you ever considered what holiness of heart and life is required of those in whom the Spirit of God will continue to dwell? Alas, there are too many who forget altogether what manner of men they ought to be, who bear the Christian name. When we were admitted into the Church of Christ by baptism, we received a high honor, by becoming the Temple of God, by having the Spirit of God to dwell in us; but if we defile that Temple, and resist that Spirit, what can we expect but to be destroyed with an awful destruction? The more we receive, the more we have to answer for. Mark then this solemn truth if those who bear the Christian name live unchristian lives, they will have to answer for defiling the Temple of God; for His Temple they are. Oh, Reader, consider well how your conduct agrees with such a high sounding title. You are the Temple of God. Having been made a member of Christ, you form a part of His outward visible Church or Temple; this is certain; but the question is, are you a spiritual and a true member of it? Remember it is written, "The Temple of God is holy."

Verse 18 to 23.

EXPLANATION.

Pride is very apt to blind men's minds, and make them think themselves wise, when in fact they know nothing; against which, here follows a warning. (18) Be not deceived. If any man among you prides himself upon his understanding, and mixes up the wisdom of this world with

holy things, it is necessary that such an one, should first learn to count his wisdom foolishness, and to become what the world will call a fool, before he can be truly wise. (19) For what is considered wisdom by the world, is in the sight of God foolishness. It is written, "He taketh the wise in their own craftiness:" (Job v. 13.) that is to say, God makes those very things, in which the worldlywise glory, to prove the means of bringing them to shame. (20) And again it is written, "The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity." (Ps. xciv. 11.) (21) Therefore give not to men the glory, which is due only to God. Let not one man glory in another, or depend upon another for guidance and support; but remember that all things are given to you by God. (22) Whether it be I myself, or Apollos, or Cephas, or whoever it may be that is your appointed Minister, look upon him as only one among the many gifts of God, who in fact makes every thing in the world to work for your good, whether it be life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All things are your's; (23) since you are united to Christ, and Christ to God.

APPLICATION.

Union with Christ the only source of life in the soul.

Christians are very apt to overlook their privileges, to live upon husks, when they might have bread from heaven to feed upon. That is to say, they are dwelling on the externals of religion, and are not

living upon its inward principle.

Therefore they fail to experience that courage and comfort which the Gospel, rightly understood, is calculated to convey,

The case of the Corinthians is the case of many in the present day. Christian friends, Ministers, and Teachers, are idolized; and outward ordinances, which are the means of grace, are placed in the room of religion itself. Thus in various ways do men continually show how ready they are to mistake the means for the end, and to forget the Giver in their value for the gifts. They glory in those things, which are but the instruments of good; not considering that the only source of happiness and prosperity to the soul, must arise from an union with God through Christ.

Oh! how melancholy it is to observe the low state in which the generality of Christians live. We see indeed that they are in some measure alive. They are not dead in trespasses and sins. They know something of the value of their souls, and of the preciousness of Christ. But still what a poor languid life it is! How few there are that can enter fully into the meaning of St. Paul's words, “all things are your's," for "ye are Christ's;" such language as this expresses the highest confidence in God, and the most full and joyful assurance, that every thing present and future will be ordered by Him for the good of His believing people. But do we find Christians generally rejoicing in this manner, let their circumstances in life be what they may? Whether they abound in the comforts of outward ordinances, or whether means of grace be cut off;

whether their intercourse with the world be much or little; whether their life be likely to be continued, so that they may labour here, or whether they see death approaching; are they calculating upon all these things as their's for good? as given to them for their especial benefit? Is time present felt to be most valuable, and time to come assuredly believed to be rich in mercies? Do we find Christians thus contented and joyful? Do they thus see God in every thing, and find that they possess all things in possessing God? With some happy Christians this is the case but not with all. Alas! it is the case with very few. We are too apt to find Christians either glorying in men, and forgetting God, or else regarding some one or other of His dispensations as the reason why they have so little enjoyment in Him.

Those who are blessed with many of the outward privileges of religion, rest too much in them, and those who from infirmity or other circumstances are cut off from them are ready to say, "All these things are against me." They do not believe that all things are working together for their good. How often do we hear people exclaim 'Oh! if I were not deaf, and could hear preaching; if I were not blind, and could see to read; if I were but thrown into the society of religious people; if I might but enjoy a Gospel ministry! If in short, things were but different to what they are, how much better might my soul prosper.' Christian Reader, if conscience tells you that such is the language of your heart, be persuaded to believe that you are sadly mistaking the root of

the matter. You are either forgetful or ignorant of the real source of all true religion. It is not the preaching of a Paul, or of an Apollos which would make you a fruitful Christian. For this end, one thing, and one alone is necessary, even this, that you should be vitally united to Christ, and draw all your support from Him. It is looking for help to this thing, and that thing, and forgetting the only real source of nourishment and strength, which causes so many to drag on their lives heavily in discontent, who might otherwise be always rejoicing. If we are truly looking unto Jesus, and are indeed made one with Him by faith, then let our natural abilities be ever so small, or our outward advantages ever so few, we may yet truly feel, that having nothing, we possess all things; that all things are ours, for we are Christ's, and Christ is God's.

PRAYER.

O merciful Father, deliver me altogether from a carnal mind. I earnestly desire to be spiritually taught, and enabled to receive with joy the whole of Scripture truth. In many things I am as yet but a babe in Christ, but I earnestly desire to press on towards perfection. O Lord, preserve me from envy, strife, and division. Suffer me not to walk as do the men of this world, according to the workings of their own carnal hearts. Teach me to regard Thy appointed Ministers as the servants of Christ; as ambassadors from Him to instruct my soul. Grant that the seeds which they sow and water in my heart,