comfort and encouragement of the soul in its progress heaven- ward ]
These the Apostle desired to be " multiplied" unto the saints —
[There should be no measure of these in which we should rest ; seeing that there is no measure which may not be greatly and abundantly increased. We should therefore, even if our attainments were equal to those of the Apostle Paul, " forget what is behind, and reach forth to that which is before" ]
They are to be multiplied solely "through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord " —
[It is by that knowledge alone that grace and peace are at first obtained: when we look to God as reconciled to us in Christ Jesus, then grace and peace flow down into our souls d. In like manner, it is only through an increasing acquaintance with this mystery that we grow up into Christ, and are trans- formed into his image e. Contemplate then more and more the wonders of redeeming love : and be assured, that in proportion as you are enabled to comprehend them, you shall " be filled with all the fulness of Godf."]
Address —
[Receive this as a faithful expression of my regards for you: and pray for me, that what I desire in your behalf, I may richly experience in my own soul.]
d Johnxvii. 3. 2 Cor. iv. 6. e 2 Cor. iii. 18.
f Eph. iii. 18, 19.
9, Pet. i. 3. His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.
THE Lord Jesus Christ, as Mediator, procures for us all blessings from God : but, as God, he authori- tatively imparts them. It is of Mm that the Apostle speaks, when he says, " His divine power hath given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." But the words which follow my text are of more doubtful interpretation. Some understand them as importing, that these things are given for the acknowledgment of God, who has called us by the