confidence of "doing all things through Christ who strengthened him." And this alone was his desire, that he might finish his course with joy. As he more fully describes his state of mind, when writing to the Philippian disciples, "This one thing I do; forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."7

His was a peculiar course. But so is every man's. Every man's condition is a course to himself, requiring to be run, like Paul's, with patience unto the end. Every situation, every relation of life, has its own duties, and its own difficulties. Every individual heart has its own temptations. We proceed, not knowing the things that shall befall us; save this, that the Holy Ghost witnesseth, that "strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life;" but that "God is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that we may be able to bear it." 8

Whatever the course may be which the providence of God assigns to us, one object must be kept constantly in view, that we finish our course with joy, and testify the gospel of the grace of God, if not by words, as the apostle, by a christian life and character. Then shall none of those things move us, which might otherwise disturb or harass. They cannot hinder our finishing our course with

7 Phil. iii. 13, 14.

8 1 Cor. x. 13.

joy, if they do not divert us from it. Nay, they may even further our progress. Temptations, when resisted and overcome, add strength to the soul; leave it more settled than before. Tribulations past are an earnest of future support. Every turn in the course, when passed successfully, leaves the way shorter, and brings the prize nearer; till at last the Christian may say, "I have finished my course; I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of life, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day." 9

XXXII.

PAUL'S FAREWELL TO THE ELDERS.

ACTS xx. 32-38.

32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

92 Tim. iv. 11.

35. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring, ye

ought to support the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.1

THE father taken prematurely from his family commits the guardianship of his children to his wisest and dearest friend. Other duties now separated St. Paul from his christian family in this part of Asia; his children in the faith. But there is a guardianship under which he can confidently leave them. He commends them to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build them up as holy temples to the Lord. He says, to build them up, because the foundation was already laid. It was laid in "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Those whom he was addressing had been once "dead in trespasses and sins, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind." From these they had now turned, "to serve the living and true God." This was repentance. They were expecting a heavenly inheritance, through him who had purchased it with his own blood; "even Jesus, who had delivered them from the wrath to come." This was faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the elders who were now hearing Paul, and the churches over which they were overseers, had been placed upon this foundation.

A foundation is not laid without a purpose. It is useless, unless something be raised upon it. And the

1 One of our Lord's remarks, not recorded by the Evangelist, but remembered by his disciples.

2 Ephes. ix. 1, 2.

foundation of repentance and faith is laid, that on it a holy life may be built up. The will of God was, their sanctification. They were called to holiness. They were called to disinterestedness, after the example which Paul himself had set them. They were called to brotherly kindness and charity, and not to selfindulgence or covetousness. And this sanctification is produced by the Spirit acting on the heart through the word. The word of God's grace alone can build the Christian up as a spiritual temple, living to his service and glory. Surrounded as we are by temptation; contending as we do, not only against flesh and blood, but against spiritual enemies ever watchful to destroy; with so many examples, on every side, of those who live only to this world and to themselves;-amid dangers like these, what but the Word of God constantly studied as a rule, constantly referred to as a standard, can keep us from drawing back unto perdition ?"

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It comforted the apostle, that he left this with them: that he could commend them to God and to the word of his grace, through which they might endure unto the end, and receive an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

This, he says, the word is able to give. THE WORD of God is, as it were, the title-deed by which the Christian knows what he is heir to. Why does he dare to look towards heaven? Because THE WORD assures him, that there are those for whom God has prepared a kingdom. And how dares he hope that he is among that number? THE WORD Supplies him with the

3 See 1 Thess. iv. 3.

evidence of his title. First, his Faith; and next, his sanctification; the sign of his repentance; the proof that "a new heart and a right spirit" have been wrought in him by the Spirit of God. The evidence of his title is not merely that he is baptized: though baptism is an essential mean of sanctification. The evidence is not that he eats and drinks at the Lord's table: though it is an essential part of sanctification "to show forth the Lord's death till he come." Still the mark of heirship is no outward rite. The inheritance is for them that are sanctified. And sanctification has its seat within, governing and directing the thoughts and words and works. Sanctification is

no single act or quality, but it pervades the whole heart, and influences the whole man; regulates his desires, rules his designs, inspires his secret affections, and guides his outward actions. To be "poor in spirit;" to be "pure in heart;" to be "meek;" to be "merciful:" to "hunger and thirst after righteousness ;"-this is to be sanctified. And blessed are they who are thus sanctified, for theirs is the inheritance"theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Leaving upon their minds this last assurance, the apostle departs; but first sets the seal to his exhortation.

36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him.

38. Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.