ledge."— Calvin, | cities) between the gorgeous splendour of the great public buildBeza, Erasmus. "Day of tribula-ings and the meanness and squalor of those streets where the tion."-Augustine, poor and profligate resided. etc. e 2 Th. i. 8; Ez. xiii. 10, 11. f Rev. W. Stevens g Howson. reward for work The former were constructed of marble and granite; the capitals of their columns and their roofs were richly decorated with silver and gold; the latter were mean structures, run up with boards for walls, with straw in the interstices and thatch on the top. This is the contrast on which St. Paul seizes; . . . not, as sometimes the passage is treated, as though the picture presented were that of a dunghill of straw and sticks, with jewels, such as diamonds and emeralds, among the rubbish. He then points out that a day will come when the fire will burn up those wretched edifices of wood and straw, and leave unharmed in their glorious beauty those that were raised of marble and granite and decorated with silver and gold, as the temples of Corinth itself survived the conflagration of Mummius, which burnt the hovels around.g 14, 15. if.. abide,a if the disc. intro. by him stand. which thereupon, wh. disc. he has built upon Christ. he, the a Zec. iii. 2; 1 Th. builder. if.. burned, the hollow professor falling away. he.. loss, he will lose his reward. but.. saved, as having been faithful and sincere. yet.. fire,d i.e., with difficulty; as one who himself has passed through the fire. ii. 19. b 1 Pe. v. 2, 4. c 2 Jo. 8. d Am. iv. 11; Jude 23; 1 Pe. iv. 18. "If a prince have built a sump tuous palace, and you will show men a swine sty, and say, 'This is the palace that the prince hath not this to abuse him by con the tree all The successful builder.-I. His work-well-founded-well-built. II. Its durability. It stands the test of time-of investigationof fire. III. His reward-in the successful issue of his toil—in the approbation of God-in the abundant recompense.—The foolish builder.-I. His folly-he had a right foundation-selected corruptible materials. II. His loss-his work consumed-his labour lost-his reward forfeited. III. His narrow escape-saved, yet so as by fire.e A sceptic's dying testimony-Many years ago, having occasion been SO long to visit an aged minister in the country, as he was then little able building; were to go abroad himself, he asked me to call on one of his flock confined to the bed of sickness. The invalid referred to was rather a tempt?"-Baxter. well informed and reflecting man, but had been so far led away, e Dr. Lyth. in early life, by the writings of Paine, that he began to question the truth of Christianity, though he could not altogether get quit "As you will sometimes see a of its authority. He was happily one of those who have no sere and sallow difficulty in expressing their feelings and sentiments, as it is with leaf hang upon such most easy to deal. He told me that when he felt his strength through winter, gradually declining, and when he had little hope of recovery, he tenacious of its took comfort from the thought, that though he had done many hold, dancing things he ought not to have done, he was not worse than others; and whirling in the playful wind, that we had all to do with a merciful God; and if there was a out of beauty, future world, all would be safe, he trusted, in the prospect of out of grace, out eternity. He added, "As I gradually grew weaker, the thought of season; so you occurred to me that God is just as well as merciful, and as both see some worn- these are attributes of His character, what evidence have I that I out, godless sin- shall be treated with mercy and not with justice?" concluding, in ners, clinging to a tone peculiarly expressive, "if I am treated with justice, where this world, when they have lost am I?" I replied, that this was the very difficulty which was met all their use, by the Gospel, that all the demands of justice being fully satisfied and when Jesus appeared as our representative, the honour of Divine goodness."-Dr. justice was now perfectly secured, and made quite consistent with sometimes may beauty, Guthrie. the manifestation of Divine mercy to such as are willing to receive it. Having endeavoured as fully as I could to explain this subject, and pressing it upon his attention as the only ground on which, f F. A. James. consistently with the Divine attributes, we could entertain the well-grounded hope of pardon, I left him. One of the last expressions he used was, "Well, sir, I believe it must come to this: I confess I here see a solid footing to rest on, which, on my former principles, I could never find." This testimony I consider as one of a most interesting character, in some respects more so than that of an experienced and decided Christian, because it was the testimony of one whose prejudices were all on the other side. 16, 17. ye . . God,a i.e., ye who compose the Church. Spirit the temple of .. you, by His gifts, and grace. defile, by knowingly intro- God ducing improper members; or any who on false pretences shall a 2 Co. vi. 16; himself obtain admission. him.. destroy, the deceitful preacher, Ep. ii. 21, 22. or the hypocritical professor. temple..holy, should consist 1 Co. vi. 19; of holy persons. Jo. xiv. 16-18; 1 Jo. iv. 16. Pe. ii. 5. "Christ alone is Head of the other with Him in this Christians, the temples of God.