the sacrifice is virtually offered to devils, partaking of it when it is in the form of a sacri- fice-this would not apply to meat sold in the shambles (ver. 25) or to meat at a friend's house (ver. 27)-involves fellowship with devils. Established by reference to: (1) Jewish sacrifices. Those who partook of these sacrifices identified themselves with Jehovah and his altar. To partake of Jewish sacrifices was to proclaim one's self a Jew and a follower of Israel's God. So to partake of sacrifices offered to devils was to identify one's self with the service of devils and to have communion with them. (2) The Lord's Supper. When the bread and wine are partaken of, there is a profession of attachment to him whose flesh and blood are thus set forth-of fellowship with him, of association in his service, of union with him. The union set forth is so close that it unites those who gather at the table (ver. 17). 'l'he Lord's Supper pre-eminently identifies us with Christ. At his table we may look for the closest fellowship. Similarly at the table of devils men are closely associated with these evil spirits. 2. To Chris- tians specially. It is an attempt to serve God and his greatest enemies. This is what it amounts to really, though not necessarily with full realization of the fact on the part of the participants. (1) A moral impossibility. Ye cannot serve two masters, especially masters diametrically opposed. "Ye caunot drink,'' etc. (ver. 21). (2) A horrible spectacle. 'l'hat those who have been so near to Christ should get correspondingly near to Satan and his angels. That as they have been to their Lord, so will they be to his foes. (3) A great provocation to the Lord. Our God is "a jealous God" (ver. 22). Men might plead that they did not even think of idols or devils whilst they partook. But it was a public act, and God would regard its true import. A great provocation that his people should do this outwardly; and the outward would surely affect the inward sooner or later. ( 4) An act of great folly. Running into extreme danger. "Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled?" We should not see how near we may get to sin, but how far we may keep away. The exercise of our "liberty" may lead us to bondage. Tempting God; "Are we stronger than he?" (ver. 22).-H. Ver. 26.-Tlte great Proprietor. I. REALIZE AND REMEMBF.R THE FACT OF Goo's UNIVERSAL PROPRIETORSHIP. It is easy to say that all things are God's, but difficult to adequately grasp and to retain this in our minds. \Ve yield a ready acquiescence, are but little impressed because the truth is cloudy to us, and then go our way thinking, ;,peaking, and acting, as though God did not own a square foot of ground iu the universe 1 Yet all things are his-the earth and its fulness, small things and great, " our posses- sions" and the possessions of others, things consecrated to him o.nd things unconsecratetl, creatures who obey and creatures who disobey,-all a.re his. II. Goo's PROPRIETORSHIP MAKES THE WORLD MORE DEAUTIFUL. I. His possessions become associated with himself. We prize certain things because they belong or belonged to our dear ones. All around us has been and is God's. Interesting in them- selves, their interest is increased without limit as the whisper comes to us," They are all Goers and of God." 2. As his proprietorship springs from his creation of all things, we mn.y be able to trace his mind in objects o.round us, to see the marks of his fingers, to behold his skill and power. He will be reflected to some extent in his works. 3. He has purposes in connection with his possessions. Everything was made for some end. We may wscem some of these ends. \Ve may know that the principle is universal, end may thus be stimulated to seek for further knowledge. 4. Brings good cheer into :i world where there is much to sadden. Not the earth was the Lonl's, but the emth i.s the Lord's. lt is still in his hands. Here is light amid dense darkness. The worl,l has not slipped from the grasp of the Eternal-he holds it now. III. Gon's PROPRIETORSHIP SHOULD INFLUENCE OUR USE OF THE WORLD AND THE THING~ THEREOF. If all things are God's, they should not be used (1) thoughtlessly, (2) irreverently, (3) selfishly, (4) injuriously, (5) contrary to his reve1\led will, (6) to the dishonour of his Ne.me. IV. Goo's PROPRIETORSHIP EXTENDS TO OURSELVES. If" the earth is the Lord'ti, and the fulness thereof," we are his. 1. We are not our own. :!. Let us not think, feel, speak, or act as though we were. V. IF WE ARE REDEEMED, WE SHARE IN Goo's PROPRIETORSHIP. As children do in the possessions of their father. If we are in Christ, God is our Father. We have receiYed the adoption of children. We are "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ." 350 'THE FIRST EPISTLE 'TO TIIE CORINTHIANS. [en. x. 1-33.
How rich is the condition of the poorest believer! how exalted the status of tha humblest! The ,vay to pcwer, dignity, a.nd wealth is the way of the cross; for thus- we become the inheritors of a.ll things. "All things are yours."-H.