treating him with no filial love or reverence, that through him they had received their spiritual life: and could never owe to any other instructor what they owed to him: for in Christ Jesus he had begotten them through the gospel.

5

And yet we are told, that they who receive Jesus as the Christ, "are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."3 This is an undoubted truth. "Paul plants, and Apollos waters: but it is God who giveth the increase." The spiritual children, as well as the children of the flesh," are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord." Whether we speak of the natural or the spiritual being, God alone supplies "the breath of life." Paul was no more than the minister, through whom they had believed. But then he was that minister: God had rendered him the instrument of new life to them; the channel of a blessing for which it was impossible to make an adequate return. Had there been in the children the spirit which animated the father, they could never have cast reproach upon one to whom they owed so much: even their ownselves. For how affectionately he speaks, grieving over the rebuke which it was his duty to convey! I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn

you.

It was a part of the same paternal tenderness, that he sends Timotheus, to regulate what was disorderly, and bring to their remembrance the rules which he had prescribed.

3 John i. 13.

5 Ps. cxxvii. 3.

He delayed his own

4 Ch. iii. 6.

6 Philemon 19.

coming, that it might be a joyful coming. And of this, too, the enemy made advantage.

18. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.

In no respect is the kingdom of God in word alone. It was not by word, but by "demonstration of the Spirit and of power," that the kingdom of God was set up throughout the world. God wrought with the apostles by wonders and signs and mighty deeds, and so proved that he was with them of a truth. It would not have been enough that they should go into all nations, preaching the Gospel to every creature, if they had shown no signs of power, confirming their words.

And again, it is not in word alone that any man can have an interest in the kingdom of God. Unless it has been brought in power to his heart, so as to "overcome the world and the things that are in the world," so as to take his affections from things below, and fix them on things above, he has not the kingdom of God within him. We know the words of Christ: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."7

This, however, is not the principal meaning of St. Paul here. He intends to put his Corinthian rivals

7 Matt. vii. 21.

to the proof, whether they have the authority of God, or not, to justify their opposing him. The magicians at the court of Pharaoh were great in word, and imitated for a while the wonders wrought by Moses. But at length their power failed: and they were forced to confess before Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." The prophets of Baal were great in word : but Elijah put them to the proof; challenged them to meet him in sacrifice, and said, "Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God." He was shown to be great in power, when the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the sacrifice which he had prepared; so that conviction overcame the rebellious people, and they exclaimed, "The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God." So Paul says here concerning his enemies at Corinth, I will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. It shall be seen, whether God is with them, as he is with me, whom he sent to be his apostle unto the Gentiles. If we had word only to produce in proof of our commission, we might "speak with the tongues of men and angels," yet might not be effectual to pull down the strong-holds of Satan. But it has pleased God that his kingdom should "come with power:" he has wrought by our hands "miracles and wonders among the Gentiles;" and thus it shall be seen, whether they who are puffed up as though I would not come to you, have the authority to which they pretend,

or no.

1

8 Exod. viii. 7, 18, 19.
91 Kings xviii. 24-39.
1 Acts xv. 12; xix. 11.

Still he had rather visit them as a tender father, anxious to assist and encourage his children, than as one who must exercise his authority, and correct their misdoings.

21. What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?

Paul would bring them to repentance, if possible, by love, and not through fear. He would He would prove his apostleship by meekness and gentleness, and not by the exercise of the superhuman power with which he was entrusted. And we do not wonder at these his sentiments. They were part of the renewed mind: an example of what he prescribes to others. "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be patient, gentle unto all men." They were, too, the sentiments of a man conscious of his own infirmities, and therefore ready to make allowance for the infirmities of others. Still more, he was thus imitating that unspeakable mercy, which God himself shows to his rebellious creatures: whose words are," Turn you at my reproof:" "Turn yourselves, and live ye. For why will ye die, O house of Israel!" It is not for man to cherish wrath or indignation, when “the Lord is thus merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger for ever. Like as a father pitieth his children; so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are but dust."

2 2 Tim. ii. 24.

4

3

3 Prov. i. 23; Ezek. xviii. 31, 32.
Ps. ciii. 8, 14.

LECTURE LIX.

THE SIN AND PUNISHMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH AT CORINTH.

1 COR. v. 1-5.

1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

It had been brought to St. Paul's knowledge, that one of the members of the church at Corinth was living in the shameful manner he describes; and was allowed, notwithstanding, to continue a member of the church. Is this, he asks, a church which can be boastful, and proud of its state and character? Pride would be unbecoming a company of christian men in any case: for if they have more, or do more, than others, what have they which they have not received?1 But for men to be haughty and puffed up, among whom a sin of this kind exists, is unreasonable beyond all common measure. There ought rather to be a general mourning and humiliation : there ought to be no rest till he that hath done this deed be taken away from among those whom he corrupts and disgraces.

1 Ch. iv. 7.