HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 1.-The duties of masters. "Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." I. THE DUTY OF MASTERS. It is here enforced only on its positive side. 1. Justice. Masters must give their servants what is according to contract, or according to what is just in itself, as to work, wages, food, correction, and example. 2. Equality. Masters sometimes treat servants unequally in demanding inconvenient service, an unreasonable amount of work, in withholding wages. 'l'hey ought to treat them so that they may serve them cheerfully and efficiently. II. THE BEASON TO ENFORCE THIS DUTY. "Knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven." God's majesty and man's authority stand together. The Lord in heaven is the Master of masters, and will avenge the wrongs they may inflict on their ser- vants.-T. C. Ver. 2.-Exhortation to constant prayer. The apostle then gives some special con- cluding exhortations: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanks- givin~." I. THE DUTY OF PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER. 1. This does not imply that we are to devote all our time to prayer; for it would be inconsistent (1) with other duties; (2) with man's mental and •moral nature; (3) with the design of prayer itself. 2. It implies that we are to be often engaged in prayer. (1) There is nothing more sanctifying and refreshing and strengthening to the soul. (2) Continuance in prayer brings larger blessings from on high. (3) 'l'he Scripture contains many examples of continuance in prayer (David, Daniel, Paul, our Lord himself). (4) The delay in the answers to prayer ought to lead us to persevere therein, because (a) it may lead to a deeper sense of want; (b) our faith and patience need to be tried; (c) the time for the answers may not have come. II.. THE DUTY OF WATCHFULNESS IN PRAYER. 1. We must be watchful as to the spirit of prayer, not indolent and remiss. 2. We must watch for arguments in prayer. a. llfe must ivatch for suitable praying seasons. 4. We must watch against watcldess- ness. 6. We must watch for the answers to prayer. 6. Remember Christ's example as he watched in prayer. (Matt. xiv. 23, 25.) Ill. THE DUTY OF JOINING THANKSGIVlNG WITH OUR SUPPLICATIONS AND OUR WATCII- ING. 1. We must always in prayer give thanks for mercies received. (Phil. iv. 6; 1 'l'hess. v. 16, 17.) 2. We must thank him in praises. 3. God answer, according to our gratitude for mercies received.-'!'. C.
Vers. 3, 4..-Prayer for the apostle and his companions. "Withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak 1.he mystery of Obrist fur which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak." I. EVEN THE GREATEST IN THE CHURCH NEEDS THE PRAYERS o~· THE LEAST. 1. It is the duty of the people to pray for their ministers. 2. It makes prayer profitable to interest ourselves in the welfare of others by intercessions for them at a throne nf grace. 3. The progress of the gospel depends much upon the prayers of the saints. (2 'l'liess. iii. 1.) II. 'faE SUBJECT OF THE PRAYER. It was that the apostle and Timothy nnd Epaphras might have abundant opportunity of preaching the gospel, as well as liberty, power, and success. The prayer implies: 1. 'l'hat God can open a tray fur the gu.s}'el 224 'l'HE EPISTLE TO 'l'HE COLOSSIA.NS. [011, IV, 1-18,
among the hearts of men. It was the Lord who opened Lydia's heart (Acts xvi. 14), and "opened the door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts xiv. 27). 2. That God could liberate the apostle from prison as a condition of carrying on his apostolic work. 3. 7'/int the apostle's impri~onment was caused by his devotion to tl1e "mystel'y of Christ," which was the admission of the Gentiles to salvation on equal terms with the Jews, or, in other words, "Christ in them the Hope of glory" (eh. i. 27). He would not have heen in prison if he bad been preaching a gospel with Judaic restrictions. His bonds wc,re due to the strength of Jewish prejudices. But" the truth of the gospel" was so dear to him that he was content to suffer for it, and even to forego the opportunities of enlarged usefulness out of prison. 4. That he might be able to use his opportunities with boldness and success. People ought to pray that their ministers may be able to preach the Word with power (1 Thess. v. 5); with urgency (2 Tim. iv. 2, 3, 5); with patience, constancy, and fear (1 Cor. iv. 9; 2 Cor. vi. 4; iv. 8); with faithfulness (1 Cor, iv. 2); with zeal (2 Cor. v. 11; 1 Thess. ii. 12),-approving themselves in the sight of God to their hearers' consciences (2 Cor. ii. 17).-T. C.