chapter iii., verse 2, add "Luke xxii. 32" reference. Verse 3, add

"James i. 6" reference. Verse 8, add "Phil. i. 21" reference. Verse 11, change "ii. 18" to "ch. ii. 18."

- Page 510, lesson "Mission," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II, remove comma from "Paul, and"; add em-dash before poem. Point III, add "1 Tim. i. 2; 2 Tim. i. 2" references; add comma to "finally he"; apply RC to "Gospel"; add comma to "Thus Timothy."

- Page 511, same lesson, point IV 1, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Divine." Point IV 2, apply RC to "Gospel"; add "ch. iii. 3" reference. Lesson "Perils," introduction, add comma to "is when"; apply RC to "Gospel." Point I 1, apply RC to "Divine" and "Gospel"; add "Acts xiv. 22" and "John xv. 19" references.

- Page 512, same lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Divine." Point I 2, apply RC to "Gospel."

- Page 513, germ note, point V, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "News," introduction, add "Prov. xv. 25" reference.

- Page 514, same lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Divine." Point III 1, apply RC to "Gospel"; remove comma from "difficulties, and." Point III 2, remove comma from "love, and." Application ("Lessons"), point 1, add comma to "maintained and."

- Page 515, lesson "Steadfastness," introduction, apply RC to "Word" and "Gospel." Point II, change "3 John v. 4" to "3 John 3, 4."

- Page 516, same lesson, point III 2, add "ver. 9" reference for consistency. Point III 3, apply RC to "Author" and "Preserver."

- Page 517, lesson "Prayer," point I 1, add "John v. 19" reference. Point II, add "Jer. x. 23" and "Prov. iii. 6" references; apply RC to "Divine." Point III 1, remove comma from "graces, and."

- Page 518, same lesson, point III 1, add "1 John iii. 11" and "1 Pet. i. 22" references. Point III 2, add "ver. 12" reference for consistency, add "Lev. xix. 18" and "1 Tim. i. 5" references. Point III 3, add "ver. 12" reference for consistency; change "ii. 8, 9, 13; iii. 3-5" to "ch. ii. 8, 9, 13; ch. iii. 3-5." Point IV, change "unblamable" to "unblameable." Point IV 1, add "Col. iii. 14" reference. Point IV 2, change "unblamable" to "unblameable" (twice). Point IV 3, apply RC to "Divine." Application ("Lessons"), point 3, apply RC to "Divine." Germ note, point I, apply RC to "Divine." Point III, change "unblamable" to "unblameable."

- Page 519, notes for chapter iv., verse 5, add single quotes around the word "passion."

- Page 520, notes for chapter iv., verse 15, change "ii. 16" to "ch. ii. 16." Lesson "Exhortations," introduction, remove comma from "annihilated, but"; apply RC to "Divine." Each of points I, I 2, and I 3, apply RC to "Divine." Point I 3, change "It is, possible, then" to "It is possible, then"; add comma to "vain the."

- Page 521, same lesson, points I 4 and II, apply RC to "Divine." Point II 1, apply RC to "Divine" (twice), remove comma from "nature, and"; apply RC to "Divine." Point II 2, apply RC to "Divine"; change scripture quotation from "For this the will" to "For this is the will"; apply RC to "He." Point II 3, apply RC to "Divine" (twice); add "Rom. xiv. 14" and "Luke xxii. 42" references. Point III, apply RC to "Divinely."

- Page 522, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), point 3, apply RC to "Divinely." Lesson "Features," introduction, remove comma from "defect, and."

- Page 523, same lesson, point I 1, add comma to "Christianity it."

- Page 524, same lesson, point II 2, change "Prov. xxii. 10" to "Prov. xxiii. 10"; add "2 Pet. ii. 3" reference; apply RC to "Divine." Point III, apply RC to "Divine," "Caller," and "Divine."

- Page 525, lesson "Word," point I, apply RC to "Divine." Point II, apply RC to "Word." Point III, remove comma from "alone, but"; apply RC to "Divinely"; remove comma from "own, but"; apply RC to "Word"; remove comma from "Heaven, and." Application ("Lessons"), each points 1 and 2, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 526, lesson "Brotherly Love," point I, apply RC to "Divinely." Point I 1, remove commas from "taught, and" and "Christianity, and." Point I 4, apply RC to "Divinely," "Word," and "Divine."

- Page 527, same lesson, point II, add comma to "Accordingly the." Point III, scripture quote, remove comma from "beseech, you"; text, remove comma from "self-love, and." Germ note, point II, apply RC to "Divinely."

- Page 528, lesson "Pacific Spirit," point I, remove comma from "another, and." Point II 1, add "Prov. xx. 3" reference; change "your neighbours" to "your neighbour's." Point II 2, remove comma from "evils, and."

- Page 529, same lesson, point II 3, remove comma from "business, and." Application ("Lessons"), point 3, apply RC to "Gospel."

- Page 530, lesson "Sorrow," introduction, remove comma from "child, and." Point II, remove commas from "life, and" and "son, and."

- Page 531, same lesson, point III 1, add "Rom. viii. 23" reference. Point III 2, apply RC to "Divine"; add "Hos. xiii. 14" reference. Point III 3, apply RC to "Word" (twice); remove comma from "grave, and." In-line note about eschatology before "Second Advent" lesson.

- Page 532, lesson "Second Advent," introduction, add comma to "words the." Point I, apply RC to "Divine"; remove comma from "heaven, and"; apply RC to "Divine." Point II 1, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 533, same lesson, point IV, apply RC to "Word"; remove comma from "death, and."

- Page 534, germ note, point II, add comma to "general we." Point II 1, apply RC to "Word." Notes on chapter v., verse 2, in the Findlay quote, change left double quote before "You already know" to a left single quote and add a right single quote after "known." Verse 13, change "iii. 10" to "ch. iii. 10." Verse 14, change "ii. 11" to "ch. ii. 11."

- Page 535, lesson "Attitude," introduction, change "The book that records the _first_ advent" to "A book written by one who knew of [it]" because neither John's Gospel nor his Revelation discuss it; add "Rev. xxii. 20" reference. Point I 1, change "untamable" to "untameable"; add comma to "time there."

- Page 536, same lesson, point I 2, remove comma from "approach, but"; apply RC to "Divine." Point II 1, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II 2, add comma to "therefore our"; remove comma from "day, and."

- Page 537, same lesson, point IV 1, apply RC to "Divinely" (thrice).

- Page 538, "Moral Sleep" note, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Treatment," introduction, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 539, point II 1, apply RC to "Divine." Point II 3, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 540, lesson "Precepts," point I, remove comma from "themselves, and"; add comma to "cases warning." Point II, change "ii. 14" to "ch. ii. 14" and "iv. 13" to "ch. iv. 13."

- Page 541, same lesson, point IV, remove comma from "duties, and."

- Page 542, lesson "Happy Life," introduction, remove comma from "mould, and"; apply RC to "Divine"; capitalise "Divine" referring to a churchman. Point I, change "iv. 4" to "Phil. iv. 4" for concreteness; apply RC to "Divine Word."

- Page 543, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "Divine" and "Gospel." "Self-recollectedness" note, point I, remove comma from "wanderings, and." Lesson "Influence," introduction, add comma to "verses we."

- Page 544, same lesson, point III, add "1 John iv. 1" reference. Poem, set the second line flush left with the rest of the poem.

- Page 545, "Despise" note, point IV, apply RC to "Divine." "Prove" note, point I 1, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 546, same note, point IV 2, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 547, lesson "Prayer," point I 3, change "iv. 16" to "ch. iv. 16." Point I 4, add "Matt. v. 8" reference. Point II, apply RC to "Divine." Point II 2, apply RC to "Divine"; change "iv. 3" to "ch. iv. 3." Point III, apply RC to "Divine." Application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 548, "Trinity" note, point I, apply RC to "Author." Point III, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Closing Words," point III, apply RC to "Word"; remove comma from "Bible, and."

- Page 549, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), point 3, apply RC to "Word." "Public Reading" note, point I, remove comma from "Scripture, and." Point III, apply RC to "Word" and "Divine."

+THE SECOND EPISTLE+

+TO THE THESSALONIANS.+

* * * * * * * *

+INTRODUCTION.+

+Occasion and design.+--Probably little more time elapsed between the two epistles than was necessary for the messenger of Paul to return to him. This appears likely from the fact that Silvanus and Timothy were still with Paul, at Corinth, as when the first letter was sent. The condition of the Church at Thessalonica had meanwhile grown more trying, the flame of persecution burnt more fiercely, and the conviction that this presaged the immediate appearance of the Lord from heaven grew stronger. "Religious effervescence had come to a sort of paroxysm; an ever-increasing number of Christians gave up all their worldly concerns and duties for the sake of living a life of contemplation, inquisitive idleness, and begging. In order, therefore, to abate the intensity of this carnal rather than spiritual flame the apostle is obliged to make use of all the means at his disposal, and the two principals of these are instruction and discipline" (_Godet_).

The design of the epistle is heard in the phrase, "that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind nor yet be troubled . . . as that the day of the Lord is immediately impending" (ch. ii. 2).

+Style and character of the epistle.+--In style these two epistles to Thessalonica are alike. We need not expect the style in which St. Paul writes to the Churches which had become faithless--then his language defies style--nor of that to those whose edification in the doctrines of the Christian faith is his aim. There is much in common between these letters and that to the other Macedonian Church. "They are neither passionate, nor argumentative; but practical, consolatory, prompted by affection, by memory and hope. Hence they represent, as it has been aptly said, 'St. Paul's normal style,' the way in which he would commonly write and talk to his friends" (_Findlay_).

In their character, "they are (1) the letters of a missionary, (2) singularly affectionate letters, (3) especially cheering and consolatory letters, and (4) eschatological letters, _i.e._ they set forth the last things in Christian doctrine" (_Ibid._).

+Outline of the Epistle.+

i. 1, 2. Greeting.

3-12 & ii. 13-17. The thanksgiving, with exhortations and prayers.

ii. 1-12. The doctrinal section: the Man of Sin.

iii. 1-16. The practical section, with messages, concluded with prayer.

17, 18. Autographic conclusion and benediction. (_Farrar_)

+CHAPTER I.+

_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES._

Ver. 3. +We are bound to thank God.+--We owe a debt of gratitude to God. It is not so much what is seemly that comes into prominence here, as what is due. +Even as it is meet.+--The word for "meet" directs attention to the value of the increase of the faith of the Thessalonians. As though the apostle said, "It is something worth giving thanks for." +Your faith groweth exceedingly.+--The word for "groweth exceedingly" does not occur again in the New Testament. It means "to increase beyond measure." The faith of the Thessalonians was like "a fruitful bough by a fountain whose branches run over the wall," though "the archers have solely grieved it, and shot at it and persecuted it" (Gen. xlix. 22, 23). +The charity of every one of you toward each other aboundeth.+--This is high praise indeed--a plethora of love. Like a brimming fountain kept always full, so the love of these early Christians overflowed, Cf. on 1 Thess. iv. 9.

Ver. 4. +We ourselves glory in you.+--St. Paul had to rebuke the Corinthians for the factious spirit which set off the excellencies of one teacher against those of another. Here he plays off one Church against another, as a schoolmaster might seek to stir up his pupils by mentioning the names of those who have taken scholarships. But St. Paul well knew that this needed care (see Col. iii. 21; R.V. or Greek).

Ver. 5. +Which is a manifest token.+--"An _indication._" The steadfast and resolute continuance in the profession and adornment of the Christian faith, in face of opposition, might suggest to persecutors, as to Gamaliel, the possibility of the Divine origin of the faith, to oppose which was to fight against God (Acts v. 39).

Ver. 6. +Seeing it is a righteous thing.+--"There is no unrighteousness in Him" (John vii. 18). However stern the retribution, none who suffers will ever be able to impugn the justice. +To recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.+--The R.V. comes nearer to the original, "affliction to them that afflict you." This _lex talionis_ is a sword that is dangerous to any hand but His who said, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay" (Rom. xii. 19).

Ver 7. +And to you who are troubled rest with us.+--The idea suggested by the words is that of poor, hunted fugitives with nerves tensely strung and with a wild look of fear in the eyes. As the guardians of the infant Jesus were assured of safety by the death of him who sought the child's life, so the strain of fear shall be relaxed in the case of the persecuted Thessalonians.

Ver. 8. +In flaming fire.+--Lit. "in a fire of flame." "Fire is a symbol of Divine anger and majesty in Scripture; and flame is fire in motion, leaping and blazing out" (_Findlay_). +Taking vengeance on them that know not God.+--St. Paul does not consider ignorance as a valid excuse where knowledge might be had, any more than a man would be looked on as innocent who should plead that, being a foreigner, he did not know that the law of any country which he visits forbids murder. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John iii. 19).

Ver. 9. +Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction.+--R.V. "who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction." It has been repeatedly shown that only arbitrariness can limit the meaning of this terrible phrase. Our comfort must be that He with whom "it is a righteous thing to recompense affliction" (ver. 6) will always be self-consistent. +From the presence of the Lord.+ The fulness of joy is there, and they who, like Cain, go out from it carry the ache of an irreparable loss with them. The Hebraism in the phrase is brought out by the R.V. "from the face of the Lord."

Ver. 10. +To be glorified in His saints.+--Two meanings at least suit this phrase: (1) It may be the apostle thought of the great ascription of praise rising from the vast assembly of saints, or (2) it may be he is thinking of the saints as the trophies of the Redeemer's love and power--the work that speaks the Master's praise. +And to be admired.+--R.V. "marvelled at." The same work describes the fawning sycophancy of men of the Balaam spirit, or it might describe the open-eyed and speechless wonder of an African chief in a State function.

Ver. 11. +And fulfil all the good pleasure.+--R.V. "every desire of goodness." "As much as to say, May God mightily accomplish in you all that goodness would desire and that faith can effect" (_Findlay_).

Ver. 12. +That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you.+--A little mirror may not increase the sum-total of sunlight, but it may cause some otherwise unobservant eye to note its brightness. So, Christ's infinite and eternal glory cannot be augmented but only shared by Christians (John xvii. 22).

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1, 2.

_Phases of Apostolic Greeting._

Under this heading we have already treated homiletically the apostle's formula of salutation, which is the same here as the beginning of the first epistle.

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 3, 4.

_Congratulatory Features of a Prosperous Church._

We have here a suggestive example of the apostolic method of dealing with a Church in which the incipient elements of error were beginning to operate. He applauds first what is really good, and then faithfully, almost fiercely, warns of the threatening evil. He who would effectually rebuke must first learn how to tenderly sympathise. These verses indicated what are the congratulatory features of a prosperous Church.

+I. There is a vital and progressive faith.+--"Your faith groweth exceedingly" (ver. 3). Faith feeds on truth; and all truth leads to and unites with God, its source. A living faith can only be sustained by a living truth; and where there is life there will be growth. We are ruled by our beliefs; if they are wrong, our track is wrong, our life a mistake, our energies wasted. The faith of the Thessalonians was so real, so vivid, so vitalising, so deeply rooted in the quickening soil of Gospel truth, that it flourished with tropical luxuriance. The doom of a Church is sealed when its faith is dead and its creed inert. It is like a fossil in the grasp of a fossil--a museum of dry, bony, musty remains.

+II. There is a reciprocal and expansive charity.+--"And the charity of every one of you all towards each other aboundeth" (ver. 3). Love is the fruit of the Christian spirit, and the proof of its genuineness. It should be manifested to every believer in Christ. The love of a common Saviour and the sharing in a common suffering tend to intensify mutual esteem and affection. The prayer of the apostle on behalf of the Thessalonians was fulfilled (1 Thess. iii. 12)--an encouragement to pray on behalf of others. Where charity abounds, there is mutual forbearance with one another's faults and frailties, the absence of suspicion and jealousy, no tendency to pass harsh and rapid judgments on the conduct of others, a disposition to think the best of each other, to share each other's trials, and bear each other's burdens.

+III. There is a patient fidelity under suffering.+--"Your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure" (ver. 4). These trials began with the first planting of the Gospel in Thessalonica and seemed to have continued without cessation. The Jews were the principal agents and instigators stirring up the populace against the Christians and rousing the suspicions of the magistrates who were specially jealous of religious innovations (Acts xvii. 5-8). Their faith made them patient and uncomplaining under the pressure of affliction; they believed the Gospel was still the power of God unto salvation, though their profession of it brought on them sorrow and suffering. The former warnings and teachings of the apostle were not in vain; their faith triumphed over persecution. Suffering is the opportunity for patience and the test of faith. Troubles come not alone, but are like chain-shot, or like the billows of the sea, linked one to another, each succeeding blow being more destructive than the other. Patience without faith is simply dull, stupid, stoical endurance. It is faith that renders the soul invincible and triumphant.

+IV. There is ample ground for apostolic gratitude and commendation.+--"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet; . . . so that we ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God" (vers. 3, 4). Even the enemies of the Church are sometimes constrained to admire and applaud the spirit of harmony, the affection and enterprise which characterise its members. It is also encouraging to have the approbation and good word of the ministers of God, especially of those who have been instrumental in converting men to the truth; but no Church could command the respect of the good if it did not first secure the smile and blessing of God. The apostle thanks God as the great Giver of all the grace which he rejoices to see has done so much for the Thessalonians. God had wrought this work of faith and love and patience in their hearts, and He would make it prosper and increase. He had put this fire in them and would make it burn; He had laid this leaven in the dough or meal of their hearts, and He would make it heave and work till the whole was leavened. The apostle felt it at once his duty and joy to thank God on their behalf and to boast of their attainments to others. "We are bound to thank God always for you, as it is meet; . . . we ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God." It is a noble Christ-like spirit to sympathise with the sufferings and rejoice in the prosperities of the Church. A cheery word, a simple, hearty prayer, an act of sympathy and kindness, will do much to animate and encourage the struggling people of God. One lively Church is the means of rousing the zeal and emulation of others.

+Lessons.+--1. _Vigorous Church-life is the result of an intelligent and active faith in the truth._ 2. _Suffering is no sign of the Divine displeasure, but often a means of spiritual prosperity._ 3. _Those who rejoice in the success of the Church are most likely to share in the blessings of that success._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 3. _Growth in Grace._

+I. Evidences of growth.+--1. _Taking increasing pleasure in God's Word._ 2. _A growing attachment to the doctrines of Christ._ 3. _Increasing acquaintance with the mind of God._ 4. _In love one to another for the truth's sake._

+II. Importance of growth.+--1. _Brings glory to God._ 2. _Influences the ministry of the Word._ 3. _Not to grow, our religion declines and becomes doubtful.--Sketches._

Ver. 4. _Christian Fidelity_--

+I. Is severely tested by tribulations.+

+II. Is a stimulating example to others.+

+III. Is a theme of grateful boasting.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 5-7.

_The Recompense of Suffering for the Truth._

It is not an uncommon spectacle to see vice prosperous and triumphant, while virtue is ignored and oppressed. To a superficial observer it would seem that all the great prizes of the world--wealth, power, social status, gaiety, display, pleasure--were thrown indiscriminately and with lavish abundance into the lap of the wicked, and that the God-fearing few are left in obscurity to struggle with hardships, penury, and affliction. Nor is it always an easy matter to reconcile the sufferings of the good with the goodness and justice of God. But all things come round to the patient man. We must look to the future for the faithful redress of present grievances. In this chapter the apostle ministers consolation to the suffering Thessalonians by assuring them of a coming day in which they would be abundantly recompensed for all they had to endure, and in which the righteousness of God would be publicly vindicated. Observe:--

+I. That the maintenance of the truth often entails considerable suffering.+--"The kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer" (ver. 5). They who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. The world is violently opposed to the Church, and that opposition is full of malignant hatred and cruelty. Socrates once said something like this--that if goodness were to become incarnate in one man, so that man would be perfectly good, the world would put him to death. What Socrates said was realised in Christ. "If they have persecuted Me," said Christ to his followers, "they will also persecute you" (John xv. 20). It is not the least among the trials of the good that they are obliged to come in contact with evil in so many forms, and that they are so savagely assailed and oppressed with it. Athanasius regarded the suffering of persecution to be a special note of a Christian man, observing: "It is the part of Christians to be persecuted; but to persecute the Christians is the very office of Pilate and Caiaphas."

+II. That suffering for the truth has a morally educating influence.+--"That ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God" (ver. 5). The believer has no worthiness in himself, nor can he acquire any by the merit of his own works. This worthiness is but another word for meetness--that meetness of state and character, as sinners justified and sanctified, without which no man shall enter the kingdom. Only to such has the kingdom been promised. And the sufferings they endure on behalf of the kingdom, so far from impairing their title, serve rather to confirm and illustrate it. Every Christian grace is tested, developed, and trained by suffering. "The least reproach augments our glory. Every tear is not only noted and kept in the bottle but made as varnish to add to our brightness and glorious splendour. No drop of our blood but wins us a river of glory; effusion of it the whole ocean of beatitude." When Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was cast to the lions, he exclaimed: "I am God's wheat, and must be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts that I may be found His pure bread."

+III. That suffering for the truth will be Divinely recompensed.+--"Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God" (ver. 5)--_i.e._ their sufferings and the constancy with which they endured them proved God's justice. A strange assertion! The people of God have often been staggered by the fact that the wicked persecute and prosper, and the poor saints are plagued and oppressed (Ps. lxxiii. 1-14; Jer. xii. 1-4). But from this very fact the apostle derives consolation. It is a proof to him of a future state in which all this apparent inconsistency will be set right, in which the saint and the persecutor will each receive his own proper recompense.

1. _Suffering will be Divinely recompensed in the deliverance of the sufferer._--"And to you who are troubled rest with us" (ver. 7). The word "rest" really means _the slackening of strings that had been pulled tight._ To the persecuted and afflicted Thessalonians, the happiness of heaven is held out under the image of rest and relief after suffering. It is, as it were, the relaxing of tension after having been stretched on the rack. The keenest suffering for the truth is limited in its duration; and the righteousness of God is pledged to sustain and deliver His afflicted ones. The sweet rest of heaven will be all the more enjoyable because shared with those who have passed through a similar conflict.

2. _Suffering will be Divinely recompensed in the punishment of the persecutor._--"Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you" (ver. 6). The punishment of the persecutor is as just as the relief of the oppressed; and God has both the intention and the power of accomplishing what He thinks just. The law of retaliation will be rigidly enforced. The very measure the persecutors have dealt they are to receive back again; and the retaliation will be all the more terrible because of its unanswerable justice. Truth must triumph over all its enemies. Its watchword is "no surrender." The apostate Julian spent his strength in trying to destroy the true Church; but when he fell on the battle-field, as the blood was gushing from his breast and his eyes were closing in death, he hissed between his setting teeth, "Galilean, Thou hast conquered!" And the Galilean must and will conquer, and all His enemies shall receive their just measure of punishment.

+Lessons.+--1. _The sufferings of the good afford an opportunity for the display of Divine justice._ 2. _Suffering is no evidence of Divine displeasure._ 3. _The glory of the future will infinitely outweigh the sufferings of the present life._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 6, 7. _Rest in Heaven for the Troubled._

+I. Our Lord's coming is called a revealing of Him.+--Here He is revealed in the outer world and in the Gospel. There he will be revealed in glory, without disguise or veil.

+II. Look at the troublers and their portion.+--"It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you." Sorrow of the acutest kind without comfort or alleviation.

+III. Look at the portion of the troubled.+--"Rest." A heaven of quietness and repose, and yet of ceaseless and tireless activity in praising God.

+IV. The righteousness of the Divine conduct.+--"It is a righteous thing with God." The Lord's second coming is not on an errand of mercy; His main business is to dispense justice.--_C. Bradley._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 7-10.

_The Day of Judgment._

The apostle sought to comfort the persecuted and suffering Church at Thessalonica by assuring them of a coming day of recompense, in which the Divine righteousness would be satisfactorily cleared, His enemies punished, and His people rewarded. He now proceeds to depict the startling scenes of that promised day--"that day for which all other days were made"--and to indicate the twofold aspect of severity and mercy which will characterise the awards of the great Judge. In dealing with a subject of such overwhelming import, and which affords such scope for the play of the most powerful imagination, special care should be taken to keep within the limits of the revealed Word. These verses suggest:--

+I. That the day of judgment will be ushered in with awful splendour.+--1. _The person of the Judge will be clothed with dazzling brightness._ "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven in flaming fire" (vers. 7, 8). The career of Christ on earth was one of obscurity, humiliation, and suffering, relieved now and then with outbursts of Divine glory; but when He comes the second time, He will appear in all the unveiled charms of His peerless majesty, clad with heavenly splendour and brilliant as a fiery flame. The revelation of Jehovah is often referred to in the Old Testament under the emblem of fire (Exod. xiii. 21; Num. ix. 15; Deut. iv. 24; Isa. x. 16, 17, etc.). The glimpse caught by the seer of Patmos of the ineffable beauty and glory of the God-man bowed him with astonishment and awe (Rev. i. 13-17). And who shall stand before the flashing splendours of the great and holy Judge! Heaven is too narrow for the full display of the Divine majesty; it glances on every globe; it irradiates the universe.

