ing plainly that we have the heavenly treasure only in earthen vessels, I think there is at least equal need, just at present, of showing, lovingly and reverently, the imperishable Truth which these earthly vessels convey, that it is at least as important, just now, for the best interests of religious Man, to save the kernel, as to withdraw the husk. For all those who have free souls, and are willing to be taught, the destructive work has been sufficiently done: the more difficult task remains. I believe that in these Epistles St. Paul proclaims some views of Religion, not yet recognized as his, "the excellency of whose power" is still of God, inasmuch as, through the divine attraction of spiritual Realities, of a living Word, a human Impersonation of His own moral glory, they transcend the perishing letter of Form and Speculation, and draw the Soul into direct communion with God Himself. The several Sections of this work are so closely founded on the Scripture they embrace, in many cases are so interwoven with the Apostle's own language, that they will not be fully intelligible in themselves, nor in their transitions of topic, and much less as an elucidation of St. Paul, unless the reader is freshly familiar with his expressions and order of thought, in the portions of the Epistles to which they relate. These Chapters, or portions of Chap ters, I have prefixed to each Section; and I would say here, that those who will not first carefully read these Chapters, had better lay down the book at once. It will not aid them; and they will do it injustice : they will not be in a position to estimate it aright. A mechanical imperfection in the execution of the Book, not discovered till too late, the want of minute marginal references. to the passages of St. Paul from which each paragraph is derived, has perhaps this advantage, that it renders indispensable a previous and independent study of the whole Scriptural Text of each Section. I found it unavoidable to introduce some revisions of the Authorized Version. In this difficult task I have consulted with much benefit the Translations of the late Mr. Edgar Taylor, and of Mr. Sharpe. As some of the elucidations I have attempted of the spirit and purport of St. Paul, through examples of their permanent application and significance, may seem to place me in the position of a Censor and Reprover in relation to some existing controversies, and some immediate, but passing, interests, I wish to state that the work was written nine years ago, in the service of my Congregation, and is now published, unchanged. CONTENTS. SECTION I. (Chap. I. 1-31.) Introduction. -Divisions in the - Christ alone the Channel of the Gift. SECTION II. (Chap. II. 1-16.) Dissensions from Speculative Sources. Unity cannot be broken in Things that are only spiritually discerned, - - with which the Speculative Faculties SECTION III. (Chap. III. 1 – 23.) Dissensions, arising from the Pretensions and Vulgar Passions of Individuals. 59 SECTION I. (Chaps. V.-VII.) Speculative Pretensions and Moral 79 SECTION II. (Chaps. VIII., IX.) Perplexities and Perils to the recent Converts to Christianity, from the Connection of Gen- tile Manners with Idolatrous Observances. - Knowledge with- out Love no Principle of Christian Action. - Paul's Appeal to his own Example of Forbearance from Lawful Things for SECTION III. (Chaps, X. 1-XI. 1.) A Caution against Self-Con- fidence; lest an unscrupulous Familiarity with Polytheis- tic Habits might lead to a Relapse into Heathenism. — The Parallel Case of the Jews of old. - Fellowship with Christ excludes all trifling with Idolatry.-Love should control Lib- SECTION IV. (Chap. XI. 2-34.) Irregularities from some Abuse SECTION I. (Chap. XII. 1-30.) Unity amid Diversity. - The Church and its Members, as the Body with its Organs and Limbs.-The Gifts and Graces of each, the Wealth and Adorn- SECTION II. (Chaps. XII. 31-XIII. 1–13.) Love: its Charac- 137 159 178 SECTION III. (Chap. XIV. 1-40.) Love gives Precedence to the Gifts that edify; and obtrudes not on the Church the Peculiar- ities of Individuals.-Prophecy.-Tongues.-Rules of Order. 196 SECTION I. (Chap. XV. 1-58.) State of Opinion on the Doc- - - trine of a Resurrection. - St. Paul's Arguments. Christ's Resurrection a Pattern and a Pledge. — The Case of the Apos- tles, on the Supposition of no Resurrection. -Analogies of Nature. Celestial Bodies. - The New Births of Death. . 217 SECTION II. (Chap. XVI. 1-24.) Sympathy of the Corinthian Church for the Distressed Brethren of Jerusalem. - Paul's ADMONITIONS, AND EXPLANATIONS OF SPIRITUAL CHRIS- TIANITY, ADdressed chieFLY TO THAT PORTION OF THE SECTION I. (Chaps. I. 1-24-II. 1-4.) St. Paul's Thankful- SECTION II. (Chaps. II. 5-17 — III. 1-18.) Paul's Restoration of the Penitent.-The Salvation of Forgiveness. -His Thank- fulness that the Light had healed, and not aggravated, Sin.- --- SECTION III. (Chap. IV. 1-18.) Sensibility to Human Opinion. Christ the Truth. - The Power of Faith in him to sustain the SECTION IV. (Chaps. V. VII. 1.) The two Redemptions; of Soul, and of Body. - The Christian on Earth has obtained the one, and looks for the other. This Spiritual Redemption makes Self-glory a Self-contradiction, for to live in Christ is to be dead to Self as Christ was dead. In this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, St. Paul finds Protection for the 275 291 |