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Reflections on the conclusion

371

xxxii.

my constant readiness to do all in my power, for promoting and SECT. establishing the Christian interest among you: and may it flourish more and more, till your happiness be completed in the kingdom of God above. Amen.

1 Cor.

xvi.

24.

IMPROVEMENT.

13

HOWEVER the particular trials of Christians may vary in dif- verse ferent ages, the same works in general demand their diligence: the same enemies, their watchfulness; the same difficulties, their courage and fortitude: nor will they ever be more likely to perform, to resist, and to endure well, than when charity reigns in 14 their hearts, and presides over the whole of their behaviour.

We owe our humble thanks to the author of all good, when 15,16 he raises up the spirits of his servants to any distinguished activity and zeal in his cause. Christians of standing superior to their brethren, ought to emulate such a character; and when they do so with genuine marks of becoming modesty and upright views, let all proper respect be paid to them: especially to those who are honoured with, and labour faithfully in, the ministerial office. To such let others submit themselves in love; not indeed, as to the lords of their faith, which even the apostles pretended not to be; but as friends, whom they esteem and reverence, ever tenderly solicitous to secure their comfort, and increase their usefulness.

We see, how much the apostle was concerned to promote mu- 19,20 tual friendship among the disciples of our blessed Redeemer : how kindly he delivers the salutations of one, and another. It becomes us to remember each other with cordial regard; and in imitation of this wise example, to do all we can to cultivate a good understanding among our Christian brethren; and to abhor that disposition to sow discord, which has been so fatally successful in producing envyings, and strife, and every evil work.

To conclude all; let us lay up in our memory, and often re- 22 view, this awful sentence, this Anathema, Maranatha, which, to 21 give it the greater weight, the apostle records with his own hand. Let it ever be remembered, that professing Christians, who do not sincerely love their master, lie under the heaviest curse which an apostle can pronounce, or a God inflict. Let the unhappy creatures take the alarm, and labour to obtain a more ingenuous temper, ere the Lord, whom they neglect, and against

ation of affection some of these Corinthi- not have been agreeable to the generous ans had expressed, with respect to the spirit which dictated it, to have glanced apostle, this expression of tender regard too plainly on that circumstance in the to them all without any exception, is so paraphrase.

much the more affectionate; but it would

372

of the first epistle to the Corinthians.

SECT. whom they entertain a secret enmity, descend from heaven with xxxii. insupportable terror, and pronounce the anathema with his own

verse

23

lips, in circumstances which shall for ever cut off all hope and all possibility of its being reversed. If his solemn voice pronounce, his almighty hand will immediately execute it. How will they be cast down to destruction, as in a moment! How will they be utterly consumed with terrors! To prevent so dreadful an end of our high profession, of our towering hopes, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us. Amen.

The END of the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the FIRST EPISTLE to the CORINTHIANS.

THE

FAMILY EXPOSITOR;

OB,

A PARAPHRASE

ON THE

SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE

TO THE

CORINTHIANS;

WITH

CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH SECTION.

A

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

TO THE

PARAPHRASE AND NOTES

ON THE

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

THE first epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians was written, as hath been before observed, from Ephesus, about the year of our Lord 57; towards the end of his continuance there, and in the neighbouring parts. (See Vol. III. sect. 44, note.) Upon leaving Ephesus, the apostle removed to Troas, which was situated on the shore of the Egean sea, in the expectation of meeting Titus, and receiving an account of the success with which he hoped his former epistle had been attended, and of the present state of the Corinthian church; (2 Cor. ii. 12.) But not meeting him there, (ver. 13,) he proceeded to Macedonia, where he obtained his desired interview, and received satisfaction concerning the promising state of affairs at Corinth. From this place the apostle wrote his second epistle to the Corinthians, intrusting it to the care of Titus, who was returning to Corinth to forward the collection intended for the poor Christians in Judea. From these historical circumstances, the date of this second epistle must be fixed within a year after the former. (See Vol. III. sect. 45, noteb.)

In the Introduction to the first epistle we observed, that its design was to rectify some sad disorders and abuses which had crept into the church of Corinth; and answer their queries upon some important points, in which they had desired his determination. The intention of the present epistle is, in general, to illustrate some of the same points upon which he had discoursed in the former, according to the light which Titus had given him into

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