Confirmed in you~1 Cor. i. 4 to 6; and thus it seemed that That Grace was not Given in vain. And Oh! that Its Offer may not be Made to us in vain! but that, accepting It with all reverence and gratitude, we may bring forth the Fruits Thereof in a holy and Christian life; that we may also rejoice the Souls of the Saints, and be Admitted with them into a Communion with the Fulness of Gospel Privileges in the Life to Come. See Phil. ii. 17; Col. i. 24.-The sword without, and terror within-Deut. xxxii. 25; were the Manifestations of The DIVINE Displeasure at the idolatry of the Israelites; and with these Visitations, they had not the Sustaining and countervailing experience of the Apostle, as they were not suffering for Righteousness' sake; but on reflection must have felt, that they had so separated themselves from their Heavenly FATHER as to be deservedly Outcasts from His Favour and Protection. Paul on the contrary, and Such as he, amidst their Personal sufferings and mental apprehension, had to look back on the Painful and Ignominious Sufferings and Sacrifice of The Incarnate SON of GOD for them, and forward to the Triumph, that awaited them, in the Assurance of His Receiving them within The Kingdom of His Glory.-Paul had before felt discomfiture at the absence of Titus-ii. 13; he now manifests his lively sense of GOD's Providence and Goodness in Allowing Titus to be with him, and finds in his Christian conversation an antidote for all his present ills; and an occasion for magnifying the Loving-Kindness of his SAVIOUR-GOD, in thus Administering to him Consolation, derived both from Titus' confirmation in the faith, and from his report of the faithfulness of those, whom he had left, after having instructed them in The Gospel; and in whom therefore Paul had a double cause of rejoicing.

VERSES 8 to 13.-For though I made you sorry with a Letter, I do not repent; though I did repent: for I perceive that the same Epistle hath made you sorry; though it were but for a season now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing; for godly sorrow worketh repentance to Salvation, not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the World worketh death: for behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves; yea, what indignation; yea, what fear; yea, what vehement desire; yea, what zeal; yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter: wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause, that had done the wrong; nor for his cause, that suffered wrong; but that our care for you in the Sight of GOD might appear unto you: therefore we were comforted in your comfort; yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his Spirit was refreshed by you All.

The first impression made on Paul's sensitive and affectionate heart was disturbing, when he understood that his former written address had given occasion for painful reflection and consequent sorrow, on a comparison of past and present conduct with the Pure and Perfect Principles of The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST Laid open to them; and for a short season he may have yielded to a regret, that he had so expressed himself as to lead to the conclusion, that he had seemed in his own Person to have cherished a condemning and unforgiving spirit towards them; but knowing that this was not so, and that as a faithful Minister his aim and effort were to bring them to a clear understanding of The Covenant of Reconciliation and the Promises of Forgiveness and Acceptance in The DIVINE Communication, he becomes satisfied with the course he had adopted and his sorrow is turned into joy, at the effect which that Letter had upon the minds of those, to whom it was addressed; since he gathered, that the self-condemnation, to which it gave rise, terminated in a departure from the habits, that were inconsistent with the Christian Profession, and a consequent adoption of that life and conversation, which are in accordance with Gospel Rules; that, feeling the extent and hatefulness of past offendings, they the more manifested the gratitude,

