ground. God would resist it (Jas. iv. 7); men would not regard it (Prov. xi. 2); and they themselves would inherit nothing by it but folly (Prov. xiv. 8; 1 Tim. vi. 4). Even where real visions a.re vouchsafed, there is a temptation to self-elation, as in the case of the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. xii. 7). But, in the case of false visions, the tendency would be still more manifest. The mind would be" the mind of the flesh," as it is literally; not "the mind of the Spirit." It was "the carnal mind that is enmity with God." Let us rather seek to become "fools that we may be wise'' (1 Cor. iii. 18), and not be "puffed up one against another." It is knowledge that puffeth up (1 Cor. viii. 1); it is only love that edifieth. IV. THE NEGATIVE SOURCE OF THE HERESY OF ANGEL-WORSHIP. "Not holding the Head from whom the whole body, being supplied and knit together thro □ gh the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God." The Colossian: errorists invented angel-worship because they did not see in Christ the true and only Mediator who was to bridge the chasm between God and men. They put inferior beings in the place of him who is the only Source of spiritual life. They did not "hold the headship" doctrinally; they had no individual or vital adherence to the Head as the Source of life to them. 1. Jesus Ghrist, as the Head, is the true Source of spiritual life and energy. He who is "at once the lowest and the highest," who is "the Word made flesh," "raises up man to God, and brings God down to man." 'l'he fulness of the Godhead resides in him bodily, and out of that fulness he communicates freely to us. 2. The ,·elation of the body to the Head. "From whom the whole body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands." (1) The care of Christ extends to every member of the body. We must likewise learn to extend our love to all the saints. (2) There is a double effect produced by the relation of Head and members. (a) The supply of nutriment. Christ is the sole Source of supply to our souls-" through the joints." God calls us "to this fellowship with his Son" (1 John i. 7). (11) We can have no spiritual nutriment from Christ till we have believed in him, (.B) The joints through which our supply of grace comes cannot be broken. " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Rom. viii. 39). ('Y) It is through these joints we receive Christ's "unsearchable riches" (Eph. iii. 9); "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places" (Eph. i. 3); so that we come behind in no spiritual gift. (b) The compacting of the frame into a perfect unity-" knit together by bands." Christ is the Source of the Church's unity. "He bath made both one n (Eph. ii. 14). There is a unity of faith, a unity of spiritual life, a unity of ordinance, a unity of love, a uuity of final destiny, in the Church, by virtue of her connection with her Head. 3. The end of this relation. "Increaseth with the increase of God;" that is, with the increase which he supplies. (1) The body grows extensively, by the addition of new members; it grows intensively in grace, knowledge, and the practice of all holy duties. (2) 'l'he First Cause of nil this growth is God. Paul may plant, and Apollos water, but "it is God who gave the increase" (1 Cor. iii. 6). Thus through Christ, God aud man are linked together; the finite and the Infinite are l'econciled; the great problem of speculation has been nt last practica1ly solved. V. 'l'HE DANGER OF ANGEL-WORSIDP. "Let no man rob you of your prize." The apostle implies that the prize of eternal life-" the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus "-would be lost by turning aside from the Head to angelic mediators. We must not" lose what we have wrought" in this way (2 John 10). "Let no man take thy crown" (Rev. iii. 11). Let us, therefore, avoi,l "profane babblin~s and oppositions of science falsely so called " (1 Tim. vi. 20), and hold fast " the faith once delivered to the saints" (Jude 4).-T. C.
Vera. 20-23.-.A warning against asceticism. The apostle now proceeds to de<iuce the practical consequences of our fellowship in the death of Christ. "If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using) after the precepts and doctrines of men?" l. MARI{ THE PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES OF OUR SHA!lING IN THE DEATH OF CRRIST. l. Fellowship in Christ's death. "Wo are buried with him by baptism unto death" (Ilom. vi. 3-9). We are united with Christ in his death. Community in death in 1·o!l·cs community in life, and tins our death with Christ invol ns nut ouiy (1) li8 TUE EPISTLE 'l'O 'l'IIE COLOSSlANS. [c:n. u. 1-23.