-I. Christians are the temples of God. The Temple was-1. Set apart as holy; 2. A place of meeting with God; 3. A place of worship. II. The Spirit of God dwells in them. III. As the temples of God, they must be holy. Church, and can Meaning of the word Temple.-Our associations with this word have no are largely of a material kind. A house, an edifice, bricks, stone, partner to share ornament, and splendour, at once occur when we catch the word. dignity. He doth But let us go up to the fountain-head of its meaning, and study not only by His it in the light of its primitive idea. It belongs to a large family authority govern of words. The root is "tem" (TEμ), and signifies "cut." Templum His grace quickit, but also by means a portion cut off. But whence its special religious asso-en it; so that we ciations? The Roman augurs, when they wished to observe the live. not, but heavens, went forth with the sacred rod in their hands, and marked out therewith a portion of the sky. Whatever passed within that portion was the subject of their augury; no more. This was the "templum," the separated space, cut out of the blue heavens for sacred uses. Thence the word came to be арpropriated to any enclosed spot which might be separated to sacred uses; thence to sanctuaries, houses of prayer, and the like. The fundamental notion is not construction, but separation; the severing of a portion of the material universe for higher use and honour than the residue enjoyed.e 18-20. no.. himself, by too willingly admitting the unworthy or by too hastily judging himself fit for admission. wise.. world,a with worldly learning, or prudential policy. let.. fool, in his own and others' esteem, by preaching the simple Gospel sincerely. that.. wise, truly wise, to win souls. wisdom..world, worldly prudence, wh. would misrepresent the Gospel to make it palatable. is.. God, in His estimation. taketh.. craftiness, such worldly prudence will work the destr. of those who use it. again, it is also written. thoughts, policy, contrivances. wise, crafty, subtle, prudent. vain, void of durable and good results. Christ liveth in us."-T. Adams. d J. Miller, M.A. Rev. J. Baldwin Brown, B.A. the wise their a Is. v. 21. b Job v. 13. Ps. xciv. 11. "The first step to knowledge is to know that we are ignorant." Cecil. Bp. Van Mildert. "We must all of us be willing to go back to the Insufficiency of philosophy to instruct in religious truth.-I. The pretensions of natural philosophy: 1. Its boundaries; 2. Its principles; 3. Its object. II. The pretensions of moral philosophy: 1. As to the dignity of human nature and the supposed unworthiness of acting on the belief of rewards and punish- nursery, and ments; 2. As to those who admit the will of God as the proper of repentance tobasis of morality.a learn the ABC wards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."Lee. e Dr. W. R. Williams. "Cunning is none of the best nor worst qualities-it floats be tween virtue and vice : The wise taken in their own craftiness.-Robert de Nobilibus composed in the language of the country [India] a treatise in favour of Christianity. The work had the title of the Ezour Vedam. It was intended to sap the scepticism of the East; but so covertly, though with much ability, did it undertake the task, that having been translated and reaching France, where it fell into the hands of Voltaire, he pounced upon it as an ancient Braminical treatise, full of Oriental wisdom, and proving that there is Christianity had borrowed its chief doctrines from Eastern sources. scarce any exi- Thus, while labouring to destroy unbelief in India, he became in gence where it the next century instrumental in aiding its progress in Europe. may not, and The Jesuit, caught in his own snare, was made from his grave to perhaps ought to be, supplied lend weapons to the scoffer; while the arch-mocker, the patriarch by prudence."- of French infidelity, entangled in the toils of that wilful credulity Bruyere. which has distinguished so many eminent unbelievers, quoted the work of modern Jesuitism as an undoubted monument of ancient Braminism. Thus are the wise taken in their own craftiness, when in their self-confidence they undertake either to patronise or to impugn the Gospel of the Nazarene.e all things are yours a 2 Co. iv. 5; Ep. iv. 11, 12. b Mk. x. 29, 30; 1 Ti. vi. 17; 2 Co. vi. 10. c Ro. viii. 28; Re. xxi. 7; i. 21. Ph. d Ga. iii. 29; Song ii. 16; Ro. xiv. 8. e He. i. 2, 3; 1 Co. xi. 3. turns all into to extract com 21-23. therefore, as the result of the argument. let.. men,a for the best is but an imperfect servant of God. for. things, men and events. yours, for the Church's present good and future glory. Paul.. Cephas, the most admired and gifted preachers. world, see Gk. [iii. 266]. life, with all mercies, trials, opportunities, hopes, etc. death, the event, or disease that occasions it: the consequence that issues fr. it. things present, civil governments, Church organisations, Gospel ministration, etc. things.. come, all that may happen in the future. all, working together for good. yours, personally, collectively. ye.. Christ's,d His purchased possession, His redeemed followers. Christ.. God's, His Son, His Heir. In whom, with Christ, your life is hid. The Christian's riches.