CHRIST, and the Confirmation Thereof in His Resurrection; the earnest of our rising again in a Life to come. And though Some mocked, Others said, We will hear thee again of this matter: howbeit Certain Men clave unto him and believed; among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite; and a Woman named Damaris, and others with them—32, 34. Thus was fruit gathered to the Apostle's heart, as the effect of his gigantic and untiring and devoted labours, for the rescue of Souls from the power of Satan; and for the Advancement of his Heavenly MASTER's Kingdom. The spirit of the Apostle, under the Revealed Assurance of Salvation, so little shrunk from its sense of duty, that it led him not only to encounter every assailing difficulty and personal exposure, but to glory in them, and discourage the commiseration of Others, friendly both to him and the Cause he so strenuously advocated. For where that feeling of tenderness towards him had been evinced by his Ephesian Correspondents, he writes, I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory: for this cause I bow my knees unto The FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, of Whom the whole Family in Heaven and Earth is named, that He would Grant you, according to the Riches of His Glory, to be Strengthened with Might by His SPIRIT in the inner Man, that CHRIST may Dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend, with all Saints, what is the Breadth and Length, and Depth and Height; and to know the Love of CHRIST, Which Passeth knowledge, that ye might be Filled with All the Fulness of GOD.-iii. 13 to 19. Thus opening to the eye of vital Faith and Godliness, a Scene of Heavenly Delight in meditation on the ever Expanding Subject of the Sacrifice of CHRIST, Which is so Calculated to alleviate sorrow, and sustain the Soul amidst every trial and tribulation, both in ourselves and in All who suffer with us; and the more so, if by us they have been made Believers in The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Before That SAVIOUR's Suffering and His Entering into His Glory, He had Forewarned the Disciples, under what a state of persecution they should be brought, that the time should come, when Whosoever killed them, would think that he did GOD service; but, He added, These things will they do, because they have not known The FATHER nor Me-John xvi. 2, 3. And in the accumulated proofs thereof St. Paul describes thus graphically the fulfilment of that Prophecy of his adored LORD and SAVIOUR, I think that God hath Set forth us, the Apostles, last, as it were Appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle unto the World, and to Angels, and to Men; even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place, and labour, working with our own hands-1 Cor. iv. 9, 11, 12. So when writing to his beloved Timothy, he says, Yea, All, that will live godly in CHRIST JESUS, shall suffer persecution-2 Tim. iii. 12. St. Peter, too, exhorts to the patient endurance of persecution, if sustained in the Cause of the Christian faith, or calculated to set forth a Christian example; For (says he) this is thankworthy, if a Man, for conscience toward GOD, endure grief, suffering wrongfully: for, (adds he) What glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is Acceptable with GOD: for (he goes on to assert) even hereunto were ye Called; because CHRIST also Suffered for us, Leaving us an Example, that we should follow His Steps, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His Mouth: Who, when He was reviled, Reviled not again; when He Suffered, He Threatened not; but Committed Himself to Him, That Judgeth Righteously; Who His Own Self Bare our sins in His Own Body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto Righteousness-1 Pet. ii. 19 to 24.

1ST THESSALONIANS iii. 1 To 3 CONTINUED AND 4 to 7.
It is thus that the Christian's heart is taught to think lightly of the troubles and
trials, and tribulations of the present life, when they rather put forward, than
the progress to the Land of Everlasting Rest, where the Love of The
oppose,
SAVIOUR-GOD will Animate the Soul, amidst an Atmosphere of Holiness.

VERSES 4 to 7.-For verily, when we were with you we told you before, that we should suffer tribu-
lation; even as it came to pass and ye know: for this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I
sent to know your faith, lest by some means the Tempter have tempted you, and our labour
be in vain. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings
of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly
to see us, as we also to see you; therefore, Brethren, we were comforted over you, in all our
affliction and distress, by your faith.

