SABBATH EVENING READINGS ON THE NEW TESTAMENT. COLOSSIANS AND THESSALONIANS. BY THE REV. JOHN CUMMING, D.D. F.R.S.E. MINISTER OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL CHURCH, CROWN COURT, COVENT GARDEN; AUTHOR OF "SCRIPTURE READINGS ON SAMUEL,' "Caused the people to understand the reading."-NEHEM. viii. 8. LONDON: ARTHUR HALL, VIRTUE & CO. 25, PATERNOSTER ROW. PATON & RITCHIE, AND J. MENZIES, EDINBURGH; J. ROBERTSON, DUBLIN. 1859. 01.6.195. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.-Colosse-Grandeur of the Epistle-Timothy associated with Paul-Matter of Thanksgiving-Blessings-Fitness for CHAPTER I. (Continued.)-Christ's Work, Mission, and Object CHAPTER II.-Paul's Interest in his Flock-Christ's Fulness and Per- fection-Philosophy-Geology-Christian Liberty-The Sabbath— CHAPTER III.-Practical Duties-The High Level Walk-Inspiration of Hidden Life-Practice and Principle-Christian Comprehension -A Regulating Law-Relative Duties CHAPTER III. (Continued.)—The Hidden Life and Happy Hope CHAPTER III. (Continued.)—Singleness of Eye. CHAPTER IV.-The Peculiar Solemnity of the Letter-Slaves and Slavery-Heavenly Motives-Intercessory Petitions-Our Walk in the World-Salt in Conversation-Reciprocal Love-A Brother- PAGE CHAPTER I.-Distinctive Features of this Church-Gospel, its Mean- ing-Its Effects-Apostolic Followers-Affliction-Christian En- CHAPTER II.-Paul's Vindication of his Motives-Character of his Preaching-Pleasing Men-Worldly Censure-Love, the Secret of Power-The Tent-maker and Preacher-Week-day Preachers- CHAPTER II. (Continued.)—Our Crown of Rejoicing. CHAPTER III.-Bible Version-Textual Divisions-Timothy's Mission -Paul's Afflictions not Judicial-Sufferings and their Significance -Paul's Comfort in Trouble-His Desires and Prayers. CHAPTER IV.-Fruits-Christian and Heathen-Hopes of the Dead -The Catacombs-Purgatory-Soul's Sleep-Christ's Advent, and CHAPTER IV. (Continued.)—The quiet Heart CHAPTER IV. (Continued.)-The Soul. SCRIPTURE READINGS. EXPOSITION TO THE COLOSSIANS. COLOSSE-GRANDEUR OF THE EPISTLE-TIMOTHY ASSOCIATED WITH PAUL MATTER OF THANKSGIVING-BLESSINGS-FITNESS FOR HEAVEN THE FIRST-BORN LORD THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH -RECONCILIATION-PAUL'S SUFFERINGS-CHRIST PREACHED. COLOSSE, the name of the large and populous city of Phrygia to which this inspired letter of St. Paul was addressed, is, as stated in the Acts of the Apostles, in Asia Minor, and belongs to the seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Apocalypse. It seems that very soon after this Epistle was written, the city was destroyed by an earthquake. In the time of Nero Cæsar it is recorded to have been thus destroyed. The Epistle was written, in common with that to the Philippians and that to the Ephesians, also by St. Paul, whilst a prisoner, confined probably in the Mamertine prison at Rome. His allusions to his own chains are frequent and unmistakeable. The inference of the authorship is therefore deduced from the body of each of the Epistles. The Epistle to the Colossians and the Ephesians ought to be studied together. There is a massive grandeur |