Pilgrim Papers.

MEDITATIONS ON THE FORMER PART OF THE FIRST CHAPTER OF COLOSSIANS.

(Continued from page 128.)

ONE object the great adversary has in view is to prevent the believer, if possible, walking worthy of the Lord; and, if he succeeds in his evil design, what a blot the believer gets!-what grief it occasions to the brethren!-how the fall of such a one opens the mouths of Christ's enemies, and causes them to cry out, "Aha! Aha! so would we have it! These are your Christians—one is a drunkard, another dishonest, another not particular in speaking the truth, another getting in debt for necessaries and paying ready money for luxuries." How sad all this is! A close walker with God will not be a loose liver in sin. Noah, Lot, David, Solomon, Peter and others, were not walking "worthy of the Lord" when they so grievously sinned, after being called by grace; but they did so after their recovery. Joseph was walking worthy of the Lord, when, with God's holy fear alive in his heart, and in answer to the solicitations of a vile woman, he said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God ?" (Gen. xxxix. 9.)

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were walking worthy of the Lord, when they answered, and said to the king, "We are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king" (Dan. iii. 16, 17). So was Daniel when, knowing "that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime" (Dan. vi. 10). So was Stephen, when on the last occasion he kneeled down on the earth to pray, "cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts vii. 60). So was the Apostle Paul, when he sent such a noble message to the magistrates, "Nay, verily, but let them come themselves and fetch us out" (Acts xvi. 37).

Now, although these dear children of God have been dead, or asleep, for many years past, yet, to every true Christian mind, there is conveyed a certain kind of pleasure in reading and thinking over the line of conduct which divine grace enabled them to pursue; while, on the other hand, in reading of the falls and grievous sins of the Lord's children, after His great mercies and goodness to them, brings a kind of gloom over the soul, causing one to cry out, "Lord, what is man?" and often leading one to say, "Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.' To walk worthy of the Lord is to walk humbly with Him. With this kind of walking the soul is not barren, but "fruitful in every good word and work."

Those who have His good Spirit are no enemies to good works. The Lord has ordained that His people should walk in them. What are good works? By whose power does the believer walk therein? Good works are those acts which a quickened soul performs under the influence of the

good Spirit of the Lord, such as believing on Christ, calling on His name, praising the Lord, walking in His ways, walking honestly towards them which are without, letting their light shine, &c. It is God who begins, continues, and finishes the good work of grace in the hearts of His people, and works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure. The words show that Gospel fruitfulness is evidenced in the conduct of true believers ; "fruitful in every good work": the fruit appears in the work, not out of it, or apart from it. These works are not dead works, neither can they be performed by the dead in sin, or by such as are dead in a profession.

Those who are fruitful in every good work are "trees of the Lord's right-hand planting," are living branches in the true Vine, are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." These works are glorifying to God and profitable to men. The words show the earnest desire of Paul's soul, that God's children should show by their conduct they belonged to the Lord.

"And increasing in the knowledge of God" (v. 10). These words show that the Lord teaches His people of Himself by degrees. They are remarkable words: "increasing" in knowledge, does he say? No; most people increase in knowledge of some kind or other; but this which Paul desired was something special-"increasing in the knowledge of God." He knew they had some knowledge of Him, and He wished them to have more. This is a kind of knowledge the wise of this world have no taste for. It cannot be acquired by art; it cannot be taught by human teachers, neither is it ever taught very savingly; but such as are in the covenant of grace. Of these it is said, "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord" (Jer. xxxi. 34). Again, "All thy children shall be taught of the Lord (Isa. liv. 13). It is a knowledge joined to which is eternal life (John xvii. 3). "The Lord is my Shepherd," said David (Psalm xxiii. 1). The sheep are taught to know this. The redeemed are taught to know Christ as their Redeemer, Hiding-place, Righteousness, Wisdom, Light, Life, Way, Saviour, King-their "All in All." What slow progress the Lord's people feel to make in this knowledge of God! Those who have most of it, often in their feelings have the dunce's cap on (Prov. xxx. 2). Novices do not take very readily to the dunce's cap. Below the head of him that wears it there is a knowledge and life which will endure for ever. See how and by whom this knowledge comes into the soul (Matt. xi. 27)! The Lord, in order that His people might grow in His knowledgeof what He is as a God of love, light, grace, truth, goodness, wisdom, mercy, righteousness, and salvation-permits them to be brought into various paths of tribulation, in which they are led to feel that without Him they can do nothing. This increase in the knowledge of God often comes into the soul in times of trial-furnace times-times when the soul is worried a good deal; knows not what to do, is tossed, and much disquieted. "That the soul be without this knowledge it is not good;" with it, all is well. Other kinds of knowledge will vanish away (1 Cor. xiii. 8). This endures for ever. Those who truly know God, trust in Him, love Him, pray to Him, commune with Him, praise Him, adore Him, have Him with them here, and He will have them with Him hereafter.