2. _The Judge will be attended by an angelic retinue._--"With His mighty angels" (ver. 7). The pomp and state of the earthly judge, the gaily decked chariot, the sounding trumpets, the accompanying officers of justice, are but a feeble representation of the pomp and state of the heavenly Judge, "who maketh the clouds His chariot, who walketh upon the wings of the wind" (Ps. civ. 3), and whose gorgeous train is composed of hosts of mighty angels, who attend to execute His will, to punish the wicked, and to assist at the final consummation (Matt. xiii. 41, 42). These angels of might are ministers of His power, and by their agency He will make His power felt. We have an illustration of the colossal mightiness of these angelic messengers in the apparent ease with which one angel in a few hours laid thousands of the Assyrians low (2 Kings xix. 35).

+II. That the day of judgment will be a time of punishment to the disobedient.+--1. _The objects of punishment._ "Them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ver. 8). Not that ample opportunity has not been given to all to acquire a knowledge of God. To punish for not knowing what we cannot know would be an injustice and a cruelty. God has given to all the double light of His works and Word. He has also given the eyes of sense and reason, and the help of His Holy Spirit to guide all to the knowledge of Himself and of "the glorious gospel of the blessed God" (1 Tim. i. 11). It is not the involuntary ignorance of the uninstructed that is meant, but the wilful ignorance of the determined adversary, who not only rejected the Gospel himself, but barbarously persecuted those who received and obeyed it. Knowledge of God is of little value if it does not lead to obedience. Confused, indistinct, inoperative knowledge is no knowledge. To know and not to obey the Gospel involves a heavier condemnation.

2. _The character of the punishment._--"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power" (ver. 9). Awful words! Who can fully explain what they really involve? If destruction means annihilation, how can it be everlasting? Besides, the notion of the absolute extinction of anything God has made--the reduction to nothingness of either a reasonable soul or a material atom--has as little support from the teachings of revelation as of science. Again, it is urged that "everlasting" does not always in Scripture mean what lasts for ever, but sometimes what lasts only for a long period. But the utmost this argument could prove would be that the present possibly may be, not that it is, one of these peculiar cases. Were it the only fact in the case, there would still be the terrible uncertainty. "But then remember," says Dr. Lillie, "that if it had really been intended to teach the eternity of future punishment, no stronger words, phrases, and images could have been found for the purpose than those actually employed." Whatever the punishment may be in itself, is it not punishment enough to be for ever excluded "from the presence of the Lord," driven, a moral wreck, "from the glory of His power"? Let the words of this ninth verse be seriously weighed in private meditation, and some sense of their awful signification cannot fail to be realised.

+III. That the day of judgment will be a revelation of the glory and blessedness of the faithful.+--1. _The glory of Christ is bound up and reflected in His Church._ "When He shall come to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe in that day" (ver. 10). The Church is the creation of Christ; for her He lived, suffered, died, and triumphed, and into her He poured the glory of His matchless character. "The glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them" (John xvii. 22). His Church, like a mirror, shall reflect to the gaze of an admiring universe the unutterable glory of the great Redeemer. "The beauty of the Lord our God shall be upon her, and His glory shall be seen upon her" (Ps. xc. 17). How great a change is this from the sins, the struggles, the failures, the disappointments, and sufferings of earth!

2. _A life of faith leads to a life of glory._--"Because our testimony among you was believed" (ver. 10). Faith rests on testimony and is vitally affected by the character of the testimony. Saving faith relies on the infallible testimony of the Word of God concerning Christ. The faith exercised in the midst of discouragements and persecution is often tenacious and vigorous. The Gospel is backed by evidence sufficient to convince every sane and reasonable mind. All may believe it who will; none will be excluded from glory but those who _will not_ believe. In ancient Athens were two temples--a temple of Virtue and a temple of Honour--and none could enter the temple of Honour but by passing through the temple of Virtue. So, none can enter the temple of Glory who does not first pass through the temple of Faith.

+Lessons.+--1. _The day of judgment, though future, is inevitable._ 2. _The proceedings of that day will be in harmony with the holiest principles of Divine justice._ 3. _That day should be solemnly contemplated in its approach, in its attendant circumstances, and in its final decisions._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 7, 8. _The Divine Judge_--

+I. Has appointed a day of retribution.+

+II. Will be revealed on that day in terrible majesty.+

+III. Will take vengeance on the disobedient.+

Vers. 9. 10. _Divine Retribution_--

+I. Will be in strict harmony with the principles of universal righteousness.+

+II. Means terrible punishment to the wicked.+

+III. Will bring unspeakable felicity to the good.+

+IV. Will be recognised as faultlessly just.+

+V. Will enhance the Divine glory.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 11, 12.

_A Prayer for Completeness of Moral Character._

To meet Christ at His coming, and to dwell with Him in the bliss of the future, demands a moral preparedness. To promote this should be the constant, unwearied solicitude of both pastor and people. The possession of any measure of Divine grace supplies the strongest motives for seeking the highest possible degree of moral excellence. In this passage observe:--

+I. That completeness of moral character is really the attainment of the Divine ideal.+--"That our God would count you worthy of this calling" (ver. 11). The tyro in religion pictures to himself a more or less definite outline of what he may become and what he may do. The charm of novelty, the enthusiasm of first love, the indefiniteness of the untried and the unknown, throw a romantic glamour over the Christian career, and the mind is elated with the prospect of entering upon grand enterprises and winning signal victories. But mature thought and experience and a more familiar acquaintance with the Divine mind lead us to modify many of our earlier views, and to readjust the main features of our own ideal of the Christian character, so as to be more in harmony with the Divine ideal. God calls us to purity of heart and life, and makes us worthy, and gives us power to attain it. We have no worthiness in ourselves or in our works. The fitness for heavenly glory is acquired by following out the God-given inspiration to "live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world" (Tit. ii. 12).

+II. That completeness of moral character consists in the delighting in goodness.+--"And fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness" (ver. 11) Some are influenced to be good because they are afraid of the penalties attached to a life of sin. Others because of the substantial rewards and benefits found in a life of probity and uprightness. But the highest type is to love goodness for its own sake, and to delight in it as goodness; to be wholly possessed with a life-absorbing passion to find and to diffuse goodness everywhere. This approaches nearest to the Divine ideal. "He hath pleasure in uprightness, and hath no pleasure in wickedness" (1 Chron. xxix. 17; Ps. v. 4). There is no pleasure like that we find in true goodness. Severus, emperor of Rome, confessed on his deathbed, "I have been everything, and now find that everything is nothing." Then, directing that the urn should be brought to him, he said, "Little urn, thou shalt contain one for whom the world was too little."

+III. That completeness of moral character is attained by the exercise of a Divinely inspired faith.+--"And the work of faith with power" (ver. 11). We have no innate righteousness. It is God-given. It is received, maintained, and extended in the soul by faith in the merits of the all-righteous Saviour. "While faith itself is the gift of God, it is no less an exercise of the mind and heart of man. And because, like everything else about man, it partakes of his great weakness, it needs ever, as it walks in the light of the Divine Word, to stay itself on the Divine hand." Faith is the mighty instrument by which the Divine life is propagated in the soul, and by which the loftiest blessings are secured.

+IV. That completeness of moral character promotes the Divine glory.+--"That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him" (ver. 12). It will be seen at the last that Christ has been more abundantly glorified by a humble, holy life than by wealthy benefactions or by gigantic enterprises. The name now so much despised, and for which those who now bear it suffer so much, shall be magnified and exalted "above every name" (Phil. ii. 9). The followers of Christ shall share in the glory of their Lord. Their excellencies redound to His glory; and His glory is reflected on them in such a way that there is a mutual glorification. "What a glory it will be to them before all creatures that He who sits upon the throne once shared their sorrows and died for them! What a glory that He still wears their nature and is not ashamed to call them brethren! What a glory to be for ever clothed with His righteousness! What a glory to reign with Him and be glorified together!" (_Lillie_).

+V. That completeness of moral character is rendered possible by the provisions of Divine grace.+--"According to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (ver. 12). The source or all human goodness, in all its varying degrees, is in the Divine favour. It is worthy of note that Christ is here recognised as on an equality with the Father, and as being with Him the fontal source of grace. The glory which it is possible for sanctified humanity to reach is "according to grace." The grace is "exceeding abundant" (1 Tim. i. 14); so is the glory. There is a fathomless mine of moral wealth provided for every earnest seeker after God.

+VI. That completeness of moral character should be the subject of constant prayer.+--"Wherefore also we pray always for you" (ver. 11). The Thessalonians where favoured in having the prayers of the apostles. It is a beautiful example of the unselfishness of the Christian spirit when we are so concerned for others as to pray for them. We value that about which we pray the most. We have need of prayer to help us to attend faithfully to the little things which make up the daily duties of the Christian life. Attention to trifles is the way to completeness of moral character. The great Italian sculptor, Michelangelo, was once visited by an acquaintance, who remarked, on entering his studio, "Why, you have done nothing to that figure since I was here last?" "Yes," was the reply, "I have softened this expression, touched off that projection, and made other improvements." "Oh!" said the visitor, "these are mere trifles." "True," answered the sculptor, "but remember that trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle."

+Lessons.+--1. _It is important to have a lofty ideal of Christian perfection constantly in view._ 2. _While humbled by failures we are not to be disheartened._ 3. _Earnest, persevering prayer wins great moral victories._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 11, 12. _Genuine Religion illustrated._

+I. Religion in its nature.+--It is a worthiness into which we are called and with which we are invested.

+II. Religion in its source.+--The goodness of God. 1. _All present religious views and feelings are the effect of Divine grace._ 2. _Man has no rightful claim to Divine grace._ 3. _Religion has its true source in the good pleasure of God._

+III. Religion in its principle.+--Faith. "The work of faith with power." The producing and sustaining principle of religion.

+IV. Religion in its end.+--1. _The glory of the Redeemer._ "That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you." 2. _The glory of the redeemed._ "And ye in Him."

+V. Religion in its measure or rule of dispensation.+--"According to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."--_Zeta._

Ver. 12. _Christ glorified in His People._--The bust of Luther was shut out from the Walhalla, or German Westminster Abbey. The people were indignant, but said, "Why need we a bust when he lives in our hearts?" And thus the Christian ever feels when he beholds many around him multiplying pictures and statues of Christ, and he can say, "I need them not, for He is ever with me; He lives perpetually in my heart."

* * * * * * * *

+CHAPTER II.+

_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES._

Ver. 1. +Beseech . . . by the coming of our Lord.+--The English reader who consults the similar phrase "to beseech by" in Rom. xii. 1 will be wholly astray. St. Paul begs his readers not to be thrown into consternation or kept in a flutter of excitement over that matter of the _Parousia,_ or "coming."

Ver. 2. +Not soon shaken.+--Like a house built on sand when the storm breaks to fury, or like the _mobile vulgus_ in Thessalonica who were only too willing to follow the lead of Jewish agitators (Acts xvii. 13). +In mind.+--R.V. "from your mind." "Out of your wits" expresses the apostle's meaning exactly. They are to behave like men in whom reason is supreme--not like men in a panic. +Or be troubled.+--The same word was used in reporting our Lord's counsels on the same subject. "Be not troubled: . . . the end is not yet" (Matt. xxiv. 6). +By epistle as from us.+--Either by misinterpretation of something St. Paul had written, or by a forged letter purporting to have come from him.

Ver. 3. +Let no man deceive.+--R.V. "beguile or cheat you." +A falling away.+--Lit. "_the_ apostasy," a desertion from the army of God; a recantation of faith in Christ. Our Master foretold that when "iniquity shall abound the love of many shall be blown cool" (Matt. xxiv. 12). +That man of sin.+--Another reading is "lawlessness." The man in whom sin gathers itself up into a head--the last product of sin. +The son of perdition+--_par excellence,_ sharing the title with him whom Christ so named (John xvii. 12). Abaddon (Rev. ix. 11) may claim him as his own ultimately.

Ver. 4. +Who opposeth and exalteth himself.+--The participle rendered "who opposeth" is used twice by St. Luke in the plural as "adversaries." So in the singular (1 Tim. v. 14). The compound word for "exalteth himself" occurs (2 Cor. xii. 7), and is given as "exalted-above-measure." +Above all that is called God.+--The shudder of horror in these words reminds us how a monotheistic Jew must regard the impious act. We can understand that a Roman emperor would regard the God of Jew or Christian as a tutelary deity; but the acme of profanity is reached in this act of Antichrist. +Or that is worshipped.+--R.V. margin, "Gr. an object of worship." "The very name _Sebastos,_ the Greek rendering of the imperial title _Augustus,_ to which _Dieus_ was added at death (signifying 'the one to be worshipped'), was an offence to the religious mind. . . . Later, Cæsar or Christ was the martyr's alternative" (_Findlay_). +Showing Himself that He is God.+--Or, as we would say, "representing Himself to be God." Compare Herod's acceptance of the worship (Acts xii. 22).

Ver. 6. +What withholdeth.+--R.V. "that which restraineth." "A hint was sufficient, _verbum sapientibus:_ more than a hint would have been dangerous" (_Ibid._).

Ver. 7. +He who now letteth.+--R.V. "there is one that restraineth." The old word for "obstruct" is found in Isa. xliii. 13: "I will work, and who shall let (_i.e._ hinder) it?" "Where then are we to look . . . for the check and bridle of lawlessness? Where but to law itself? The fabric of civil law and the authority of the magistrate formed a bulwark and breakwater against the excesses both of autocratic tyranny and of popular violence" (_Ibid._).

Ver. 8. +And then shall that Wicked be revealed.+--R.V. "and then shall be revealed the lawless one." Outward restraint being withdrawn, there is no inward principle to keep him back: he is "lawless." +And shall destroy.+--R.V. "bring to nought." It is the same word as that which describes the effect of the revelation of the Gospel on "death" in 2 Tim. i. 10--to render absolutely powerless. +With the brightness of His coming.+--R.V. "by the manifestation of His coming." Lit. "by the epiphany of His presence."

Ver. 9. +Even Him, whose coming, etc.+--These words look back to the beginning of ver. 8. "The two comings--the _parousia_ of the Lord Jesus and that of the Man of Lawlessness--are set in contrast. The second forms the dark background to the glory of the first" (_Ibid._). +Power and signs and lying wonders.+--Simulating the supernatural evidences of the Gospel as the magicians of Egypt those of Moses.

Ver. 10. +Deceivableness of unrighteousness.+--R.V. "deceit." The deceit which is characteristic of unrighteousness, or marks its methods. +They received not the love of the truth.+--The _sine qua non_ for an answer to Pilate's question (John xviii. 38) is this love of the truth.

Ver. 11. +God shall send them strong delusion.+--R.V. "God sendeth them a working of error." "It is a just, but mournful result, that rejecters of Christ's miracles become believers in Satan's, and that atheism should be avenged by superstition. So it has been and will be" (_Ibid._). One is reminded of the old saying that "the gods first drive mad those whom they mean to destroy."

Ver. 12. +Believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.+--Here again we have the mental rejection of truth consequent on a liking for that which truth condemns. If "the heart makes the theologian," the want of it makes the infidel.

Ver. 13. +We are bound to give thanks.+--The same form of expression as in ch. i. 3, save that here "we" is expressed separately and emphatically.

Ver. 15. +Stand fast.+--Ready for any shock which may come unexpectedly through the insidious methods of Antichrist. +Hold the traditions.+--As of the apostle said, keep a _strong_ hand on them. Tradition is that which is handed over from one to another. Compare 1 Cor. xi. 23. "I received of the Lord . . . I delivered unto you . . . He was betrayed." Here the words "delivered" and "betrayed" represent a doing, of which the word for "tradition" is the act completed. Paul handed over that which his Lord charged him to transmit; Judas handed over Christ to the Jews.

Ver. 16. +Everlasting consolation and good hope.+--Consolation, or comfort, is ministered by the Paraclete (John xiv. 16; Acts ix. 31), who abides for ever with those who are Christ's.

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1-12.

_Antichrist Portrayed._

Various interpretations of this remarkable paragraph have been attempted. Some modern German critics would divest it of any prophetic significance and treat it as a representation of the writer's own personal feelings and forebodings. Others would restrict its application to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, and to persons, principles, and events that preceded that catastrophe. The commonly received Protestant interpretation is to identify the Man of Sin and his doings with the Papacy; and there are certainly many points of that interpretation that accord very remarkably with the prophecy. But there are serious objections to all these views. We believe the revelation of the Antichrist here depicted is yet future, though the elements of his power are now in preparation. From the whole passage we gather the following suggestions:--

+I. That Antichrist will be embodied in some living personality.+--He is called "that man of sin, the son of perdition": "that Wicked"--_the lawless one_ (vers. 3-8). The fathers of the early Church, for at least three centuries after the apostolic age, while differing on some minor details, seemed unanimous in understanding by the Man of Sin, not a system of deceit and wickedness, or a succession of individuals at the head of such a system, but some one man, the living personal Antichrist, the incarnation of Satanic craft and energy, who should put forth his power to weaken and destroy the Church.

1. _He will arrogantly assume Divine prerogatives._--"Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (ver. 4). In these words we note Antichrist's intrusion into the special dwelling-place of God, his usurping session there, and his blasphemous and ostentatious assumption of Divinity. The wildest excesses of pride and audacity cannot exceed this.

2. _His advent will be accompanied with remarkable displays of Satanic power._--"Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (ver. 9). Antichrist as the masterpiece of Satan will be endowed with extraordinary qualities. The devil will tax his prodigious abilities to the utmost in making this great adversary of the Church as potent for mischief as possible. We know how readily the man of science can impose upon the ignorant with his experiments. And how easy it is for Satan, with his vast knowledge and resources, to delude thousands with his simulations of the miraculous! The advent of Antichrist is to be a fiendish caricature and audacious mockery of the glorious coming of the Son of God!

+II. That Antichrist will work deplorable mischief in human souls.+--1. _He seeks by secret methods to promote apostasy from the Church of God._ "A falling away first" (ver. 3). "The mystery of iniquity doth already work" (ver. 7). Here we detect the germs and preparation of the antichristian curse that is to work such havoc. The primitive Church of apostolic times was not such a model of perfection as we sometimes imagine. The leaven of iniquity, of _lawlessness,_ the essence of all sin, was already working. Observe the sorrowing references of the apostles to the many evils of the different Churches: Tit. i. 11; 1 Tim. vi. 5; 2 Cor. xi. 26; Philem. 9; 2 Tim. i. 15; 1 John ii. 18-20; 2 John 7; 3 John 9. _Passim._ The most disastrous apostasies have been the result of long, secret endeavours.

2. _He begets a dislike to saving truth._--"With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be save" (ver. 10). The truth was revealed, its saving benefits were offered; they had but to accept the truth and they were safe. But they rejected the truth; they loved it not. Their treatment of the Gospel rendered them more easy victims to the deceptions of Antichrist; fascinated by his unrighteous glamour, they recede from the truth and cherish a bitter hostility towards it.

3. _His victims are abandoned to self-delusion and condemnation._--"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie; that they all might be damned"--might be _judged_ according to their individual character and works--"who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (vers. 11, 12). See here the fearful consequences of a hatred to and rejection of the truth! The soul takes delight in sinning--has "pleasure in unrighteousness." It is, then, not only abandoned to its iniquity, but its delusions are intensified so as to embrace the most palpable falsehoods as truth. It shall then be judged on its own merits, so that God shall be justified in His speaking and clear in His judging. Terrible indeed is the fate of the victims who fall under the spell of Antichrist.

+III. That the coming of Antichrist is for a time restrained.+--"And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. . . . Only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" (vers. 6, 7). There is an external power with an individual at its head which holds back the power of Antichrist until the proper season comes. What that power is is not revealed; but God can use any power for this purpose, until the Divinely appointed time shall come for the revelation and overthrow of Antichrist.

+IV. That Antichrist shall be summarily destroyed.+--"Whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth"--as insects wither on the mere approach of fire--"and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming" (ver. 8)--with the _appearing_ of His coming, as it were the first gleaming dawn of His advent. For a time Antichrist shall reign in pomp and splendour and delude many to their ruin; but at the coming of the true Lord of the Church the great impostor shall be dethroned and utterly abolished. "It is enough," says Chrysostom, "that He be present, and all these things perish. He will stay the deception simply by appearing."

+V. That the followers of Christ need not be afraid of losing any benefits to be conferred by His second coming.+--"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand" (vers. 1, 2)--_on hand, has already come._ When Paul wrote the first epistle, the Thessalonians "were sorrowing by the graves of their departed friends, and the grief of nature was enhanced by the apprehension that their beloved ones might suffer loss at the coming of the Lord. But now, should they hear that He had come and had not called for them, a yet deeper, more agitating motion must seize them, lest they themselves had forfeited their share in the glory of the kingdom." These words would allay their fears. Christ has yet to come, and before that coming Antichrist is to arise and reign. Wait patiently, labour diligently, and be not harassed with too great an eagerness to know future events. All the blessings of Christ's second coming shall be shared by you and by all who are to be gathered together unto Him.

+Lessons.+--1. _There are trying times ahead._ 2. _The only safety for the soul is to hold fast the truth._ 3. _At the darkest moment of the Church's trial the glory of God will appear._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 1-6. _A Warning against Imposition._

+I. The danger.+--1. _Their faith was imperilled._ 2. _Daily duties were interfered with._

+II. Signs of the coming end.+--1. _By a great apostasy._ 2. _The appearance of Antichrist as the man of sin and son of perdition._ 3. _The proud pretensions of Antichrist._ (1) Opposing Christ. (2) Substituting error for truth. (3) Overweening self-exaltation.

+III. Hindrances to the spread of truth+ (ver. 6)--1. _The civil powers of that day._ 2. _The machinations of Satan at all times._ 3. _The unfaithfulness of God's people._

Vers. 1-3. _A False Alarm_--

+I. May arise from a misconception+ +of an important truth.+--"Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him" (ver. 1).

+II. Is aggravated by unwarrantable deceptions.+--"Let no man deceive you by any means" (ver. 3). "Neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is come" (ver. 2).

+III. Is the cause of much real suffering.+--"Shaken in mind--troubled" (ver. 2)--like a ship escaped from its moorings, tossed in a rolling sea.

+IV. Is allayed by the affectionate entreaty of competent teachers.+--"We beseech you, brethren" (ver. 1).

Ver. 5. _Memory_--

+I. Is freighted with treasures of precious truth.+--"I told you these things."

+II. Associates the presence and character of the teacher with the truth taught.+--"When I was yet with you."

+III. Is often vividly reminded of the value of its possession.+--"Remember ye not."

Vers. 7-10. _The Mystery of Iniquity_--

+I. Is the deepest and most subtle form of error.+

+II. Is propagated with great cunning and persistency.+

+III. Is embodied in a powerful and wicked personality+ (vers. 7, 8).

+IV. Is Satanic in its origin and manifestation+ (vers. 9, 10).

Vers. 10-12. _The Destructive Subtlety of Sin._

+I. It has manifold methods of deception.+--"With all deceivableness of unrighteousness" (ver. 10).

+II. It incites the soul to a hatred of saving truth.+--"That received not the love of the truth that they might be saved" (ver. 10).

+III. It abandons its victims to judicial self-deception.+--"God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie" (ver. 11).

+IV. It leads to inevitable condemnation.+--"That they all might be damned" (ver. 12).

+V. It encourages sin for the love of sin.+--"Who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (ver. 12).

Vers. 11, 12. _Strong Delusions._

+I. Believing a lie as truth.+

+II. Sent as a judgment for not believing the truth.+

+III. Are brought on by those who have pleasure in sin.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 13, 14.

_Salvation a Divine Act._

When the air is thick with antichristian theories, sincere inquirers after truth are perplexed, the grasp of the hesitating is loosened, and the fidelity of the strongest severely tested. Only those who fully yield themselves up to the teaching and guidance of the Divine spirit are safe. A clever inventor has recently constructed a fireproof dress, which enables him to walk about unharmed in the midst of the fiercest fire. Experimental godliness is a fireproof dress, and the soul clothed with this is safely guarded from the fiery darts of the wicked and will pass unscathed through the fiercest fires of temptation. We never know what it is to be really saved till we personally experience the sanctifying power of the truth. These verses teach that salvation is a Divine act.

+I. Salvation is an act of the Divine will.+--1. _The Divine will is actuated by Divine love._ "Brethren _beloved_ of the Lord, God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation" (ver. 13). When we examine the sources of salvation, we find them not in ourselves, but in some power outside of ourselves. We are saved, not because we are good, or better than others, or more favourably circumstanced, but because God has chosen us. And if we ask still further how it is that God should lavish the grace of His salvation on sinful man, we are reduced, in the final analysis, to this answer: Such is the Divine will--a will swayed in all its mighty potentialities by infinite love.

