March 30

ourselves entirely at his disposal; and delight to do his will; and constantly ask, "What shall I render unto the Lord, for all his benefits towards me?"

Secondly, a persuasion of his right to appoint every thing pertaining to us. Not a right derived and limited like that of a master or a father to dispose of his servant or his child: but an original inalienable right—the right of an absolute proprietor—the right of a creator over a creature whom he called out of nothing, and who lives, and moves, and has his being in him.

Thirdly, a conviction not only that he has a right to appoint, but that his appointments are right—always wise, and just, and good. They may be sovereign, but they are not arbitrary. The reasons of them may be for a time concealed, but they are worthy of his character. They are now satisfactory to his own mind, and when explained, they will draw forth our approbation and praise. We know not what is best or even good for us. We have made mistakes and suffered embarrassments enough when we have attempted to judge for ourselves, to convince us that the way of man is not in himself. But he cannot err. His understanding is infinite: and our wisdom and welfare require us to say, "The Lord shall choose our inheritance for us."

Lastly, a persuasion that our acceptance with him does not depend upon the place he assigns us, or the nature of the work he ordains us, but our submission to it. We are not answerable for our stations and offices; but for our conduct in them. We can serve the Lord in adversity as well as in prosperity; in a private as well as in a public capacity. A good actor on the stage may be seen in the character of a peasant as well as in that of a prince—it is not the part allotted him that calls forth the applause of the audience, but the manner in which he represents it. To be great in the world depends upon things over which we have frequently no control: but all may be great in the sight of the Lord: the hearer as well as the preacher; the servant as well as the master. He looketh to the heart; and if we are ready to do whatsoever he appoints, we shall have the testimony that we please God; and shall soon hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Such was the submission of Saul of Tarsus—"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Such was the temper of Samuel—"Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Such was the practice of David—"On thee do I wait all the day." And such is the readiness of angels—Though they excel in strength, they do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. What pleases them is not the kind of work in which they are employed, but their having an opportunity of showing their regard to the pleasure of the employer. May his will be done on earth as it is done in heaven!

MARCH 30.—"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, and of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven."—Colossians 1:4, 5.

THERE were the grounds of Paul and Timothy's praise to God on behalf of the Colossians. And they are all spiritual motives. Tem-Vol. I. 16

poral blessings are not to be overlooked—But gratitude is to be wise, and to proportion its fervours to the value of the benefits conferred. And what are the good things pertaining to the life that now is, compared with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places? Much depends upon the nature of our gratitude. There is no man who does not sometimes thank God. But for what? A safe voyage; a good harvest; a recovery from sickness. All that awakens his heart is confined within the circle of time and sense. Christians are peculiar in every thing; and their gratitude shows that they are heavenly-minded. They therefore thank God not so much for the meat that perisheth, as for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life; not so much for civil freedom, as for the glorious liberty of the sons of God; not so much for health of body as for soul prosperity. They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

The blessings here specified are three.

First, their faith in Christ. Faith regards all the Scripture; but this is the record, that God hath given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Faith therefore has principally to do with the Saviour. It receives as true the testimony concerning him; and leads us to depend upon him, and to apply to him for all that he is revealed to accomplish and bestow. Under the influence of it therefore we are represented as looking to him; coming to him; building on him as our foundation; entering him as our refuge; and glorying in him as the Lord our righteousness and strength—For the Scriptures always describe rather than define faith; and show us what it is by what it does.

Secondly, Their love to all the saints. I need not observe how often love is connected with faith: but the same order is always maintained between them—Faith precedes love. Love is the fruit and not the root; the effect and not the cause. Faith is the origin of every thing in the Christian life; and it is vain unless it be operative—it works by love. Love to whom? To "the Saints"—not exclusively, but peculiarly. The Thessalonians loved all their fellow-creatures, but not with the same degree or even kind of love. They loved their enemies, but not as they loved their friends. They loved sinners; but it was with a love of pity and benevolence, not of esteem and complacency. But the saints were regarded by them as the excellent of the earth, and in them was all their delight. Love to whom? To "all the saints"—regardless of outward distinctions, or the minor matters of religion. Indeed our love to the brethren is not a proof that we have passed from death unto life, unless it regards them as saints. We love them under the influence of some other character or quality unless we can pray, "Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity:" and follow the example of him who said, "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

Thirdly, Their "hope." Hope is a grace as well as faith and love; but as a grace hope is in us; whereas here hope is said to be "laid up for them in heaven"—This shows that the object of hope is here intended; or all that which God has promised to his people beyond the grave. The laying it up in heaven reminds us of its