How much men may increase in and yet not increase in the knowledge of God! They may increase in their goods, estates, in riches, in worldly

respectability, in men's esteem, and in earthly wisdom; but all will profit them nought if they die without the true and saving knowledge of God the Saviour. Persons who are increasing in the knowledge of God feel much their own foolishness (1 Cor. iii. 18; Ps. lxxiii. 22).

Another thing Paul desired for them was that they might be "Strengthened with all might" (11 verse). What strength comes from "all might!" What a gift! Who but one who has "all power" could grant this request,-" All might." Now, to be strengthened with "all might" is a wonderful thing, a vast mercy, a high honour. This character is more than a match for "the world, the flesh, and the devil" while "strengthened with all might." Herein lies his great strength. This great blessing is not bestowed in vain; it is to accomplish certain ends; it is not to be idle or thrown away. The condition of the receiver of this gracious gift has strong and numerous enemies, within and without, or such strength would not be needed and given. Those who obtain it feel much their own weakness, have weak hands, feeble knees, and feeble minds too, some of them. This strength is for the "inner man," is much needed by him, and can't be done without. Oh, to think that the Lord should, in His great mercy, confer such strength on His people! What love it shows! "All might" is for the child of God. Satan's might and spite are against him. This is the reason why Satan cannot get at him; this baffles him; this "all might" planted the hedge around Job, encompasses every true believer, is round about the Lord's loved ones mountains are round about Jerusalem."

66 as the Men and devils may be defied while the poor child of God has "all might" on his side. "All might" is needful to keep alive the soul, to make and keep the will submissive to the will of God, to keep the "conscience void of offence towards God and towards men," to keep the heart with all diligence, to keep the door of the lips, to keep the tongue under proper restraint, to keep the mind, to keep the feet from falling, to keep the eyes looking right on, the ears open to Christ's voice, to keep the best friend in the heart, and the worst foe from reigning in it; to keep faith in existence and exercise, to keep hope abounding, and love burning, to keep the Christian dead to the world and "zealous always in a good thing," to keep the truth in the soul and error out of it, to keep the soul humble, watchful, looking out for answers to his prayers, not running away from the door of mercy as soon as the first knock is given, but staying till it be opened; to keep the soul in "fellowship with God the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ;" to keep it obedient, forbearing, patient, and wise unto salvation.

"According to His glorious power." What a power is this! "His glorious power." God is "the God of glory," and He alone can exercise "glorious power." The devils exercise a devilish power, men human power, and angels angelic power. How many different kinds of power a person may be affected with, and yet not have his soul" strengthened according to His glorious power!" The damned in hell feel the power of His wrath. The Psalmist asks, "Who knoweth the power of thine anger?" (Ps. xc. 11.) The lost undoubtedly do. The Lord has power both to save and to destroy. Great and grand marks of "His glorious power" will be seen all heaven over. It was seen in the rising of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Well, this is the power the Apostle desired the Lord to grant unto the Colossians; "glorious power. what are all other sorts of power compared to this? Christian, all thy

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mightiest enemies must cower before this "glorious power." The world's power, sin's power, man's and Satan's power. power, Bless the Lord, Ó my soul, for this "glorious power;" and that the Lord ever made use of it to strengthen my "inner man," instead of making use of the power of His anger (as He justly might have done) in destroying both body and soul in hell. What a privilege for a poor sinner to be blessed with this "glorious power "while here on earth! How this " glorious power' keeps him from the power of darkness, and preserves him for that glory which awaits him in heaven!

This "glorious power" effects glorious things, and is made use of for glorious ends and purposes. Poor limping brother in Christ, "glorious power" is engaged to help and defend you. With this armour, this shield, you are safe amidst storm and tempest, fire and water, life and

death. This "glorious power " is never-failing power. The power of

God's anger will never be used against those for whom and in whom He shows forth "His glorious power."