"Love, strong as death; nay, stronger-- Love mightier than the grave; Broad as the earth, and longer Than ocean's widest wave. This is the love that sought us, This is the love that bought us, This is the love that brought us, To gladdest day from saddest night, From deepest shame to glory bright, From depths of death to life's fair height, From darkness to the joy of light."--_Bonar._

2. _The Divine will provides the means of salvation._--"Whereunto He called you by our gospel" (ver. 14). The Gospel is God's method of salvation, and it is through this Gospel He "will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. iii. 4). If the Gospel were but a human expedient, it would fail; but, as it was originated and devised in the Divine mind, so it is backed and made forceful by the operation of the Divine will.

+II. Salvation as a Divine act is in harmony with individual freedom.+--1. _Salvation implies personal holiness._ "Through sanctification of the Spirit" (ver. 13). The Spirit sanctifies the individual soul, and the soul, in the exercise of its voluntary power, co-operated with the Spirit. The soul feels the need of being sanctified, is willing to be sanctified, earnestly desires to be sanctified, and gives free, unrestricted scope to the Spirit in His sanctifying work.

2. _Salvation implies personal faith._--"And belief of the truth" (ver. 13). This clause brings out distinctly that the sanctification of the Spirit is not wrought on a passive and unresponsive agent. Faith is the gift of God, but it is an act of man. It is a self-giving; the surrender of his own freedom to secure the larger freedom that salvation confers on the soul that trusts. Without God's gift there would be no faith, and without man's exercise of that gift there is no salvation. It is not faith that saves, but the Christ received by faith. Erskine puts it thus: "As it is not the laying on the plaster that heals the sore, but the plaster itself that is laid on, so it is not the faith, or receiving of Christ, but Christ received by faith that saves us. It is not our looking to the brazen serpent mystical, but the mystical brazen serpent looked unto by faith--Christ received by faith--that saves us."

+III. Salvation as a Divine act aims at securing for the soul the highest blessedness.+--"To the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (ver. 14). The saved soul aspires after glory, but it is glory of the loftiest type. It is not the changeful glory of worldly magnificence. It is not the glory of Paul, or of the greatest human genius. It is "the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." When the soul catches a glimpse of the splendour of this Divine blessedness, it can be satisfied with no lower aims. "Paint and canvas," said Guthrie, "cannot give the hues of a rainbow or of the beams of the sun. No more can words describe the Saviour's glory. Nay, what is the most glowing and ecstatic view that the highest faith of a soul, hovering on the borders of another world, ever obtained of Christ, compared with the reality? It is like the sun changed by a frosty fogbank into a dull, red copper ball--shorn of the splendour that no mortal eyes can look upon." As it is Christ's glory that we seek, so it is Christ's glory we shall share.

+IV. Salvation as a Divine act affords matter for unceasing gratitude.+--"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you" (ver. 13). The mercy of God in our salvation is ever providing fruitful themes for gratitude on earth: the glory of Christ as revealed in heaven will be the song of everlasting thankfulness and praise. Every added trophy of saving power augments the gratitude and joy of the faithful.

+Lessons.+--1. _The rejection of the truth is the rejection of salvation._ 2. _Salvation brings the highest good to man and the greatest glory to God._ 3. _Salvation will be the exhaustless theme of the heavenly song._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 13. _The Holy Ghost the Sanctifier._

+I. Connect the Divine purpose and agency that the nature and effect of the latter may be more apparent.+--To collect a people out of the wreck of human life has been God's purpose from the first. To sanctify them is to separate them to God in fact and in effect. The Holy Ghost is given by Christ to sever the once dead in sins from the dead around them.

+II. The scope of this agency.+--God's work is perfect. It has its stages; but the Holy Ghost conducts it from first to last. Sanctification is progressive. The end of sanctification is salvation.

+III. The ordinary means through which the Holy Ghost operates.+--Through belief of the truth, the Gospel. The Spirit sanctifies through the truth.--_H. T. Lumsden._

Ver. 14. _The Glory of Sainthood_--

+I. Is the object of the Gospel to promote.+--"Whereunto He hath called you by our gospel."

+II. Is a conscious personal possession.+--"To the obtaining of the glory."

+III. Is a sharing of the glory of Christ.+--"Of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."

_What Saints should be._--In the cathedral of St. Mark, Venice, a marvellous building lustrous with an Oriental splendour beyond description, there are pillars said to have been brought from Solomon's temple; these are of alabaster, a substance firm and endurable as granite, and yet transparent, so that the light glows through them. Behold an emblem of what all true pillars of the Church should be--firm in their faith and transparent in their character; men of simple mould, ignorant of tortuous and deceptive ways, and yet men of strong will, not readily to be led aside or bent from their uprightness.--_Spurgeon._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 15.

_Christian Steadfastness._

In all ages the people of God have been assailed with the weapons of a subtle and plausible philosophy which has sought to supplant the simple truth of the Gospel with human opinions. The evil heart of man chafes under the righteous restrictions of the truth, and in its angry and delirious opposition has sought to rid itself of God and of all the laws that bind it to a life of obedience and holiness. And when it fancies it has succeeded in demolishing the truths it hated and against which it rebelled, it is aghast at the desolation it has wrought and recoils in alarm from the dark, horrible gulf to the brink of which it has forced itself. Stricken with bewilderment and despair, man strives to construct a religion for himself, and he seeks to substitute his own wild ravings for the truths of Divine revelation. It is the attempt of a bold, impious infidelity to put error in the place of truth, philosophy in the place of religion, human opinion in the place of God. The exhortation of this verse is always timely.

+I. Christian steadfastness is an important and ever-present duty.+--1. _It is_ _necessary to growth and maturity in personal piety._ Trees must grow or die. So it is with piety; it must grow or perish. No plant or tree can thrive that is being perpetually plucked up and transplanted; nor can the soul prosper unless it is steadfastly rooted in the soil of truth. Darwin describes a marine plant--the _Macrocystis pyrifera_--that rises two hundred feet from the depths of the Western Ocean and floats for many fathoms on the surface, uninjured among the waves and breakers, which no masses of rock, however hard, can long withstand. It maintains its strength by clinging tenaciously to the rocks far down below the surface of the sea. So personal piety grows and flourishes by maintaining a firm hold of the Rock of Ages.

2. _It is necessary in bearing witness for Christ._--The value of a lighthouse or a landmark to the mariner is, that he can rely on always finding it in the same place. And the value of a Christian testimony is that it is not erratic and changeful, but stable and reliable: it hesitates not to witness for Christ in any place. Fifty years ago at a dinner-party in the west end of London, the conversation was dishonouring to Christ. One guest was silent, and presently asked that the bell might be rung. On the appearance of the servant he ordered his carriage, and with polished courtesy apologised to his host for his enforced departure, saying, _for I am still a Christian._ This gentleman was the late Sir Robert Peel.

3. _It is a stimulating example to the weak and faltering._--There are timid, feeble followers of Christ who, until they become well grounded, lean on others; and if their exemplars vacillate and change, so do they. Few have the courage to break away from a pernicious example. When travelling on the Continent, Dr. Duff made the acquaintance of Cardinal Wiseman, and for some time travelled with him; but when at Antwerp he saw the cardinal prostrate himself before the Virgin, he courteously but firmly bade him "good-bye."

+II. Christian steadfastness is shown in an unflinching maintenance of apostolic doctrine.+--"Hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." These traditions were the doctrines preached by the apostles. For some years after the ascension of Christ, there was no written Gospel or epistle. The truth was taught orally by those who were living witnesses of the facts on which the doctrines--or traditions--were based.

1. _Apostolic doctrine must be clearly apprehended._--It must therefore be diligently studied, and the truth sifted from the mass of errors with which false teachers surround it. What is not intelligently comprehended cannot be firmly held.

2. _Apostolic doctrine must be earnestly embraced._--Not simply discussed, not simply admired and praised, but prayerfully and cordially accepted--taken in as spiritual food, and systematically fed upon to give strength and stamina to the soul.

3. _Apostolic doctrine must be firmly held and stoutly defended against all errors._--"Hold the traditions." Believe them when tempted to disbelieve; defend them when assailed by the enemy. A brave Athenian, who wrought deeds of valour in the battle of Marathon, seized with his right hand a stranded galley filled with Persians. When his right hand was cut off, he seized the boat with his left, and when that was smitten, he held on with his teeth till he died. The grasp of truth by a Christian believer should not be less tenacious than the dogged heroism of a heathen warrior.

+III. Christian steadfastness is emphatically enforced.+--"Therefore, brethren, stand fast." Though misunderstood and misrepresented, though savagely opposed by the enemies of the truth, stand fast. As the wings of the bird are strengthened by the resistance of the atmosphere in which it floats, so your graces will be strengthened by the opposition with which you resolutely contend. In order that your own personal piety may be matured, that your witnessing for Christ may be unmistakable, and that your example may be a stimulating encouragement to others, "stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught."

+Lessons.+--1. _The unstable are the prey of every passing temptation._ 2. _The Word of God is the unfailing source of moral strength._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 16, 17.

_Prayer an Expression of Ministerial Anxiety._

The apostle had warned the Thessalonians of the errors that were becoming rife among them. Indeed, the existence of these errors, and the grave injury they threatened to the faith of the new converts, prompted him to write these epistles--the first in a series of magnificent apostolic polemics. The apostle knew that if the simplicity of the Gospel was vitiated at the beginning of its world-wide mission, unspeakable disaster would ensue, as the checkered history of the Church in the early centuries unhappily proved. Hence his anxiety, not only to clearly state, but with all his resources of logic and persuasion, resolutely to defend the cardinal principles of the Gospel. He not only argues but prays. These verses teach that _prayer is the expression of ministerial anxiety._

+I. It recognises the need of spiritual consolation.+--"Now our Lord . . . comfort your hearts" (vers. 16, 17). You have sorrowed over the loss of friends and harassed yourselves as to their condition in another world. I have pointed out to you that your fears were groundless (1 Thess. iv. 13-18). Now, I commend you God as the Source and Giver of all consolation and pray that He may specially comfort you. "It is God's presence," says Burroughs, "that constitutes the saint's morning. As the stars may impart some light, and yet the brightness of all combined cannot form the light of day, but when the sun appears there is day forthwith, so God may make some comfort arise to a soul from secondary and inferior means; but it is He Himself alone who, by the shining of His face and the smiles of His countenance, causes morning." A comfort that is made up of our fancies is like a spider's web that is weaved out of its bowels and is gone and swept away with the turn of a besom.

+II. It recognises the perils that beset the path of obedience.+--"And establish you in every good word and work" (ver. 17)--or, according to the Revised Version, "every good _work and word._" Work is better than speech, deeds more eloquent than words, though both are necessary. The best safeguard against temptation is to be employed. "The busy man is tempted by one devil, the idle man by a thousand." The force of gunpowder is not known till some spark falls on it; so the most placid natures do not reveal the evil that is in them till they are assailed by some fierce and sudden temptation. Excellence in anything can only be reached by hard work; so stability in grace is attained only by being diligently engaged in God's service. Steadfastness is not dull quiescence: it is self-absorbing activity. If you would be strong, you must work.

+III. It recognises the Divine source of all spiritual help.+--1. _That this help is the outcome of Divine love._ "Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God even our Father, which hath loved us" (ver. 16). God helps because He loves. His love evokes the best and noblest in us, as the master-musician brings out melodies from an instrument that inferior players have failed to produce.

"Love is a passion Which kindles honour into noblest acts."

"O let Thy love constrain us To give our hearts to Thee; Let nothing henceforth pain us But that which paineth Thee.

"Our joy, our one endeavour, Through suffering, conflict, shame, To serve Thee, gracious Saviour, And magnify Thy name."

2. _That this help meets every possible exigency of the Christian life._--"And hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace" (ver. 16). The consolation refers to everything in the present, the good hope to everything in the future. The consolation is constant, _everlasting,_ as flowing from inexhaustible sources, and is ever available in all the changes and needs of life; and the hope turns our fears into confidence and our sorrows into joy. When the frail barques of the Portuguese went sailing south, they found the sea so stormy at the southern point of Africa that they named it the Cape of Storms; but after it had been well rounded by bolder navigators, they named it the Cape of Good Hope. So, by the Divine help afforded us, many a rough cape of storms has been transformed into a cape of good hope. All spiritual help is given "through grace"--the free, unmerited favour of God--and is therefore a fitting subject of prayer.

+Lessons.+--1. _Every minister should be emphatically a man of prayer._ 2. _Prayer for others has a reflex benefit on the suppliant._ 3. _An anxious spirit finds relief and comfort in prayer._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 16, 17. _St. Paul's Prayer for the Thessalonians._

+I. The objects the apostle addressed.+--1. _God, even our Father._ 2. _Our Lord Jesus Christ._

+II. The gifts the apostle acknowledged.+--1. _The manifestation of Divine love._ 2. _The communication of saving grace._ 3. _The bestowment of Christian hope._

+III. The blessings the apostle requested.+--1. _Increasing felicity in the Lord._ 2. _Persevering stability in the truth.--Eta._

Ver. 16. _A Good Hope through Grace._

+I. The grace of hope.+--1. _Refers to the resurrection of the body._ 2. _To eternal life to be enjoyed by both soul and body._ 3. _Pre-requisites of this hope._--Conviction of sin. An experimental acquaintance with the Gospel.

+II. The excellency of this hope.+--"A good hope." 1. _In opposition to the hopes of worldly men._ 2. _It is a lively hope._ 3. _The object of it is an infinite and eternal good._ 4. _It has a good foundation._ 5. _It produces good effects._

+III. The source of this hope.+--"Through grace." 1. _Man is the subject of infinite demerit._ 2. _Christ alone possesses infinite merit._ 3. _The Scripture warns against all self-dependence.--Helps for the Pulpit._

* * * * * * * *

+CHAPTER III.+

_CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES._

Ver. 1. +Have free course and be glorified.+--Probably St. Paul took this image from the Old Testament. In Ps. cxlvii. 15 the word of the Lord is said to "run very swiftly."

Ver. 2. +Unreasonable and wicked men.+--The word for "unreasonable" only occurs twice besides in the New Testament: once, the malefactor on the cross says, "This man has done nothing amiss," or out of place; and again the barbarians "beheld nothing amiss" come to Paul when the viper had fashioned on his hand. The thief is a good commentator here. Men who by their vagaries hold even their friends in painful suspense, and especially such as are indifferent to morality, seem to be meant.

Ver. 3. +And keep you from evil.+--"Keep" here is a military word reminding of the psalmist's name for God--"Shield." The Revisers add "one" after "evil," as in the Lord's Prayer.

Ver. 5. +Direct your hearts.+--The same word for "direct" again occurs only in 1 Thess. iii. 11 and Luke i. 79. A similar phrase in the LXX. of 1 Chron. xxix. 18 (R.V. "prepare"). +Into the patient waiting for Christ.+--A.V. margin and R.V. text, "into the patience of Christ." "The Thessalonians were eagerly awaiting His return: let them wait for it in His patient spirit" (_Findlay_).

Ver. 6. +Walketh disorderly.+--Falling out of the ranks and desertion of the post of duty are grave faults, which if the _esprit de corps_ does not prevent it must be punished by treating the defaulter as one who has discredited his comrades in arms.

Ver. 7. +We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you.+--"We never lived an undisciplined life among you." Men will bear the sharp rebukes of a martinet, even when they observe that he is as much under discipline as he would have the youngest recruit, as the lives of men like Havelock and Gordon testify.

Ver. 10. +If any would not work, neither should he eat.+--"A stern, but necessary and merciful rule, the neglect of which makes charity demoralising" (_Ibid._). It is parasitism which is condemned.

Ver. 11. +Working not at all, but are busybodies.+--"Not working, but working round people," as we might represent St. Paul's play on the words. "Their only business is to be busybodies."

Ver. 13. +Be not weary in well-doing.+--Such bad behaviour under cover of the Christian name is abhorrent to St. Paul. "The loveliness of perfect deeds" must be worthily sustained. Well-doing here points to that which is admirable in conduct rather than that which is beneficent.

Ver. 14. +Have no company with him.+--The difference between this treatment of a delinquent and excommunication may be more in idea than fact. He would feel himself tabooed in either case. But this agrees better with the notion of Christians as being separated. _"Come out from among them."_ Cf. Tit. ii. 10. +That he may be ashamed.+--Not, of course, that he may become a laughing-stock, but that, feeling abashed, he may quickly put himself right with the community.

Ver. 15. +Yet count him not as an enemy.+--When Christ says the impenitent brother is to be regarded as a Gentile, He gives no sanction to the way in which the Jew too often regarded the Gentile. +Admonish him as a brother.+--Who, though in error, has not sacrificed his claim to gentle treatment and consideration.

Ver. 16. +Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always.+--The Church at Thessalonica had been passing through stormy waters. The apostle prays that God may give them to--

"Feel His halcyon rest within Calming the storms of dread and sin."

Ver. 17. +The salutation . . . the token.+--As though he said, "This that I am about to write is my sign-manual."

Ver. 18. +The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.+--Whatever St. Paul's handwriting may have been, it could not well be more characteristic than this word "grace," as certainly he could not have chosen a more beautiful word to engrave on his seal.

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 1, 2.

_Prayer for Ministers._

Prayer should not be all on one side. It is a mutual obligation and privilege. The Thessalonians are reminded how often they were the subject of anxious prayer, and they are now asked to remember their own ministers at the throne of grace. Mutual prayer intensifies mutual sympathy and affection and deepens the interest of both parties in promoting the success of the Gospel. Note:--

+I. That prayer for ministers is apostolically enjoined.+--"Brethren, pray for us" (ver. 1). True prayer is spontaneous. It does not wait to be formally authorised. A loving heart loves to pray. Nevertheless, there are laggards in this duty, and they may be prompted to the exercise by employing all the weight of apostolic authority and example. If apostles felt the need of prayer, how much more should we! Ministers are but men; but by the use of the word "brethren" the writer indicates that ministers and people have common privileges, common wants, and common dangers. The ministerial office has also its special responsibilities and perils, and nothing helps more vitally the efficient discharge of its duties than the constant prayers of an appreciative and devoted people.

+II. That prayer for ministers should have special reference to the success of the Gospel.+--1. _The Gospel is Divine._ "The word of the Lord" (ver. 1). The Gospel is a message to man, but it is more than a human message. It is the voice of God speaking to man through man. If it had been simply of human origin, it would have been forgotten and superseded by the changing theories ever teeming from the fertile brain of man. Every human institution is liable to be supplanted by another. There is nothing permanent in philosophy, government, or morals that is not based on eternal truth. The Gospel is abiding, because it rests on unchanging truth. It is the "word of the Lord."

2. _The spread of the Gospel is beset with difficulties._--"That the word of the Lord may have free course" (ver. 1). The pioneers of the Gospel in Thessalonica had to contend with the malignant hatred of the unbelieving Jews, with the seductive theories of the Grecian philosophy, and with the jealous opposition of the Roman power. All hindrances to the Gospel have a common root in the depravity of the human heart--hence the difficulties occasioned by the inconsistencies of half-hearted professors, the paralysing influence of scepticism, and the violence of external persecution. The chief difficulty is spiritual, and the weapon to contend against it must be spiritual--the weapon of _all-prayer._ Savonarola once said, "If there be no enemy, no fight; if no fight, no victory; if no victory, no crown." We are to pray that the Gospel "may have free course"--may run, not simply creep, or loiter haltingly on the way, but speed along as a swift-footed messenger. "Take courage from thy cause: thou fightest for thy God, and against His enemy. Is thy enemy too potent? fear not. Art thou besieged? faint not. Art thou routed? fly not. Call aid, and thou shalt be strengthened; petition, and thou shalt be relieved; pray, and thou shalt be recruited."

3. _The glory of the Gospel is to change men's hearts and ennoble men's lives._--"And be glorified, even as it is with you" (ver. 1). You Thessalonians, notwithstanding your imperfect views and defective conduct, are samples of what the Gospel can do in changing the heart and giving a lofty purpose to the life. Pray that its triumph may be more complete in you, and that its uplifting influence may be realised by others. "That which Plato was unable to effect," says Pascal, "even in the case of a few select and learned persons, a secret power, by the help only of a few words, is now wrought upon thousands of uneducated men."

+III. That prayer for ministers should be offered that their lives may be preserved from the violence of cruel and unbelieving enemies.+--"And that ye may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith" (ver. 2). _Not all have faith,_ even among those who profess to have it, and it is certainly true of all those who scout and reject the Gospel. The unbelieving are perverse and wicked, and it is from this class that the minister is met by the most unreasonable and malicious opposition. Perhaps the most dangerous foes with which a minister has to contend are those who make some profession of religion, but in heart and practice deny it. "Men will write for religion, fight for it, die for it--anything but live for it." The minister, girded with the prayers of his people, is screened from the plots and attacks of the wicked.

+Lessons.+--1. _The success of the Gospel is a signal demonstration of its Divine authorship._ 2. _Ministers of the Gospel have need of sympathy and help in their work._ 3. _The grandest spiritual results are brought about by prayer._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 1. _The Ministerial Request._

+I. The request presented.+--1. _That the power of religion may be eminently experienced in our own souls._ 2. _That we may be preserved from the official dangers to which we are exposed._ 3. _That we may be able ministers of the New Testament._ 4. _That prudence and fidelity may distinguish our labours._

+II. The grounds on which it rests.+--1. _It rests on the mutual connection which subsists between ministers and people._ 2. _On the law of love._ 3. _On its advantage to yourselves._ 4. _On the prevalency of fervent prayer._ 5. _On its connection with the salvation of souls.--Sketches._

Ver. 2. _Unbelief_--

+I. Abandons the guide of reason.+

+II. Leads to a vicious life and causes trouble to others.+

+III. We should pray to be delivered from its evil results.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 3, 4.

_The Faithfulness of God._

From the want of faith in man, referred to in the preceding verse, the writer, as if to show the contrast, naturally glides into the subject of the Divine faithfulness. Unbelief may abound, but God can be relied on; man may be fickle and unreasonable, but the fidelity of God is inviolate.

+I. The faithfulness of God is a fact established by abundant testimonies.+--"But the Lord _is_ faithful" (ver. 3). He is faithful to His own nature. He cannot deny Himself. He is faithful to His purpose, to His Word, to every promise, and every threatening too. The whole history of God's dealings with the Jewish people is a suggestive and impressive commentary on His inflexible faithfulness. The fact that the Church of God exists to-day, notwithstanding defection within and persecution without, is an unanswerable testimony to His fidelity. "You may be faint and weary, but my God cannot. I may fluctuate and alter as to my frames and feelings; but my Redeemer is unchangeably the same. I might utterly fail and come to nothing, if left to myself. But I cannot be so left to myself. He is rich to relieve and succour me in all my wants. He is faithful to perform and perfect all His promises" (_Ambrose Serle_).

+II. The faithfulness of God is practically manifested in establishing His people in all good and in keeping them safe from all evil.+--"Who shall stablish you and keep you from evil" (ver. 3). The people of God do not perpetuate themselves. He perpetuates. His faithful guardianship gives persistency to His people, so that in every age and in the darkest times there has been a bright succession of living witnesses of His unchanging character. He preserves them, not because of any inherent grace or self-deserving, but because He is faithful. "Janet," said a Scottish minister to a Christian woman of great faith, whom he was visiting, "suppose, after all, God were to let you drop into hell!" "Even as He will," was her reply; "but if He does, He will lose mair than I'll do." A single flaw in the Divine fidelity would shatter the faith of the universe.

+III. The faithfulness of God inspires confidence in the fidelity of the obedient.+--"And we have confidence in the Lord touching you that ye both do, and will do the things which we command you" (ver. 4). Because God is faithful, we know that you can be kept faithful, if you are willing and seeking to be so kept. Moreover, you will assuredly be kept faithful, while you observe in the future, as you have done in the past, "the things which we command you," and in commanding which we have the Divine authority. Consider these things, let them sink into your hearts; then act accordingly. Let obedience follow conviction, and we have no fear about the result. Von Moltke, the great German strategist and general, chose for his motto, _"Erst wagen, dann wagen,"_--_"First weigh, then venture"_; and it was to this he owed his great victories and successes. Slow, cautious, careful in planning, but bold, daring, even seemingly reckless in execution, the moment his resolve was made. Vows thus ripen into deeds, decision must go on to performance. The final perseverance of the saint depends on the Divine perseverance; his faithfulness on the Divine faithfulness. If we had no living Saviour to pilot our ship, no promise on which to rely, we might have cause to fear. The Divine faithfulness is unquestionable; our faithfulness is maintained only by obedience.

+Lessons.+--1. _The faithfulness of God is the guarantee of the believer's safety._ 2. _The faithfulness of God should encourage the exercise of implicit faith in Him._ 3. _The faithfulness of God demands undeviating obedience to His laws._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 3. _The Divine Faithfulness_--

+I. An incontrovertible fact.+

+II. A guarantee of personal establishment in the truth.+

+III. An invulnerable protection from evil and all its works.+

Ver. 4. _Christian Obedience_--

+I. Is a voluntary and constant activity.+

+II. Is based on well-understood and authoritative precepts.+

+III. Is the pathway of blessing.+

+IV. Inspires confidence in others.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 5.

