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who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who also declared

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unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye 10 What a comprehensive prayer! might walk worthy of the How fitting for the minister! how Lord unto all pleasing, being instructive to his people ! fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: I who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 who is 15 "He that hath seen me," saith the image of the invisible Christ, "hath seen the Father also.” God, the firstborn of every 16 St. John declares of Christ, that 16 for by him were "without Him was not any thing made that was made." all things created, that are in

9 He not only repeats the assurance that he prays for them, but adds the specific graces for which he prays.

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creature:

12 By his word and Spirit God fits us for the light of his Gospel here; for the light of his glory hereafter.

13 Sin and ignorance are indeed, darkness a state of danger and misery.

heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him : 17 and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And

17 Blessed thought! This eternal Being is my Saviour and my friend. 18 The Church is a body, of which Jesus Christ is the head, and we are

he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the might have the preeminence. in him should all fulness dwell; 20 and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were some- 21 Ye were aliens; but are now, in time alienated and enemies Christ, even sons of the living God. in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and

the members. (See ver. 24, and Ephes. i. 23.)

dead; that in all things he For it pleased the Father that

20❝ All things are delivered unto me of my Father"-is the express assertion of Jesus. (Matt. xi. 27.)

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in

23 If thus the most resolved may fall away, how awful is their error, who rest in a presumptuous assurance. (See Phil. iii. 13.)

unblameable and unreprove-
able in his sight: 23 if ye
continue in the faith grounded
and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and
which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;
whereof I Paul am made a 24 Jesus sympathises in our afflic-
minister; 24 who now rejoice
in my sufferings for you, and
fill up that which is behind
of the afflictions of Christ my flesh for his body's sake,
which is the church: whereof I am made a minister, according
to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to
fulfil the word of God; even 26 The preaching of the Gospel to
the mystery which hath been the Gentiles was that mystery.
hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest
to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the
riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which
is Christ in you, the hope of
glory : whom we preach,
warning every man, and
teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ
Jesus: 29 whereunto I also
labour, striving according to
his working, which worketh
in me mightily.

tions.
persecuted. "In all our afflictions
he is afflicted." (Is. lxiii. 9.)

"It was Jesus," whom Saul

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28 The wisdom which is found in God's word, and is given by God's spirit. That it is, which maketh wise unto salvation.

29 Thus the ministers of Christ cease not to labour and strive for thy soul! O be not wanting to thyself!

CHAPTER II.

MARCH 7, JULY 6, Nov. 2. CIRCUMCISION, evening.

1 FOR I would that ye knew

The Apostle was continually

what great conflict I have anxious in prayer for them.

for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have

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not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their faith in the mystery that their hearts might be of Christ and the Father, one God, comforted, being knit to- might be unmoved and steadfast. gether in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you 5 When is a minister's heart not with enticing words. For full of thought for his people? though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of

your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christm Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with 8 True philosophy is the handmaid thanksgiving. Beware lest of religion. False philosophy deany man spoil you through spoils, or robs us of our religions philosophy and vain deceit, hope.

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after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world,
and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of
the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is
the head of all principality
"The putting away sin is the true
and power: "in whom also circumcision of the spirit of which
ye are circumcised with the baptism is the Christian symbol.
circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of
the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried
with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through
the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from
the dead. 13 And you, being 13 Hear this, thou penitent, and re-
dead in your sins and the joice! Christ hath forgiven thee all
uncircumcision of your flesh, thy trespasses.
hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all
trespasses; 14 blotting out 14 Thus cancelling the debt of sin.
the handwriting of ordi-

nances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took
it out of the way, nailing it
to his cross; 15 and having
spoiled principalities and

15 He conquered sin, and death
and the grave; and triumphantly
ascended into heaven.

powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them
in it. 16 Let no man there-
16 Be not bound longer by Jewish
ordinances.

fore judge you in meat, or

in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or
of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come:
but the body is of Christ. 18 Worship not angels.
the only Mediator. All other beings
are powerless to propitiate.

Jesus is

19 Be true to the Church-that

18 Let no man beguile you
of your reward in a voluntary
humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 and not holding the Head,
from which all the body by
joints and bands having nour-
ishment ministered, and knit
together, increaseth with the
increase of God. 20 Where-
fore if ye be dead with Christ

body, of which Christ is the head,
and of which ye are the members.
(See ch. i. 18.)

20 False teachers would forbid a
proper use of the very blessings
which God provides.

from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using ;) after the commandments and doctrines

of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the

23 But such fallacies, with a show of a holy humility, are based upon a proud adoption of the will of man, not upon a lowly observance of the law of Christ.

body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

CHAPTER III.

MARCH 8, JULY 7, Nov. 3.

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IF ye then be risen with Prove a renewed heart, by thoughts Christ, seek those things and affections set on heaven. which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear, with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members

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3 Are you dead to sin? Does your life betoken this sure yet unseen union with your God in Christ ?—If it do-then blessed art thou!

5 Pure and elevated affections at once subdue whatever is unholy and debasing.

which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: in the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in 8 This love to God naturally leads them. But now ye also put to peace and good will towards men. off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and

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9 Truth ever attends Christian courage.

10 The example of Jesus is left for our imitation.

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have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffer

12 Mutual love and good will has ever been characteristic of a Christian spirit. Without it, Election is a vain fancy!

ing; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 The only sure wisdom, is that

17 These specific directions are equally clear and beautiful. Happy the families, who in their several stations heed them!

16 Let the word of Christ supplied by the word of Christ. dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 The good shall be surely re knowing that of the Lord warded for Christ's sake. ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that 25 The evil shall be surely punished doeth wrong shall receive for whether master or servant: fur the wrong which he hath God is no respecter of persons. done and there is no respect of persons.

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CHAPTER IV.

MARCH 9, JULY 8, Nov. 4.

MASTERS, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to for which I am also in bonds: as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that

1 This abiding sense of responsi bility to God, is the strongest guard against wrong.

Continue in prayer, and watch

So let your prayer be offered for a blessing on the labours of your minister.

speak the mystery of Christ. that I may make it manifest. Time is a precious talent. Use it

well.

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