you, earnestly pray that ye may guard against a temporizing spirit of conciliation that ye may be preserved from that crooked habit of mind, which is always seeking to manage men's tempers and to lead the unsuspecting, to forward its own petty machinations. Flee from that circuitous mode of address and explanation, which the shrewd man so highly values in himself. Scorn to admit that false tact, which is ever plotting, how it may turn the plainness of straight-forward behaviour, to the accomplishment of mean and selfish purposes.-Grace, mercy, and peace be with us, my brethren, in our individual and collective character. Grace be upon us, that we may be renewed from day to day. Peace descend into our hearts, from above, that we may rejoice in a lively sense of Divine love. And may that mercy be shed on us, whereby we shall be washed from our sins, in the blood of the Lamb, and shine like the stars, amid the glory of the Redeemer's kingdom.

64

LECTURE IV.

1 TIM. i. 1-12.

"PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST BY THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR, AND LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHICH IS OUR HOPE; UNTO TIMOTHY, MY OWN SON IN THE FAITH GRACE, MERCY, AND PEACE, FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AS I BESOUGHT THEE TO ABIDE STILL AT EPHESUS, WHEN I WENT INTO MACEDONIA, THAT THOU MIGHTEST CHARGE SOME THAT THEY TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE, NEITHER GIVE HEED TO FABLES AND ENDLESS GENEALOGIES, WHICH MINISTER QUESTIONS, RATHER THAN GODLY EDIFYING WHICH IS IN FAITH: SO DO. NOW THE END OF THE COMMANDMENT IS CHARITY OUT OF A PURE HEART, AND OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE, AND OF FAITH UNFEIGNED FROM WHICH SOME HAVING SWERVED HAVE TURNED

ASIDE UNTO VAIN JANGLING; DESIRING ΤΟ BE TEACHERS OF THE LAW;

UNDERSTANDING

THER WHAT THEY SAY, NOR WHEREOF

NEI

THEY

AFFIRM. BUT WE KNOW THAT THE LAW IS GOOD,

IF A MAN USE IT LAWFULLY;

KNOWING THIS,

THAT THE LAW IS NOT MADE FOR A RIGHTEOUS

MAN, BUT FOR THE LAWLESS AND DISOBEDIENT,

FOR THE UNGODLY AND FOR SINNERS, FOR UNHOLY AND PROFANE, FOR MURDERERS OF FATHERS AND MURDERERS OF MOTHERS, FOR MANSLAYERS, FOR WHORÈMONGERS, FOR THEM THAT DEFILE THEMSELVES WITH MANKIND, FOR MENSTEALERS, FOR LIARS, FOR PERJURED PERSONS, AND IF THERE BE ANY OTHER THING THAT IS CONTRARY ΤΟ SOUND DOCTRINE; ACCORDING ΤΟ THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF THE BLESSED GOD, WHICH WAS COMMITTED TO MY TRUST."

THE principal objects, which the Apostle Paul had before him, in leaving Timothy at Ephesus, were these: to defend the chief articles of Christian truth; to govern the pastors of the several congregations; to regulate the public services; to admit new Presbyters and Deacons, who should be found duly qualified for the office of the ministry; to lift up a warning voice against divisions arising in the Church; and to be an example unto all, of what a Christian Bishop ought to be in his vocation. And although the circumstances may, in some respects, differ between the Ephesian Church and that of our own time and land, these epistles will ever be a treasure of

guidance as to the functions of the Evangelic Ministry, and the great end proposed in their sacred institution.

In almost every epistle St. Paul commences, with an affectionate salutation to the church or individual whom he is addressing. And if there be any thing remarkable in that, which we are now considering, it is the addition of the word Mercy; leading us to observe the great responsibility, to which ministers become exposed; and the consequent exercise of forbearance which they need from a long-suffering God. We are also struck by the assertion of his authority as an Apostle. This authority had been presumptuously questioned at Corinth and other places. And, therefore, we may well imagine, that the high and just claim is here asserted, for the purpose of giving weight to the ministry of Timothy over the Ephesian church. I, Paul, do write this epistle unto thee: I, who am an Apostle in deed and in truth: not having intruded myself, uncalled, into

this holy office; but appointed by the especial commandment, and miraculous interposition of God himself. For God it was, who caused the light of Divine truth to shine on my mind when I was in darkness: who overcame the natural obstinacy of my heart, and turned back, upon myself, the opposition, which, with a sincere, but ill informed conscience, I was making to the progress of the Gospel. Gratefully does he proceed to acknowledge God, as our Saviour. For in the mystery of our redemption, we are taught that the Father had ordained the covenant of mercy before the fall of man; and had provided the sacrifice of "the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world'." Thus, doth "God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy upon us, miserable sinners." In the meeting of Justice and Mercy hath he accomplished his purpose, by the oblation of his Son, in the undefiled nature of man, even

1 Rev. xiii. 8.