"'·nlkcsl in trul h." Perhaps Gaius himself nccde<l this assurance of hie spiritual proe- per_ity. "The wor<ls of the apostle seem to imply," says Dr. Binney," that tho health of Gams was somewhat enfeebled. This might affect hie feelings, and rondor the actual pwspcrity of his soul, while visible to others, unperceived by himself; hie ellcellence was obYious UJ all who knew him, though bodily infirmity or mental depression con- cealed the truth from his own consciousness. On this account he was addressed by John in the words of encouragement-words delicately but strongly conveying the apostle's confidence in his spiritual state, and assuring him, at the same time, of his constantly sharing in his supplications and prayers." This spiritual prosperity is more important than material progress and success, Ill. THE APOSTLE MAKES THE PROSPERITY OF HIS SOUL THE 11111:ASUBE OF TliE PHY• SICAL HEALTH AND SECULAR PROSPERITY DESIRED FOil GAI!JS, This is profoundly siguificnnt. Unless our spirit11al prosperity be at least commensurate with our temporal prosperity, the latter ceases to be a blessing. All the worldly wealth which a man posses,es which is more than proportionate to the wealth of his soul, he will do well to get rid of at once, or by Divine grace bring the wealth of his soul into proportion with it. Without this correspondence we cannot use wealth aright, riches will injure us, the material will crush the Rpi,itual in us. When outward riches are more than propor- tionate to his godliness and grace, they are a curse to their possessor. But when·tbere is a proportion between the two, wealth is a blessing worthy an apostle's prayer, .What astounding revolutions would take place if this prayer were universally realized I "What transforrnations in health J Many now hale and strong would become weak and sickly. Many now diseased and feeble would become sound and vigorous. What transformations in circwmstances J Many pampered sons and daughters of riches and luxury would come to poverty and want. Many of the indigent would pass from·,the. abode of penury to the palace of ease and plenty, "A terrible wish this,"says Binney,,'- " if it \\UC offered for and were to take effect upon many a professor: it would blast them in body and ruin them in circumstances; it would render them, like. the Church that thought itself rich and increased in goods, 'poor, and miserable, and .blind, and naked.'" Shall I offer this prayer for you? If this prayer were realized, the physical would bear the true proportion to the spiritual, and the temporal to the eternal Learn how far secular wealth is desirable.-W. _J,
Vers. 3, 4.-Spiritual prosperity. "For I rejoiced greatly when the brethren ea.me and testified of the truth that is in thee," etc. In these and some subsequent verses we have some aspects and evidences of the spiritual prosperity of Gaius. L ABPECTB OF SPIRITUAL PROSPERITY. " Brethren came and bare witness unto thy truth, even as thou we.lkest in truth.'' 1. T~th appropriated in mind and heart. Our interpretation of the words, " thy truth," would be superficial and inadequate if we simply said that they express the sincerity of Gaius. The expression involves this, that he was true in religion and in life; but it means that his religious beliefs were correct-that be held the truth concerning the Person and work of Jesus Christ. .On these subjectl!i pernicious e1Tors had a.risen in the Church. Some denied the Godhead of our Saviour; others denied the reality of his manhood. "'l'he first stumbled at Lis pre-ex.i~tence and incarnation, because he suffered indignity and anguish; the other, acimitLing his Divine nature, thought it beneath him actually to-·suffer, and therefore deDied that his body or his sufferinge were anything else but illusory appearances" (Binney). Aga.wst each--0f these errors St. John'. wrote. And by the expression;" the truth," be generally means the apostolic doctrine concerning the Person arid work of Jesus Christ. "This truth Gaius held; held it as his life; it was • in him.' as filling Lis intellect and affections; in his understanding as a source of light, in hie flea.rt as tl,e object of love." 'l'he apostle, a.ewe have teamed from hie former Epistles, attached the utmost importance to correct religious belief. 2. Truth manifested in life and, <XJ!l,duct. "Thou walkest in truth.'' His practical life was in harmony with his• pro•· fossed creed. The truth he held was not merely a form of sound words, but a: li vin~ force in his character and cooduct. His faith was not a mere speculation or opinion, but a thiug of deep feeling and fum conviction. The faith that does not influence the life towards harmony with itself is not faith in the &eriptural sense; it is aseent, or _gpinion; but it is not Christian faith, or saving faith. Our real faith moulds the life 1-14.J THE THIRD EPISTLE OF JOHN. 7