Bonds and afflictions were frequently prognosticated by the Apostle as awaiting him in his faithful course; but though smarting under the recollection, if not impression, of past persecutions, his courage forsook him not; and what he felt as a Support, that had never failed him, the Assurance of his Heavenly MASTER's Final Reception of his Immortal Spirit, he thus in effect encouragingly imparted to Others, and has virtually done so to us, who may be of the same faith with him. The anxiety, that is inseparable from the office of a Christian Pastor, or whoever seeks the conversion and confirmation of Others to the faith, that worketh by love, is peculiarly alive to the state of those for a time removed from immediate intercourse with the Teacher; and fears will be rife, that Satan, who is ever with the subtlest machinations contriving to shake that faith, may win the Soul from CHRIST. No opportunity is therefore omitted, that in any way may present itself, to foster the spirit of Christian belief, and fortify it against that wily Adversary, by communication, which may, in a secondary degree, supply the deficiency of Personal communing. When the fruit of such watchful guardianship is brought home to the Pastoral bosom by a Messenger, with tidings of the continuing efficacy of Christian impressions, what joy and enduring consolation does such assurance impart, and how richly does it recompense every effort, and devotedness and personal sacrifice, which may have been encountered, and Permitted to have been tributary to so great, and consummately desirable an end! What soothing, amidst even present troubles for Righteousness' sake, and for the Honour of CHRIST, can equal the knowledge, that The Kingdom of The PRINCE of Peace is Advancing in the hearts of Others, and especially of those, who have been chiefly drawn to the knowledge and love of The Gospel by our -The narrative of St. Paul's varied and severe sufferings in instrumentality? the great work of Gospel Dispensation and Christian conversion, may indeed well serve to make light the trials, to which we may be exposed, as well as to engraft on our Souls, the confidence and courage, that, as amongst the Gifts of The SPIRIT, are Extended to those, who evidence them. See 2 Cor. xi. 22 to the end, where will be found a catalogue of inflictions, so varied and violent, that it is an almost miracle that life could be supported under them; and yet though at the conclusion he says, Who is weak, and I am not weak? he says, If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things, which concern mine infirmities. The Apostle's knowledge of the weakness and deceivableness of the Human heart, was too deep not to be aware, that there is but too much ground for apprehension that, even amidst some forwardness of professing zeal, it may not always stand the test of a fiery trial and lengthened privation; and therefore where no Timotheus, or such like confidential Missionary, had brought him tidings of continuing and operating faith in the Galatians, he writes to them thus, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain-Gal. iv. 11. And well may we lay to heart, as a profitable admonition, that we must refer to The SEARCHER of the heart for the only thorough knowledge of its future and present workings, whether for

good or for evil; and we should therefore ceaselessly pray to Him, to give us such an insight into the Characters we have to deal with. The Apostle's longings to have his Spirit refreshed, by frequent personal intercourse with those, who had been his Disciples in the Doctrines and Truths of the Holy Religion he professed, thus are pictured in his letter to the Romans, where he writes, I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some Spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me-Rom. i. 11, 12. In another address, the Apostle avows from Whom cometh This Consolation to the faithful Servants of The Gospel, whatever may be the measure of their temporal sufferings, saying, Our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side, without were fightings, within were fears; nevertheless GOD, That Comforteth those, that are cast down, Comforted us by the coming of Titus; and not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more-2 Cor. vii. 5 to 7. The Same GOD is to this hour, and ever will be, Able and Willing to Impart Enduring Consolation and Support to every Soul, that seeketh Him in reverential fear and vital faith, through The Great Propitiatory Sacrifice, Made by the Incarnation of His Only SON, and the First Fruits of His Intercession, Who, ere His Ascension to the Glory, that He had with The FATHER before the World was, Made and hath Fulfilled the Promise of Sending The COMFORTER, even The SPIRIT of Holiness, to All, that will receive Him. VERSES 8 to 10.-For now we live, if ye stand fast in The LORD: for what thanks can we render to GOD again for you, for all the joy, wherewith we joy for your sakes before our GOD; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.

