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overseers, or, bishops," for so the word
is in the original, to feed, or,
"6 tend,"
the church of the Lord, which he hath
purchased with his own blood.

The best manuscripts and versions read in this verse, the church of the Lord, i. e. of Christ, and not the -church of God, the reading which our version has followed. The former, therefore, is probably the true reading and the latter a corruption*.

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To such wretched expedients have men had recourse, in order to support a weak cause. Common sense, indeed, seems to require this construction of the apostle's lan▾ guage, whatever his words might be supposed to be; for to talk of the blood of God, as if the spiritual and omnipresent Deity could bleed and die, is such horrid impiety as could never for a moment be supposed to enter the thoughts of this illustrious preacher of the gospel.

From this verse it plainly appears that by bishops and elders are meant in the New Testament the same persons; for the elders of the church of Ephesus are expressly called Bishops: but our translators, contrary to their practice in other places, have here rendered the word overseers. The opinion, therefore, which many maintain, that bishops are a distinct order of persons, enjoying superior authority, and presiding over the elders and churches of a particular district, has no foundation in the New Testament. These elders are said to have been made bishops by the Holy Spirit, because they were made such by the apostle, who was assisted with the gifts of the Spirit, or miraculous

powers.

The apostle's solemn exhortation is founded on apprehensions which he entertained of the danger to which they would be exposed, which he now proceeds

to state.

See Griesbach, who, in his second edition, has taken mugiov, of the Lord, into the text.

29. For I know this that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

The persons who principally disturbed the peace of the churches planted by Paul were Jews, who, as we learn from the epistles, endeavoured every where to divert men from the pure gospel of Christ, by recommending the observance of the ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Those who refused to comply with their injunctions they persecuted themselves or stirred up others to persecute. To these men the apostle here gives the denomination of wolves, as he does elsewhere that of dogs *.

31.

Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one, night and day, with tears.

The Jews, it seems, began to show themselves in the churches even while the apostle was present with them, and made it necessary for him incessantly to caution them with much earnestness against their plausible language.

32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified.

Philippians iii. 2.

That is, as the words are commonly interpreted, I commit you to the care of Divine Providence and to the influence of the gospel of Christ, which is able to build you up in virtue, and to give you a portion amongst the righteous in a future life; but perhaps by "the sanctified," the apostle only means Christians in the present life, who are often said to be sanctified and are called saints, and by "an inheritance," place amongst the professors of the gospel at present.

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33. I have coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel.

34. Yea, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

35. I have showed you all things, every part of your duty, how that, so labouring, ye ought to support the weak, or, "the sick," and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

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37. And they all wept sore, and fell upon Paul's neck, Paul's neck, and kissed him, that is, took leave of him by saluting him ;

38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, spake, that they

should see his face no more; and they accompanied him unto the ship.

REFLECTIONS.

This affectionate address of the apostle to the elders of the church at Ephesus abounds with lessons of instruction, both to ministers and people.

1. The former it teaches how they may most faithfully discharge their office; not by professing what they do not believe, not by withholding their sentiments, or disguising them by the use of ambigu ous language; but by teaching the truth openly and Thus it was fully, without concealment or reserve. that the apostle acted, who kept back nothing that was profitable, and shunned not to declare the whole will of God; and those who wish to acquire the same character for honesty and integrity must act in the same manner. To withhold or conceal the truth, is to incur the blame of and to render ourselves answerable for all the evils which are inseparably connected with ignorance and error; for the enthusiasm, superstition and idolatry of some, the scepticism and infidelity of others. If by our misrepresentations or si lence any fall into fatal errors; if they mistake the object of the gospel or reject it altogether, their ruin must be attributed to us; their blood will lie upon our heads. Let no one say that the disclosure of the truth may be premature, or do harm. The Being from whom we have received it is the best judge of its tendency; and if he thinks that the knowledge of it will be useful to mankind, which he has plainly declared by communicating it, whether by the light of

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reason or by revelation, let not man pretend to be wiser than his maker.

If this be the duty of Christian teachers, it is no less the duty of Christian hearers to bear with that openness and sincerity in ministers which their religion enjoins. To be offended with this freedom, is to be offended with the performance of the first duty which man owes to his neighbour-integrity; and to tempt men to concealment and artifice, where openness and courage are of the highest importance.

2. We learn that to discharge our duty with fidelity and to the satisfaction of our own minds is more desirable than ease, liberty or life. All these the

apostle was willing to give up, in order to finish his course with joy and to fulfil the ministry which he had received; and every wise man will be willing to make the same sacrifices. Peace of mind is a prize which kingdoms cannot purchase, and which no earthly power can destroy. Never part with it for any con sideration.

3. Observe how disinterested was the apostle's attachment to the gospel. Instead of amassing wealth by the enterprise in which he was engaged, we find him labouring with his own hands for the support of himself and his companions. Instead of being received with applause in every place, he is warned to expect, and experience has taught him to look for, bonds and imprisonment: yet none of these things retard his progress, or induce him to slacken his course. What can attach him to a cause attended with so little profit and accompanied with so many personal evils? What but a conviction of its divine origin and of its supreme importance to mankind? In his labours and sufferings, therefore, we read a perpetual testimony in favour of the gospel.

4. Let us all remember the divine maxim delivered by our master, with which Paul closes his address

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