by causing light to shine out of darkness; then he introduces a new order, peai.:e and fertile life, and this is wrought on and in every genuine Christian. "If any matt be in Christ, he is a new creation." And therefore he does what is right, not by a. continna\ strain 1md effort against nature, but spontaneously and naturally, because he bas a clean heart and a right spirit. IV. ESTABLISHED IN CHRIST. (Ch. i. 21.) He who comes to Christ under the drawino- grace of the Spirit of God abides in him by the same Spirit, eo as to imbibe bis wisdom"' experience his support, and learn what consolation there is in him, and what comfort of love. So God confirms and establishes bis people in Christ, making good to them bis promises, anointing them, sealing them, and giving "the earnest of the Spirit" in their hearts. Thie is much more than being settled in one's religions opinions and habits. It is the staying of the mind on Christ. And usually it is reached through conflicts and sufferings thnt compel the soul to grapple more firmly the reality of Christ and the security of Divine promises in bim,just as trees rocked by the winds strike their roots the more widely and deeply into the ground (see 1 Pet. v. 10). V. :AI'PBOVED IN CHRIST. (Rom. xvi. 10.) Establishment relates to faith, know- ledge, and comfort; approval refers to service. La.hour for the Lord ought to be rendered in the Lord, i.e. in virtue of union with him, and by the power derived from such union. But as there are gradations of faith and love among true Christians, so also there are degrees of diligence and thoroughness in service; and some servants are more approved than others, and shall have a more full reward. Oh to serve so as to have our Master's smile unon us now, and to be openly accepted of him at bill con::.ing as good and faithful servants I VL PEBFEOT IN CHRIST JEBUB: COMPLETE IN BIM. (Col. i. 28; ii.10.) There is all- perfect resource in our Lord. But all have not attained. There are babes in Christ, not perfect or mature; let them go on to fuller statme and strength. It is an object to be desired and worked for, that every believing man may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus, i.e. ripe and mature, not crude or ill-developed in the Christian character. VIL ABLEEP IN J EBUS. (1 Cor. xv. 18; 1 Thess. iv. 14, 18.) If we are Christ's, death is ours. It cannot do us hurt or·separate us from the love of God. For a man who is in Christ, the whole state of death-is brightened by the love and faithfulness of the Lord. Blessed-are the dead who die in him. Sweetly sleep the labourers who, when their day's work for Jesus is ended, fall asleep in him. • " Oh, never doleful dream age.in • Shall break the happy slumber when ' He giveth his beloved sleep.'" F. Vcrs. 7-9.-.Ar,; instructive experience. Like all true saints, Paul was modest about his own experience. He did not write down his heavenly rapture and what followed it, till fourteen years bad passed, and then he wrote it only because he felt compelled to prove to the Uorinthians that even " in visions and revelations of the Lord" be surpassed the false apostles as much as in labours and sufferings far Christ. Never did Christian tell an experience more .useful and strengthening to the Church. I. AFFLICTION THE ANTIDOTE TO PRIDE. we do not speak so much of the naturu pride of men over personal advantages of body or mind, over rank or riches, as of that subtle pride which ls apt to creep into the heart after a great influx of spiritual light and joy. One InaY be exalted overmuch on account of the clearer vision of heavenly things or the near access to the Lord which he has enjoyed. But there comes a timely affliction or rebuke, not merely to correct pride if it is indulged, but to anticipate and prevent its rising. "Lest I should be exal'ted." The wise man accepts this as a kind- ness from God. "There was given to me a thorn in the flesh." II. PRAYER THE ANTIDOTE TO DEBPOND]qi!CY. "I besought the Lord thrice." When one is ce.st down, worldly-wise friends can only bid him cheer up, cast off dull care, etc. But the resource of the Christian is to pray to the God of his life. And prayer must be repeated. The Saviour prayed thrice before the angel from heaven appeared to strengthen him.. Paul prayed thrice before the answer of grace and peace fell upon his fain ting soul. 30~ THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [en. xn. 1-21,
III. Grmrn's GRACE THAT BWEETENB At,L. Re knows well the piercing of thorn&i the fi<'ry <lart.s, nnd the "blRSt of the torrible ones," and he cn.n have compassion. Re did not, indeC'<l, ~oo fit to relieve his servant Paul at onoo of his distress, but assured him of compensative gl'BOO and sustaining strength; and so the apparent ovil was turned into a blessing, the pain and sorrow into joy. Be of good comfort, 0 believers I Ago.inst your own felt weakness set Christ's strength; and against all malice or Satan and his messengers l!et Christ's sufficient graoe.-F.