nn~ in this sense _to. have experienced_ a sing?larl_y complete redemption. B?,t the uct1vo, devoted Christian proves the reality of his faith by works followin". Christ hna not only triumphed over the judgment and heart, but over a.II powers, ;hich are now willingly dedicated to his service, 2. They resemble Ohrist, Christ was pre-eminently 11 worker. He" went about doing good;" they seek to do so. He practised self- <loninl and endured suffering that others might be benefited; they strive to imitate him. 8. They exalt <Jhrist. They desire that his kingdom may be extended over the earth. Whilst they labour for others, they do this out of their love for him. He is first, 1111 else second. The exaltation of Christ is their supreme wish. Their mission is to 'speak well of his Ne.me wherever they go. 4, Christ delights in them. They are the fruitful trees which he loves. He cursed the barren tree, but these he blesses. '£hey are the faithful servants of the absent Lord. He loves not idlers who filch the name of" servant;" but those who are servants indeed his soul rejoices in. He glories in these, for they show forth bis praise. II. THEY SHOULD BEEK FULLY TO REALIZE THEIR HIGH CALLING. 1. The dignity of Christian work is not always perceived as fully as it should be. It is in.finitely superior to all other work. 2. Nor its privilege. Were this adequately realized, what alacrity there would be in entering upon Christian service! As it is, alas! almost force has to be employed in some cases. 3. Nor its responsibility. 4. Nor how much the work done is affected by the life lived. III. THEY SHOULD BE HIGHLY ESTEEMED. They are the instruments through which God works. They are the. means employed by him for the building up of the kingdom of Christ, They are the special representatives of Christ upon earth. They should be (1) encouraged, (2) helped, (3) honoured.-H. Ver. 5.-Praiseworthy Churches. Praise from St. Paul was worth having. He was a serious man, who could not pay empty compliments, and having a high sense of the Christian calling, he would never think of praising a Church merely to please the people or ingratiate himself with them, if he had not judg_ed it worthy of commendation. Here are two marks of .,i. Church on which the grace of God has been bestowed. I. CoNSEC~ATION OF-ITS MEMBERS TO THE LORD JESUS CHBIST. Before they made their contribution to the relief of the poor saints elsewhere, the Macedonian Christians " gave their ,own selves j;o the Lord." Though poor and afflicted, happy were they and generous, because their conversion was thorough, and their devotion to Christ hearty and unfeigned. By profession all Christians give themselves to the Lord; but alas! in some c_ases it is a mere profession. Not every one so believes and lives as to entitle him to say, "I am my. Lord's, and he is mine." This, however, is the true ideal. "Thy people shall be freewill offerings in thy day of power." And without this spirit in its members no Church is strong or pleasing to Christ, no matter how venerable its history, how admirable its constitution, or how well conducted its services. II. SUBJECTION TO Al'OSTOLIO GUIDANCE BY THE WILL OF Goo. Some of the Mace- donian Qhristians, gave themselves to St. Paul as his companions and assistants in missionary labour. Such were Sopater, Secundus, Aristarchus, and Epaphroditus; of whom the first was a Berrean, the second and third were Thessalonians, and the fourth was a Philippian. But these choice men were only favourable specimens of the Churches to which, they belonged, and which were pervaded by reverence for the apostle and gratitude for his labours. Every true Church of Christ must be apostolic. It must stand on the apo~tolic testimony and doctrine, follow apostolic direction and practice, and both inhale and exhale the spirit of apostolic devotion to Christ. Of the history and writings of the apostles enough is extant to guide and comfort every Church that is, like those of Macedonia, ready to learn of an apostle by the will of God. We are " built on the foundation of apostles and prophets." On the twelve foundations of the wall of the holy city are inscribed the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. EXHORTATION., Follow those of Macedonia. Give yourselves to the Lord, and then to the apostolic word and fellowship. Present yourselves a living sacrifice.-F.
, Ver. 9.-Amazing love. The insertion of this compact statement of our Saviour's ,love and self-devotion for our sakes into an exhortation to love and liberality in the Church, illustrates the ha.bit of St. Paul's mind to revert often to central truths, and 212 THE SEOOND EPISTLE TO 'l'HE CORINTHIANS. [c11. vm.' 1~24.