although the application was primarily to the impenitent Jews, it expresses a principle which works with reference to every one who rejects the word of God that is sent to them. The gratification of selfishness-the indulgence in sin-the pride of intellect-these all influence the affections so as to make "the heart fat"—that is, gross, heavy, careless and then however simple may be the saving truths of the gospel, the highest intellect cannot comprehend them, and the most refined worldly taste cannot appreciate them. In such a state the truth of God is rejected, and the only means of salvation neglected. How terrible must be the consequences in eternity! : QUESTION. Does my mind or my feeling rise up against any doctrines of the word of God? If so, have I examined into the source of the opposition? Is it not because these doctrines condemn something in which I love to indulge, and require me to humble myself? THE PRAYER. O God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, who hast given thine own Son to take our flesh and die for our sins; grant me the grace to be like-minded with thine apostles in seeking the salvation of thine ancient people Israel. Hasten the time, I beseech thee, when thy fierce anger against them may have ceased to burn like fire, and when thy unchangeable love shall fulfil all thy gracious promises to the seed of Abraham. And to this end gather from amongst them the remnant according to the election of grace, by that gospel through which thy Spirit shall accomplish the number of thine elect. Grant gracious God that I may be found to be of that number; and that I may have a good hope that such is the case, make me to be conformed to his image, who when he was reviled reviled not again. Pardon all who are mine enemies, and turn their hearts I beseech thee. Restrain in me every desire of revenge, and enable me upon every occasion to possess that charity which shall cover the multitude of their sins, and strive to overcome their evil with good. Preserve me from the indulgence of those things which make the heart become gross, and the ear dull of hearing. Teach me by thy Spirit to deny myself, and quicken me to receive in simple faith those blessed truths of thy gospel, which are able to make me wise unto salvation, through Jesus Christ. AMEN. FIFTY-SIXTH PORTION. Paul's imprisonment at Rome. The later Epistles. TIME. From A.D. 59, to A.D. 66, and subsequently. May God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, give me the Holy Spirit, that I may understand this portion of His Holy Word, and profit by it. AMEN. THE SCRIPTURE. ACTS, chap. XXVIII. 30, 31. EPH. I. 1; III. 1, 13; VI. 19-22. COL. I. 1, 7, 8, 24; IV. 3, 7-9, 12, 13, 16, 18. PHILEMON 1, 9, 13, 23. PHIL. I. 1, 7, 12-14; II. 19-27, 30; IV. 18. Roм. XV. 24-29. HEB. XIII. 19, 23, 24. TITUS I. 4, 5; III. 12. 1 TIM. I. 1—4. 2 TIM. I. 15; IV. 6-20. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received 30 all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching 31 those things which concern the Lord Jesus, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Ерн. І. 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which 1 are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. EPH. III. 1, 13. 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which 13 is your glory. EPH. VI. 19-22. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my 19 mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am 20 an ambassador in bonds, [or, in a chain]: that therein [or, thereof] I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a be- 21 loved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you 22 all things: whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 1 7 8 24 3 COL. I. 1, 7, 8, 24. that ye Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother. As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. Who rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church. COL. IV. 3, 7-9, 12, 13, 16, 18. Withal praying for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds. 7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, 8 and a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord; whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and com9 fort your hearts; with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ saluteth you, always labouring [or, striving] fervently for you in prayers, that ye might stand 13 perfect and complete [or, filled] in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. PHILEMON 1, 9, 13, 23. 1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer. 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 13 23 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel. There salute thee, Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus. PHIL. I. 1, 7, 12-14. 1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart [or, ye have me in your heart]; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace [or, partakers with me of grace]. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which 12 happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ [or, for Christ] are manifest in all 13 the palace, [or, Cæsar's court], and in all other places [or, to all others]; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, 14 are much more bold to speak the word without fear. PHIL. II. 19-27, 30. But [or, moreover] I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly 19 unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded [or, so dear unto me], who will naturally 20 care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are 21 Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the 22 father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to 23 send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. But I trust 24 in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Yet I supposed it 25 necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because 26 that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh 27 unto death but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding 30 his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. PHIL. IV. 18. But I have all [or, I have received all], and abound: I am full, 18 having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. ROM. XV. 24—29. Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I 24 trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company [with you, ver. 32]. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 25 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain 26 contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased 27 them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have 28 sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure 29 that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. HEB. XIII. 19, 23, 24. 19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you 23 the sooner. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he 24 come shortly, I will see you. Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. 4 TITUS I. 4, 5. To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. 5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting [or, left undone], and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. 12 TITUS III. 12. When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter. 1 TIM. I. 1-4. 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my 2 own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 2 TIM. I. 15. 15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 6 2 TIM. IV. 6-20. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at 7 hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept 8 the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9,10 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: for Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; 11 Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the minis12,13 try. And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him |