they so justly owed, to The Redeeming Mercy of GOD in CHRIST JESUS, Which could so Change their Nature, as to Withdraw them from every artifice of Satan, and Advance them in the Ways of Holiness, that they might be Sustained in the hope of participating in the Endless Delight of the Saints in Righteousness. Sorrow for sin, in reference to the conscious Purity and Holiness of GOD, on Whom our every Blessing Depends, is a wholesome sensation, and to be encouraged, but not so as to lead to despondency and despair; on the contrary, it should prompt us to bless The LORD for His Mercies, in that He hath Provided A Ransom for Sinners, and an Expiation for sin a sorrow thus produced is a most invaluable impression; and to the Pastoral Minister or Gospel Teacher, who produces it in Another, an affectionate and prevailing thankfulness is due; it is an honest discharge of duty, in that which affects our Everlasting Peace. As Sinners we all are, in a greater or less degree, and must appear as impure in the Sight of A Just and Holy GOD, it is an essential operation of vital faith, to produce in the heart a conviction, that we have evil ways, which we should turn from, and lament that we have ever followed; and may cherish the Comforting Assurance, that, if we thus condemn ourselves, and look to JESUS as The Atoning Offering for our Pardon, and not for our Pardon only, but for our Reconciliation to The MAJESTY On High, we shall experience a joy as the fruit of our penitential sorrow, which is one of the Sure Presages of DIVINE Adoption of the Soul within the Exalting Sanctities of The HOLY SPIRIT. How opposite is the effect of that sorrow of the heart, which looks not to CHRIST, nor thinks of the Blessings of Redemption; but, making this World and the things thereof its object and desire, repines only at any privation thereof, and yields itself up to despair; refusing to be Comforted, from Whence alone Consolation might be drawn, by rejecting repentance unto newness of life, and faith in The Incarnate SON of GOD, as Cleansing from all Unrighteousness, and Presenting us Perfect in the Sight of GOD. The Apostle then enters into a consideration of the evidences of that penitential sorrow-first manifested in caution and strictness in self-examination-then in a desire to be freed from the imputation of sin, and yet with vexation at having yielded to its impulse-accompanied with a fearful apprehension, lest the Record of iniquity, of sins committed and duties left undone, should be too deeply engraven to be Blotted out even by the Blood of CHRIST. These emotions are succeeded by the most anxious wish and ardent supplication, that Mercy might be in Reserve and indeed forthwith Shine forth in the Controuling Influence of The HOLY SPIRIT, as the First Fruits of CHRIST's Intercession for us, and extending to the pursuit of Christian Courses, and a heartprompted effort to do the Work of an Evangelist, and to exhibit the Christian Character in its perfection; and so wreaking the most profitable vengeance on past sins. With such proofs laid before Paul of the effect of his former Letter on the minds of his Correspondents, he comforted them with his assurance, that, to his mind, they had fully exonerated themselves from his censure; and doubtless he would wish that, if sincere, (as he believed them,) in such profession, they might take to themselves the Promise of the High Privilege of being Called to the Joy of The LORD on the Day of His Visitation to Judge the World in Righteousness, and to Speak Peace to the Souls of His Saints.The Apostle then explains, that his object had not been to deal out condemnation either to the Accused or the Accusers; but to mark in their minds his deeply rooted anxiety on their account, and his fervent hope by all means to win them to CHRIST, by whatever labour of love, with Parental admonition and encouragement, he could undergo for them. And richly recompensed was he by the experience of that Consolation, which a faithful Pastor feels in the sensations of Spiritual delight, that arise from the change wrought in the truly converted and Christianly disposed

mind; and much was the Apostle's pleasurable sensation increased by the joy, that his faithful and beloved Fellow-Labourer Titus shewed, in his narrative to Paul, of what he had witnessed in the Corinthian Converts' conduct.- -Love and labour for the Souls of Others were Paul's predominating impulses, like his Adored MASTER and his reproofs only the more largely partook of that feeling, inasmuch as he apprehended the greater danger attending them, and therefore to the trouble of his own spirit he put forth, when occasion called, the spirit of rebuke-ii. 4; and the repentance it produced proved both the propriety and profit of such a remonstrance. The thus coming with weeping and supplication is a proof of DIVINE Leading, as recorded by Jeremiah xxxi. 9., to mourn for iniquity (Ezek. vii. 16.) as so wrongful and ungrateful to GOD, Whose Goodness and Providence are Ever in Exercise for us, is the very feeling that CHRIST Came to Excite within us; and He then Pours in The SPIRIT of Consolation.

The death, which results from the sorrow of the worldly Spirit, is a death beyond the grave. Solomon says, A broken Spirit drieth the bones--Prov. xvii. 22; but the spirit of disappointed pride, rejecting even in its downfall the humility which would bring it to the Feet of JESUS in godly sorrow and repentance, will tend to commit itself to a Fire, that is not quenched, though the bones may even be consumed; since the Soul will survive, and no rest from the tormenting flame will it experience. Whilst JEHOVAH Looks with an Eye of Benignity to Such as are of a meek and contrite Spirit, and reverence His Word (Isaiah lxvi. 2). He Rejecteth, to their everlasting confusion and dismay, Such as regard not His Testimonies, and set at nought His Messages of Mercy and Willingness to Forgive.

