III. The Church is a society of "saints,n and "faithful," or believing, "in Christ Jesus." If we want these attributes, we may be of Israel, bnt we are not Israel. IV. Divine blessings are invoked and bronght near to the Church, viz. (1) grace (soe ExposiUon); (2) peace; both of these having their only source for sinners in God and Christ. This salutation is more than a pious wish or even prayer; the blessings are brought as it were to the door of all. It rests with them either to receive them or not. "Glorious things are spoken of thee, 0 city of God I" The blessings brought noar are very precious, for God in Christ with all his fulness is there. Let us beware of trifling with the offer. Let us open the door and welcome the Lord of grace and peace. Vers. 3-14-.-The thanksgiving. The condition of believers is fitted to excite the profoundest emotions of gratitude and praise in all who know them. Grounds of this thankfulness are- I. STATED SUMMARILY. (Ver. 3.) (For outline discourse on this text, see Exposition.) II. STATED IN DETAIL. (Vers. 4-14.) The chief elements of blessing are: 1. Holiness and blamelessness in love, secured by God's eternal election (ver. 4). 2. Adoption, secured in the same way (ver. 5). 3. Acceptance in the Beloved (ver. 6). 4. Redemption through Christ's blood., especially forgiveness of sin (ver. 7). 5. Abun- dance of grace, regulated by wisdom and knowledge (ver. 8). 6. Enlightenment in the mystery of God's will as to the Gentiles (ver. 9). 7. Especially, knowledge of Jesus Christ as the l)redestined Centre or Head of all things (ver. 10). 8. Fellowship with Christ in the enjoyment and purpose of his inheritance (vers. 11, 12). 9. The seal of the Holy Spirit, or earnest of our inheritance, the pledge and assurance of the eternal glory. Observe the constant allusions to the glory of God's grace, the riches of his grace, the abundance of his grace, the riches of his glory; the munificence of God. It is the narrowness of our hearts that will not take in this boundless generosity. Ver. 6.-..4.doption. I. In a certain sense, all men are children of God (Mal. ii. 10); i.e. God has a fatherly interest in them and yearning towards them. But sinners have forfeited the rights and position of sons; they are like the prodigal son, " not worthy to be called thy son." Thus they have no claim on God. Nay, they are" children of wrat-h" (eh. ii. 3). II. Sonship in God's family is for sinners only the fruit of adoption. Adoption is solely by grace, through Jesus Christ. It is the result of Divine predestination. It belongs only to" as many as receive him" (John i. 12). It is the fruit of spiri'ual oneness with Christ. When we are by faith united to the eternal Son of God, we become, in a lower sense, sons of God ourselves. III. Sonship has many privileges; parallel between nature and grace. Sons have a right to a due provision, to protection and shelter, to education and training; they share their father's house; they get the benefit of his experience, wisdom, counsel ; they enjoy his fellowship, and are moulded by his example and influence. IV. Sonship has many duties: obedience, honour, trust; gratitude, complacency, affection; co-operation with the father in his designs and aims. V. In Christ, eonship is indissoluble and everlasting.
Ver. 1.-Redemption. "In whom we have the redemption throuuh 0 his blood, even the forgiveness of our sins." I. What men need is more than instruction, education, or an elevating influence. They are in sin-condemned, enslaved, and disordered; in the fetters of a strong man armed, and II stronger is needed to disarm him and spoil his house. In a word, they need redemption from sin. II. What the gospel specially announces is such a redemption. Christ came, not merely to enlighten, or elevate, or improve, but to redeem. He came to grapple with sin in all its bearings and results. III. '£his redemption was consummated by the shedding of Christ's blood. Jesus died e.s a sacrifice or propitiation for sin. He came by water and by blood, not by water only. His blood "cleanseth us from all sin;" his Spirit renews the soul. Calvin lO THE EPISTLE TO TRR EPI!ElSIANS. [ott, I; t .....23,