See the fruits of this " glorious power,' as known and felt in the soul where it reigns. "Unto all patience and long-suffering, with joyfulness (11th verse). Patience, then, is one of the blessed effects of "glorious power." How needful patience is! Man, with all his boasted strength, cannot produce divine patience in his soul. Now, where true patience is, there is a work going on. "Let patience have her perfect work" (James i. 4); "Patience worketh experience" (Rom. v. 4). That certainly must be glorious patience which flows from "His glorious power." Strengthened "unto all patience;" patience in all things, and shown towards all men. It is the fulness of His glorious power which produces a fulness of all patience. No patient person ever feels he has any to spare.

Let the child of God do or say anything in an impatient spirit, and will he not be reminded of it by "a still small voice from within? Those who have spiritual patience are at times much troubled by earthly passions. Spiritual patience is the best remedy for sinful passions. Things done and words spoken under the heat of sinful passion, won't bear looking at or reflecting on. It is not patience, but passion, which gives the children of God so much trouble. Patience helps them to bear it. Passion often brings them into it, and others too. Oh, for more divine patience, and less sinful passion! How much the Lord Jesus had of the former; but He had none of the latter. what would have become of us passionate sinners, if it had not been for the substitutionary doings of the patient and compassionate Saviour? "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."

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"And long-suffering." Here Paul joins long-suffering with patience. Another effect, then, of "His glorious power is long-suffering-the power to endure things without murmuring. This long-suffering is a fruit, also, of charity (1 Cor. xiii. 4), "Charity suffereth long." Love is a very bright grace, and so is long-suffering. He who is blessed with "His glorious power," has sometimes to suffer long in his body, in his soul, in his business, in his reputation, in the world, in the church—from men, both good and bad; perhaps more from good men than bad (like Moses, who suffered more from the Israelites than he did from the Egyptians); he has to suffer long from a wicked heart, unbelief, pride, vanity, deadness, darkness, barrenness, often in the family, and in the secret recesses of his soul, knowing his own bitterness. This long

suffering one hardly knows at times what to do with himself, or what the Lord is going to do with him. Now this long-suffering will be over shortly, but the glorious power which produced it will last for ever, being eternal power. Then Paul joins with long-suffering "joyfulness." What a trio of great and blessed things, as the fruits and effects of "His glorious power." They will do well together, "patience, long-suffering with joyfulness." Now joyfulness will carry one through a good deal without grumbling. We are seldom patient and long-suffering when miserable. It is said, "The joy of the Lord is your strength," and "Rejoice in the Lord always." How unnatural to suffer anything joyfully, or "with joyfulness." There is a kind of glorious exultation felt in the soul by those who are "strengthened by His glorious power," when called upon to suffer anything for His sake. Paul and Silas felt a little of it, when "at midnight they prayed, and sang praises to God" (Acts xvi. 25). So did the Apostles, when they "departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name" (Acts v. 4). Oh, the precious fruits of grace! Make our souls, O Lord, to know more of them, and of "the fountain Head" from whence it flows. What a blessed standard is the standard of the Gospel! What "glorious power" is needed to enable one to live up to this divine standard! The Lord's people, at times, have unspeakable sorrows, as well as unspeakable joys, so that much they feel cannot be expressed by their tongues. The best part of the Christian's experience lies so deep in his soul, as that he cannot always make it known to others. Deeply-experienced Christians are not usually hasty in making known their experience to others, they have such a dread of presumption. Eventually, however, everlasting joy will be upon the heads of those, in whose hearts there has been a long acquaintance with deep sorrows and sighs" (Isa. xxxv. 10).

Tetbury.

F. F.

GATHERED CRUMBS FOR THE LORD'S HUNGRY CHILDREN. Ir is a precious thought to the children of God, that the Captain of their salvation does not leave them without provisions in their enemies' land, whilst they are engaged in fighting the good fight of faith; for it is written, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies" (Psalm xxiii. 5). Even there their King is in the midst of them and "sitteth at his table."

The Omnipotence and Almightiness of God become unutterably precious, when He is known as the "God of Love." To be embraced within that all-powerful hand, from whence none can pluck us (John x. 28-30), is indeed consolation; and it is peculiarly realized by the Church as the Bride of Christ, "His right hand doth embrace me."

The greatest delight that Christ hath in the world is in the garden of His Church; therefore, that He might take full delight therein, He makes it fruitful, stored with precious fruits, growing from plants set by His own hand, relished of His own Spirit, and so fitted to His taste. We know no uninterrupted communion yet. our nature, we cannot always stand upright; discipline consists in "the trial of our faith." its reality; and it frequently happens, that

By reason of the frailty of and one chief part of our It must be sifted, to prove the great enemy of souls