of heaven is in our midst, and we are lifted up to heaven. when we have our treneute there, for there our heart is. But it is only the upward <raze that will discern true Christian blessings. Kirke White writes of "this low-th~u"hted world· of darkU:ng woe." The woe is so" darkling" just because the world is so"'" lo,v-thoughted." We csnnot find the stars by searching in the dust. III. THEsE BLESSIKGS DESCE~'D UPON us FRO:U Gon THBOUGH CHRIST, 1. The source of them is in God. Christianity has its origin in God. He conceived the first thoucrht of it. He sent his Son to bril1g it to us. 2. The blessings come especially from Godin hi_s ?haracter of !°'!her. God is revealed as Creator, King, Judge; fr9m none of these Dmne charsct.eristics 00uld we expect the blessings of mercy which as Christians we receiT"e. 'l'hey are given by a Father. 3, These blessings :flow directly from God's relation, with Ohrist. He is the "Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." The blessings are given to us through Christ's great work of mediation. 4. It is through ·our relations with (Jhrist that we enjoy the Christian blessings. They are "in Cfuist;" He first receives them, and we have them by union with him. We must be •iin Christ" ourselves in order that the blessings may be ours, • • ' IV, THE ENJOYME1''T OF THE CHRISTIAN BLESSINGS SHOULD INSPIRE OUR MOST BEill'l'- FELT PBAISEs. The whole verse is an utterance of thanksgiving. Surely it is fitting that we should bless God for such wonderful blessings to us. We cannot repay, but we can at least thank. "Where are the nine?" mnst often be the sad question that ~hould shame our gro~ ingratitude. Th~ essence of religious worship. Yet our· age has forgotten to worship. We pray, beggmg favours for ourselves; we discuss truth, seeking light for ourselves; we work-let us hope sometimes ·unselfishly; but where is our wo:rship, adoration, praising of God? See the grounds for thus blessing God (1) in me richness of the blessings ; (2) in our tot.al ill desert; (3) in the greatness of God, a:ic. the con.sequent depth of his condescension in stooping to our low estate; (4) in the cost of the bles5ings-the precious blood of Christ (ver. 7); and (5) in the wonderful Drn.ne love which inspired the whole work ofredemption.-W. F. A. ,
Vers. 4-6.-God's idea of humanity. We commonly regard our lives from a human standpnnt, which we cannot well leave even in thought, But, if it were possible, it would be most interesting to see how God looks upon them. Now, it, is one cf the objects of revelation to help us to do this-to lead us to see ourselves as ·G.od'_.11ees us. Next to the vision of God himself, such a picture ·of humanity as it appears }n t~e eyes of God is of the greatest importance. The manifestation of our present co11dition in tbe searching light of God turns out to be a shameful exhibition of .sin and.fa1t'ure. But the declaration of God's idea of our lives, of what he wishes and purpo.ses for,uW, and of his design in fashioning us, is truly sublime, and should fill us with. gen,ujne " self-reverence." Jn the verses before us, by a magnificent feat of inspired l~agina;iioµ, St. Paul describes this idea and the method by which God is working it out. L THE ORIGIN OF THE IDEA. It was conceived "before the foundation of the world;" The architect's desigu precedes the builder's structure, God had his plan of mankind before a man was created. 1. Seeing that God is infinite, that plan must extend to every detail of the vocation of every individual .s~ul 2. Seeing that God is _independent of time, he must know from the first all future issues, and what course will be taken bv the free-will of each man. 3. Seeing that all things are united by successive waves of influence what God doeB from the foundation of the world onwards must all have its bearings on' the latest development of mankind, and must therefore be determined in some measure with respect to God's idea of humanity. . . II. ~ OBJECTS OF THE IDEA. 1. In our character, God's will regarding us is our sanctification. He foreordains us to be pure and f~~e from a11 defilement _and 1n:iv,tir,- fection. Thus we learn that the moral and spmtual state of a soul 18 far 111ore important in the eye.a of God Jhan any in~llectual gifts, o~ any amou~t of _comfo,tt_ and happiness. 2. In our conditwn. God wIShes us to be his sons. 'lhe high pnv1le"'I! of Christ he desires to bestow upon Christ's brethren. To be thus nearly related to God is to have the highest possible destiny. 3. In relation to God himself. The prai~e ~f bis glory is thus attained. If God seeks his own glory, it is because this is the glory of goodness seen in the welfare of his creatures, HI. TnE MOTIVES OF THE IDEA. 1. In God's sovereign freedom. He purposes CR. 1.1-28,] THE· EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS. 55