"love, which you have derived from the promise of "everlasting life, we have thankfully adored the rich

es of divine grace, and recommended you to God in "ceaseless prayers."-The apostle, however, leaves the natural and obvious order; and, after mentioning his thanksgivings and his prayers, proceeds to speak of that which lay nearest his heart: to glorify the Lord for the mercy he had shown the Colossians, and invoke his continued blessing on their church. If this remark be applied elsewhere, the Analysis will in many instances become easier, and Paul's inward affections be better conceived.

The Proposition. The Proposition (ver. 9-12.,) flowing from the apostle's abundant love, assumes the form of a prayer; and is couched in exquisite and energetic language, indicative of that tender concern for the Corinthians, by which he was actuated. Had he been uninfluenced by this Affection, he would probably have expressed himself thus: "I write in or"der that you, who are now so much endangered by "the errors of heresy, may, through God's grace, ob"tain an increasing acquaintance with saving doctrine "and spiritual wisdom; and that you may abound in "desires after holiness, although now entangled in so 66 many fleshly and worldly deceits." But the apostle, agreeably to the feelings we have recognized in him, sweetly explains, declares, and, as it were, insinuates into the hearts of the Colossians, this the scope

of his mind. Hence it happens, that he introduces the subject which forms the principal Proposition, not so much as the scope of his present epistle, as the constant theme of his prayers. He likewise promises them, a most abundant measure and increase of divine grace-by praying for it with the most affecting earnestness (ver. 11.;) and himself, the joy of acknowledging the infinite mercy of God in respect to them (ver. 12.) The remark made concerning the Exordium, may be very properly repeated here: namely, that the apostle opens with that which most engaged his affections; and thus the Proposition varies a little from the natural and accustomed order.

The Confirmation. This may be divided into two parts; first, a Confirmation in the genuine foundation of faith, opposed to the prevailing errors of the heretics; secondly, an Exhortation to seek, with earnest care, after holiness of life. The first part is Doctrinal (chap. i. ver. 13. to chap. ii. ver. 3.;) and Elenchtical (chap. ii. ver. 4. to chap iii. ver. 4.)

In the Doctrinal part, he lays down (1.) the Proposition, which is couched in clear and weighty language (chap. i. ver$3.;) (2) the Exposition of the Proposition from the dignity of the Person (ver. 15-19. and Office of Christ (ver. 20.;) and (3.) the Doctrinal Application of the Proposition. He shows that the Colossians had happily become partakers of this saving doctrine (ver. 21, 22.:) which

doctrine then forms the ground of an Application replete with instruction and sweetness, and very conformable to the Scope (ver. 23.) The words are likewise well adapted to it, and in themselves most emphatic.

The perversions of the legal teachers who opposed the Gospel, were in no small degree dangerous; so that Paul might justly fear, lest, yielding to the deceitful arguments of those sophists, they should desert the simple truth which they had before espoused. Hence, as we observed, the words "from the hope of "the Gospel which you have heard," are emphatic; and hence the argument "which was preached to eve"ry creature under heaven," wherewith he confirms his instructions, is so likewise: for the apostle espe→ cially wished to inculcate on their minds, that the gospel which they had heard from Epaphras, was the same gospel that was preached "to every creature "under heaven."

The second Doctrinal Application is therefore very aptly connected (ver. 23.)—" whereof I, Paul, am "made a minister," &c. For he shows, that the very Truth which he propounded, was the express and genuine Object of his Apostleship, for the sake of which he had become a partaker of the sufferings of Christ. Since too, it was especially necessary to the Colossian church, that this Object should be fully understood and explored, he commences with passing on it a merited eulogium (ver. 25-27.;) speaking of it as a

mystery of Christ's manifestation to the Gentiles, which. he had been sent into the world to announce; and thence he makes a very apt transition to the third Doctrinal Application. Here, he points out the way in which he was to discharge the office committed to him, as well towards men in general (ver. 28, 29.;) as towards the Colossians and Laodiceans in particular, and all those who had not seen his face in the flesh: (chap. ii. ver. 1, 2, 3.)

If this threefold Doctrinal Application be well considered, we shall conclude that nothing could have been said, more apposite to the state of the Colossian church. What indeed would so effectually confirm them in the doctrine they had embraced under Epaphras, as St. Paul's assurance that it was genuine; that it was the very Truth which he deemed it the object of his mission to publish to the world; and that they had become the subjects of his rejoicing and the objects of his care, because they espoused it. It was likewise very essential, that he should deeply impress their minds with a conviction of his apostolic authority, and enforce that conviction by pointing out the fruits of the gospel, and the sufferings he underwent on account of it; in order that he might not only confound the presuming arrogance of the false teachers, but give additional energy to the arguments with which he was about to oppose their opinions.

The attentive reader will now without difficulty

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perceive, that the apostle's language is strongly emphatic and excellently adapted to his Scope. For instance (chap. ii. ver. 2.,) he says, unto all riches "of the fullsurance of understanding:" because there was reason to fear, lest the new converts should be hindered and shaken, by the numerous doubts which then adversaries raised. "In whom," says the apostle (ver. 3.,) "are hid all the treasures of "wisdom and knowledge;" because those adversaries, "vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind" (ver. 18.,) promised the Colossians greater degrees of wisdom.

In the Elenchtical part (pos eλeyxov) of Confirmation, which is included chap. ii. ver. 4. to chap. iii. ver. 4, the apostle adopts the following order. 1. He connects this part with the preceding:-" This I say," and adds a general proposition-"lest any man "should beguile you with enticing words" (ver. 4.) 2. He prevents an Objection; remarking that, although he was absent, he felt concerned for their welfare (ver. 5.) and here we may observe with delight Paul's paternal affection for the Colossians, as well as his ardent zeal for the enlargement of the church and the establishment of order. 3. This is followed by the general conclusion of the whole controversy, which is also practical, and placed first, where it is more easy to be understood than if placed last; because the Scope and ultimate end of the wri