al1ow ~his peace to rule. _We shall ~he~ be _kept fr~m falling (Ps. cxix. 165), have peace m conflict (John xvi. 33) and 111 mact1on (Ps. 1v. 8), throucrh life and iu ceath (Ps. xxxYii. 37). Peace is the faithful handmaid of love, which attends it even in the stormier days of life (Rom. xv. 13). lIT. THA~KFOLN~ss. I_f God's love _is shed abroad and Christ's peace rules in our hearts, grateful feelmgs will well up like sparkling streams. And gratitude to God will deepen Joye and preserve in peace, fosterin~ forbearance pity unselfishness and patience under those trials which a loving Father appoints ro( our dducation.-E.'S. P. Vers. 16, ]7.-The power of the Word and the Name of Christ. "Having exhorted them to be thankful, he also shows them the way" (Chrysostom). But the connection is wider than this. In ver. 16 the apostle shows how a right use of Christ's gospel may promote the graces to which he has been exhortino-; and in ver. 17 bow the rio-ht. recognition of the Name of Christ will be a comprehen~ve rule to aid us in every d~ty of life. I. THE POWER OF THE Worm OF CHRIST. 1. "Let the Word of (Jhrist ,/,well 1n you richly in all wisdom." If "every word of God is pure," and therefore both powerful and precious, this is pre-eminently so with "the word of the truth of the gospel." To exert its power it must not he a transient visitor (cf. Jer. xiv. 8), but a resident in the soul, and that "richly." We must welcome it impartially-its doctrines (Rom. i. 16, 17, etc.), precepts (Ps. cxix. 128), and promises (Rom. iv. 20, 21). We must receive it with Joy as a treasure we prize (Ps. cxix. 72; J er. xv. 16), like sweet poetry that lingers in the memory, or a friend enshrined in the heart (Prov. iv. 21, 22). We may expect it to be a power to ourselves; it will promote in us every kind of wisdom, making us "wi~e unto salvation," and enlightening the intelligence as well as the heart (Ps. xix. 7, 8; cxix. 130). One chief motive for seeking this blessed occupancy of the ~oul is that we may be useful to others. 2. " Teaching and admonishing one another," etc. The picture presented is one of unconstrained, cheerful, social religion, as in Acts ii. 42--47; mutual counsel, encouragement, reproof, and interchange of experi- ence (Ps. c.tli. 5; Ma.I. iii. 16; 1 Thess. v. 14; Heb. iii. 13; x. 24, 25, etc.). For this end "the sacrifice of praise" has an especial value. (Power of poetry and song: e.g. Acts xvi. 25; Jas. v. 13. Pliny's testimony; the psalmody of the Reformation; ::ecent developments of sacred song, and conversions therefrom.) Let us seek to sing "with gra@e in our heart.a," so that every hymn may be a means of grace to ourselves and to others (Ps. L 23). II. THE POWER OF THEN.um OF CmusT. We may be said to do or suffer anything in the Name of Christ when we do it or endure it in recognition of the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and in subordination to him. As all thoughtful men have some ruling passion in life-wealth, fame, patriotism, etc.-the Christian's will be the will and honour of his Divine Lord. This is: 1. A comprehensive rule. It applies to words and deeds (1 Cor. x. 31; 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11). "It is one thing to be reproached, another to be saved, another to be baptized, another to command, another to pray, another to give thanks in the Name of the Lord;" but all may be done by his authority and for his honour. 2. A valuable test; as was" the peace of Christ." (Ver. 15.) Can I do this" in the Name of Christ," "giving thanks to God"? Illustrate this in relation to business (e.g. a godly grocer thinking about going into the liquor traffic), amusements, r,olitics, etc. We are not at liberty to take any part of our life from under this rule. l'be doctrine that religion and business are disconnected is a "damnable heresy." 3. A power/ul encouragement. It dignifies drudgery, sanctifies commerce, hallows recrea- tion. Having traded in the Name of Christ, we may pray in that Name and be assured of an answer (John xiv. 14). We may thank God for our subjection to the power of that Name, which ennobles every service and lightens every trial (Epb. v. 20; 1 Tbess. v. 18). But the first thing to be done in the Name of Christ ls to trust in him for salvation (John iii. 18; Acts iv. 12). Unless that is done, nothing can be truly done "in the Name of the Lord Jesus" (John vi. 29; 1 John iii. 23).-E. S. P.
Vers. 18, 19.-Husbands and wives. Notice the honour given to marriage by Moses (Gen. ii. 23, 24), and still more by Christ (Matt. v. 31, 32; xix. 3-9) and his apostles (Eph. v. 22-33; 1 Tim. iv. 3; v. ).4.; Heb. xiii. 4, etc.). Chris~ianity a gospel of OJI. III. 1-25.] THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. 201