-The Apostle was ever anxious to promote consistency in the Professors of the Religion of JESUS CHRIST; and that they, who made a shew thereof, should manifest the sincerity of their faith by practicing and inculcating the duty of good works-Titus iii. 8; for as he wrote to the Ephesians, The Fruit of The SPIRIT (by the Effectual Working of Its Grace upon the heart and Soul of the Believer in CHRIST JESUS, and through His Intercession), is in all Goodness and Righteousness and Truth; proving what is Acceptable unto The LORD; having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reproving them -Eph. v. 9 to 11; and, even in any sudden burst of anger or vexation, cautiously guarding against the committal of sin-Eph. iv. 26.A holy fear should ever be cherished in our hearts, as most consistent with the Purity and Sanctity of Him, with Whom, as our CREATOR, BENEFACTOR and REDEEMER, we have to do; and so may there be no short-coming of that entering into The Promised Rest of the Soul in the Heavenly Mansions of Eternal Peace and Blessedness-Heb. iv. 1.As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my Soul after Thee, O GOD; was the Psalmist's beautiful comparison of that vehement desire, which worked in his mind and heart, to have his thirst after Righteousness satisfied and his ardent desire after Spiritual Perfection confirmed--Ps. xlii. 1; and again, My Soul waiteth for The LORD more than they, that watch for the morning; I say, more than they that watch for the morning-Ps. cxxx, 6; an anxiety further illustrated by the earnestness of the Sentries, who have been exposed to the inclemency and fearfulness of the midnight watch, to be relieved at the break of day.THE ALMIGHTY thus Calls on us wisely to estimate and employ His Visitations; though for a season They may seem grievous, and not joyous. For He hath Said, As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent!-Rev. iii. 19. Chastisement or reproof upon Oneself, as a just judgment upon any conduct we may have pursued in departure from the Revealed Will of GOD, it is wise to inflict, in the sense in which Our SAVIOUR Himself (Figuratively) Inculcated it. If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee,

that one of thy members should perish; and not that thy whole Body should be cast into Hell-Matt. v. 29. Let us therefore follow after the things, which make for peace, and things wherewith One may edify Another; for he, that in these things serveth CHRIST, is Acceptable to GOD, and (should be) approved of Men-Rom. xiv. 19, 18.- -The Apostle knew, that all his movements were under the Observation of his HEAVENLY FATHER, and he studied for them to be in accordance with the Revealed Will of his adored REDEEMER; but he wished anxiously also, that those movements, all of which were intended to aid the Salvation of Others, should be rightly understood by them and consequently meet their entire approval. In his Epistle to the Romans, he says, I beseech you, Brethren, for The LORD JESUS CHRIST's Sake, and for the Love of The SPIRIT, that ye strive, together with me, in your prayers to GOD for me, that I may be Delivered from them, that do not believe in Judea; and that my service, which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the Saints; that I may come unto you with joy by the Will of GOD, and may with you be refreshedxv. 30 to 32.

VERSES 14 to 16.-For, if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth; and his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you All, how with fear and trembling ye received him. I rejoice therefore, that I have confidence in you in all things.