Thus to the truly zealous and Christianly charitable heart, the establishment of Others in the faith, as it is in The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, is as a new source of life and elevation above all its sufferings; and in the impulse of its grateful feelings, it is at a loss to give utterance becoming the occasion to The ALMIGHTY, as The DIRECTOR of the heart to the contemplation and attainment of a Good, that will centre in Eternal Happiness and Holiness. In every utterance of prayer, the Progress of DIVINE Truth in the Souls of professing Christians is a prevailing object, and the more so, in proportion as an intimacy with the Characters has existed, from previous intercourse and Christian communion, and in a still more earnest spirit, where they may have been first brought to the knowledge of The Gospel, by the Supplicant at the Throne of Grace, and an interval of trying separation from absence may have occurred, when the apprehension of unsteadfastness in the faith may have pressed upon the mind, as, in some degree, the effect of the influence of present counsel and personal encouragement having been, however unavoidably, withdrawn. All the joy of the Christian's heart is before The GOD and SAVIOUR of his adoration, and there is no character or quality of it, that will not bear the Inspection of The DIVINE Eye; no mixture of Self-applause, or arrogance from participation in the goodly progress of Christian Faith and Virtue; but that is viewed and felt as an Instrument of Heavenly Counsel and Guidance. The unflagging zeal of such a Spirit is ever forward to carry on the work from first principles unto perfection, and never considers the work as fully accomplished, whilst not only any leaven of the evil of our Nature is in the heart, but not until the fulness of the Christian Character, in all its bearings and relationships, is attained. The encouragement, as detailed in the exquisite metaphors of the Apostle, is to be strong in The LORD, and in the Power of His Might; putting on the whole Armour of GOD,

1ST THESSALONIANS iii. 8 to 10 CONTINUED AND 11 TO 13. that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil! For (he says in substance) we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against Principalities, against Powers, against the Rulers of the darkness of this World, against Spiritual wickedness in high places: wherefore (adds he) take the whole Armour of GOD, that ye may be able to withstand, in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand; and so standing, as having the loins girt about with Truth, and having on the breast-plate of Righteousness; and the feet shod with the Preparation of The Gospel of Peace; above all, taking the Shield of Faith, wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Wicked; taking also the Helmet of Salvation, and the Sword of The SPIRIT, which is The Word of GOD; praying always, with all prayer and supplication in The SPIRIT; and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints; opening the mouth boldly to make known the Mystery of The Gospel-Eph. vi. 12 to 19. And to his Corinthian Converts, he writes, This also we wish, even your perfecBe tion; prefacing it with the sentiment of humility, which peculiarly adorns the Christian Minister, We are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; and in his farewell address to them, whom he characterizes as Brethren, he writes, perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace! and The GOD of Love and Peace shall be with you-2 Cor. xiii. 9, 11. Stand fast in The LORD! was the Apostle's entreaty of his dearly beloved Brethren at Philippi—iv. 1. And what Spirit of devotedness and untiring zeal was in Paul, he certifies, was in a Disciple of his bosom, Epaphras, whom he characterizes as a Servant of CHRIST, and of whom St. Paul writes to the Colossians thus, Epaphras saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the Will of GOD; for (he goes on to say) I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you—Col. iv. 12, 13.

VERSES 11 to 13.-Now GOD Himself and our FATHER, and our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Direct our way unto you! And The LORD Make you to increase and abound in love, One toward Another, and toward all Men; even as we do toward you; to the end He may Stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before GOD, even our FATHER, at the Coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST with all His Saints.