_Divine Love and Patience._

Again, the apostle is on his knees. How beautifully the habitual devoutness of the apostle's spirit comes out in the side-lights thrown from passages in his writings like this verse! He lives and breathes in the electric atmosphere of prayer. All the time he is reasoning, expounding, warning, and persuading he is also praying. Prayer is a powerful aid to the preacher. It keeps his soul in sympathy with the realm of spiritual realities, gives him clearer insight into truth, and intensifies his experience of the Divine. We learn from this verse:--

+I. That Divine love and patience are conspicuous elements in man's redemption.+--"The love of God and the patient waiting for Christ"--_the patience of Christ_ (R.V.). The love of God devised and the patience of Christ carried out the great plan of human salvation. The Gospel is a grand revelation of the Divine love and patience in Christ Jesus; and the history of the Gospel in its world-wide progress is a many-sided illustration of these two conspicuous virtues in the Divine character and operations. After the last French war, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Paris was imprisoned. His cell had a window shaped like a cross, and with a pencil he wrote upon the arms of the cross that they denoted the height, length, breadth, and depth of God's love. That man knew something of the love of God. The patience of Christ in suffering for mankind was sustained and sublimated by the love of God, and was an object-lesson to the world, teaching, in a way that appealed to the most callous, the power and universality of that love.

+II. That Divine love and patience are the distinguished privilege of human experience.+--"Direct your hearts into the love of God and patience of Christ." The love we are to enjoy is no mere human passion, fickle and evanescent; the patience, no mere grim stoical endurance. We are admitted into the sacred adoption of the Divine mysteries; we share in their spiritual ecstasy and unruffled calm, the very love and patience of God! The Divine in us becomes more growingly evident to ourselves and to others. Love gives staying-power to and teaches us how to suffer without murmuring, to endure without retaliating. "Sire," said Beza in his reply to the king of Navarre, "it belongs to God's Church rather to suffer blows than to strike them; but let it be your pleasure to remember that the Church is an anvil which has worn out many a hammer." With time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes satin.

+III. That Divine love and patience are more fully enjoyed by the soul that prays.+--"And the Lord direct your hearts." The prayerful apostle had realised the blessedness of a personal participation in the love and patience of God. But for the love of God he would never have ventured upon his evangelistic mission, and but for the patience of Christ he would not have continued in it. Now he prays that the hearts of the Thessalonians may enjoy the same grace or be set in the direct way of attaining it. It is of vital consequence that the current of the heart's outgoings should be set in the right direction. This brief petition shows what we ought to ask for ourselves. The best way to secure a larger degree of love and patience is to ardently pray for them.

"What grace, O Lord, and beauty shone Around Thy steps below! What patient love was seen in all Thy life and death of woe!

"Oh! give us hearts to love like Thee-- Like Thee, O Lord, to grieve Far more for others' sins, than all The wrongs that we receive."

+Lessons.+--1. _The Christian life is a sublime participation in the nature of God._ 2. _Love and patience reveal the God-like character._ 3. _Prayer is at its best when engaged with the loftiest themes._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSE._

Ver. 5. _Waiting for the Second Advent._

+I. The love of God a preparation for the Redeemer's coming.+--1. _The love of God is the love of goodness._ 2. _The love of God is the love of man expanded and purified._ The love of man expanded into the love of Him, of whom all that we have seen of gentle and lovely, of true and tender, of honourable and bright in human character, are but the shadows and the broken, imperfect lights.

+II. Patient waiting another preparation for the Redeemer's coming.+--1. _The Christian attitude of soul is an attitude of expectation._--Every gift of noble origin is breathed upon by hope's perfect breath.

2. _It is patient waiting._--Every one who has ardently longed for any spiritual blessing knows the temptation to impatience in expecting it.--_F. W. Robertson._

_MAIN HOMILETICS ON THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 6, 7.

_Christian Consistency._

The apostle commended with a warm-hearted eulogy whatever was good in the Thessalonians, but he was not less faithful in administering rebuke when it was needed. A number of the converts, not sufficiently pondering the words of the writer, were carried away with the delusion that the second advent of Christ would take place immediately, and they abandoned all interest in the practical duties of life--an error that has been often repeated since, with similar results. Fearing the mischief would spread, and seeing that all pervious warnings were disregarded, the apostle in these verses treats the mistaken enthusiasts with unsparing condemnation. Disorder must be crushed, and consistency preserved.

+I. Christian consistency is in harmony with the highest teaching.+--"After the tradition which he [or they] received of us" (ver. 6). The rules of Christian consistency were clearly laid down in the traditions or doctrines taught by the apostles and were enforced with all the weight and sanction of Divine authority. To violate these rules is to "walk disorderly"--to break the ranks, to fall out of line. The value of the individual soldier is the degree in which he keeps in order and acts in perfect harmony and precision with the rest of the regiment. A breach of military rule creates disaster. Let the believer keep the Divine law, and the law will keep him.

"The heavens themselves, the planets and this centre, Observe degree, priority, and place, Insisture, course, proportion, season, form, Office and custom, in all line of order."--_Shakespeare._

+II. Christian consistency is enforced by apostolic example.+--"For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you" (ver. 7). The apostles illustrated what they taught, by a rigid observance of the rules they imposed on others. Precept was enforced by practice. While the preachers laboured among the Thessalonians, the influence of their upright examples kept the Church in order. Much depends upon the conduct of a leader in Church or State. It is said of a certain military commander on taking charge of an army that had been somewhat lax in discipline: "The presence of a master-mind was quickly visible in the changed condition of the camp. Perfect order now reigned. He was a rigid disciplinarian, and yet as gentle and kind as a woman. He was the easiest man in our army to get along with pleasantly, so long as one did his duty, but as inexorable as fate in exacting its performance. He was as courteous to the humblest private who sought an interview for any purpose as to the highest officer under his command."

+III. Christian consistency is to be maintained by separation from the lawless.+--"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly" (ver. 6). If all efforts to recover the recalcitrant fail, then the Church has the highest authority for separating completely from the society and fellowship of such. Continued communion with them would not only seem to condone their offence, but destroy discipline, and put an end to all moral consistency. Such a separation from the unruly would be more marked in the early Church, when there was only one Christian community, and when the brethren were noted for their affectionate attachment to each other.

+Lessons.+--_Christian consistency_--1. _Is defined by the highest law._ 2. _Avoids association with evil._ 3. _Is a reproof and pattern to the unbelieving._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 6, 7. _The Disorderly in Church Life_--

+I. Violate the rules that give compactness and strength to all Church organisation.+

+II. Ignore the highest examples of moral consistency.+

+III. Should be faithfully warned and counselled.+

+IV. If incorrigible, should be excluded from the privileges of Christian fellowship.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 8, 9.

_Self-denying Labour._

Pioneer work involves hard toil and much patience and self-denial. The character and surroundings of the people whose highest good is sought must be studied. The apostle took his measure of the Thessalonian converts, and, perhaps foreseeing the extravagances to which they would yield, he and his co-labourers determined to set them an example of unselfish industry, even to the extent of surrendering their just rights.

+I. Here we see self-denying labour carried on amidst weariness and suffering.+--"Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day" (ver. 8). Work is a pleasurable exercise to the strong and healthy, but it becomes a hardship when carried to excess. The devoted missionaries worked when they were weary--worked when they should have been resting. After a hard day's toil in teaching and visiting, they laboured far on into the night, so as to maintain themselves independent of help from their converts. Much as we hear of the dignity of labour, the toiler, whether by hand or brain, in the weariness and pain that overtake him, feels that some portion of the original curse still clings to his handiwork. The best work is often accomplished in the midst of acute suffering. The unique histories of England were written by J. R. Green while the shadow of death was consciously hovering over his desk; and the exquisite Christian lyrics of H. F. Lyte were penned while he felt that every moment his heart was throbbing "funeral marches to the grave."

+II. Here we see self-denying labour declining the maintenance that might be legitimately claimed.+--"That we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power" (vers. 8, 9)--right, authority. While the apostle forbears to urge their just right to ministerial support by the people, he gives them clearly to understand it is their right. Their self-denial in this instance was for a special purpose, and was only intended to be temporary, and not to establish a universal rule. In other places, St. Paul insists upon the duty of the Church to maintain its ministers (1 Cor. ix. 4-14; Gal. vi. 6). All honour to the self-denying zeal and suffering toil of the unaided Christian worker; but what shall we say of the parsimony and injustice of the people who allow such a state of things to continue?

+III. Here we see self-denying labour set forth as an example and reproof to those who are most benefited by it.+--"To make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us" (ver. 9). Here the purpose of their disinterested conduct is plainly stated--to set an example of industry to the idlers. St. Paul acted in a similar manner towards the Corinthians, but with a different design. In the latter case he wished to manifest a better spirit than that of the false teachers who were greedy of filthy lucre (2 Cor. xi. 8-13). The earnest evangelist is ever anxious to clear his work from the taint of self-seeking. Let the heart of man be changed and sanctified, and it will inspire and regulate the practical exercise of every Christian virtue. How little does the world appreciate its greatest benefactors! And yet no unselfish act is without its recompense. The actor is not unblessed. To exchange, as Christ did, the temple for Nazareth, the Father's house for the carpenter's shop, the joy of preaching for irksome toil, is a great advance in spiritual obedience and nobility of character.

+Lessons.+--1. _The essence of the Christian spirit is unselfishness._ 2. _The earnest Christian pioneer labours ungrudgingly for the good of others._ 3. _The self-denial of the preacher does not exonerate the people from the duty of his legitimate maintenance._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 8. _Industry the Secret of Success._--When Sir Isaac Newton was asked by what means he had been able to make that successful progress in the sciences which struck mankind with wonder, he modestly replied, that it was not so much owing to any superior strength of genius as to a habit of patient thinking, laborious attention, and close application.

Ver. 9. _Ministerial Maintenance._

+I. It is a claim based on scriptural and apostolic authority.+

+II. The temporary waiving of the right is a noble example of self-denial and unselfish devotion.+

+III. No personal waiving of the right releases the Church from its obligation.+

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 10-12.

_Christianity and Work._

Christianity is the Gospel of work. Its clarion-call thrills along the nerves of human life and summons the world to labour. It gives to work meaning, purpose, dignity, and exalts drudgery into a blessedness. While full of sympathy for the feeble and maimed, it has no pity for the indolent. Its Founder and first apostles were giants in labour, and their example animates the world to-day with a spirit of noblest activity. It is not the drone, but the worker, who blesses the world. "Be no longer a chaos," writes Carlyle, "but a world, or even a worldkin. Produce! produce! were it but the pitifullest, infinitesimal fraction of a product, produce it in God's name! 'Tis the utmost thou hast in thee; out with it, then. Up, up! whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

+I. Christianity recognises the duty of every man to work for his own support.+--"For even when we were with you, this we commanded, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (ver. 10). The necessity of food involves the necessity of work. As every one must eat, so every one must work. The wife of a certain chieftain, who had fallen upon idle habits, one day lifted the dish-cover at dinner and revealed a pair of spurs, a sign that he must ride and hunt for his next meal. It is said that in the Californian bee-pastures, on the sun-days of summer, one may readily infer the time of day from the comparative energy of bee-movements alone; drowsy and moderate in the cool of the morning, increasing in energy with the ascending sun, and at high noon thrilling and quivering in wild ecstasy, then gradually declining again to the stillness of night. Is not this a picture of our life? Work is necessary for sustenance, for health, for moral development; and rest is all the sweeter after genuine toil.

+II. Christianity is intolerant of an ignoble indolence.+--"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies" (ver. 11). The disorderly are the idle tattlers, who make a pretence of work by busying themselves with all kinds of things but their own duty. They are triflers, wasting their own time and other people's; and they do serious mischief. In certain foreign parts, where insects abound in such swarms as to be a pest to the people and destructive enemies to young growing plants, an electric apparatus has been constructed to destroy the brood wholesale. The appliance consists of a strong electric light attracting the moths and insects, a suction-fan drawing them into a shaft as they approach the light, and a small mill in the shaft where the victims are ground up and mixed with flour, thus converting them into poultry-food. Cannot some genius contrive a means of putting an end--short of grinding them into chicken-food: let us be merciful, even to our enemies!--to those social pests who go buzzing about our homes and Churches, worrying with their idle gossip and stinging with their spiteful venom the innocent and inoffensive? If these busybodies would devote, in doing their duty, the energy they waste, they would be able to produce quite a respectable amount of honest work. But they find it easier to sponge on the generosity and simplicity of others. They are parasites; and all parasites are the paupers of nature. Parasitism is a crime--a breach of the law of evolution.

+III. Christianity enforces the necessity of a steady and independent industry.+--"We command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread" (ver. 12). The apostle, having the authority of Christ for what he counsels, _commands_; and as a man addressing his fellow-men, he _exhorts_ and persuades. The law of Christianity is both stern and gentle: unbending in principle, and flexible only in manifold persuasions to translate the principle into actual living practice. It rouses man from yielding to a sinful listlessness and helps him to develop a robust Christian manhood. When an Indian candidate for the ministry was asked the question, "What is original sin?" he frankly replied, "He did not know what other people's might be, but he rather thought that his was laziness." Idleness is the prolific source of many evils: work is at once a remedy and a safeguard. A clergyman once said, "A Christian should never plead spirituality for being a sloven; if he be but a shoe-cleaner, he should be the best in the parish." We are honouring Christianity most when we are doing our best to observe the precepts, "Working with quietness and eating our own bread." An American preacher once said, "You sit here and sing yourselves away to everlasting bliss; but I tell you that you are wanted a great deal more out in Illinois than you are in heaven."

+Lessons.+--1. _Christianity encourages and honours honest toil._ 2. _Fearlessly denounces unprincipled idlers._ 3. _Is an inspiration to the highest kind of work._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 10. _Industry the True Charity._--When the palace and church buildings of Caprarola were completed, Borromeo, the great patron of idle almsgiving, came to see it, and complained that so much money had not been given to the poor instead. "I have let them have it all little by little," said Alexandro Farnese; "but I have made them earn it by the sweat of their brow."

Ver. 11. _Idleness and Death._--Ælian mentions a witticism of Alcibiades when some one was vaunting to him about the contempt the Lacedæmonians had for death. "It is no wonder," said he, "since it relieves them from the heavy burden of an idle and stupid life."

Ver. 12. _The Way to Value Quietness._--"How dull and quiet everything is. There isn't a leaf stirring," said a young sparrow perched on the bough of a willow tree. "How delicious a puff of wind would be!" "We shall have one before long," croaked an old raven; "more than you want, I fancy." Before many hours a tempest swept over the country, and in the morning the fields were strewn with its ravages. "What a comfort the storm is over," said the sparrow, as he trimmed his wet fathers. "Ah!" croaked the raven, "you've altered your mind since last night. Take my word for it, there's nothing like a storm to teach you to value a calm."--_G. Eliot._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 13.

_A Call to do the Best Work._

The apostle has shown the necessity and duty of work--that honest industry is a law of Christianity. Now he inculcates unwearied diligence in accomplishing the best work, designated by the comprehensive and suggestive phrase "well-doing." Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. No man has done his best till he has done all he can. A man's highest work is the outcome of his best endeavours. Observe:--

+I. Doing the best work is well-doing.+--"Be not weary in well-doing." We may define to ourselves this duty of well-doing by seeking answers to two questions:--

1. _How can I get the most good?_--The ancient philosophers discussed the question of the supreme good with amazing subtlety of logic; but they started their investigations with the erroneous assumption that the supreme good must be a human product. The question is not how to get good, but the most good--the highest, the best. We get the most good by bringing the soul into complete submission to the highest law of its being--voluntary and full surrender to the will of God. Call it getting saved, getting converted; call it what you like, so long as you get the thing itself--the love of God in the soul through faith in the Lord Jesus.

2. _How can I do the most good?_--These two questions are closely linked together, and are mutually interpretative of each other--the one being the qualification and motive for the other. It may be asserted we get the most good by doing the most good. The rose cannot diffuse the fragrance it does not possess, however much like a rose it may look. The question here, again, is not how I can do good, but the most, the highest, and best. We do the most good by beginning with the duty that lies nearest to us and doing it at once. The earnest worker never lacks opportunity: there is the home, the Church, the perishing multitude, ever within easy reach. "He that winneth souls is wise" (Prov. xi. 30). The highest plaudit of heaven is, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. xxv. 21).

+II. The best work is not done without encountering difficulties.+--"Be not weary." The exhortation implies there are difficulties. These arise:--

1. _From vague and imperfect views of duty._--We have no sympathy with the rhapsody of the mystic who said, "Man is never so holy and exalted as when he does not know where he is going." We must know clearly what we would be at, what is within the compass of our power and opportunity, where our efforts must necessarily end, and room left for the play of other influences. We must be practical and methodical. Clearness is power. Confusion of ideas creates difficulties.

2. _From unrealised ideals._--We have formed lofty conceptions of what is to be done, and what we must do. We have elaborated extensive organisations, and worked them with unflagging zeal. But the result has been disappointing. Because we have not accomplished all we wished, we are discouraged; our success has not been commensurate with our ambition, and we are tempted to slacken our endeavours. "Be not weary." We are not the best judges of what constitutes success. If it does not come in the form we expected, we must not hastily conclude our work is vain.

3. _From the loss of spiritual power._--We have neglected prayer and the cultivation of personal piety. We have been so absorbed in the external details of our work as to overlook the duty of keeping up spiritual communion with the Highest. We begin to frame excuses--a sure sign of moral decadence. "We have no talents." Then we should seek them. We have more talents than we suspect, and resolute working will develop them. "Our adversaries are numerous and fierce." If we keep at our work, they will not trouble us long.

+III. The best work demands incessant diligence.+--"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing." The best state of preparedness for the coming of the Lord is to be busily employed in the duty of the hour. Every moment has its duty. Opportunity has hair in front; behind she is bald. If you seize her by the forelock, you may hold her; but if suffered to escape, not Jupiter himself can catch her again. Arnauld, the Port Royalist, when hunted from place to place, wished his friend Nicolle to assist him in a new work, when the latter observed, "We are old; is it not time to rest?" "Rest!" returned Arnauld. "Have we not all eternity to rest in?" A man's work does not ennoble him, but he ennobles it.

+Lessons.+--_The text is a spiritual motto to be adopted_--1. _By ministers and Sabbath-school teachers._ 2. _By parents seeking the spiritual good of their children._ 3. _By all discouraged Christian workers._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSE._

_Weary in Well-doing._

+I. The text by implication brings before us a state of mind to which believers are liable.+--"Weary in well-doing." 1. _From a lamentable want of fitness for spiritual duties and employments._ 2. _From the opposition of the world._ 3. _From the hostile agency of spiritual wickedness._ 4. _From the dimness of our conceptions of the things which should especially influence us._ 5. _From failing to lay hold on the Divine strength._

+II. The text an exhortation suited to those in the state referred to.+--"Be not weary." 1. _Because you are engaged in well-doing._ 2. _Because the time is short._ 3. _Because your associates are glorious._ 4. _Because the issue is certain._ 5. _Because sufficient strength is provided.--Stewart._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 14, 15.

_Treatment of the Refractory._

After all the warnings of the apostle against erroneous views and his exhortations to Christian diligence, he foresees there may be some refractory members of the Church who still persist in their extravagances, reject all counsel, and defy all rule and order. In these verses he gives explicit directions how to deal with such. The inveterately lazy are often something worse than lazy and are not easily reclaimed. When disobedience settles into a habit, stringent measures are necessary to arouse the victim to a sense of duty; and the efforts of restoration must be both resolute and kind.

+I. It should be made evident that his conduct is an obstinate defiance of authority.+--"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man" (ver. 14). Not only note that his disorderly behaviour is a scandal to Christianity and an example to be avoided, but let it be brought home to him, by direct and faithful dealing, that it is a grave breach of the highest law. We can make nothing of a Fool till he is first convinced of his folly. The first step in the process of reformation is conviction of the need of reformation. It is said of Thoreau, the author, that "he was by nature of the opposition; there was a constitutional 'No' in him that could not be tortured into 'Yes.'" There are many like him, even in the Christian Church. It may seem a difficult, almost an impossible task, to convince the refractory of his error; but it is the first thing to be done, and persevered in. When the hearers of Austin resented his reproofs, he used to say, "Change your conduct, and I will change my conversation."

+II. With the view of bringing him to repentance he is to be excluded from Christian fellowship.+--"And have no company with him, that he may be ashamed" (ver. 14). The refractory practically excludes himself from every circle that loves order, harmony, and peace; for who can bear the rasping chatter of an irresponsible gossip who is constantly raking up and turning over everybody's faults but his own? But the Church must take action unitedly in dealing with the contumacious. He must be deliberately and pointedly shunned, and, when compelled to be in his company, the members must show, by the reserve of their bearing towards him, how deeply he is grieving the hearts of the brethren and sinning against God. In the days when there was only one Church, and exclusion from it was regarded as the greatest calamity and disgrace, the fear of utter excommunication could not fail to have some effect upon those thus threatened with it. Few people can bear the test of being left severely alone. It gives them the opportunity for reflection, remorse, and reform.

+III. Efforts should be made in the spirit of Christian brotherhood to effect his recovery.+--"Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (ver. 15). Though shunned and threatened with exclusion from Church fellowship, he is not to be passed by with contemptuous silence. He is not a heretic or a blasphemer, nor is he guilty of any monstrous crime. He is sinning against the good order of society and the peace of the Church. He is still a brother, troublesome and unreasonable though he be; and while there is the least hope of his restoration, he should be faithfully admonished. He is not to be accused and slandered to outsiders; this will only aggravate his riotousness and make him more defiant. He must be seen privately and spoken to faithfully, but with the utmost tenderness. The Christian spirit teaches us to be discreet in all things, and especially in administering reproof. Virtue ceases to be virtuous when it lacks discretion, the queen of ethics. "To be plain," writes Felltham, "argues honesty; but to be pleasing argues discretion. Sores are not to be anguished with rustic pressure, but gently stroked with a ladied hand. Physicians fire not their eyes at patients, but minister to their diseases. Let reproof be so as the offender may see affection, without arrogancy."

+Lessons.+--1. _It is an important part of Church discipline to control the unruly._ 2. _It is in the power of one discontented person to work much mischief._ 3. _Church discipline must be administered with fidelity and Christian tenderness._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Vers. 14, 15. _The Disobedient_--

+I. Should be specially noted.+

+II. Should not be admitted to intimate friendship without repentance.+

+III. Should be kindly but faithfully admonished.+

Ver. 14. _Obedience should be prompt._--When a large passenger steamer was sinking, the question whether scores of her passengers and crew would be saved or drowned was settled within fifteen minutes. And millions have decided the momentous question of their eternal salvation or perdition in even less time than that. It seems to have been short work with Simon Peter when Jesus bade him quit the nets and follow Him. Peter obeyed at once. Prompt obedience honours God. It puts the soul immediately within the Almighty's hold; and when Jesus has His omnipotent grasp of love upon me, none shall be able to pluck me out of His hands (John x. 28). Prompt obedience saves.--_Cuyler._

_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 16-18.

_Apostolic Courtesy._

The epistle is coming to a close, and the Christian courtesy of the apostle comes out in the spirit in which he expresses his farewell. If he has spoken out plainly and even severely, it has not been in vindictiveness and anger. All that he has said and written is in the interests of peace. His sharpest reproofs and most faithful admonitions have been suffused with an undercurrent of loving-kindness; and his concluding words drop with the gentleness of refreshing dew.

+I. Apostolic courtesy supplicates the blessing of the Divine peace and presence.+--"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all" (ver. 16). Prayer was the life-breath of the apostle, as we have frequently pointed out in the study of these epistles. Considering the dissensions that disturbed the harmony of the Thessalonian Church, this epistle appropriately closes with a prayer for peace. First, and most important of all, peace with God and the individual conscience; then mutual peace and concord one with another--peace, such as keeps the mind in an even and heavenly frame, as a sentinel that guards a door, lest foes should get in and make havoc where God hath commanded peace. Where God's presence is manifested, there is peace; hence the apostle adds, "The Lord be with you all." Peace is a Divine gift, and a Divine experience in man; it is the peace of "the Lord of peace" that we share.

+II. Apostolic courtesy is expressed in an emphatic Christian salutation.+--"The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write" (ver. 17). This epistle was written by an amanuensis, probably Silas or Timothy, at the dictation of Paul; and the apostle wrote his own signature, adding the salutation and benediction. This act not only stamped the genuineness of the epistle but indicated in a most unmistakable manner the anxiety of the apostle to thoroughly identify himself with all that was expressed in the epistle, and to assure the Thessalonians of his personal interest in and love towards them. Christianity is the soul of courtesy. Bolingbroke once said, "Supposing Christianity to be a mere human invention, it is the most amiable and successful invention that ever was imposed on mankind." When the courtiers of Henry IV. of France expressed their surprise that he returned the salutation of a poor man, who bowed down before him at the entrance of a village, the king replied, "Would you have your king exceeded in politeness by one of the lowest of his subjects?" As he is the best Christian who is most humble, so is he that truest gentleman that is most courteous.