The favourable report which Paul, in the warmth of his affection and the fulness of his belief, had made of the Corinthian Converts to Titus, was, it is fair to infer, confirmed and more than confirmed by the Personal interview of Titus with them, and the opportunity thereby afforded him of scrutinizing their conduct, and testing their principles by their practice; and so far from Titus' feeling for them, as raised by the Apostle's character of them, being lessened on such familiar acquaintance with them, Titus cherishes a more Brotherly and Saint-like attachment toward them and interest in their Christian progress. Indeed such was their gentleness and humility in their behaviour to Titus, that, advanced as they themselves were in the first Rudiments of Christianity, they regarded him so much superior to them, as to meet him with a degree of reverential fear; though doubtless the Missionary's manifestation of Brotherly love would soon change that feeling into a more embosomed affection towards him. And the Apostle pours forth to them an expression of his heartfelt gratification at Titus' communication, ratifying his faithful representation of them, whence, and from Titus' concurring testimony as to their consistency, Paul's reliance on its continuance and extension, under every circumstance of trial or temptation, was cherished and acknowledged.The fear and trembling, which Paul thus says the Corinthians manifested towards Titus at his first approach, was doubtless different in degree from that with which Paul urged the Philippian Converts to work out their own Salvation--a Work, which he properly guards them from vainly imagining was accomplishable by their own unaided power; assuring them, that it is GOD, Which Worketh in us, both to will and to do of His Good Pleasure-Phil. ii. 12, 13.-The confidence to which Paul yielded as to the conduct of Others, was a confidence in The LORD, that as for CHRIST's Sake He had Graciously Begun, so He would Perfect the Goodly Work of Regeneration and Sanctification in the hearts of Believers-2 Thess. iii. 4. So when acknowledging his confidence in Philemon, he says, 'Let me have joy of thee in The LORD! Refresh my bowels in The LORD-Philem. 20, 21.

were

CHAPTER VIII.

VERSES 1 to 7-Moreover, Brethren, we do you to wit of the Grace of GOD Bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality; for to their power I bear record; yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves; praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the Saints: and this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their ownselves to The LORD, and unto us by the Will of GOD: insomuch that we desired Titus, that, as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same Grace also: therefore as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this Grace also!

The Apostle shews his anxiety, that the Corinthian Converts should be made acquainted with and fully understand The DIVINE Influence upon the hearts of Believers in CHRIST JESUS forming the different Communions of professing Christians throughout Macedonia, as exemplified in their patient and persevering endurance of every trial, with which the varying spirit of fiend-like Persecution pursued them; and under which they exhibited not only an unmurmuring and unremonstrating behaviour, but shewed outwardly their inward rejoicing at being counted worthy to suffer for CHRIST's Sake, and in His Soul-saving Cause; and amidst their personal privations a desire and an effort were fully evinced to aid, to the extent of their means and beyond their supposed capability, the wants of Others, especially of those of the Household of Faith; and glad were they thus to shew their confidence in Paul, by making him their Almoner, and leaving to his discretion and better judgment the distribution of what, with such self-sacrifice, they had been enabled to collect for the Brethren in CHRIST. Whatever diffidence Paul felt as being in one way instrumental to the extension of their sufferings from poverty, by lessening their means of bodily comforts, or almost necessary sustenance, it was overcome by their charitable importunity for him to receive their offerings and make so acceptable an appropriation of them. And this proof of benevolence and Christian love was beyond what Paul expected, or even hoped for, since they thus gave not only their goods to feed the Poor, but themselves also to be in any and in every way serviceable to the Great and Gracious Purpose of promoting on Earth The DIVINE Good Will to Man. And in virtue of such a spirit of pious resignation, Paul commissioned Titus to conclude and perfect the work thus begun in them; and as they had manifested so many of the Christian graces, in the soundness of their faith, ifr the sobriety of their discourse, in the acquirement of that knowledge, which endureth unto Eternal Life; accompanying the exercise of each branch of Christian Office with untiring assiduity, and associating a most endearing attachment to Paul himself (so justly deserving it,) he urges them to continue the same actuating disposition to assist and contribute to the necessities of the Saints in CHRIST JESUS, wherever situate, as united with them in one bond of Brotherhood and holy Fellowship under their One adorable HEAD, The LORD of Life and Glory, Who Suffered to Expiate their repented-of sins, and to Obtain for them a Common Salvation, and Advancement to a Participation in His Unextinguishable Love.In an after part of this Epistle we shall find the Apostle renewing his confidence in the continuance of their liberality from his previous experience of it. As touching the ministering to the Saints it is superfluous for me to write to you -ix. 1.—The test of true liberality was exemplified in the Presence of our SAVIOUR, and thus Illustrated by Him, when Sitting over against the Treasury of the Temple at Jerusalem, and Beholding how the People cast money in; and Many, that were rich, cast in much: and there came a certain poor Widow, and she threw in two mites, making a farthing; when JESUS Calling to Him His