All things doth the Apostle submissively resolve into the Providence and Guidance and Gracious Governance of The ALMIGHTY, through the Intercessory Merits and devoted Love of CHRIST; therefore, like St. James in his admonition, he in effect says, if The LORD and SAVIOUR Will it, in answer to my supplication, I will come unto you; but the Direction of my way is with Him, and not only do I profess this as a Truth, and amidst the Mysteries of PROVIDENCE, but I regulate my life and purposes and actions under its impression and conviction. And to The Same Gracious SOURCE of All Good does he point, and in prayer seek for the Communication of the Christian Grace of Brotherly love, in the hearts and tempers and habits of Others; a principle, which, if truly cherished and applied, knows no limit, but in the expansion of its labours in prayers and precepts at least, towards the whole of the Human Race; embracing even the Posterity of the existing Generation; the Soul being led to contemplate the Final Judgment, That Awaits the assembled Universe, when CHRIST, in His Second Advent, shall Dispense the Destiny of Adam, and of every Descendant, even the remotest from him; and when the true and faithful Servants and Followers of CHRIST, who have gone to their Rest before That Day of Visitation shall arrive, will be Summoned to attend and witness the Exercise of His Power, and to participate in the Glory of His Triumph over Sin, and Death, and Hell. The primary importance of the active influence of love, in support of the truth of Christian profession, was the Doctrine of CHRIST, and in

the most Pre-eminent Manner Illustrated by Ilim in That Self-Devotedness, unto the Everlasting Interest of Human Nature generally, Which Angels cannot fully understand, but which is with them a leading Object of delightful study, Let brotherly love continue, and abound-Heb. xiii. 1. And by the Apostle, whom JESUS Seemed peculiarly to Love, St. John, that Doctrine is thus enforced, Beloved, (writes he) let us love One Another! for (adding as the most potent argument for an observance of the Precept) Love is of GOD; and every One, that loveth, is born of GOD, and knoweth GOD; and then he states, he that loveth not, knoweth not GOD; for (rising in his argument he says) GOD is Love; and then he goes on in further elucidation of this, his favourite Doctrine, In This was Manifested the Love of GOD toward us, because that GOD Sent His Only Begotten SON into the World, that we might live through Him. Herein is Love! not that we loved GOD; but that He Loved us, and Sent His SON to be The Propitiation for our sins! And then the Apostolic Admonition follows, which is equally applicable to us, and which we shall do well towards our everlasting interests to observe and faithfully to act up to, Beloved, if GOD so Loved us, we ought also to love One Another. No Man hath seen GODat any time. If we love One Another, GOD Dwelleth in us; and His Love is Perfected in us: hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath Given us of His SPIRIT: and we have seen and do testify that The FATHER Sent The SON to be The SAVIOUR of the World. Whosoever shall confess that JESUS is The SON of GOD, GOD Dwelleth in him, and he in GOD. And we have known and believed the Love, that GOD Hath to us. GOD is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in GOD, and GOD in Him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this World: there is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment: he, that feareth, is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first Loved us; If a Man say, I love GOD!'and hateth his Brother, he is a Liar; for he that loveth not his Brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love GOD, Whom he hath not seen! And This Commandment have we from Him, That he, who loveth GOD, love his Brother also-1 John iv. 7 to 21. The prayer of Paul, in his after letter to the same Thessalonian Converts, is beautifully applicable to the same direction of devout and confiding and influential thought, Now our LORD JESUS CHRIST Himself, and GOD, even our FATHER, Which hath Loved us, and hath Given us Everlasting Consolation and Good Hope, through Grace, Comfort your hearts, and Stablish you in every good word and work!-2 Thes. ii. 16, 17. Such are the genuine fruits of that Christian Faith, which worketh by Heavenward Love. St. John also thus enlarges his Admonition, and expands its encouragement, My little Children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth! and hereby we know that we are of the Truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him: for if our heart condemn us, GOD is Greater than our heart, and Knoweth all things: Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward GOD-1 John iii. 18 to 21.- -The Coming of The LORD with all His Saints is a Day much to be accounted of by every faithful Soul, since each will then enter upon interminable Rest amidst the Glories of Almighty Power, the Influence of The Most Perfect Love, and Wisdom the most Elevated and Profound and Universal; That Day had been Prophetically viewed by Zechariah, and thus alluded to by him-The LORD, my GOD, (said this Prophet), shall Come, and all the Saints: and it shall come to pass in that Day, that The LORD shall be KING over all the Earth: in that Day shall there be ONE LORD, and His Name ONE-Zech. xiv. 5, 6, 9; and as Enoch, the Seventh from Adam, had long before foretold, Behold, The LORD Cometh