the exquisite address with which the Apostle seeks to attain his end. This, if it had been the effect of art, would have gained our admiration : but, as the effect of Christian principle, and Christian love, it is edifying in the highest degree, inas- much as it shews what a spirit the Gospel breathes, and what genuine Christianity will universally inspire*^.]
From the account which the Apostle gives of Onesimus, we are led to notice,
II. The change which it operates where its influence is begun —
" Onesimus," says the Apostle, " was in time past unprofitable, but now will be profitable both to thee and me." The state of every man previous to his conversion may be said to be unprofitable, because he does not answer the true ends of his creation : he does nothing for God, nothing for the Church, no- thing for his own soul. But no sooner will divine grace reach his heart, than he will endeavour to be serviceable,
1. To the Church of God generally —
[Onesimus, having received the truth in the love of it, instantly set himself to work, if by any means he might render service to the Apostle in his confinement. Doubtless such a servant, at such a juncture, was an unspeakable comfort to the Apostle, and would greatly alleviate the pains and sorrows of his imprisonment. And, no doubt, whatever Onesimus was able to do, he did with great delight, not shrinking back from the horrors of a prison, nor intimidated by the sufferings in- flicted on St. Paul, but rejoiced to have an opportunity of tes- tifying his love to one, who had been such an instrument of good to his own soul.
Now here we see, what every true convert will do. He will begin to inquire, ' How can I co-operate with my minister in his labours of love ? How can I strengthen his hands ? How can I encourage his heart ? What can I do, either to shew my love to him, or to impart to others the benefits which I myself have received ? Can I assist in any way in visiting the sick, in instructing the ignorant, in relieving the needy, in teaching the rising generation ? Whether my talents be more or less, I am determined that they shall not be wrapped in a napkin, but be diligently improved for my God. Freely I have received ;
^ Observations might have been made also on ver. 21, 22. But enough is here said to iUustratc the point in hand.