exercises he was solicitous only to approve himself to God, yet he thought it proper on many accounts to inform them of the means he used for their benefit ; and to declare to them the particular things which he sought for in their behalf.
From the prayer before us, we see that he desired,
I. Their intellectual improvement —
" Love" is absolutely essential to a Christian : without that, whatever else we may possess, we are only as sounding brass or tinkling cymbals. Love is the characteristic feature of the Deity : and in this all his children resemble him. By this mark we are made known to others as the disciples of Christ : by this we ourselves also are assured, that we have passed from death unto life. In this amiable quality the Philippians " abounded." But the Apostle wished them to abound in it " yet more and more." He was solicitous that it should display itself in a becoming manner. He prayed therefore that their " love might yet more and more abound,"
1. In knowledge —
[Knowledge is properly the foundation of love. What- ever we fix our affections upon, we love it for some real or supposed excellence that is in it. If we are unacquainted with the qualities of any person or thing, it is not possible that we should feel any real attachment to him or it. Our love to God therefore, and to his people, should be daily nurtured and strengthened by an increasing acquaintance with them. Our views of the Divine perfections are, at best, but very narrow and contracted. So little are we acqainted with his providence, that we can only faintly guess at either the reasons or issue of his dispensations. The mysteries of redemption are very superficially discovered by us. What we know of Christ is extremely partial and defective. The nature, extent, and beauties of holiness are very dimly seen. The privileges and blessedness of the Lord's people are but little understood. Wherever we turn our eyes, we are circumscribed by very narrow limits. On every side there are heights and depths, and length and breadth, that cannot be explored. To be searching into these things is our imperative duty, our exalted privilege. If " the angels desire to look into them," much more should we. It is by more enlarged views of them, that our love to them must be confirmed and advanced. We should