perhaps to bodily suffering or death, which the apostles in certain instances had the power of inflicting (Ananias and Sapphira, Acts v. 1-11; Elymas, Acts xiii. 11). Apart from the specialties of this case, it is plain that disciplinary dealincr with scandalous members is to take the form of exclusion from the fellowship of the Christian society ; and this is to be the solemn act of the Church, either collectively or by duly appointed representatives. Such a judicial sentence, pronounced in virtue of the power conferred by the Lord Jesus, should carry with it great weight; and that it may have its due effect on the mind of the offender, let there be joined with it brotherly dealing and prayer,- 3. Its ends. (1) As regards the individual, the censures of the Church have in view his true well-being. The deliverance to Satan has for its object the destruction of the flesh and the ultimate saving of the spirit. How it brings this about may be learnt from the case of Peter (" Satan asked to have you," Luke xxii. 31); from Paul's thorn in the flesh (" a messenger of Satan," 2 Cor. xii. 7); and especially from the experience of Job (Job i. 12). The sifting of the adversary drives away the chaff; his buffeting makes us feel our need of heavenly grace; his iafliction of loss and disease weans from the world and teaches submission to the will of God. Such discipline is not a pleasant thing for the erring one. The patient does not like the surgeon's knife; but if it cuts out a cancer or amputates a diseased limb, and thereby saves the whole body, it is endured for the sake of the good it effects. Better that the flesh be scorched by the fire of chastisement, if thereby the soul be saved in the day of Christ. We may gather from 2 Cor. vii. 8-12 that in this case the severe discipline produced the desired effect. (2) As regards the Church, discipline is a protective measure. This one flagrant sinner, suffered to remain amongst them, would act as a corrupting leaven upon the rest. Others would be emboldened to pursue similar courses, until at length the disease would infect the whole body.-B. Vers. 7, 8.-The Christian life a Pasch'll feast. The mention of leaven recalls to the apostle's mind the Jewish Passover, in connection with which the putting away of leaven was strictly enjoined. A most careful search was made for every remnant of the for- bidden substance, especially in later times, when every hole and corner was ransacked with candles. What was done then with leaven should be done now with that of which leaven is the type (comp. Exod. xii.). I. CHRIST OUR PASCHAL LAMll. Note the main points of correspondence between the type and the antitype. 1. The lamb was to be "without blemish." Jesus Christ was" holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners" (Heb. vii. 26); "a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. i. 19). 2. 'l'he lamb was slain. It was a sacrifice, the victim's life going for the life of the people. Jesus Christ was crucified for us, "bearing our sins in his body upon the tree" (1 Pet. ii. 24). 3. The blood of the lamb was sprinkled "on the two side posts and on the upper door-post of the houses." It was not enough that the blood was shed, it must also be put as o. mark on the door. "And when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exod. xii. 7, 13). Even so the blood of Jesus Christ must be applied to each individual sinner ere it can avail to deliver from the condemnation. Personal faith in him appropriating his atoning sacrifice; is the han,1 that dips the hyssop in the basin and sprinkles the blood on the house. 4. The lamb was to bf eaten that nighe by the household. Its blood was their protection, its flesh their food. Jesus Christ is our Life as well as our Atonement. The believer sheltered by his blood draws his nourishment from him (John vi. 51). II. 'l'HE CHRISTIAN LIFE AN UNLEAVENED FESTIVAL. 1. It is afestival. "Let us keep the feast." There is no special reference to the Lord's Supper, but to the whole Christian life. What the Paschal week was to the Jew, the believer's life is to be to him. It is to be (1) consecrated to God, and (2) spent in grateful remembrance of God's redeeming mercy. All through let us keep festival in view of the Lamb slain, with the joy of those who have been delivered from bonclage. 2. It is to be kept without leaven. All sin is to be purged out. The Christian is ideally unleavened. Theoretically no leaven was to be found in the houses of Israel during the Passover, although some of it might escape the most diligent search; and so l?elievers, as they stand in Christ, a.re dead to sin. 'l'his is the high calling which we are to make our own by putting away all sin. Let us be in reality what we are in idea (1 Pet. ii. 9)-let us be a holy people. Every form of vice and wickedness must be cast away as inconsistent witl1 our THE FlHST El'lSTLE TO THE COJUNTl-IlANS. [ea. v. 1-H.
unleavened condition, and only" the unleavene<l hread of sincerity and truth" be found 111our home;. A pure, transparent, honest life, correspondino-0 in all thino-s 0 to the truth, becomes those who rightly "keep the feast."-B.