+III. Apostolic courtesy is indicated in the solemn invocation of the abiding grace of God.+--"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (ver. 18). A farewell full of pathos, full of solemnity, full of peace, full of admiration and love for the people--all good wishes condensed into a single phrase. Even an apostle can desire for the Church, or any of its members, no richer benediction than that comprehended in "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ."

+Lessons.+--1. _Peace is a prime essential in Church prosperity._ 2. _The Christian spirit is the essence of true courtesy._ 3. _We can invoke no higher blessing on others than to be kept in the enjoyment of Divine grace._

_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._

Ver. 16. _The Omnipresent God_--

+I. In history.+--Shaping the course and destiny of nations.

+II. In providence.+--1. _Guarding._ 2. _Guiding His people._

+III. In grace.+--1. _Manifesting His goodness in Christ._ 2. _Giving inclination and power to do His will._ 3. _Demanding and bestowing personal holiness._ 4. _Ensuring constant peace._

_Peace in Danger._--During the great earthquake in London, when thousands were running about and crying in terror, when buildings were falling and the ground rocking like the ocean in a storm, Wesley gathered a few of his followers in one of their little chapels, and calmly read to them the forty-sixth Psalm, "God is our refuge and strength."

Vers. 17, 18. _Christian Courtesy_--

+I. Takes pains to make itself evident.+--"So I write."

+II. Is a hearty expression of personal regard.+--"The salutation of Paul with mine own hand."

+III. Invokes the blessing of Divine grace on all+ (ver. 18).

* * * * * * * *

Transcriber's Notes

- Page 551, Occasion, first paragraph, change "two principal" to "two principals." Second paragraph, add "ch. ii. 2" reference. Style, second paragraph, add left double quote before "they are."

- Page 552, Outline, in the second row of the table, change an em-dash to an ampersand because the material described by the second row is interrupted by the material described by the third row. Final row, add period after "benediction."

- Page 553, notes on chapter i., verse 5, apply RC to "Divine"; add "Acts v. 39" reference. Verse 6, add "John vii. 18" and "Rom. xii. 19" references. Verse 8, apply RC to "Divine." Verse 9, add "ver. 6" reference.

- Page 554, notes on chapter i., verse 12, add comma to "So Christ." Lesson "Features," point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II, add comma to "abounds there." Point III, apply RC to "Gospel"; remove commas from "Thessalonica, and" and "Christians, and"; apply RC to "Gospel."

- Page 555, same lesson, point IV, remove comma from "them, and." Application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Divine." Germ note, each of points 1 1 and II 2, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 556, lesson "Recompense," point I, add "John xv. 20" reference. Point II, remove comma from "bottle, but." Point III, apply RC to "Divinely." Point III 1, apply RC to "Divinely"; add comma to "Thessalonians the." Point III 2, apply RC to "Divinely."

- The break between pages 556 and 557 is in a unit that style indicates should not be broken: "persecutor.--|Seeing." The whole unit was moved to the earlier page.

- Page 557, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), each of points 1 and 2, apply RC to "Divine." Germ note, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Point IV, apply RC to "Divine." Lesson "Judgment," introduction, apply RC to "Divine" and "Word." Point I 1, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 558, same lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Divine." Point I 2, add "Ps. civ. 3" reference. Point II, apply RC to "Word"; add "1 Tim. i. 11" reference; apply RC to "Gospel" (twice). Point III 1, add "John xvii. 22" reference.

- Page 559, same lesson, point III 1, add "Ps. xc. 17" reference. Point III 2, remove comma from "testimony, and"; apply RC to "Word" and "Gospel"; add comma to "So none." Application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Divine." "Divine Retribution" note, point V, apply RC to "Divine." Lesson "Prayer," introduction, apply RC to "Divine." Point I, apply RC to "Divine" (thrice).

- Page 560, same lesson, point I, add "Tit. ii. 12" reference. Point II, apply RC to "Divine." Point III, apply RC to "Divinely," "Divine Word," and "Divine" (twice). Point IV, apply RC to "Divine"; add "Phil. ii. 9" reference; remove comma from "nature, and." Point V, apply RC to "Divine" (twice); add "1 Tim. i. 14" reference. Point VI, change "Michael Angelo" to "Michelangelo."

- Page 561, "Genuine Religion" note, each of points II 1 and II 2, apply RC to "Divine." "Christ Glorified" note, apply RC to "He lives." Notes on chapter ii., verse 1, tag the word "Parousia" as Greek, such that it sets in Italic, rather than Roman, type.

- Page 562, notes on chapter ii., verse 3, change "#xcellence" to "excellence." Verse 8, apply RC to "Gospel." Verse 9, apply RC to "Gospel." Verse 10, add "John xviii. 38" reference. Verse 13, change "i. 3" to "ch. i. 3." Lesson "Antichrist," introduction, remove comma from "significance, and."

- Page 563, same lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Divine" and "Divinity." Point II 1, remove right double quotes after "Church of God"; change "apostle" to "apostles"; change the period after "Churches" to a colon introducing a list of references. Point II 2, apply RC to "Gospel."

- Page 564, same lesson, point III, apply RC to "Divinely."

- Page 565, lesson "Salvation," introduction, apply RC to "Divine"; remove comma from "wicked, and"; apply RC to "Divine." Point I, apply RC to "Divine." Point I 1, apply RC to "Divine" (twice).

- Page 566, same lesson, point I 1, apply RC to "Divine." Point I 2, apply RC to "Divine," "Gospel" (thrice), and "Divine" (twice). Point II, apply RC to "Divine." Point III, apply RC to "Divine" (twice). Point IV, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 567, "Holy Ghost" note, point I, apply RC to "Divine." Point III, apply RC to "Gospel." "Sainthood" note, point I, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Steadfastness," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Divine."

- Page 568, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 569, same lesson, application ("Lessons"), point 2, apply RC to "Word." Lesson "Prayer," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel" (twice); remove comma from "argues, but." Point I, remove the commas from "friends, and," "consolation, and," and "bowels, and." Each of points III and III 1, apply RC to "Divine."

- Page 570, same lesson, point III 2, apply RC to "Divine." "Prayer" note, point II 1, apply RC to "Divine." "Good Hope" note, point I 3, apply RC to "Gospel." Point III 3, change "self dependence" to "self-dependence."

- Page 571, notes on chapter iii., verse 6, change "_esprit de corps_ do not" to "_esprit de corps_ does not." Verse 16, add em-dash before poem.

- Page 572, lesson "Prayer," introduction, remove comma from "affection, and"; apply RC to "Gospel." Point II, apply RC to "Gospel." Point II 1, apply RC to "Gospel," "Divine," and "Gospel" (twice). Point II 2, apply RC to "Gospel" (four times). Point II 3, apply RC to "Gospel" (twice).

- Page 573, same lesson, point III, apply RC to "Gospel." Application ("Lessons"), point 1, apply RC to "Gospel" and "Divine." Point 2, apply RC to "Gospel." Lesson "Faithfulness," introduction, apply RC to "Divine." Point I, apply RC to "Word."

- Page 574, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "Divine." Point III, apply RC to "Divine"; tag Von Moltke's motto as German so it sets in Italic, rather than Roman, type; apply RC to "Divine" (thrice). Lesson "Divine Love," introduction, add comma to "Again the"; apply RC to "Divine." Point I, apply RC to "Divine," "Gospel," "Divine," "Gospel," and "Divine"; add comma to "war the."

- Page 575, same lesson, point II, apply RC to "Divine" (thrice). Point III, apply RC to "Divine"; remove comma from "grace, or."

- Page 576, lesson "Consistency," introduction, add comma to "crushed and." Point I, remove comma from "apostles, and"; apply RC to "Divine" (twice).

- Page 578, lesson "Work," introduction, apply RC to "Gospel."

- Page 579, "Industry" note, change "#er. 10" to "Ver. 10" and "Caprarolo" to "Caprarola."

- Page 580, lesson "Call," point I 2, remove comma from "us, and"; add "Prov. xi. 30" and "Matt. xxv. 21" references.

- Page 581, same lesson, point II 3, apply RC to "Highest." Germ note, point I 5, apply RC to "Divine." Lesson "Treatment," introduction, remove comma from "lazy, and."

- Page 582, same lesson, point III, change "to oe anguished" to "to be anguished."

- Page 583, "Obedience" note, add "John x. 28" reference. Lesson "Courtesy," point I, apply RC to "Divine" (thrice). Point II, apply RC to "epistle, but."

- Page 584, same lesson, Application ("Lessons"), point 3, apply RC to "Divine." "Peace" note, change "forty-sixth psalm" to "Psalm." "Christian Courtesy" note, point III, apply RC to "Divine."

+INDEX.+

[H. = Homily; N. = Note; I. = Illustration]

Abraham, all nations blessed in, N. Gal. Abraham's faith, imitators of, H. Gal. Abrahamic gospel, H. Gal. Abuse of Christian Liberty, H. Gal. Abuse of public worship, H. 1 Thess. Access to Father, privilege of, H. Eph. Access to God, H. Eph. Access to God revealing Trinity in unity, H. Eph. Active faith, righteousness attained by, N. Gal. Adopting love of God, H. Eph. Adoption, H. Gal. Adoption and its claims, I. Gal. Adoption of children by Jesus Christ, H. Eph. Adoption of sons, Christ's mission for, in fullness of time, H. Gal. Advent, second, of Christ, H. 1 Thess. Affection and meekness, power of, N. Gal. Affections, religious, are attended with change of nature, H. Eph. Affliction, necessity and perils of, H. 1 Thess. Aim high, H. Phil. Alarm, false, H. 2 Thess. All and in all, Christ, H. Col. All are one in Christ, H. Gal. All concluded under sin, N. Gal. All, knowledge of Christ intended for, N. Eph. All nations blessed in Abraham, N. Gal. Alone, bearing our burdens, H. Gal. Ambassador, Gospel, H. Eph. Angels, evil, H. Eph. Anger and meekness, H. Eph. Anger sinful, H. Eph. Antichrist portrayed, H. 2 Thess. Antidote to contention, humility an, N. Phil. Anxiety, ministerial, N. Gal. Anxiety, ministerial, H. Col. Anxiety, prayer and expression of, H. 2 Thess. Anxieties of ministerial life, H. Phil. Anxious care, H. Phil. 362 Apathy one of our trials, N. Gal. Apostle, erring, H. Gal. Apostle, religious life of, H. Gal. Apostle's view of his ministry, H. Eph. Apostleship, Divine call to, H. Gal. Apostleship, practical proof of, H. Gal. Apostolic assurance of supernatural character of Gospel, N. Gal. Apostolic benediction, H. Eph. Apostolic courtesy, H. 2 Thess. Apostolic credentials, H. Gal. Apostolic estimate of Christian character, H. Col. Apostolic exposure of false teachers, H. Gal. Apostolic greeting, H. Phil. Apostolic greeting, phases of, H. 1 Thess. Apostolic greeting, phases of, H. 2 Thess. Apostolic introduction to Epistle, H. 1 Thess. Apostolic praise of order and stability, H. Col. Apostolic prayer, comprehensive, H. Col. Apostolic prayer, comprehensive, H. 1 Thess. Apostolic preaching, H. Col. Apostolic preaching characterised by transparent truth, H. 1 Thess. Apostolic preaching, perversion of, H. Gal. Apostolic salutation, H. Eph. Apostolic salutation, H. Col. Apostolical care for Church, H. Eph. Apprehension of spiritual blessings, H. Eph. Armour, Christian's, N. Eph. Ascension and its results, H. Eph. Asceticism, H. Col. Aspirations of soul, higher, H. Col. Association, H. Gal. Assurance of Christian inheritance, H. Eph. Atheism, practical, H. Eph. Attainment of resurrection, H. Phil. Attainment, spiritual, H. Phil. Attitude of Church towards second coming of Christ, H. 1 Thess. Attractiveness of worth, I. Gal. Author and End of creation, Christ, H. Col. Authority, best, to be obeyed, I. Gal. Authority, ministerial, Divine blessing highest sanction of, N. Gal. Authority of messenger of God, H. Gal. Awakening, slumbering souls and their, H. Eph.

Bad and good examples, H. Phil. Bad companions, I. Gal. Bad manners, reform of, H. Gal. Baptism, H. Gal. Baptism, teaching of, H. Gal Baptism, true, H. Col. Bear one another's burdens, H. Gal. Bear one another's burdens, N. Gal. Believer complete in Christ, H. Col. Believer crucified with Christ, and Christ living in believer, H. Gal. Believer exalted together with Jesus Christ, H. Eph. Believer's life in Christ, features of, H. Phil. Believer's perfection, Divine fulness of Christ's pledge of, H. Col. Believer's portion in both worlds, H. Phil. Believer's salvation, grounds of confidence in, H. Phil. Believers, benefit conferred by Spirit on, H. Eph. Believers, characteristics of, H. Eph. Believers, children of promise, H. Gal. Believers, duty of, in evil day, H. Eph. Believers, enemies of, H. Eph. Believers, Paul as example to, H. Phil. Believers, steadfastness of, a source of true ministerial satisfaction, H. 1 Thess. Believing soul, manner in which Gospel comes to, H. 1 Thess. Benediction, apostolic, H. Eph. Benediction, concluding, H. Gal. Benediction, suggestive, H. Eph. Beneficence, opportunity of, H. Gal. Benefit conferred by Spirit on believers, H. Eph. Benevolence, practical Christian, H. Phil. Best authority to be obeyed, I. Gal. Best work, call to do, H. 2 Thess. Bible sword of Spirit, H. Eph. Biblical account of sin, N. Gal. Blameless life, lustre of, H. Phil. Blessedness, man's final condition of, H. Col. Blessing, Divine, highest sanction of ministerial authority, N. Gal. Blessing of redemption, great, H. Col. Blessings of reconciliation, personal, H. Col. Blessings, spiritual, H. Eph. Boasting, empty, H. Gal. Body, human, resurrection of, H. Phil. Body of Christ, Church the, H. Col. Body of Christ, members of, H. Eph. Body, one, and one spirit, H. Eph. Body, resurrection of, H. 1 Thess. Boldness a duty in a minister, H. Eph. Boldness, Christian, H. Phil. Bond of unity, peace the, H. Eph. Bonds, Paul's, ministry of, H. Phil. Bondage and liberty, H. Gal. Bondage, freedom from, N. Gal. Bondage, spiritual, ignorance of God a, N. Gal. Bondwoman and her son, cast out, N. Gal. Book, names in, H. Phil. Bravery, Christian, exhortation to, H. Phil. Bravery, moral, picture of, H. Eph. Bread, wheat is better than, H. Col. Brethren, false, and their treatment, H. Gal. Bride, Christ and His, H. Eph. Brotherhood, Christian, H. Gal. Brotherhood of man, Christian, H. Eph. Brotherly love in action, H. Eph. Brotherly love, a proof of true sanctification, H. 1 Thess. Brotherly reproof, N. Gal. Burden, every man has his own, H. Gal. Burden or a glory, cross, H. Gal. Burdens, bear one another's, H. Gal. Burdens, bear one another's, N. Gal. Burdens, our twofold, N. Gal. Burden-bearing, H. Gal. Burden-bearing, mutual sympathy in, H. Gal. Business, mind your own, H. 1 Thess.

Call, Divine, to apostleship, H. Gal. Call, Gospel and, to preach it, H. Gal. Call of Gospel to sinners, H. Eph. Call to Christian fortitude, H. Eph. Call to do best work, H. 2 Thess. Calling of Gentiles, H. Eph. Care, anxious, H. Phil. Care, cure of, H. Phil. Causes of ministerial thanksgiving, H. Col. Censure, Church, N. Gal. Ceremonial and zeal in religion, H. Col. Ceremonial in religion transitory and unsatisfying, H. Col. Change effected by Gospel, H. 1 Thess. Change great, effected in man by Gospel, H. Eph. Change of life, religion, H. Col. Change of nature, religious affections are attended with, H. Eph. Character and privileges of children of God, H. Gal. Character Christian, essentials of, H. Col. Character, love perfection of, N. Gal. Characteristics of believers, H. Eph. Charge, a father's, H. Eph. Charity, industry the true, I. 2 Thess. Charity, nature, properties, and acts of, H. Eph. Children, adoption of, by Jesus Christ, H. Eph. Children and parents, duties of, H. Eph. Children and parents, duties of, H. Col. Children of darkness and of light, H. Eph. Children of God, H. Gal. Children of God, character and privileges of, H. Gal. Children of promise, believers, H. Gal. Children of wrath, H. Eph. Christ a revelation because equal to Father, H. Col. Christ all, and in all, H. Col. Christ, all are one in, H Gal. Christ and creation, N. Eph. Christ and His bride, H. Eph. Christ, Author and End of creation, H. Col. Christ, believer complete in, H. Col. Christ, believer's life in, features of, H. Phil. Christ, Church complete in, H. Eph. Christ, the body of, H. Col. Christ, coming of, H. 1 Thess. Christ, contrasted humiliation and exaltation of, H. Eph. Christ, crucified, H. Gal. Christ, death and life with, H. Col. Christ, dignity and dominion of, H. Eph. Christ, Divine fulness of, pledge of believer's perfection, H. Col. Christ, enthusiasm for, H. Phil. Christ, exaltation of, H. Phil. Christ, excellent knowledge of, H. Phil. Christ, Firstborn from dead, H. Col. Christ, fulness of, H. Col. Christ, gift of, H. Gal. Christ, gifts of, to His church, H. Eph. Christ, glorified in His people, N. 2 Thess. Christ, glorying in cross of, H. Gal. Christ, God known in, N. Eph. Christ, great Peacemaker, H. Eph. Christ, growth into, in love and truth, H. Eph. Christ, Head of Church, H. Eph. Christ, heroic devotion to, H. Phil. Christ, hidden treasures of wisdom in, H. Col. Christ, humiliation of, a pattern of supreme unselfishness, H. Phil. Christ, in practical life, H. Col. Christ in you the hope of glory, H. Col. Christ, indwelling Word of, H. Col. Christ, knowledge of, intended for all, N. Eph. Christ, Law preparing for, H. Gal. Christ, life in, present condition and future glory of, H. Col. Christ, life of, only true idea of self-devotion, H. Phil. Christ living in believer, and believer crucified with Christ, H. Gal. Christ, love of, H. Eph. Christ, loving, in sincerity, H. Eph. Christ, members of body of, H. Eph. Christ, name of, doing all in, H. Col. Christ, obedient to Law, H. Gal. Christ, odium of cross of, H. Gal. Christ, our Life, H. Col. Christ, our Pattern, H. Phil. Christ, our Sacrifice, H. Gal. Christ, poor representative of, I. Gal. Christ, redemption through, H. Eph. Christ, relation of, to God and all created things, H. Col. Christ, relation to moral creation, H. Col. Christ, riches of, N. Eph. Christ, risen with, H. Col. Christ, sacrifice of, H. Eph. Christ, second advent of, H. 1 Thess. Christ, coming of, attitude of Church towards, H. 1 Thess. Christ, servant of, H. Gal. Christ, the Christian's life, H. Phil. Christ, the Inheritance of saints, N. Eph. Christ, the only gain, H. Phil. Christ the Reconciler, H. Col. Christ the Redeemer, H. Phil. Christ, true knowledge of, external religionism incomparable with, H. Phil. Christ, unsearchable riches of, N. Eph. Christ, worthy of universal homage, H. Phil. Christ's crucifixion, H. Phil. Christ's love for the Church, H. Eph. Christ's mission for adoption of sons in fulness of time, H. Gal. Christ's resurrection, power of, H. Phil. Christ's sacrifice of Himself explained, and man's duty to offer spiritual sacrifice inferred and recommended, H. Eph. Christ's sufferings, fellowship of, H. Phil. Christ's truth in relation to our daily conversation, H. Col. Christian benevolence, practical, H. Phil. Christian boldness, H. Phil. Christian bravery, exhortation to. H. Phil. Christian brotherhood, H. Gal. Christian brotherhood of men, H. Eph. Christian character, apostolic estimate of, H. Col. Christian character, essentials of, H. Col. Christian character, love perfection of, H. Col. Christian character, malice incompatible with, H. Eph. Christian Church a family, H. Eph. Christian circumcision, H. Col. Christian citizenship, H. Phil. Christian conduct, rule of, N. Eph. Christian consistency, H. Gal. Christian consistency, H. Phil. Christian consistency, H. 2 Thess. Christian contentment, H. Phil. Christian conversation, H. Col. Christian courtesy, H. Phil. Christian courtesy, H. 2 Thess. Christian, dead to law, H. Gal. Christian duty, suggestive summary of law of, H. Col. Christian duty to poor, N. Gal. Christian equity, H. Phil. Christian ethics, Paul's doctrine of, H. Eph. Christian ethics, science of, H. Phil. Christian excellence, eulogy of, H. Phil. Christian experience, highest type of, H. Phil. Christian fidelity, H. 2 Thess. Christian forgiveness, H. Eph. Christian forgiveness. H. Col. Christian fortitude, call to, H. Eph. Christian generosity, H. Gal. Christian generosity, H. Phil. Christian greeting, H. Phil. Christian greetings and counsels, H. Col. Christian holiness, H. 1 Thess. Christian humility, H. Col. Christian humility, illustrated in character of Paul, H. Eph. Christian inheritance, assurance of. H. Eph. Christian joy, H. Phil. Christian law of marriage, H. Eph. Christian law of prayer, H. Eph. Christian liberty, H. Gal. Christian liberty, love the highest law of, H. Gal. Christian life a Divine creation, H. Eph. Christian life a race, H. Gal. Christian life, dignity of, H. Eph. Christian life, liberality a fruit of, H. Phil. Christian life, Lord's Supper sample of, H. Col. Christian life, perpetual thanksgiving of, H. 1 Thess. Christian life, poetry of, H. Col. Christian life, suggestive features of, H. Col. Christian love, prayer for, H. Phil. Christian manhood, true, H. Eph. Christian maturity, H. Eph. Christian minister, devoted, H. Phil. Christian ministry, H. Col. Christian ministry, efficacy of, H. Gal. Christian ministry, pre-eminent honour and sublime theme of, H. Col. Christian ministry, real and counterfeit in, H. Phil. Christian ministry, solemn and responsible trust, H. Col. Christian mirth _versus_ drunken mirth, H. Eph. Christian mission, projected, H. Phil. Christian obedience, H. 2 Thess. Christian perseverance, hope a stimulus to, H. Col. Christian prayer, witness of Christian citizenship, H. Eph. Christian precepts, group of, H. 1 Thess. Christian principles applied to common life, H. Eph. Christian principles, tendency of, to produce contentment, H. Phil. Christian rectitude, H. Phil. Christian reformation, H. Gal. Christian religion, truth and dignity of, H. Eph. Christian salutation, N. Gal. Christian servitude, N. Eph. Christian sobriety inculcated, H. Eph. Christian spirit a new spirit, H. Eph. Christian steadfastness, H. 2 Thess. Christian steadfastness, glad tidings of, H. 1 Thess. Christian sympathy, practical, H. Gal. Christian temper, the same mind which was in Christ, H. Phil. Christian, true glory of, H. Gal. Christian truth, the girdle of, H. Eph. Christian unity, H. Col. Christian unity, an occasion of joy, H. Phil. Christian waiting for his Deliverer, H. 1 Thess. Christian warfare, H. Eph. Christian warrior equipped, H. Eph. Christian wisdom, H. Eph. Christian work, disappointed hopes in, H. Gal. Christian zeal, H. Gal. Christian's armour, N. Eph. Christian's estimate of living and dying, H. Phil. Christian's imitation, duty and object of, H. Eph. Christian's life, Christ the, H. Phil. Christian's power, source of, H. Phil. Christian's truest test and excellence, H. Eph. Christians, doubtful, H. Gal. Christians, examples to world, H. Phil. Christians of different denominations, temper to be cultivated by, toward each other, H. Phil. Christianity and persecution, H. Gal. Christianity and poverty, H. Gal. Christianity and work, H. 2 Thess. Christianity, harmony of, in its personal influence, H. Eph. Christianity, hearty, H. Col. Christianity, inviolability of, H. Gal. Christianity, mercantile virtues without, H. Phil. Christianity, nullified by legalism, H. Gal. Christianity, superior to external rites, H. Gal. Christly character, H. Gal. Christmas of soul, N. Gal. Church a Divine edifice, H. Eph. Church a witness, N. Gal. Church, apostolical care for, H. Eph. Church, attitude of, towards second coming of Christ, H. 1 Thess. Church, censure, N. Gal. Church, Christ Head of, H. Eph. Church, Christ's love for the, H. Eph. Church, Christian, a family, H. Eph. Church, complete in Christ, H. Eph. Church concord, H. 1 Thess. Church, Divine ideal of the, H. Eph. Church edification, public reading of Holy Scriptures important means of, H. Col. Church, future glory of the, H. Eph. Church, generous, H. Phil. Church, gifts of Christ to His, H. Eph. Church, growth of, H. Eph. Church, how a, lives and grows, H. Col. Church, joy of suffering for, H. Col. Church, prosperous, congratulatory features of, H. 2 Thess. Church quarrels, N. Gal. Church, sevenfold unity of, reflected in Trinity of Divine persons, H. Eph. Church, the body of Christ, H. Col. Church, the habitation of God, N. Eph. Church, the temple of God, N. Eph. Church, troubles of, judgment on, H. Gal. Church, unity and concord in, H. Phil. Church, unity and concord of, H. Eph. Church, universal, Jerusalem type of, H. Gal. Church, welfare of, ministerial anxiety for, N. Phil. Church-life, disorderly in, H. 2 Thess. Church-life, side-lights on, in early times, H. Col. Church-life, true, N. Eph. Circumcision, Christian, H. Col. Circumcision, spiritual, H. Phil. Circumcision, true, H. Col. Citizenship, Christian, H. Phil. Citizenship, Christian prayer witness of Christian, H. Eph. City, great, solitude of, H. 1 Thess. Cities, large, dissipation of, H. Eph. Claims, imperative, of Divine commission, H. Gal. Clearer discernment in Divine things desired, H. Eph. Closing words, H. 1 Thess. College life, H. Eph. Colossians, Epistle to--Colossæ and its people, N. Col. Colossians, Epistle to--outline of Epistle, N. Col. Colossians, Epistle to--style of Epistle, N. Col. Colossians, Paul's prayer for, H. Col. Comfort, religious, elements of, H. Eph. Comforting one another, duty of, H. 1 Thess. Coming of Christ, H. 1 Thess. Commencement of Gospel at Philippi, H. Phil. Commission, Divine, imperative claims of, H. Gal. Commission, exalted, ministerial, H. Eph. Common life, Christian principles applied to, H. Eph. Communion of saints, H. Eph. Companions, bad, I. Gal. Complete man, sanctification of, H. 1 Thess. Completeness of moral character, prayer for, H. 2 Thess. Completing of soul, H. Col. Comprehensive and sublime prayer, H. Eph. Comprehensive apostolic prayer, H. Col. Comprehensive apostolic prayer, H. 1 Thess. Comprehensiveness of Gospel, N. Eph. Concluding benediction, H. Gal. Concord and unity in Church, H. Phil. Concord, Church, H. 1 Thess. Condition of man's final blessedness, H. Col. Conduct, Christian, rule of, N. Eph. Conduct of life, wise, H. Eph. Confidence in believer's salvation, grounds of, H. Phil. Confirmatory proofs of Divine call, H. Gal. Conflict and suffering, H. Phil. Conflict between Law and faith, H. Gal. Congratulatory features of prosperous Church, H. 2 Thess. Conscientiousness, reason for, I. 1 Thess. Conscientiousness, respect for, I. 1 Thess. Consecrated life, development of events in, H. Phil. Consistency, Christian, H. Gal. Consistency, Christian, H. Phil. Consistency, Christian, H. 2 Thess. Constant joy, I. Gal. Contention, humility an antidote to, N. Phil. Contentment, Christian, H. Phil. Contentment, true, tendency of Christian principles to produce, H. Phil. Conversation, Christian, H. Col. Conversation, daily, Christ's truth in relation to our, H. Col. Conversion and its evidences, H. 1 Thess. Conversion and vocation of Paul, H. Gal. Conversion, condition of Ephesians before, H. Eph. Conversion, power of God in, N. Eph. Conversion, test of suffering, H. 1 Thess. Converts, joy of minister in his, H. 1 Thess. Converts, new, dealing with, H. 1 Thess. Co-operation of Divine and human in man's salvation, H. Phil. Correct estimate of gospel truth, H. 1 Thess. Counsels and greetings, Christian, H. Col. Counterfeit and real in Christian ministry, H. Phil. Counterfeits, godly zeal and its, H. Gal. Courage under suffering, N. Eph. Courtesy, apostolic, H. 2 Thess. Courtesy, Christian, H. Phil. Covenant of promise, Divine, H. Gal. Covenants, Divine and human, H. Gal. Covetousness which is idolatry, H. Col. Cowardly retreat, I. Gal. Created things, all, relation of Christ to God and, H. Col. Creation, Christ and, N. Eph. Creation, Divine, Christian life a, H. Eph. Creation, new spiritual, N. Eph. Creature, new, N. Gal. Credentials, apostolic, H. Gal. Cross a burden or a glory, H. Gal. Cross, enemies of, H. Phil. Cross, of Christ, glorying in, H. Gal. Cross, odium of, H. Gal. Cross, triumph of, H. Col. Crucifixion, Christ's, H. Phil. Crucifying flesh, H. Gal. Culture, Divine, H. Phil. Cure of care, H. Phil Cure of vice and vain-glory, H. Gal. Curse and sentence of Law, N. Gal.

