝ the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom, under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High." (Dan. vii. 27.) Life is his -by the belief of the Gospel, he is quickened to spiritual life; he enjoys that peace which passeth understanding, that joy which cannot be expressed. His life is devoted to the glory of God and the good of his fellow-men, which is its proper business, its best enjoyment, and its great end. He is an heir of eternal life, through Jesus Christ. Death is his. He is not exempted from the calamities incident to the present state; but even affliction is to him a blessing in disguise. He contemplates the approach of the last enemy with holy fortitude. Death is viewed by him as the gate of eternal life; he commits his soul into his Saviour's hands, and gently falls asleep in Jesus. Even his mouldering dust shall be raised to glory and honour. Present things are his. They are all made to work together for his good, being arranged in infinite wisdom and love. Though to the eye of sense, they appear dark and intricate, he looks through the cloud to Him who "rides on the whirlwind and directs the storm." Things to come are his. But here imagination drops her wing, and our brightest conceptions fall infinitely short of the reality. For "it does not yet appear what we shall be." The Apostle would therefore again repeat" all things are yours." But he also mentions the foundation of these privileges; and ye are Christ's. The conjunction (d) has here the force of an illative particle. The blessings enumerated, are not common to all the sons of men; for there are many who are strangers to the covenants of promise. They are the property of those who belong to Christ, as members of his mystical body and one with him in spirit, as given to him by the Father, purchased by his blood, and sealed with his Spirit. And Christ is God's-One with him in his divine nature; his beloved Son and chosen servant, in whom his soul delighteth; the first born among many brethren, who shall reign with him in glory. They are constituted heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ the Lord of all. quently they have a common interest in all that is his. Conse "The glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be one, even as we are one." John xvii. 22. REFLECTIONS. 1. Let us rejoice that the Lord reigneth, and that he can turn the devices of the crafty against themselves. We need not fear that he will leave his church to the fury of her enemies. The floods of persecution may rise, and threaten to swallow her up; but He can say to these, as he does to the natural sea, "Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." 2. If such be the present privileges and the future prospects of the saints, how should they rejoice amidst all the troubles of life! “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Our life is hid with Christ in God. His Father is our Father, and his God our God. 88 CHAPTER FOURTH. SECTION FIRST.-VERSES 1-8. THE TRUE CHARACTER OF CHRISTIAN TEACHERS. THE preceding part of this Epistle had been chiefly occupied with arguments to prove the vanity of all human philosophy in matters of religion-to shew the impropriety of extolling particular teachers above others, as if they were able, by their own natural talents, to change the hearts of men—and to point out the duty of ascribing every measure of success to the influences of the Holy Spirit, and of giving the glory to God to whom it is due. At the same time, the Apostle did not mean to assert that he and his fellow-labourers did not receive their commission from God, or that either their persons or their doctrines were to be despised. He only wished that they should be kept in their proper place, and that a just estimate should be formed of their character and office. In the beginning of this chapter, he lays down the rules according to which Christian teachers are to be judged. 1. "Let a man so esteem us (λoyed) as the servants (vangers) of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God (xoves μevorngiwv Orov).” They are to be considered, not indeed as lords over God's heritage, but yet as ministers of Jesus Christ, sent forth by him to shew unto men the way of salvation. As such they had renounced many temporal advantages, and had many trials and difficulties to struggle with; and it was therefore reasonable that christians should treat them with respect, and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. They were also set over the house of God as stewards of his household, to act for the interest and the honour of their Master, to attend to the wants of his family, and to distribute the divine mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel to its numerous members, according to their various exi |