love," nnd ne:er wit~out it. . Lo:v9 proceeds from fait~, even love to the saints (1 Th 888 11. 3). (2) 1 he Ob_1ect of faith 1s the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore it is called the faith of Jes11~ Cl1ris1. (Rom. iii. 26). Faith, AS e.n act of the understanding, sees Christ and as e.n I\Ct of will, trusts in him for etcrnBI life. (3) 'l'he objects of love are the ~nts'. Christ i8 t,0 he loved in the ee.ints, who Bre to be loved next to Christ. All -the 8e.ints Bre t-0 he loved, no mRtter what their chBr&cter, disposition, or talents. IIL THE 0llJECT oa PURPORT_ OF THE APOSTLE'S PRAYER. "That the fellowship of ll,y faith may become effectue.1 m the knowledge of every ii;ood thin<> which is in you u11t_o Christ." 1. T~ fellowshi'f refe7;ed '? the kfndly ojfie& of sympathy a111d charity whi,el, were the offspring of Phil,emc,n,, faith. 1 he apostle's prayers had in view the furtherance of Philemon's faith on its practical side. Faith is e. bountiful grace, and is communicative in its very nature. 2. The energetic operation of faith (1) glorifies God; (2) refreshes the saints; (3) stops the mouths of malicious men; (4) and attests the tru6 character of the saints even in the society of hypocrites. 3. The drifl qt a practical faith is towards a f'lill,er knowkdge and appreciation of good in Christian tMn. " The knowlerlge of the result and the reward of faith manifesting itself in deeds of love." Insight springs from obedience. 4. The growth offaith in its upward ttmtl.cy is "unto Christ," as its Goal e.nrl final Resting-place, depending as it does upon UDion with him, and tending to intensify the experience of that union. IV. THE MOTIVE FOB THE APOSTLE'S THANKSGIVING. "For I had great joy and consolation in thv love, because the bowels of the saints have been refreshed by thee brother.n 1. Whatever causes joy and consolation is just gr011,11,l fur thankagivi.ng. "For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy where- with we joy for your ee.kes be-fore our God?" (1 Thess. iii. 9). Thanks ever be to that God who fills our hearts" with food and gladness." The Apostle John found hie joy in learning that his children walked in truth (2 John 4). 2. The proofs of Phiumum's love ro the saints. (1) The apostle rejoices in a love which c1trries blessings to others rather than himself. (2) The saints ought to be refreshed in several ways. (11) By words of oonsolation, which we can easily extract from the promises of our Lord in the Word. (b) By our deeds of charity. So the apostle himself wu "oft refreshed" by Onesiphorns during his long imprisonment. (c) By our prayers for the afflicted saints. (3) The motives that prompt to this compassionate dealing with Ui.e saints are (a) that we herein imitate God, "who comforteth those who are cast down" (2 Cor. i. 4); (b) we refresh the bowels of Christ himself; (c) God will not forget our labour of love (1 Thess. i. 3).-T. C.
\"era. 8--11.-.Appeal by ,m,treaty raJli.er than command. The apostle here enters on the main subject of his lett.er, and introduces it with a singular mixture o{ courteRy, affection, and authority. L IT 18 BOHETIHES WISE TO FOBEGO THE 11:XEllCIBE OP AUTBOBl'l'Y. "Wherefore, though I have all boldues1 in Christ to enjoin thee that which ill befitting, yet for love's sake I rather be~ech thee." 1. Ministers possess authority. They are required to ~peak with authority. "Charge them that are rich that they be not high-minded." 2. Their authority i.8 'IWt in their own name, but in that of <Jhri8t. " I have all boldness in Christ." They are but servants in the Church, as Moses was (Heh. iii. 5); "not having dominion. over our faith, but helpers of our joy" (2 Cor. i 24); for it is the authority of ambassadors (2 Cor. v. 20). 3. There are limw to thi, authority. "To enjoin thee that which is befitting." This follows from the fact that Christ gives the command. He can only commanci that whieh ill befitting. Thl18 it is right for a ooliever to do enn more than strict law would demand, for he must do what reason and propriety dictate. lL IT 18 THE DELIGHT AS WELL A.8 THE WISDOM OP KINlBTJ:BB TO trSE BNTBEATY RATHER THAN COMMAND. 1. Ministers often tuiiely forego their right in JY1'6BU'Uting their Masl4r'• work. Cbristians likewise find it needful to forego the UH of things lawful, becaUBe their use would be inexpedient. They m11St not "&bll88 their liberty" or" hinder the goepel" (1 Cor. ix. 12, 18). 2. Love u tM prinolpal motit,e to JYf'om,pl to tM,s actwn. "Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee." Not the love ofthe apostl1 to Philemon. nor the love of Philemon to him, but love absolutely as a principle held iJi highest rega.rd by all Christian&. It iB love tbai "aeeket.h Mt her own." 8. .&• 1-26.J THE EPISTLE TO PHILEMON.