Daily conversation, Christ's truth in relation to our, H. Col. Danger of grieving Him, office of Holy Spirit and, H. Eph. Danger, peace in, I. 2 Thess. Darkness, children of, and of light, H. Eph. Darkness, light in, N. Eph. Darkness to light, from, H. Col. Darkness, works of, N. Eph. Day, happy, and its sequel, H. Phil. Day of judgment, H. 2 Thess. Day of Lord, H. 1 Thess. Dead, Christ Firstborn from, H. Col. Dead, resurrection of, an object to aim at, H. Phil. Dead, sorrow for, H. 1. Thess. Dead, to Law by Law, H. Gal. Dealing with new converts, H. 1 Thess. Death a peacemaker, N. Eph. Death and life with Christ, H. Col. Death and spiritual life, H. Col. Death, Christian's life and, H. Phil. Death, idleness and, I. 2 Thess. Death, state of sin a state of, H. Eph. Death to life, transition from, H. Col. Deceived, be not, H. Gal. Deceived sowers to flesh, H. Gal. Deceivers and deceived, case of, considered, H. Eph. Deceptive glamour of error, H. Gal. Defence, fearless, of fundamental truth, H. Gal. Defender of faith, astute, H. Gal. Definiteness in prayer, H. Phil. Deity, incarnate, H. Phil. Deliverer, Christian waiting for his, H. 1 Thess. Delusions, strong, H. 2 Thess. Denominations, temper to be cultivated by Christians of different towards each other, H. Phil. Departed, faithful, sleep of. H. 1 Thess. Dependence, mutual, law of, H. Eph. Despise not prophesyings, H. 1 Thess. Despiser, word to, H. 1 Thess. Destiny, glorious, of human body, N. Phil. Destructive subtlety of sin, H. 2 Thess. Development of events in consecrated life, H. Phil. Devil, wiles of, H. Eph. Devoted Christian minister, H. Phil. Devotion, true, H. Col. Devout doxology, H. Eph. Difference between Law and Gospel, H. Gal. Difference, sowing to flesh and to Spirit, H. Gal. Difficult and important mission, H. 1 Thess. Dignified and touching farewell, H. Gal. Dignity and dominion of Christ. H. Eph. Dignity of Christian life, H. Eph. Dignity of sonship with God, H. Gal. Dilemma of turn-coats, H. Gal. Disagreement, feminine, H. Phil. Disappointed hopes in Christian work, H. Gal. Discernment, clearer, in Divine things desired, H. Eph. Discrimination, spiritual, H. Phil. Disintegrating force of error, N. Gal. Disobedience, folly of, H. Gal. Disobedient, H. 2 Thess. Disorderly in Church-life, H. 2 Thess. Dissipation of large cities, H. Eph. Distinctive features of true sanctification, H. 1 Thess. Disturber of faith, H. Gal. Divine act, salvation a, H. 2 Thess. Divine and human covenants, H. Gal. Divine and human, co-operation of, in man's salvation, H. Phil. Divine blessing highest sanction of ministerial authority, N. Gal. Divine call, confirmatory proofs of, H. Gal. Divine call to apostleship, H. Gal. Divine commission, imperative claims of, H. Gal. Divine covenant of promise, H. Gal. Divine creation, Christian life a, H. Eph. Divine culture, H. Phil. Divine edifice, Church a, H. Eph. Divine faithfulness, H. 2 Thess. Divine fulness of Christ pledge of believer's perfection, H. Col. Divine grace, frustrating, N. Gal. Divine grace, glory of, H. Eph. Divine grace, salvation an act of, H. Eph. Divine ideal of the Church, H. Eph. Divine Judge, H. 2 Thess. Divine life, positiveness of, H. Gal. Divine love and patience, H. 2 Thess. Divine peace, rule of, H. Col. Divine, Trinity of, sevenfold unity of Church reflected in, H. Eph. Divine promise, Law not contrary to, H. Gal. Divine retribution, H. 2 Thess. Divine strength, H. Col. Divine things, clearer discernment in, desired, H. Eph. Divinity and truth of Christian religion, H. Eph. Doctrine of Christian ethics, Paul's, H. Eph. Doctrine of predestination, N. Eph. Doing all for God, H. Col. Doing all in name of Christ, H. Col. Doing good, on, H. Gal. Dominion and dignity of Christ, H. Eph. Double harvest, H. Gal. Doubtful Christians, H. Gal. Doxology, devout, H. Eph. Drunken mirth _versus_ Christian mirth, H. Eph. Drunkenness, vice of, H. Eph. Duty and object of Christian imitation, H. Eph. Duty, Christian, suggestive summary of law of, H. Col. Duty of believers in evil day, H. Eph. Duty of comforting one another, H. 1 Thess. Duty of thanksgiving, H. Eph. Duties of children and parents, H. Eph. Duties of children and parents, H. Col. Duties of servants and masters, H. Eph. Duties of servants and masters, H. Col. Duties of wives and husbands, H. Eph. Duties of wives and husbands, H. Col. Dying and living, Christian's estimate of, H. Phil.

Early Christians, faith of, H. Eph. Early Church, glimpses of life in, H. Phil. Early times, side-lights on Church-life in, H. Col. Earnest of inheritance, Holy Spirit an, H. Eph. Earth, heaven and, family in, H. Eph. Edification, Church, public reading of Holy Scriptures important means of, H. Col. Edifice, Divine, Church a, H. Eph. Effective preaching, secret of, H. Col. Effects, evidences and, of revival, H. 1 Thess. Effects of Gospel upon those who receive it, H. Phil. Effectual mediator, I. Gal. Efficacy of Christian ministry, H. Gal. Efficacy of prayer, H. Col. Efficacy of Word of God, and way of receiving it, H. 1 Thess. Ejaculatory prayer, and self-recollectedness, H. 1. Thess. Election, mystery of, N. Eph. Election of God, H. 1 Thess. Elements, essential, of success in preaching, H. 1 Thess. Elements of religious comfort, H. Eph. Empty boasting, H. Gal. Enchanted ground, pilgrims on, H. 1 Thess. End of creation, Christ Author and, H. Col. Enemies of believers, H. Eph. Enemies of cross, H. Phil. Enemies of man, invisible, H. Eph. Enjoyment, spiritual, H. Eph. Enlarged Gospel, H. Eph. Enlightenment, spiritual, N. Eph. Enmity of heart, power of Gospel to dissolve, N. Eph. Enthusiasm for Christ, H. Phil. Ephesians before conversion, conditions of, H. Eph. Ephesians, Epistle to--analysis of Epistle, N. Eph. Ephesians, Epistle to--genuineness of Epistle, N. Eph. Ephesians, Epistle to--practical design of Epistle, N. Eph. Ephesians, Epistle to--to whom sent, N. Eph. Ephesians, Paul's prayer for, H. Eph. Equal to Father, Christ a revelation because, H. Col. Equity, Christian, H. Phil. Erring apostle, H. Gal. Erring, restoration of, H. Gal. Error, deceptive glamour of, H. Gal. Error, disintegrating force of, N. Gal. Error, safeguards against, H. Phil. Errors respecting forgiveness of sin, H. Eph. Essential elements of success in preaching, H. 1 Thess. Essentials of Christian character, H. Col. Estimate of Gospel truth, correct, H. 1 Thess. Eternal praise should be offered unto God, H. Phil. Ethics, Christian, Paul's doctrine of, H. Eph. Ethics, science of, H. Phil. Eulogy of Christian excellence, H. Phil. Evangelical consistency, H. Phil. Every man has his own burden, H. Gal. Evidence, truth its own, H. Gal. Evidences and effects of revival, H. 1 Thess. Evidences of conversion, H. 1 Thess. Evidences of sonship, H. Gal. Evil angels, H. Eph. Evil day, duty of believers in, H. Eph. Evils, worst of, H. Eph. Exaltation, contrasted humiliation and, of Christ, H. Eph. Exaltation of Christ, H. Phil. Exaltation of labour, Paul's, H. Eph. Exalted ministerial commission, H. Eph. Example, power of, N. Gal. Example, power of, H. 1 Thess. Examples, good and bad, H. Phil. Excellence, Christian, eulogy of, H. Phil. Excellence, Christian's truest test and, H. Eph. Excellency of knowledge of Christ, H. Phil. Excellent knowledge of Christ, H. Phil. Excitement, sensual and spiritual, H. Eph. Exhortations, earnest, to higher sanctity, H. 1 Thess. Experience, Christian, highest type of, H. Phil. Exposure, apostolic, of false teachers, H. Gal. External religionism incomparable with true knowledge of Christ, H. Phil. External rites, Christianity superior to, H. Gal. Extremity, joy of good man in, H. Phil.

Faith, active, righteousness attained by, N. Gal. Faith and Law, conflict between, H. Gal. Faith, astute defender of, H. Gal. Faith, disturber of, H. Gal. Faith, justification by, H. Eph. Faith, justification, not by works, N. Gal. Faith, justification, not by works, H. Gal. Faith, justification, not by works, I. Gal. Faith, life of, H. Gal. Faith of early Christians, H. Eph. Faith of man and faithfulness of God, H. 1 Thess. Faith, reasonableness of, H. Gal. Faith, righteousness through, H. Gal. Faith, salvation by, H. Eph. Faith, working by love, religion is, H. Gal. Faithful departed, sleep of, H. 1 Thess. Faithful minister, N. Eph. Faithful reproof, N. Gal. Faithfulness of God, H. 2 Thess. Faithfulness of God and faith of man, H. 1 Thess. False alarm, H. 2 Thess. False and true in religion, H. Phil. False and true zeal, H. Gal. False brethren and their treatment, H. Gal. False methods of salvation, H. Gal. False philosophy, marks of, H. Col. False philosophy, seductive peril of, H. Col. False teachers, apostolic exposure of, H. Gal. False teachers, emphatic warnings against, H. Phil. False teaching, perils of, H. Gal. Falsehood, sin of, H. Eph. Family, Christian Church a, H. Eph. Family, in heaven and earth, H. Eph. Family, one, H. Eph. Farewell, dignified and touching, H. Gal. Farewell, words of, H. Col. Fate of unbelievers, H. Gal. Father, access to, privilege of, H. Eph. Father, Christ a revelation because equal to, H. Col. Father, God our, H. Phil. Father, God the, H. Eph. Father's charge, a, H. Eph. Fearless defence of fundamental truth, H. Gal. Features, congratulatory, of prosperous Church, H. 2 Thess. Features, distinctive, of true sanctification, H. 1 Thess. Features of believer's life in Christ, H. Phil. Features of Christian life, suggestive, H. Col. Feeling, past, N. Eph. Fellowship in Gospel, H. Phil. Fellowship in wickedness, and its condemnation, H. Eph. Fellowship of Christ's sufferings, H. Phil. Fellowship of mystery, H. Eph. Feminine disagreement, H. Phil. Fidelity, Christian, H. 2 Thess. Fidelity, in ministry, H. Gal. Fidelity to truth, N. Gal. Fidelity unswerving, in accomplishing its lofty mission, Christian ministry demands, H. Col. Final blessedness, condition of man's, H. Col. Firstborn from dead, Christ, H. Col. Flesh and spirit, H. Gal. Flesh, crucifying, H. Gal. Flesh, deceived sowers to, H. Gal. Flesh, works of, H. Gal. Folly of disobedience, H. Gal. Foolish talking and jesting, against, H. Eph. Force of error, disintegrating, N. Gal. Forgiveness, Christian, H. Eph. Forgiveness, Christian, H. Col. Forgiveness of sin, errors respecting, H. Eph. Forlorn state of Gentile world, H. Eph. Formalism tested and found wanting, H. Phil. Fortitude, Christian, call to, H. Eph. Free grace, working out salvation harmonises with, H. Phil. Freedom from bondage, N. Gal. Fruit of Christian life, liberality, H. Phil. Fruit of Spirit, H. Gal. Fruits of righteousness, H. Phil. Frustrating Divine grace, N. Gal. Fulness of Christ, H. Col. Fulness Divine, pledge of believer's perfection, H. Col. Fulness of time, H. Gal. Fundamental truth, fearless defence of, H. Gal. Fury of old religion against new, H. 1 Thess. Future glory of the Church, H. Eph. Future present condition and, of life in Christ, H. Col. Future life, H. Eph.

Gain, Christ the only, H. Phil. Galatians, Epistle to--authorship of Epistle, N. Gal. Galatians, Epistle to--character of Galatians, N. Gal. Galatians, Epistle to--purpose and analysis, N. Gal. Galatians, Epistle to--time of writing, N. Gal. Generosity, Christian, H. Gal. Generosity, Christian, H. Phil. Generous Church, H. Phil. Gentile life--a warning, H. Eph. Gentile world, forlorn state of, H. Eph. Gentiles, calling of, H. Eph. Gentleness, grace of, H. Gal. Genuine religion illustrated, H. 2 Thess. Germ of spurious ministry, H. Phil. Gift of Christ, H. Gal. Gifts of Christ to His church, H. Eph. Girdle of truth, H. Eph. Glad tidings of Christian steadfastness, H. 1 Thess. Glamour of error, deceptive, H. Gal. Glimpses of life in early Church, H. Phil. Glorious destiny of human body, N. Phil. Glory, future, of the Church, H. Eph. Glory, hope of, Christ in you the, H. Col. Glory of Divine grace, H. Eph. Glory of Gospel, H. Col. Glory of sainthood, H. 2 Thess. Glory or a burden, cross, H. Gal. Glorying in cross of Christ, H. Gal. God, access to, H. Eph. God, revealing Trinity in unity, H. Eph. God, children of, H. Gal. God, Church the habitation of, N. Eph. God, doing all for, H. Col. God, election of, H. 1 Thess. God, eternal praise should be offered unto, H. Phil. God, faithfulness of, H. 2 Thess. God, faithfulness and faith of man, H. 1 Thess. God, glorified in good men, N. Gal. God, glorified in His servant, H. Gal. God, ignorance of, a spiritual bondage, N. Gal. God, imitation of, N. Eph. God, known in Christ, N. Eph. God, life of, H. Eph. God, light of, H. Eph. God, likeness to, H. Eph. God, man without, N. Eph. God, manifold wisdom of, H. Eph. God, masters accountable to, N. Eph. God, nearness to, H. Eph. God, omnipresent, H. 2 Thess. God, our Father, H. Phil. God, peace of, keeping heart, H. Phil. God, relation of Christ to, and all created things, H. Col. God, salvation is of, H. 1 Thess. God, singing in worship of, H. Eph. God, sonship with, dignity of, H. Gal. God, temple of, Church the, H. Eph. God, the Father, H. Eph. God, true Israel of, H. Gal. God, unity of, and His purpose regarding men, H. Gal. God, whole armour of, H. Eph. God, wrath of, H. Col. God's infinite liberality, H. Eph. God's offspring, N. Gal. God's riches, man's need supplied from, H. Phil. God's sabbatic law antedated Mosaic Law, N. Gal. God's work and man's care--salvation, H. Phil. Godless and hopeless, H. Eph. Godly zeal and its counterfeits, H. Gal. God-made minister, N. Eph. Good and bad examples, H. Phil. Good, hold fast that which is, H. 1 Thess. Good hope through grace, H. 2 Thess. Good, imitation of, H. Phil. Good man, joy of, in extremity, H. Phil. Good men, God glorified in, N. Gal. Good news and its good effects, H. Col. Good, on doing, H. Gal. Good works, grace and, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, a Divine revelation, H. Gal. Gospel, a mystery, H. Eph. Gospel, Abrahamic, H. Gal. Gospel, according to Mark, H. Eph. Gospel, ambassador, H. Eph. Gospel and call to preach it, H. Gal. Gospel and Law, difference between, H. Gal. Gospel and Law, history of Sarah and Hagar allegorical of, H. Gal. Gospel at Philippi, commencement of, H. Phil. Gospel, call of, to sinners, H. Eph. Gospel, change effected by, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, comes to believing soul, manner in which, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, comprehensiveness of, N. Eph. Gospel, effects of, upon those who receive it, H. Phil. Gospel, enlarged, H. Eph. Gospel, fellowship in, H. Phil. Gospel, glory of, H. Col. Gospel, great change effected in man by, H. Eph. Gospel, in word and in power, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, inviolable unity of, H. Gal. Gospel, irrepressible, H. Phil. Gospel, manifests itself, H. Col. Gospel, mystery of, H. Eph. Gospel of grace, praise for work of Trinity in, H. Eph. Gospel of peace, H. Eph. Gospel of your salvation, H. Eph. Gospel, one, H. Gal. Gospel, power of, N. Gal. Gospel, power to dissolve enmity of heart, N. Eph. Gospel, practical result of true reception of, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, preaching of, not in vain, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, profession of, uncleanness inconsistent with, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, remonstrance with revolters against, H. Gal. Gospel, state of men without, H. Eph. Gospel, superhuman origin of, H. Gal. Gospel, superhuman origin of, N. Gal. Gospel, true, to be preached and believed, H. Gal. Gospel, true, universally the same, H. Col. Gospel, truth, correct estimate of, H. 1 Thess. Gospel, use of Law under, H. Gal. Government of tongue, H. Eph. Grace and good works, H. 1 Thess. Grace and peace, H. Gal. Grace, Divine, glory of, H. Eph. Grace, Divine, salvation an act of, H. Eph. Grace, frustrating Divine, N. Gal. Grace, good hope through, H. 2 Thess. Grace, Gospel of, praise for work of Trinity in, H. Eph. Grace, growth in, H. 2 Thess. Grace of gentleness, H. Gal. Grace of God, justification by works makes void the, H. Gal. Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, H. Phil. Grace, promise of, N. Gal. Grace, salvation is of, H. Eph. Grace sovereign, pardon an act of, N. Eph. Grace, state by nature and by, H. Eph. Grace, state of, H. Eph. Great blessing of redemption, H. Col. Great city, solitude of, H. 1 Thess. Great Mediator, reconciling work of, H. Col. Great moral translation, H. Col. Great prison, N. Gal. Great truths, two, presentation of, H. Col. Greeting, Christian, H. Phil. Greetings and counsels, Christian, H. Col. Grieving the Holy Spirit, H. Eph. Ground, enchanted, pilgrims on, H. 1 Thess. Group of Christian precepts, H. 1 Thess. Growth, humility a, N. Eph. Growth in grace, H. 2 Thess. Growth in personal piety, prayer for, H. 1 Thess. Growth into Christ in love and truth, H. Eph. Growth of Church, H. Eph. Guidance of Spirit, H. Gal.

Habitation of God, Church the, N. Eph. Hagar and Sarah, history of, allegorical of Law and Gospel, H. Gal. Handwriting of ordinances, H. Col. Happy day and its sequel, H. Phil. Happy life, secret of, H. 1 Thess. Happy memories, H. Phil. Harmony of Christianity in its personal influence, H. Eph. Harvest, double, H. Gal. Harvest, spiritual, principle of, H. Gal. Head of Church, Christ, H. Eph. Headship of Christ, H. Eph. Heart, enmity of, power of Gospel to dissolve, N. Eph. Heart, peace of God keeping, H. Phil. Heart, what is your, filled with? H. Eph. Hearty Christianity, H. Col. Heaven and earth, family in, H. Eph. Heaven, qualification for, H. Col. Heaven, rest in, for troubled, H. 2 Thess. Heirs according to promise, H. Gal. Heroic devotion to Christ, H. Phil. Hidden treasures of wisdom in Christ, H. Col. High moral feeling that should influence preacher, H. 1 Thess. Higher aspirations of soul, H. Col. Higher sanctity, earnest exhortations to, H. 1 Thess. Higher spiritual knowledge, prayer for, H. Eph. Highest type of Christian experience, H. Phil. Hindrances, Satanic, H. 1 Thess. History of Hagar and Sarah allegorical of Law and Gospel, H. Gal. Hold fast that which is good, H. 1 Thess. Holiness, Christian, H. 1 Thess. Holiness, supreme end of reconciliation, H. Col. Holy Ghost the Sanctifier, H. 2 Thess. Holy Scriptures, public reading of, important means of church edification, H. Col. Holy Scriptures, public reading of, important means of church edification, H. 1 Thess. Holy Spirit and earnest of inheritance, H. Eph. Holy Spirit, grieving the, H. Eph. Holy Spirit, office of, and danger of grieving Him, H. Eph. Homage, Christ worthy of universal, H. Phil. Home-life, sanctity of, N. Eph. Honour, pre-eminent, and sublime theme of Christian ministry, H. Col. Hope a stimulus to Christian perseverance, H. Col. Hope, good, through grace, H. 2 Thess. Hope of glory, Christ in you the, H. Col. Hopes, disappointed, in Christian work, H. Gal. Hopeless and godless, H. Eph. Household, piety in, H. Col. Human and Divine, co-operation of, in man's salvation, H. Phil. Human and Divine covenants, H. Gal. Human body, resurrection of, H. Phil. Humiliation and exaltation of Christ, contrasted, H. Eph. Humiliation of Christ a pattern of supreme unselfishness, H. Phil. Humility a growth, N. Eph. Humility an antidote to contention, H. Phil. Humility Christian, H. Col. Humility Christian, illustrated in character of Paul, H. Eph. Humility, Paul's, H. Eph. Husbands and wives, duties of, H. Eph. Husbands and wives, duties of, H. Col. Hypocrisy, profession without, N. Gal.

