ed this opinion: but before I had proceeded far in the work, I was compelled to give it up, the reasons for which will appear when we enter on the opening of the seals, in Chap. vi. under the fifth general remark in Discourse VI. Instead of considering the Epistles to the seven churches, either as prophetic, or as descriptive of the state of the church at large as it then was, I should rather consider them as descriptive of the state of those seven churches as it then was, and as designed to furnish encouragements, reproofs, warnings, and counsels, to all other churches and Christians, in all future ages, as their cases are found to resemble theirs. The application ought not to be confined to one age more than to another, nor even to collective bodies: every one in every age, that hath an ear to hear, is called to "hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." In applying them to ourselves, we should consider the Great Head of the Church as watching over us, and closely observing the state of our hearts towards him, with all our proceedings, whether good or evil; and inquire, what would be his address to us were he to commission an angel or an apostle to write to us. Secondly, By the Epistles being addressed to the angels, we are not to understand them as concerning the pastors only, in distinction from the churches, but to consider them as their representatives. That which the Spirit saith in these Epistles is "to the churches." Thirdly, In every address to the churches Christ assumes a distinct character, taken from some one part of the description given of him in the preceding vision; each of which, if we rightly understand it, will be found to be appropriate to the character or circumstances of the church addressed. Fourthly, Every address begins with commendation, provided there be any thing to commend. This shows that Christ knows all, and notices that which is good amongst us as well as that which is evil; nay, that he takes more pleasure in noticing the good than in complaining of the evil-an example worthy of our imitation in dealing with one another. If we wish to reclaim our brethren who have fallen into sin, we must begin by appreciating the good in them, and in candidly commending it, before we re prove them for their faults. Such was the conduct of Paul to the Corinthians, when about to censure them for their abuse of the Lord's supper-"Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances as I delivered them unto you." Fifthly, Most of the churches have somewhat on account of which they are censured and admonished. This is an humbling truth, even of the first and purest churches, how much more of those in our times! If the Son of God, whose eyes are as a flaming fire, were to pronounce our character, would there not be "somewhat against us?" We can see each other's errors and defects; but it were to much more advantage if we could detect our own. Finally, Every epistle concludes with a promise to him that overcometh, and an exhortation to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Professing Christians in this world are soldiers enlisted under the banner of Christ. Some have proved deserters; many have been partially overcome; the Captain of the Lord's host here addresses them, holding forth the glory that awaits them who are finally victorious. 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus, write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6 But this thou hast, that thou hateth the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Ephesus was the metropolis of the Proconsular Asia; and it is probable that all these churches were planted by the labours of the apostle Paul, during his two years' residence at Ephesus, when "all they who dwelt in Asia, heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." Acts xix. 10. The Ephesians appear to have been in a good state when the apostle Paul took leave of their elders at Miletus; but he then gave them to expect a time of trial after his departure, and which by this time seems to have come upon them. The character which our Lord here assumes is taken from Chap. i. 16, 20. and seems to contain both encouragement and warning; which fitly applies to their character, as partly commendable, and partly blameable. They had been distinguished by their exertions in promoting the cause of Christ, and their sufferings on account of it. They "worked," yea, they "laboured," for Christ, and when called to encounter persecution, bore it with "patience." They were zealous also in the exercise of a strict and holy discipline, not suffering evil characters and impostors to remain amongst them: and in this course of obedeince they had "not fainted." Altogether, this is a high character. Yet even here is something amiss: they had "left their first love." Weˇ see here, that the Lord looketh at the heart. We may retain our character and respectabilty among the churches, while yet, as to the state of our minds, Christ hath somewhat against us. To leave our first love is a very common case, so much so that some will give young Christians to expect it as a matter of course but Christ treats it as a sin, and calls on the parties to “ repent" of it, yea, and threatens to "remove their candlestick out of its place except they repented." To decline in our attachments to Christ, his gospel, his ordinances, his people, and his cause, is practically reproaching him: it is saying to those around us, that we have not found that in his religion which we once expected to find. my people, what have I done unto thee, and wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me! A declension in love is followed by a degeneracy in good works. If this had not been the case, they would not have been admonished to do their "first works." Either they were neglected, or attended to in a half-hearted manner, different from what they were at the beginning. The Lord, to show that he did not find fault with them with pleasure, again commends them as far as they were commendable they hated the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which he also hated. Clemens of Alexandria, as quoted by Eusebius, speaks of these as a people who practised a community of wives, living in fornication and adultery. It is thought, and with some probability, that they were the people to whom Peter and Jude refer, the antinomians of the primitive church. If we have an ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto this church, we shall learn from it, among other things, that works are the chief test of character; that in serving the Lord in this world there is great occasion for patience under sufferings, and discrimination of characters; and that while justly censuring others, we may decline in spirituality ourselves. The promise to him that overcometh, is, that he shall "eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." That which grew in the earthly paradise became inaccessible by sin; but no flaming sword nor cherubim prevent access to this. 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna, write, These things saith the first and the last; which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich,) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. No mention is made of this church and several others, except in these epistles. Polycarp, the disciple of John, was pastor of it, and suffered martyrdom. Whether he was the angel here addressed is uncertain; but when he suffered, which was about the year 162, he speaks of himself as having served Christ 86 years, and Irenæus speaks of him as having been ordained Bishop of Smyrna by the apostles. This church seems distinguished by its persecu tions; all that is said has respect to them. The character under which Chirst addresses them is taken from 7375 Chap. i. 11, 18. These things, saith the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive.” The former is expressive of his God The commendaton of their "works" in the midst of tribulation and poverty, (poverty it is likely, arising from their persecutions,) is much to their honour. We see here of what little account worldly wealth is in the estimation of Christ. We hear much of respectable congregations, and churches, when little else is meant but that they are numerous or opulent: but the estimation of Christ goes on quite another principle. What a contrast there is between this church and that at Laodicea! They were rich in this world's goods, but poor towards God: these were poor in this world, but rich towards God. It is intimated that they had not only to contend with Heathens, but Jews, who had a synagogue in this city and it is remarkable that in the account of the martyrdom of Polycarp, the Jews are *poken of as being very active in it, and as joining the Heathens in Kindling the fire. We see here to what a state of mind that people were left after having rejected Christ: they had been the people of God, but were now no longer such, but blasphemers: their synagogues had been places where God had been worshipped: there our Lord himself attended, and to them the friends of God in Heathen countries had been used to resort; but from hence they became the synagogues of Satan! his They are given to expect more persecutions, but are encouraged to meet them with fortitude. The devil would stir up agents to imprison some of them for a season, and some of them might expect to die for the name of Christ; but if faithful unto death, they are promised a crown of life. It was about sixty-seven years after this that Polycarp and other members of this church, suffered martyrdom; the account of |