II. THE PATHOS OF THEIR POSITION DEMANDS OUR SYMPATHY. We observe the bodily prirntions, the homelessness, the physical toil, the ignominy, the persecutions the general contempt, which the apostles passed through; and we cannot observe ali this unmoved. Doubtless it touched the heart of that Divine Saviour who was made perfect through sufferings; doubtless there were those who wept with their leaders when these were constrained to weep. Nothing in all human history is more profoundly aITccting. Ill. THE MORAL PURPOSE OF THEIR POSITION DEMANDS OUR APPRECIATION. The mofr,es that induced Paul and his colleagues voluntarily to submit to such experience as they relate were two-fidelity to Christ and pity for men. Christ the Master had c<>ndescended himself to be upon the cross a spectacle to the world; and those who llC'ncfited by hi~ redemption and shared his Spirit were ready to follow h~ example. They were the true followers of him who" endured the cross, despising the shame." And th, ir aim and hope was to b1in; 1he world to the foot. of the Saviour's cross. For this e11<! they "counted not their life dear unto them." It was for the sake of their fellow- 1uen tbnt they consented to brave the scorn of the philosopher and the jeer of the rnnltitude. IV. 'l'HE MORAL LESSONS OF THEIR POSITION DEMAND OUR STUDY. 1. It is a rebuke 10 self-indulgence and ease. Shall we be satisfied and eujoy our ease in the midst of the world's errors and sins, when we call to mind the heroic and pathetic sufferings of our Lord's first followers? 2. It is a consolation under any contumely and discredit we may endure in 1he Christian profession and vocation for Christ's .sake. "The like Mffiictions have befallen our brethren who are in the world." 3. It points on to the !.'lory which shall be revealed. "Through much tribulation ye must enter into the kingdom of heaven." The apostles have ended their struggles, and now enjoy their victory; the Church militant will soon become the Church triumphant.-T.
-Ver. 15.-Children, tutors, and fathers. Our religion makes use of all the many and various relationshlps that obtain among men to set forth ail<l to assist us in understanding spiritual realities. I. GENERALLY SPEAKING, CIIRISTIANS MAY BE DESCRIBED AS CHILDREN. 1. Like the Corillthians, most members or the Church of Christ need constant and watchful care. Provideucc has appointen that children should be born more dependent than the offspring of the inferior animals upon parental attention a?d devotio?, From iu fancy until the approach of manhood acd womanhood, human bemgs stand m need of the supervision and assistance of their parents. So _is it with the r_nembers ~f Christ's Church. They are in need of pastoral care and kmdness, a!ld without this are not likely either to grow in Christian character or to escape the assaults of their foes. 2. In addition to care, they need wise and fatherly counsel. It would be well if spiritual pastors bore in mind the inexperience of a large proportion of the flock. Paul Wll.8 n. faithful counseUor, and in writing to these Christians at Corinth he warned them very faithfullv ao-ainst the faults and errors they were in clanger of falling into. Not with severity," but with directness and earnestness, he admonished his spiritual children, and entreated them to render obedience to his advice and directions. Even sincere <lisciple8 ul Christ are often in peril by reason of their own want of knowledge and experience, and by reason of the temptations which beset them in this world. Hence the impor- tance of such pastoral admonitions as those of which Paul here gives an example. II. THERE ARK IN THE Cm;RCH OF CHRIST 1.'H0SE WHO MAY DE DESIGNATED SPIRITUAL FATHERS. At Corinth the apostle occupied a pre-eminently honourable and influential position. He claims in this passa;::e to have been, what the hist_o~y of the Acts shows 1.hat lie was, tlie 1,Ianter of the vrneyarcl, the founder of the edifice, the father of tho CJJ. IV, 1-21.] THE Frns·r EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. lrn
fami\y. It was by bis labours, bis bravery, his perseverance, that the Christian com- mumty came into existence. In the highest sense, of course, the Father was God himself, who gives the Spirit of adoption to all his people. But instrumentally, the apostle was blessed by God, through the preaching of the gospel, to the begetting and birth, so to speak, of this congregation, this spiritual household. This relationship involved the ubligalion on their part to reverence, hon,,ur, obey, and p-atefully to love and rejoice in, one to whom they were, under God, so immcasnrably indebted. For hi~ was a unique position with regard to them. No other could claim to stand in the same relation, and Paul was bold to tell them so. Still are there those who are honoured by the calling of God to this spiritual fatherhood; and such should meet with that respectful and grateful recognition which is the due of benefactors so signally favoured by God himself. III. To·roRS AND INSTRUCTORS IN C11msT OCCUPY IS TIIF. CIIURCII A POSITIO~ O:S-LY INFERIOR TO THA'l.' OF SPlltITUAL FATHERS. At Corinth the chariswL of teacbing seems to have been imparted and exercised in a measure almost embarrassing in its abundance. Paul speaks hyperbolically of the "myriads" of tutors who followed up hi~ apostolic labours. 'l'hc same Spirit bestows gifts in multiplicity and variety. Let Christians 1" grateful for all the "means of grace," and especially for the holy and devout ministra- tions of the learned, the wise, the sympathetic, and the strong. For thus is it appointed that the Church should grow in grace.-T.