is justly angry; and which, if not speedily rectified, will bring upon you his heavy displeasure. Examine carefully therefore what is the present state of your soul. As for past experiences, they will rather aggravate than extenuate your guilt, if your fervour be abated or your love diminished. It will be well also to set before your eyes the prize for which you contend. Behold your Lord ready to receive you into the paradise of God, and to feast you with its richest fruits. Only let these alarming, and encouraging, con- siderations produce a suitable and combined effect upon your minds, and we have no doubt, but " the love that has waxed cold" will be revived ; and that which is in any measure wa- vering, will be estabhshed.]
Rev. ii. 8 — 11. And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna urite ; These things sailli the first and the last, which icas dead, and is alive ; / know thy ivorks, and tribulation, and poverty y {but thou art rich,) and I know the blasphemy of them ivhich say ihcy are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer .■» behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried ; aiid ye shall have tribulation ten days : be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit salth unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
SMYRNA was a city of Ionia, next in size and im- portance to Ephesus. The letter addressed to the Church there differs materially from the preceding, inasmuch as the former was mixed with reproof and menaces ; whereas this contains nothing but com- mendation and encouragement.
The description which our Lord gives of himself, is, in this epistle also, appropriate to the contents of the epistle, and to the circumstances of the Church. They were already tried, and were to en- dure yet heavier trials for his name's sake : but if they were enabled to lay down their lives for his sake, they weref to enjoy a future life, which would far over- balance all their present sufferings. He therefore
proclaims