Ideal, Divine, of the Church, H. Eph. Idleness and death, I. 2 Thess. Idolatry, covetousness which is, H. Col. Ignorance of God a spiritual bondage, N. Gal. Imitation, Christian's duty and object of, H. Eph. Imitation, moral, H. Col. Imitation of God, N. Eph. Imitation of good, H. Phil. Imitators of Abraham's faith, H. Gal. Imperative claims of Divine commission, H. Gal. Important and difficult mission, H. 1 Thess. Imposition, warning against, H. 2 Thess. Incarnate Deity, H. Phil. Individual character, sowing and reaping in their bearing on formation of, H. Gal. Industry secret of success, H. 2 Thess. Industry the true charity, I. 2 Thess. Indwelling Word of Christ, H. Col. Inexorability of Law, H. Gal. Inferiority of Law, H. Gal. Infinite liberality, God's, H. Eph. Influence, moral, H. Phil. Influence, spiritual, varied aspects of, H. 1 Thess. Inheritance, Christian, assurance of, H. Eph. Inheritance of saints, Christ, N. Eph. Inheritance, saintly, meetness for, H. Col. Iniquity, mystery of, H. 2 Thess. Interruptions in our work, and the way to deal with them, H. Eph. Inviolability of Christianity, H. Gal. Inviolable unity of Gospel, H. Gal. Invisible enemies of man, H. Eph. Irrepressible, Gospel, H. Phil. Israel of God, true, H. Gal.

Jerusalem above, H. Gal. Jerusalem, type of universal church, H. Gal. Jesting and talking, against foolish, H. Eph. Jesus Christ, adoption of children by, H. Eph. Jesus Christ, believer exalted together with, H. Eph. Jesus, name of, H. Phil. Jesus, suffering for, H. Gal. Jesus, supremacy of, H. Eph. Jesus, unselfishness of, H. Gal. Jews, persecuting, H. 1 Thess. Joy, Christian, H. Phil. Joy, Christian, unity an occasion of, H. Phil. Joy, constant, I. Gal. Joy of good man in extremity, H. Phil. Joy of minister in his converts, H. 1 Thess. Joy of ministerial success, H. Phil. Joy of suffering for Church, H. Col. Joy, pure, H. Phil. Joy, religious, H. 1 Thess. Judge, Divine, H. 2 Thess. Judgment, day of, H. 2 Thess. Judgment, on troubles of Church, H. Gal. Just, resurrection of, H. Phil. Justification by faith, H. Eph. Justification, not of works, N. Gal. Justification, not of works, H. Gal. Justification, not of works, I. Gal. Justifying faith, true, is not of ourselves, N. Eph.

Knowledge and wisdom, Christ the treasury of, N. Col. Knowledge of Christ, excellent, H. Phil. Knowledge of Christ, intended for all, N. Eph. Knowledge, true, of Christ, external religionism incomparable with, H. Phil. Known and unknown love of Christ, H. Eph.

Labour, Paul's exaltation of, H. Eph. Labour, self-denying, H. 2 Thess. Large cities, dissipation of, H. Eph. Last words, H. Phil. Latitudinarianism, N. Gal. Law and faith, conflict between, H. Gal. Law and Gospel, difference between, H. Gal. Law and Gospel, history of Hagar and Sarah allegorical of, H. Gal. Law and promise, N. Gal. Law, Christ obedient to, H. Gal. Law, Christian dead to, H. Gal. Law, curse and sentence of, N. Gal. Law, fulfilled in love to others, H. Gal. Law, inexorability of, H. Gal. Law, inferiority of, H. Gal. Law is for transgressors, H. Gal. Law, lesson from the, H. Gal. Law not contrary to Divine promise, H. Gal. Law of Christian liberty, love the highest, H. Gal. Law of marriage, Christian, H. Eph. Law of mutual dependence, H. Eph. Law of retribution, H. Gal. Law, our schoolmaster, H. Gal. Law, preparing for Christ, H. Gal. Law, under, H. Gal. Law, use of, H. Gal. Leading of Spirit, N. Gal. Legal bondage and spiritual freedom contrasted, H. Gal. Legal prescriptions, no trust in, N. Gal. Legalism a relapse, H. Gal. Legalism, Christianity nullified by, H. Gal. Lesson from the Law, H. Gal. Liberality a fruit of Christian life, H. Phil. Liberality, God's infinite, H. Eph. Liberty, bondage and, H. Gal. Liberty, Christian, H. Gal. Liberty, Christian, abuse of, H. Gal. Liberty, Christian, love the highest law of, H. Gal. Liberty, Christian, right use of, H. Gal. Life and death, Christian's, H. Phil. Life and walk in Spirit, H. Gal. Life, change of, religion, H. Col. Life, Christ our, H. Col. Life, Christian, a Divine creation, H. Eph. Life, Christian, a race, H. Gal. Life, Christian, dignity of, H. Eph. Life, Christian, Lord's Supper example of, H. Col. Life, common, Christian principles applied to, H. Eph. Life, death and, with Christ, H. Col. Life, death to, transition from, H. Col. Life, future, H. Eph. Life in Christ, present condition and future glory of, H. Col. Life in early Church, glimpses of, H. Phil. Life, misspent, review of, N. Gal. Life, new, H. Col. Life of Christ, only true idea of self-devotion, H. Phil. Life of faith, H. Gal. Life of God, H. Eph. Life of love, H. Eph. Life, wise conduct of, H. Eph. Life, wise conduct of, H. Col. Life, word of, living ministry and living Church, H. Phil. Light, children of darkness and of, H. Eph. Light, from darkness to, H. Col. Light, in darkness, N. Eph. Light, meetness for inheritance of saints in, H. Col. Light, of God, H. Eph. Light, spiritual, summons to, H. Eph. Likeness to God, H. Eph. Living and dying, Christian's estimate of, H. Phil. Living ministry and living Church: Word of life, H. Phil. Looking on things of others, H. Phil. Lord, day of, H. 1 Thess. Lord Jesus, marks of, H. Gal. Lord, one, H. Eph. Lord, rejoicing in, H. Phil. Lord's Supper example of Christian life, H. Col. Love an attendant of regeneration, H. Gal. Love and patience, Divine, H. 2 Thess. Love and truth, growth into Christ in, H. Eph. Love, brotherly, H. 1 Thess. Love in action, H. Eph. Love, Christ's for the Church, H. Eph. Love, Christian prayer for, H. Phil. Love, faith working by, religion is, H. Gal. Love for preacher, H. Gal. Love, life of, H. Eph. Love of Christ, H. Eph. Love of God, adopting, H. Eph. Love of Son of God to men, H. Gal. Love, perfection of character, N. Gal. Love, perfection of Christian character, H. Col. Love, powers of, H. Gal. Love, service of, H. Gal. Love, the highest law of Christian liberty, H. Gal. Love to others, Law fulfilled in, H. Gal. Loving Christ in sincerity, H. Eph. Lustre of blameless life, H. Phil.

Maintenance, ministerial, N. Gal. Maintenance, ministerial, H. 2 Thess. Malice incompatible with Christian character, H. Eph. Man and man, truth between, H. Eph. Man, Christian brotherhood of, H. Eph. Man, faith of, and faithfulness of God, H. 1 Thess. Man, great change effected in, by Gospel, H. Eph. Man, invisible enemies of, H. Eph. Man, justified by faith alone, I. Gal. Man, mortification of sinful principle in, H. Col. Man, unity of God and His purpose regarding, H. Gal. Man, without God, N. Eph. Man's care and God's work--salvation, H. Phil. Man's duty to offer spiritual sacrifice inferred and recommended, Christ's sacrifice of Himself explained, and, H. Eph. Man's final blessedness, condition of, H. Col. Man's need supplied from God's riches, H. Phil. Manhood, true Christian, H. Eph. Manifold wisdom of God, H. Eph. Manners, bad, reform of, H. Gal. Mark, Gospel according to, H. Eph. Mark, pressing toward, H. Phil. Marks of false philosophy, H. Col. Marks of Lord Jesus, H. Gal. Marked men, H. Gal. Marriage, Christian law of, H. Eph. Masters, accountable to God, N. Eph. Masters, and servants, duties of, N. and H. Eph. Masters, and servants, duties of, H. Col. Maturity, Christian, H. Eph. Mediator, effectual, I. Gal. Mediator, Great, reconciling work of, H. Col. Medical profession, religion and the, H. Col. Meek, who are the? I. Gal. Meekness and affection, power of, N. Gal. Meekness and anger, H. Eph. Meetness for saintly inheritance, H. Col. Members of body of Christ, H. Eph. Memory, H. 2 Thess. Memories, happy, H. Phil. Men, love of Son of God to, H. Gal. Men, marked, H. Gal. Men, state of, without Gospel, H. Eph. Mercantile virtues without Christianity, H. Phil. Messenger, Divinely commissioned, self-evidencing proof of, H. Gal. Messenger of God, authority of, H. Gal. Messenger, trusted, H. Eph. Mind which was in Christ, Christian temper the same, H. Phil. Mind your own business, H. 1 Thess. Minister, boldness a duty in a, H. Eph. Minister, devoted Christian, H. Phil. Minister, faithful, N. Eph. Minister, God-made, N. Eph. Minister, joy of, in his converts, H. 1 Thess. Minister, true qualification of, H. Gal. Ministers, prayer for, H. 2 Thess. Ministerial anxiety, N. Gal. Ministerial anxiety, H. Col. Ministerial anxiety, for welfare of Church, N. Phil. Ministerial anxiety, prayer an expression of, H. 2 Thess. Ministerial authority, Divine blessing highest sanction of, N. Gal. Ministerial commission, exalted, H. Eph. Ministerial life, anxieties of, H. Phil. Ministerial maintenance, N. Gal. Ministerial maintenance, H. 2 Thess. Ministerial office, treatment due to, H. 1 Thess. Ministerial request, H. 2 Thess. Ministerial satisfaction, steadfastness of believers a source of true, H. 1 Thess. Ministerial success, joy of, H. Phil. Ministerial thanksgiving, H. 1 Thess. Ministerial thanksgiving, causes of, H. Col. Ministry, apostle's view of his, H. Eph. Ministry, Christian, H. Col. Ministry, Christian, efficacy of, H. Gal. Ministry, Christian, pre-eminent honour and sublime theme of, H. Col. Ministry, Christian, real and counterfeit in, H. Phil. Ministry, Christian, solemn and responsible trust, H. Col. Ministry, fidelity in, H. Gal. Ministry, of Paul's bonds, H. Phil. Ministry, public, H. 1 Thess. Ministry, spurious, H. Phil. 315 Ministry, work of, H. Eph. Miracles, confirmatory of truth, N. Gal. Mirth, Christian _versus_ drunken, H. Eph. Mission, Christ's for adoption of sons in fulness of time, H. Gal. Mission, difficult and important, H. 1 Thess. Mission, projected Christian, H. Phil. Mission, special, recognition of, H. Gal. Misspent life, review of, N. Gal. Mistaken zeal, H. Gal. Model pastor, H. Col. Moral bravery, picture of, H. Eph. Moral character, prayer for completeness of, H. 2 Thess. Moral creation, relation of Christ to, H. Col. Moral feeling, high, that should influence preacher, H. 1 Thess. Moral imitation, H. Col. Moral influence, H. Phil. Moral sleep, H. 1 Thess. Moral sowing and reaping, H. Gal. Moral stupidity, H. Eph. Moral transformation, thorough, H. Eph. Moral translation, great, H. Col. Mortification of sinful principle in man, H. Col. Mosaic Law, God's sabbatic law antedated, N. Gal. Mutual dependence, law of, H. Eph. Mutual duties of children and parents, H. Eph. Mutual submission, H. Eph. Mutual sympathy in burden-bearing, H. Gal. Mystery, fellowship of, H. Eph. Mystery, Gospel a, H. Eph. Mystery, of election, N. Eph. Mystery of Gospel, H. Eph. Mystery of iniquity, H. 2 Thess.

Name of Christ, doing all in, H. Col. Name of Jesus, H. Phil. Names in book, H. Phil. Nations, all, blessed in Abraham, N. Gal. Nature and by grace, state by, H. Eph. Nature, change of, religious affections are attended with, H. Eph. Nature, new, necessity of, N. Gal. Nature, new, spiritual, H. Col. Nature, putting off old, and putting on new, H. Eph. Nature, source, and purpose of spiritual blessings, H. Eph. Nature, state of, H. Eph. Nearness to God, H. Eph. Necessity and perils of affliction, H. 1 Thess. Necessity of new nature, N. Gal. Need, man's supplied from God's riches, H. Phil. Need, our, and our supply, H. Phil. Neighbour's rights, regard for, I. Gal. New birth begins our true life, I. Gal. New converts, dealing with, H. 1 Thess. New creature, N. Gal. New fury of old religion against, H. 1 Thess. New life, H. Col. New nature, necessity of, N. Gal. New nature, putting off old and putting on, H. Eph. New spirit, Christian spirit a, H. Eph. New spiritual creation, N. Eph. New spiritual nature, H. Col. News, good, and its good effects, H. Col. News that gladdens, H. 1 Thess. Noble attitude of sufferer for truth, H. Phil. Noble self-sacrifice, I. Eph. Non-age of pre-Christian world, H. Gal.

Obedience, H. Eph. Obedience, Christian, H. 2 Thess. Obedience should be prompt, N. 2 Thess. Object and duty of Christian's imitation, H. Eph. Odium of cross of Christ, H. Gal. Office of Holy Spirit and danger of grieving Him, H. Eph. Offspring, God's, N. Gal. Old nature, putting off, and putting on new, H. Eph. Old religion, fury of, against new, H. 1 Thess. Omnipresent God, H. 2 Thess. One body and one Spirit, N. Eph. One family, H. Eph. One Gospel, H. Gal. One in Christ, all are, H. Gal. One Lord, H. Eph. One Spirit, one body and, H. Eph. Oneness of Church, H. Eph. Opportunity of beneficence, H. Gal. Order and stability, apostolic praise of, H. Col. Ordinances, handwriting of, H. Col. Origin of Gospel, superhuman, H. Gal. Others, looking on things of, H. Phil. Others, sins of, H. Gal. 101

Pacific spirit proof of true sanctification, H. 1 Thess. Pardon an act of sovereign grace, N. Eph. Parents and children, duties of, H. Eph. Parents and children, duties of, H. Col. Past feeling, N. Eph. Pastor, model, H. Col. Pastors and people, H. Gal. Patience and love, Divine, H. 2 Thess. Pattern, Christ our, H. Phil. Paul an example to believers, H. Phil. Paul, Christian humility illustrated in character of, H. Eph. Paul, conversion and vocation of, H. Gal. Paul's bonds, ministry of, H. Phil. Paul's doctrine of Christian ethics, H. Eph. Paul's exaltation of labour, H. Eph. Paul's humility, H. Eph. Paul's introduction to Ephesian Epistle, H. Eph. Paul's prayer for Colossians, H. Col. Paul's prayer for Ephesians, H. Eph. Paul's prayer for Thessalonians, H. 2 Thess. Peace, Divine, rule of, H. Col. Peace, Gospel of, H. Eph. Peace, grace and, H. Gal. Peace in danger, I. 2 Thess. Peace of God keeping heart, H. Phil. Peace the bond of unity, H. Eph. Peace, unity and, H. Col. Peacemaker, Christ great, H. Eph. Peacemaker, death a, N. Eph. People, pastors and, H. Gal. Perfection, believer's Divine fulness of Christ pledge of, H. Col. Perfection is attained, how, N. Gal. Perfection of character, love, N. Gal. Perfection of Christian character, love, H. Col. Perils and necessity of affliction, H. 1 Thess. Perils of false teaching, H. Gal. Perils of suffering, H. 1 Thess. Perils, peculiar, Christian ministry is surrounded by, H. Col. Perpetual thanksgiving of Christian life, H. 1 Thess. Perplexity, preacher's, H. Gal. Persecuting Jews, H. 1 Thess. Persecution, Christianity and, H. Gal. Persecution, on, H. Gal. Perseverance, Christian, hope stimulus to, H. Col. Perseverance of saints, H. Phil. Personal blessings of reconciliation, H. Col. Personal influence, harmony of Christianity in its, H. Eph. Personal piety, prayer for growth in, H. 1 Thess. Perversion of apostolic preaching, H. Gal. Perversion of truth, H. Gal. Phases of apostolic greeting, H. 1 Thess. Phases of apostolic greeting, H. 2 Thess. Philippi, commencement of gospel at, H. Phil. Philippians, Epistle to--Philippi and the Philippians, N. Phil. Philippians, Epistle to--place and time of writing Epistle, N. Phil. Philippians, Epistle to--occasion and contents of Epistle, N. Phil. Philosophic vagaries, H. Col. Philosophy, false, marks of, H. Col. Picture of moral bravery, H. Eph. Piety in household, H. Col. Piety, personal, prayer for growth in, H. 1 Thess. Pilgrims on enchanted ground, H. 1 Thess. Plea for steadfastness, H. Phil. Pleadings of anxious teacher with his pupils in peril, H. Gal. Poetry of Christian life, H. Col. Poor, Christian duty to, N. Gal. Poor, remember the, H. Gal. Poor, representative of Christ, I. Gal. Positiveness of Divine life, H. Gal. Poverty and Christianity, H. Gal. Power, Christian's, source of, H. Phil. Power, Gospel in word and in, H. 1 Thess. Power, of Christ's resurrection, H. Phil. Power, of example, N. Gal. Power, of example, H. 1 Thess. Power of God in conversion, N. Eph. Power of Gospel, N. Gal. Power of Gospel to dissolve enmity of heart, N. Eph. Power of meekness and affection, N. Gal. Power of Satan great but restricted, H. 1 Thess. Power of truth, H. Gal. Powers of love, H. Gal. Practical atheism, H. Eph. Practical Christian benevolence, H. Phil. Practical Christian sympathy, H. Gal. Practical life, Christ in, H. Col. Practical proofs of apostleship, H. Gal. Practical result of true reception of Gospel, H. 1 Thess. Praise, eternal, should be offered unto God, H. Phil. Praise for work of Trinity in Gospel of grace, H. Eph. Pray for us, H. 1 Thess. Prayer, access to God in, H. Eph. Prayer, an expression of ministerial anxiety, H. 2 Thess. Prayer and thanksgiving, H. 1 Thess. Prayer, Christian law of, H. Eph. Prayer, Christian, witness of Christian citizenship, H. Eph. Prayer, comprehensive apostolic, H. Gal. Prayer, comprehensive apostolic, H. 1 Thess. Prayer, definiteness in, H. Phil. Prayer, duty of, H. Eph. Prayer, efficacy of, H. Col. Prayer, for Christian love, H. Phil. Prayer, for completeness of moral character, H. 2 Thess. Prayer, for higher spiritual knowledge, H. Eph. Prayer, for ministers, H. 2 Thess. Prayer, for sanctification, H. 1 Thess. Prayer, Paul's, for Colossians, H. Col. Prayer, Paul's, for Ephesians, H. Eph. Prayer, Paul's, for Thessalonians, H. 2 Thess. Prayer, programme of, H. Eph. Prayer, subjects of, H. Phil. Prayer, sublime and comprehensive, H. Eph. Prayer, true, H. Phil. Praying and preaching, H. Col. Praying in Spirit, H. Eph. Praying with all prayer, H. Eph. Preacher, high moral feeling that should influence, H. 1 Thess. Preacher, love for, H. Gal. Preacher, successful, H. Col. Preacher's perplexity, H. Gal. Preaching and praying, H. Col. Preaching, apostolic, H. Col. Preaching, apostolic, characterised by transparent truth, H. 1 Thess. Preaching, apostolic, perversion of, H. Gal. Preaching, effective, secret of, H. Col. Preaching, essential elements of success in, H. 1 Thess. Preaching of Gospel not in vain, H. 1 Thess. Precepts, Christian, group of, H. 1 Thess. Pre-Christian world, non-age of, H. Gal. Predestination, doctrine of, N. Eph. Prescriptions, legal, no trust in, N. Gal. Present condition and future glory of life in Christ, H. Col. Presentation of two great truths, N. Col. Pressing towards mark, H. Phil. Principle of spiritual harvest, H. Gal. Principles above rules, N. Col. Principles, Christian, applied to common life, H. Eph. Prison, great, N. Gal. Privilege of access to Father, H. Eph. Privileges and character of children of God, H. Gal. Profession of Gospel, uncleanness inconsistent with, H. 1 Thess. Profession without hypocrisy, N. Gal. Programme of prayer, H. Eph. Progress of revelation, H. Gal. Progress, retrospection the basis of, H. Col. Projected Christian mission, H. Phil. Promise and Law, N. Gal. Promise, believers children of, H. Gal. Promise, Divine, covenant of, H. Gal. Promise, Divine, law not contrary to, H. Gal. Promise, Gospel call and, H. Eph. Promise, heirs according to, H. Gal. Promise of grace, N. Gal. Proof, confirmatory, of Divine call, H. Gal. Proof, practical, of apostleship, H. Gal. Prophesyings, despise not, H. 1 Thess. Prosperous Church, congratulatory features of, H. 2 Thess. Prove all things, H. 1 Thess. Public ministry, H. 1 Thess. Public reading of Holy Scriptures important means of Church edification, H. Col. Public reading of Holy Scriptures important means of Church edification, H. 1 Thess. Public worship, abuse of, H. 1 Thess. Pupils in peril, pleadings of anxious teacher with his, H. Gal. Pure joy, H. Phil.

Qualification for heaven, H. Col. Qualification of true minister, H. Gal. Quarrels, Church, N. Gal. Quench not Spirit, H. 1 Thess. Questions, searching, H. Gal. Quiet, study to be, H. 1 Thess. Quietness, way to value, I. 2 Thess.

Race, Christian life a, H. Gal. Rationalism, H. 1 Thess. Reading, public, of Holy Scriptures important means of Church edification, H. Col. Reading, public, of Holy Scriptures important means of Church edification, H. 1 Thess. Ready to go, but willing to wait, H. Phil. Real and ceremonial in religion, H. Col. Real and counterfeit in Christian ministry, H. Phil. Reap if we faint not, H. Gal. Reaping, moral sowing and, H. Gal. Reaping, sowing and, in their bearing on formation of individual character, H. Gal. Reason for conscientiousness, I. 1 Thess. Reasonableness of faith, H. Gal. Reception of Gospel, true, practical result of, H. 1 Thess. Recognition of special mission, H. Gal. Recompense of suffering for truth, H. 2 Thess. Reconciler, Christ the, H. Col. Reconciliation, holiness supreme end of, H. Col. Reconciliation, personal blessings of, H. Col. Reconciling work of great Mediator, H. Col. Rectitude, Christian, H. Phil. Redeemer, Christ the, H. Phil. Redeeming the time, H. Eph. Redemption and its issues, H. Gal. Redemption, great blessing of, H. Col. Redemption of time, H. Eph. Redemption through Christ, H. Eph. Reform of bad manners, H. Gal. Reformation, Christian, H. Gal. Refractory, treatment of, H. 2 Thess. Regard for neighbour's rights, I. Gal. Regeneration, love an attendant of, H. Gal. Rejoice evermore, H. 1 Thess. Rejoicing in Lord, H. Phil. Relapse, legalism a, H. Gal. Relation of Christ to God and all created things, H. Col. Relation to moral creation, H. Col. Religion a change of life, H. Col. Religion and the medical profession, H. Col. Religion, ceremonial and real in, H. Col. Religion, ceremonial in, transitory and unsatisfying, H. Col. Religion, Christian, truth and divinity of, H. Eph. Religion, false and true in, H. Phil. Religion, genuine, illustrated, H. 2 Thess. Religion, is faith working by love, H. Gal. Religion, true, scriptural view of, H. Gal. Religion, true and self-revealing, H. Eph. Religionism, external, incomparable with true knowledge of Christ, H. Phil. Religious affections are attended with change of nature, H. Eph. Religious comfort, elements of, H. Eph. Religious joy, H. 1 Thess. Religious life of apostle, H. Gal. Remedy for worldly care, H. Phil. Remember the poor, H. Gal. Remonstrance with revolters against Gospel, H. Gal. Reproof, brotherly, N. Gal. Reproof, faithful, N. Gal. Reproof, right mode of giving and receiving, H. Gal. Request, ministerial, H. 2 Thess. Respect for conscientiousness, I. 1 Thess. Rest in heaven for trouble, H. 2 Thess. Restoration of erring, H. Gal. Result, practical, of true reception of Gospel, H. 1 Thess. Resurrection, attainment of, H. Phil. Resurrection, Christ's, power of, H. Phil. Resurrection, of body, H. 1 Thess. Resurrection of dead an object to aim at, H. Phil. Resurrection of human body, H. Phil. Retirement preparation for work, H. Gal. Retreat, cowardly, I. Gal. Retribution, Divine, H. 2 Thess. Retribution, law of, H. Gal. Retrospection the basis of progress, H. Col. Revelation, Christ a, because equal to Father, H. Col. Revelation, progress of, H. Gal. Revelation, supernatural, N. Gal. Review of misspent life, N. Gal. Revival, evidences and effects of, H. 1 Thess. Revolters against Gospel, remonstrance with, H. Gal. Riches, God's, man's need supplied from, H. Phil. Riches of Christ, N. Eph. Riches, unsearchable, of Christ, N. Eph. Right mode of giving and receiving reproof, H. Gal. Right use of Christian liberty, H. Gal. Rights, regard for neighbour's, I. Gal. Righteousness attained by active faith, N. Gal. Righteousness, fruits of, H. Phil. Righteousness, through faith, H. Gal. Risen with Christ, H. Col. Rites, external, Christianity superior to, H. Gal. Ritualist, zealous, H. Gal. Rule of Christian conduct, N. Eph. Rule of Divine peace, H. Col. Rules, principles above, N. Col.

