very extreme of suffering, and that led him to look away from self, to put his trust in God. When affliction does this it is indeed a blessing in disguise. When it detaches us from tlte material and links us to the spiritual, takes ns away from self and centres us on God, then, indeed, it worketh out for us a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2. To have awalcened prayers by others on his behalf. "Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many porsons thanks may be given by many on our own behalf." Ver. 12.-Conscience and the inner life of man, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity,·not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward." Three remarks are suggested. I, WR.AT 18 GOING ON IN THE SOUL CONSCIENCE OBSERVES. This is implied in its "testimony." The eye of conscience pierces into the deepest secrets of motives, and is cognizant of all our hidden impulses, thoughts, and aims. We may appear sincere to others, but hypocrites to conscience; hypocrites to others, but true to conscience. Conscience is the best judge. II. WHATEVER 18 GOOD IN THE SOUL CONSCIENCE APPROVES. 1. Paul's conscience approved of his inner principles-his "simplicity "or holiness, and "sincerity." On these elements it has ever smiled and will ever smile, but not on" fleshly wisdom," carnal policy, and worldly expediency. 2. Paul's conscience approved of his external demeanour. "We have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward." His outward conduct was the effect and expression of his inner life. Conscience smiles on every holy deed, however mean in the sight of men. III. WHATEVER IS JOYOUS IN THE SOUL CONSCIENCE OCCASIONS. "Our rejoicing is this," or, " our glorying is this." Where there is not an approving conscience there is no real, moral joy. Its " well done" sets the soul to music ; with its approval we can stand, not only calm and serene, but even triumphant, under the denunciations of the whole world. Dr. South says, "Conscience is undoubtedly the grand repository of all those pleasures which can afford any solid refreshment to the soul; when this is calm and serene, then properly a man enjoys all things, and, what is more, himself; for that he must do before he can enjoy anything else. It will not drop but pour in oil upon the wounded heart; it will not whisper but proclaim a jubilee to the mind." Vers. 15-22.-Possessions of a genuine Christian. "And in this confidence," etc. These verses may be regarded as indicating what every genuine disciple of Christ- that i~, every Christly man-possesses now and here. I. HE POSSESSES MORAL BTADILITY. Paul is here writing on the defensive; indeed, the whole tone of his letter is apologetic. Because he did not visit the Corinthians according to his first promise, they perhaps pronounced him fickle, vacillating, untrue to his word, Against this he protests. " And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye might ;have a second benefit; and to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judrea." Here he admits his intention and his promise, but in reply says emphatically, "When I therefore was thus minded, did I use lightness?" etc. He claims stability, and the stability which he claims is posse8sed by all true Christians. 1. A stability of purpose. " As God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay." What we said we meant; there was no equivocation, no" yea" and "nay" in the same breath. In defending his veracity: (1) He makes an asseveration. "As God is true," or as God is faithful, we meant to perform what we promise,!. (2) He indicates an incongruity. "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nny, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea," etc. He means to say that the gospel wbi.ch he had preached to them necessarily bound him to faithfulness. Christ, in whom. .le lived and for whom he laboured, was the grand Reality, the "Amen," the Truth. The ideo. of a mnn in Christ being unveracious, untruthful, was preposterous. An untrnthful man cannot be a Christian. This the apostle means nncl declares. 2. A stability of character. "Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God." 'l.'he stability he claims for himself he acce,ks 10 THE SECOND EPISTLE TO Tfll.GJ CORHnHIANS. [cu. 1. P-241
to all the Christians at Corinth. How blessed to have the heart fixed, their character " in Christ'' established, "rooted and gl'ounded in love" I JI. HE rossESSES DrvmE coi-"SECRATION. He' that "halh anointed ue ie God.'' Among the Jews in olden times, kings, priests, alld prophets were sot apar~ to their offices by anointing them with oil; hence here the word "anointed"· means they were consecrated by God to a Christly life and labour. A 'truly Christian man is divinely consecrated, not to a mere office, but to the noblest chameter and the sublimest mission. .As such he has God's seal on him, "who hath also sealed us." III. HE POSSESSES A PLEDGE OF TII'.E HIGHEST PROGRESS. · 11 Given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." "Let us," says F. W. Robertson, "distinguish· between an earnest and a pledge. A pledge is something different in· kind given in assurance of something else, as when Judah gave his staff and ring in pledge for a lamb which he promised should be given afterwards. But an earnest is part of that thin<> which is eventually to be given, as when the grapes were brought from Canaan, or· :s when a purcha.~e is made and part of the money is paid down at once." There is no finality in the life of goodness; it passes on from "strength to stl'ength," from "glory to glory." In every step, after the first, up the celestial mountains, the scenes widen and brighten, and the breezes become more balmy and invigorating as we advance. He who bas the Cbristly life within has already Paradise in germ.