-I. Wherein do these riches consist? "The Spirit of They consist in this, all things are his: 1. The great Apostolic God is like the personalities; 2. Life; 3. All other created things. II. The constone that men ditions to be fulfilled that this may be so: 1. How we may obtain talk so of, that freedom; 2. How become conscious of our poverty; 3. How gold: it teacheth receive the Holy Ghost.-The Christian's estate.-I. His title to us to make a it-derived from union with Christ. II. The estate surveyed: spiritual use, and 1. All things in the Church; 2. The world; 3. Life and death; 4. fort out of every- Eternity, are His.-Ye are Christ's.-You are His-I. By donathing, the worst tion; for the Father gave you to the Son. II. By His bloody can purchase; for He counted down the price for your redemption. III. By dedication; for you have consecrated yourself to Him. things are ours. IV. By relation; for you are named by His name, and made one The Spirit of of His brethren and joint heirs. Application-Labour practiGod helps us to cally to show the world that you are (1) The servant, (2) The make good use even of Satan's friend, (3) The bride, of Jesus.h things we suffer in the world. 'All the Fountain of f Dr. Schenkel. temptations, to All things belong to the Christians.-Dr. Stonehouse, who cleave faster to attended Mr. Hervey during his last illness, seeing the great diffigood."-Sibbs. culty and pain with which he spoke, and finding by his pulse that the pangs of death were then coming on, desired that he would spare himself: "No," said he, "Doctor, no: you tell me I have but a few minutes to live. Oh! let me spend them in adoring our h C. H. Spurgeon. great Redeemer. Though my flesh and my heart fail me, yet God "Socrates, when is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever." He then g J. C. Jackson. 66 death, said of his enemies, They may kill me, but they cannot hurt me.' So a Christian may truly say; for nothing can eventually injure him; for with Christ in expatiated in the most striking manner on these words of Paul, persecuted to "All things are yours; life and death; things present and things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Here," says he, "is the treasure of a Christian, and a noble treasure it is. Death is reckoned in this inventory: how thankful am I for it, as it is the passage through which I get to the Lord and giver of eternal life; and as it frees me from all the misery you see me now endure, and which I am willing to endure as long as God thinks fit; for I know He will by-and-by, in His good time, dismiss me from the body. These light afflictions are but for a God."-C. Buck. moment, and then comes an eternal weight of glory. O welcome, welcome, death! thou mayest well be reckoned among the treasures of the Christian. To live is Christ, but to die is gain." his life is hid CHAPTER THE FOURTH. a another's affairs. a stia, sheep house. 1-3. man.. us, not making more or less of us. steward, stewards one who manages for another. mysteries, the doctrines of the should be Gospel. As a steward, P. had to dispense, make known, these faithful mysteries. required, by nature of the office, by the master. Steward, a sufaithful, in dispensing these mysteries: in administering the perintendent of affairs of the Church. judged, condemned as unfaithful. of Old E. stivard; you, one man cannot precisely know the affairs of another. Ice. stivardr; fr. judge.. self, I might too much censure or praise. My business is to work on to the end, as well and truly as I can. Stewards admonished to be faithful.-I. What those things are that a Christian will look upon as the talents entrusted to him: 1. Personal comfort; 2. Health; 3. Reason; 4. Property; 5. All temporal advantages, to whatsoever extent enjoyed. II. How these talents are used by different men. There are those who-1. Have wasted their Lord's goods; 2. Have not used those goods for right and holy purposes; 3. Use those goods but partially in God's cause, and seek to profit themselves by them; 4. Have rightly used and improved their talents.d Ma. xxviii. 19, 20; a 1 Co. ix. 17, 16; c 1 S. xvi. 17; Je, xvii. 9, 10. for every slight M.A. it." infirmity, take The unjust steward.