Sabbath, shadow and substance of, H. Col. Sabbatic law, God's antedated Mosaic Law, N. Gal. Sacrifice, Christ our, H. Gal. Sacrifice, Christ's, of Himself explained, and man's duty to offer spiritual sacrifice inferred and recommended, H. Eph. Sacrifice of Christ, H. Eph. Safeguards against error, H. Phil. Saints, Christ the inheritance of, H. Eph. Saints, communion of, H. Eph. Saints, perseverance of, H. Phil. Saints, what, should be, N. 2 Thess. Sainthood, glory of, H. 2 Thess. Saintly inheritance, meetness for, H. Col. Salutation, apostolic, H. Eph. Salutation, apostolic, H. Col. Salutation, Christian, N. Gal. Salvation, a Divine act, H. 2 Thess. Salvation, an act of Divine grace, H. Eph. Salvation, believer's, grounds of confidence in, H. Phil. Salvation by faith, H. Eph. Salvation, false methods of, H. Gal. Salvation, God's work and man's care, H. Phil. Salvation, Gospel of your, H. Eph. Salvation is of God, H. 1 Thess. Salvation is of grace, H. Eph. Salvation, man's, co-operation of Divine and human in, H. Phil. Same, true Gospel universally the, H. Col. Sanctification of complete man, H. 1 Thess. Sanctification, prayer for, H. 1 Thess. Sanctification, true, brotherly love proof of, H. 1 Thess. Sanctification, true, distinctive features of, H. 1 Thess. Sanctification, true, pacific spirit, another proof of, H. 1 Thess. Sanctifier, Holy Ghost the, H. 2 Thess. Sanction of ministerial authority, Divine blessing highest, N. Gal. Sanctity, higher, earnest exhortation to, H. 1 Thess. Sanctity of home-life, N. Eph. Sarah and Hagar, history of, allegorical of Gospel and Law, H. Gal. Satan, power of, great but restricted, H. 1 Thess. Satanic hindrances, H. 1 Thess. Schoolmaster, Law our, H. Gal. Science of Christian ethics, H. Phil. Scriptural view of true religion, H. Gal. Sealing of Spirit, N. Eph. Searching questions, H. Gal. Second advent of Christ, H. 1 Thess. Second advent of Christ, waiting for, H. 2 Thess. Second coming of Christ, attitude of Church towards, H. 1 Thess. Second coming of Christ, and sorrow for dead, H. 1 Thess. Secret of effective preaching, H. Col. Secret of happy life, H. 1 Thess. Secret of success, industry, H. 2 Thess. Seductive peril of false philosophy, H. Col. Seeking things above, H. Col. Self abolished and replaced, I. Gal. Self-conscious truth, H. Gal. Self-denying labour, H. 2 Thess. Self-devotion, life of Christ only true idea of, H. Phil. Self-evidencing proof of Divinely commissioned messenger, H. Gal. Self-sacrifice, noble, I. Eph. Self-recollectedness and ejaculatory prayer, H. 1 Thess. Sensual and spiritual excitement, H. Eph. Sentence of Law, curse and, N. Gal. Servant, God glorified in His, H. Gal. Servant of Christ, H. Gal. Servants and masters, duties of, H. Eph. Servants and masters, duties of, H. Col. Service of love, H. Gal. Servitude, Christian, H. Eph. Sevenfold unity of Church reflected in trinity of Divine Persons, H. Eph. Shadow and substance of sabbath, H. Col. Side-lights on Church-life in early times, H. Col. Sin, all included under, N. Gal. Sin, Biblical account of, N. Gal. Sin, destructive subtlety of, H. 2 Thess. Sin, forgiveness of, errors respecting, H. Eph. Sin of falsehood, H. Eph. Sin, state of, a state of death, H. Eph. Sin, state of ungodliness, H. Eph. Sins of others, H. Gal. Sincerity in youth, value of, H. Phil. Sincerity, loving Christ in, H. Eph. Sinful anger, H. Eph. Sinful principle in man, mortification of, H. Col. Singing in worship of God, H. Eph. Sinners, call of Gospel to, H. Eph. Sleep, moral, H. 1 Thess. Sleep of faithful departed, H. 1 Thess. Slumbering souls and their awakening, H. Eph. Sobriety, Christian, inculcated, H. Eph. Solitude of great city, H. 1 Thess. Son of God, love of, to men, H. Gal. Sonship, evidences of, H. Gal. Sonship with God, dignity of, H. Gal. Sorrow for dead, H. 1 Thess. Soul, believing, manner in which Gospel comes to, H. 1 Thess. Soul, Christmas of, N. Gal. Soul, completing of, H. Col. Soul, higher aspirations of, H. Col. Souls, slumbering, and their awakening, H. Eph. Source of Christian's power, H. Phil. Sovereign grace, pardon an act of, N. Eph. Sowers to flesh, deceived, H. Gal. Sowing and reaping in their bearing on formation of individual character, H. Gal. Sowing and reaping, moral, H. Gal. Sowing to flesh and to spirit, difference between, H. Gal. Sowing to Spirit, H. Gal. Special mission, recognition of, H. Gal. Spirit, being filled with, H. Eph. Spirit, benefit conferred by, on believers, H. Eph. Spirit, Bible sword of, H. Eph. Spirit, Christian, a new spirit, H. Eph. Spirit, flesh and, H. Gal. Spirit, fruit of, H. Gal. Spirit, leading of, N. Gal. Spirit, one body and one, H. Eph. Spirit, praying in, H. Eph. Spirit, quench not, H. 1 Thess. Spirit, sealing of, N. Eph. Spirit, sowing to, H. Gal. Spirit, walking in, H. Gal. Spiritual and sensual excitement, H. Eph. Spiritual attainment, H. Phil. Spiritual blessings, H. Eph. Spiritual blessings, apprehension of, H. Eph. Spiritual bondage, ignorance of God a, N. Gal. Spiritual building, Church of God a, H. Eph. Spiritual circumcision, H. Phil. Spiritual creation, new, H. Eph. Spiritual discrimination, H. Phil. Spiritual enjoyment, H. Eph. Spiritual enlightenment, N. Eph. Spiritual freedom and legal bondage contrasted, H. Gal. Spiritual harvest, principle of, H. Gal. Spiritual influence, varied aspects of, H. 1 Thess. Spiritual knowledge, higher, prayer for, H. Eph. Spiritual life, death and, H. Col. Spiritual light, summons to, H. Eph. Spiritual nature, new, H. Col. Spiritual sacrifice, man's duty to offer, inferred and recommended, and Christ's sacrifice of Himself explained, H. Eph. Spurious ministry, H. Phil. Spy, a, I. Gal. Stability and order, apostolic praise of, H. Col. State by nature and by grace, H. Eph. State of grace, H. Eph. State of men without Gospel, H. Eph. State of nature, H. Eph. State of sin a state of death, H. Eph. State of sin a state of ungodliness, H. Eph. Steadfastness, Christian, H. 2 Thess. Steadfastness, glad tidings of, H. 1 Thess. Steadfastness of believers a source of true ministerial satisfaction, H. 1 Thess. Steadfastness, plea for, H. Phil. Stimulus to Christian perseverance, hope a, H. Col. Strength, Divine, H. Col. Strife of flesh and spirit, H. Gal. Strong delusions, H. 2 Thess. Study to be quiet, H. 1 Thess. Stupidity, moral, H. Eph. Sublime and comprehensive prayer, H. Eph. Submission, mutual, H. Eph. Substance and shadow of sabbath, H. Col. Subtlety of sin, destructive, H. 2 Thess. Success in preaching, essential elements of, H. 1 Thess. Success, ministerial, joy of, H. Phil. Success, secret of, industry, H. 2 Thess. Successful preacher, H. Col. Suffering and conflict, H. Phil. Suffering, courage under, N. Eph. Suffering for Church, joy of, H. Col. Suffering for Jesus, H. Gal. Suffering for truth, N. Gal. Suffering for truth, recompense of, H. 2 Thess. Suffering, perils of, H. 1 Thess. Suffering test of conversion, H. 1 Thess. Suffering, uses of, N. Gal. Sufferings, Christ's, fellowship of, H. Phil. Suggestive benediction, H. Eph. Suggestive features of Christian life, H. Col. Summary of law of Christian duty, suggestive, H. Col. Summons to spiritual light, H. Eph. Superhuman origin of Gospel, H. Gal. Superhuman origin of Gospel, N. Gal. Supernatural revelation, N. Gal. Supper, Lord's, sample of Christian life, H. Col. Supply, our need and our, H. Phil. Supremacy of Jesus, H. Eph. Sword of Spirit, Bible, H. Eph. Sympathy, mutual, in burden-bearing, H. Gal. Sympathy, practical Christian, H. Gal.

Talking and jesting, against foolish, H. Eph. Teacher, anxious, pleadings of, with his pupils in peril, H. Gal. Teachers, false, apostolic exposure of, H. Gal. Teaching, false, perils of, H. Gal. Teachings of baptism, H. Gal. Temper, Christian, the same mind which was in Christ, H. Phil. Temper to be cultivated in Christians of different denominations toward each other, H. Phil. Temple of God, Church the, H. Eph. Test and excellence, Christian's truest, H. Eph. Test of conversion--suffering, H. 1 Thess. Thanksgiving and prayer, H. 1 Thess. Thanksgiving, duty of, H. Eph. Thanksgiving, ministerial, H. 1 Thess. Thanksgiving, ministerial, causes of, H. Col. Thanksgiving, perpetual, of Christian life, H. 1 Thess. Theft, warning against, H. Eph. Thessalonians, First Epistle to--contents of the epistle, N. 1 Thess. Thessalonians, First Epistle to--occasion and design of Epistle, N. 1 Thess. Thessalonians, First Epistle to--Thessalonica and its Church, N. 1 Thess. Thessalonians, Second Epistle to--occasion and design of Epistle, N. 2 Thess. Thessalonians, Second Epistle to--outline of Epistle, N. 2 Thess. Thessalonians, Second Epistle to--style and character of Epistle, N. 2 Thess. Thessalonians, Paul's prayer for, H. 2 Thess. Thorough moral transformation, H. Eph. Tidings, glad, of Christian steadfastness, H. 1 Thess. Time, fulness of, H. Gal. Time, redeeming the, H. Eph. Time, worth of, H. Col. Tongue, government of, H. Eph. Touching and dignified farewell, H. Gal. Transcendent love of Christ, H. Eph. Transformation, thorough moral, H. Eph. Transgressors, Law is for, H. Gal. Transition from death to life, H. Col. Transitory and unsatisfying, ceremonial in religion, H. Col. Translation, great moral, H. Col. Treasures of wisdom in Christ, hidden, H. Col. Treasury of wisdom and knowledge, Christ the, N. Col. Treatment due to ministerial office, H. 1 Thess. Treatment, false brethren and their, H. Gal. Treatment of refractory, H. 2 Thess. Trials, apathy one of our, N. Gal. Trinity in unity, access to God revealing, H. Eph. Trinity of Divine persons, sevenfold unity of Church reflected in, H. Eph. Trinity, praise for work of, in Gospel of Grace, H. Eph. Trinity, the, H. 1 Thess. Triumph of cross, H. Col. Troubled, rest in heaven for, H. 2 Thess. Troubles of Church, judgment on, H. Gal. True and false in religion, H. Phil. True and false zeal, H. Gal. True baptism, H. Col. True charity, industry the, I. 2 Thess. True Christian manhood, H. Eph. True Christian zeal, H. Gal. True Church-life, N. Eph. True circumcision, H. Col. True contentment, tendency of Christian principles to produce, H. Phil. True devotion, H. Col. True glory of Christian, H. Gal. True Gospel to be preached and believed, H. Gal. True Gospel universally the same, H. Col. True Israel of God, H. Gal. True life, new birth begins our, I. Gal. True minister, qualification of, H. Gal. True prayer, H. Phil. True religion self-revealing, H. Eph. True religion, scriptural view of, H. Gal. True use of Law, H. Gal. Trust, Christian ministry solemn and responsible, H. Col. Trust, no, in legal prescriptions, N. Gal. Trusted messenger, H. Eph. Truth and Divinity of Christian religion, H. Eph. Truth and love, growth into Christ in, H. Eph. Truth between man and man, H. Eph. Truth, Christ's, in relation to our daily conversation, H. Col. Truth, fidelity to, N. Gal. Truth, fundamental, fearless defence of, H. Gal. Truth, girdle of, H. Eph. Truth, its own evidence, H. Gal. Truth, miracles confirmatory of, N. Gal. Truth, not to be yielded, N. Gal. Truth, perversion of, H. Gal. Truth, power of, H. Gal. Truth, self-conscious, H. Gal. Truth, sufferer for, noble attitude of, H. Phil. Truth, suffering for, N. Gal. Truth, suffering for, recompense of, H. 2 Thess. Truth, transparent, apostolic preaching characterised by, H. 1 Thess. Truths to live on, N. Gal. Truths, two great, presentation of, H. Col. Turncoats, dilemma of, H. Gal. Twofold burdens, our, N. Gal.

Unbelief, H. 2 Thess. Unbelievers, fate of, H. Gal. Uncleanness inconsistent with profession of Gospel, H. 1 Thess. Under Law, H. Gal. Ungodliness, state of sin a state of, H. Eph. Unity and concord in Church, H. Phil. Unity and peace, H. Col. Unity, Christian, H. Col. Unity, Christian, an occasion of joy, H. Phil. Unity, of Church, H. Eph. Unity, of God and His purpose regarding man, H. Gal. Unity of Gospel, inviolable, H. Gal. Unity, peace the bond of, H. Eph. Unity, sevenfold, of Church reflected in Trinity of Divine Persons, H. Eph. Unity, Trinity in, access to God revealing, H. Eph. Universal Church, Jerusalem type of, H. Gal. Universal homage, Christ worthy of, H. Phil. Unknown and known love of Christ, H. Eph. Unsatisfying and transitory, ceremonial in religion, H. Col. Unsearchable riches of Christ, N. Eph. Unselfishness of Jesus, H. Gal. Unselfishness, supreme, humiliation of Christ a pattern of, H. Phil. Unswerving fidelity in accomplishing its lofty mission, Christian ministry demands, H. Col. Us, pray for, H. 1 Thess. Use, right, of Christian liberty, H. Gal.

Vagaries, philosophic, H. Col. Vain-gloriousness, H. Gal. Vain-glory, vice of, and its cure, H. Gal. Value of sincerity in youth, H. Phil. Varied aspects of spiritual influence, H. 1 Thess. Vice of drunkenness, H. Eph. Vice of vain-glory and its cure, H. Gal. Vices to be renounced and virtues to be cherished, H. Eph. Virtues, mercantile, without Christianity, H. Phil. Virtues to be cherished and vices to be renounced, H. Eph. Vocation, conversion and, of Paul, H. Gal.

Waiting for second advent, H. 2 Thess. Walk in Spirit, life and, H. Gal. Walking circumspectly, H. Eph. Walking in Spirit, H. Gal. Warfare, Christian, H. Eph. Warning, a--Gentile life, H. Eph. Warning against imposition, H. 2 Thess. Warning against theft, H. Eph. Warnings, emphatic, against false teachers, H. Phil. Warrior, Christian, equipped, H. Eph. Weariness in well-doing, against, H. Gal. Weary in well-doing, H. 2 Thess. Welfare of Church, ministerial anxiety for, N. Phil. Well-doing, H. Gal. Well-doing, against weariness in, H. Gal. Well-doing, weary in, H. 2 Thess. What is your heart filled with? H. Eph. Wheat is better than bread, H. Col. Whole armour of God, H. Eph. Wickedness, fellowship in, and its condemnation, H. Eph. Wiles of devil, H. Eph. Willing to wait, but ready to go, H. Phil. Wisdom, Christian, H. Eph. Wisdom, hidden treasures of, in Christ, H. Col. Wisdom of God, manifold, H. Eph. Wise conduct of life, H. Eph. Wise conduct of life, H. Col. Witness, Church a, N. Gal. Wives and husbands, duties of, H. Eph. Wives and husbands, duties of, H. Col. Word and in power, Gospel in, H. 1 Thess. Word, closing, H. 1 Thess. Word of Christ, indwelling, H. Col. Word of God, efficacy of, and way of receiving it, H. 1 Thess. Word of life: living ministry and living Church, H. Phil. Word to despiser, H. 1 Thess. Words, last, H. Phil. Words of farewell, H. Col. Work and Christianity, H. 2 Thess. Work, best, call to do, H. 2 Thess. Work, Christian, disappointed hopes in, H. Gal. Work, interruptions in our, and way to deal with them, H. Eph. Work, man's and God's, H. Phil. Work of ministry, H. Eph. Work, retirement preparation for, H. Gal. Works, justification by faith not by, N. Gal. Works, justification by faith not by, H. Gal. Works of darkness, N. Eph. Works of flesh, H. Gal. Working out salvation harmonises with free grace, H. Phil. World, Christians examples to, H. Phil. World, pre-Christian, non-age of, H. Gal. Worlds, both, believer's portion in, H. Phil. Worldly care, remedy for, H. Phil. Worship of God, singing in, H. Eph. Worship, public, abuse of, H. 1 Thess. Worst of evils, H. Eph. Worth, attractiveness of, I. Gal. Worth of time, H. Col. Wrath, children of, H. Eph. Wrath of God, H. Col. Wrath to come, H. 1 Thess.

Youth, value of sincerity in, H. Phil.

Zeal, H. Gal. Zeal, Christian, H. Gal. Zeal, mistaken, H. Gal. Zeal, true and false, H. Gal. Zealous ritualist, H. Gal.

HOMILIES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.

_Church Seasons:_

Advent, Eph. v. 13, 14; 1 Thess. iii. 13 _b_; iv. 15-18; v. 1-11; 2 Thess. iii. 5.

Christmas, Gal. iv. 4.

Lent, Col. ii. 21-23; iii. 5-9.

Good Friday, Gal. i. 4; vi. 14, 15; Phil. ii. 8; Col. ii. 15.

St. Mark's day, Eph. iv. 7.

Ascension Day, Eph. iv. 9, 10; Phil. iii. 10; Col. iii. 1, 2.

Whit Sunday, Gal. v. 22-26; 25; Eph. i. 13; iv. 30; 2 Thess. ii. 13.

Trinity Sunday, Eph. ii. 18; iv. 4-6.

_Holy Communion:_ Eph. ii. 19; iii. 15; Col. iii. 17.

_Missions to Heathen:_ Eph. ii. 3; 11, 12; iii. 1-6.

Bible Society, Eph. vi. 17.

_Evangelistic Services:_ Eph. i. 7, 8; ii. 1-3; 4-9; Col. i. 13, 14; ii. 13, 14.

_Special:_

Ordination, Gal. i. 10; 15-19; 16; vi. 6; Eph. iii. 7-9; iv. 11, 12; vi. 20; Col. i. 25-27; 28-29; iv. 12, 13; 1 Thess. ii. 1-12.

Workers, Gal. i. 6; Eph. iv. 11, 12; Phil. iv. 2, 3; 2 Thess. iii. 13.

Baptism, Gal. iii. 26-29; Col. ii. 12.

Confirmation, Eph. ii. 20-24.

Harvest, Gal. vi. 7, 8; 9.

Temperance, Eph. v. 18.

Friendly Society, Gal. vi. 2.

Death, 1 Thess. iv. 13, 14.

Parents, Eph. vi. 4; Col. iii. 20, 21; 23-25.

Young, Eph. vi. 1-4; Phil i. 10 _b_.

Worship, Eph. v. 19-21; 19.

Almsgiving, Gal. ii. 10; vi. 2; 10; Phil. iv. 15, 16.

* * * * * * * *

+Transcriber's Notes+

- Page 585, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Ambassador, Gospel," and "Apostolic assurance of supernatural character of Gospel."

- Page 586, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Believing soul, manner in which Gospel comes to," "Call, Gospel and, to preach it," "Call of Gospel to sinners," "Change effected by Gospel," and "Change great, effected in man by Gospel."

- Page 588, for "Church, generous," change page number from 36 to 368. For "Church, growth of," change page number from 21 to 217.

- Page 589, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Commencement of Gospel at Philippi."

- Page 590, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Difference between Law and Gospel." For "Disappointed hopes in Christian work," change page number from 1 to 10. Change "Disturber #f faith" to "Disturber of faith." Change "Divine call, apostleship" to "Divine call, to apostleship." Change "Divine fullness of Christ's pledge #f believer's perfection" to "of." Change "Earnest of inheritance, Holy Spirit and" to "an." Apply RC to "Gospel" in "Effects of Gospel upon those who receive it."

- Page 591, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Enlarged Gospel," "Enmity of heart, power of Gospel to dissolve," and "Estimate of Gospel truth, correct." For "Excellency of knowledge of Christ," add page number 343.

- Page 592, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Fellowship in Gospel" and "Glory of Gospel."

- Page 593, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Grace, Gospel of, praise for work of Trinity in," "Hagar and Sarah, history of, allegorical of Law and Gospel," and "Heart, enmity of, power of Gospel to dissolve."

- Page 594, apply RC to "Gospel" in "History of Hagar and Sarah allegorical of Law and Gospel," "Inviolable unity of Gospel," and "Irrepressible, Gospel." For "Known and unknown love of Christ," add page number 196.

- Page 595, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Law and Gospel, differences between," "Law and Gospel, history of Hagar and Sarah allegorical of," and "Man, great change effected in, by Gospel."

- Page 596, apply RC to "Great" in "Mediator, Great, reconciling work of." Apply RC to "Gospel" in "Men, state of, without Gospel." Apply RC to "Divinely" in "Messenger, Divinely commissioned, self-evidencing proof of." Apply RC to "Gospel" in "Mystery, Gospel a" and "Mystery of Gospel."

- Page 597, apply RC to "Gospel" in "One Gospel," "Origin of Gospel, superhuman," and "Peace, Gospel of."

- Page 598, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Power, Gospel in word and in," "Power of Gospel," "Power of Gospel to dissolve enmity of heart," "Practical result of true reception of Gospel," "Praise for work of Trinity in Gospel of grace," "Preaching of Gospel not in vain," "Profession of Gospel, uncleanness inconsistent with," and "Promise, Gospel call and."

- Page 599, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Reception of Gospel, true, practical result of," "Remonstrance with revolters against Gospel," "Result, practical, of true reception of Gospel," and "Revolters against Gospel, remonstrance with."

- Page 600, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Salvation, Gospel of your," "Same, true Gospel universally the," "Sarah and Hager, history of, allegorical of Gospel and Law." Apply RC to "Divinely" in "Self-evidencing proof of Divinely commissioned messenger." Apply RC to "Gospel" in "Sinners, call of Gospel to" and "Soul, believing, manner in which Gospel comes to."

- Page 601, apply RC to "Gospel" in "State of men without Gospel" and "Superhuman origin of Gospel" (twice).

- Page 602, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Trinity, praise for work of, in Gospel of Grace," "True Gospel to be preached and believed," and "True Gospel universally the same." Apply RC to "Divinity" in "Truth and Divinity of Christian religion." Apply RC to "Gospel" in "Uncleanness inconsistent with profession of Gospel," and "Unity of Gospel, inviolable."

- Page 603, apply RC to "Gospel" in "Word and in power, Gospel in." The "Homilies for Special Occasions" section was reformatted to put each of the topics on a separate line rather than running them together.