-Nearly all respectable families in the East physic to repair have a steward, whose name in Tamul is Kanikapulle (the ac- their health, do countant). He is sometimes one who has been a master himself; so they who, for rather impair it; or he is a relation, or has been selected on account of former ser- every trifle, are vices. His pay is often a mere trifle; and sometimes he has not eager to vindicate their chaany stipulated salary, but derives perquisites according to the exracter, do rather tent of his master's dealings. Should there be money to give out weaken on loan, he always demands from the borrower a certain per cent- Anon. age; and the least demur will cause him to say, "You cannot d J. Harding, have the money! I have many other applications." Is the produce of the lands to be disposed of? he again squeezes something "The man who out of the purchaser, and, if possible, out of his master into the has adopted the Church as a probargain. Has he anything to buy for the house? he grinds the fession, as other face of the dealer, and demands a handsome present for the men adopt the custom. Does he pay the servants or labourers? they must each law, the army, or the navy, and dole out a trifle from their monthly or daily stipend. He never goes through the gives out goods or money without taking a bond or a "bill," which routine of its is sometimes written by the debtor, and always has his signature. duties with the Sometimes he brings false bonds and counterfeit jewels, and gives mere officialout large sums of money; and when his accomplices have de-filled by him, coldness of a a skeleton, that, in its cold and bony fingers, holds a burning the pulpit seems camped, he pretends to be, of all men, the most astonished at filled by the their villany! When detected, he has generally a good store of ghastly form of his own filthy lucre; but should he not have succeeded, he would sooner starve than work, for the latter would be a mortal disgrace to a man of his rank! Even common beggars sometimes remind us of the passage, "I cannot dig." Religious mendicants swarm in every part of the East; and when you advise them to work, they cast upon you a contemptuous scowl, and walk off in great dudgeon, exclaiming, "We work! we have never done such a thing: we are not able; you are joking, my lord!" e lamp." - Dr. Guthrie. not to judge before the time pa. And in Job 4, 5. know.. myself," I am conscious to myself. A phrase meaning "I feel blameless," i.e. in the discharge of my stewarda So the Latins ship. yet.. justified, in your opinion, by my opinion of myself. had a form, nil he.. Lord, whose censure is alone to be feared; whose apconscire sibi, nul-proval alone to be desired. therefore, as you know not men's la pallescere cul- hearts. judge.. time, when every man's work will be known xxvii. 6, LXX, as to motive, method, result. hidden.. darkness," things we have the Gk. done secretly, good or bad. counsels.. hearts, plans, motives, phrase complete. aims, etc. praise . . God, in the measure of his deserts. The final appeal, or rash judgments forbidden.-I. An important Ps. xix. 15; Pr. admonition," Judge nothing before the time." Self-confidence has ever been the snare of man. Job ix. 2. II. A special argument. When the Lord comes He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness. While a Christian is silent and watchful, he is pursuing the things that belong to his peace. b 1 Jo. iii. 20, 21; xxi. 2; Ps. CXXX. 3; c Ma. vii. 1; Ro. xiv. 4, 10, 13; ii. 1. d 1 Co. iii. 13; Ro. ii. 16; He. iv. 12, 13; Ecc. xii. 14; Re. xx. 12; Da. vii. 10. e Ps. xxxvii. 6; Re. ii. 23; Ma. vi. 3, 4; xxv. 23. f R. Cecil, M.A. ii. 13. The real judge of sermons.-The celebrated Mr. Shepherd, when on his death-bed, said to some young ministers who had come to see him, "Your work is great, and calls for great seriousness." With respect to himself, he told these three things: first, that the studying of his sermons very frequently cost him tears; secondly, before he preached any sermon to others, he got good by it himself; and, thirdly, that he always went to the pulpit, as if he were immediately after to render an account to his Master. 6, 7. these things,a about parties, factions. in.. figure, figuratively. transferred, applied. that.. us, and if in us, much more in less eminent teachers. above.. written, in v. 1. puffed, the Gk. sig. state of mind of one who is filled with high opinion of self. one.. another, who does not think so highly of a certain teacher as he does. maketh, for some good purpose doubtless. differ, in gifts, etc. what.. thou? of authority, or talent? receive? for use, fr. the Giver of every perfect gift? glory,d boast. as.. it? fr. God, to whom for all good things you are a debtor? Man humbled and God honoured.-I. There is a difference e M. Tucker, M.A. between the righteous and the wicked: 1. In their present state; "O, how many 2. In their character; 3. In their actual conduct. II. To what there are who or whom is this difference to be referred? Application:-(1) The could formerly law of faith excludes all boasting; (2) The great cause of gratibeg prayers of every Christian tude which every Christian has; (3) The sinner's entire dependthey met; but ence on God for salvation. left the beggar's now they have Beholding the glory of God.-I could not bear its insufferable trade, and reign light if I had not this shade with which I cover Thee; but through in an imaginary it as through a mist I do behold the halo of Thy glory. The kingdom of their Saviour seems to calm God's glory, to tone it down to our poor |