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ease and facility than to other churches? Fourth, why w the churches of Italy and Greece not noticed? or were writings of Paul considered as sufficient for them? were the churches of Asia more likely to fall into er than any others? These observations I am constrained make That they were situated near Byzantium, af wards called Constantinople, which became the seat of eastern emperors. These emperors and their bishops, al the year 536, separated from the Roman or western chu then falling into idolatry. The eastern empire continued the year 1453, when it was destroyed by the Ottoman po Many of the easterns were obliged to take refuge Europe, about the time that the art of printing was discove These refugees brought with them the copies of the N Testament; and thus, by the providential care of God, have that sacred volume translated and printed in the guages of all the reformed churches, from the original Gr manuscripts.

Verse 12: "And I turned to see the voice that spake And being turned, I saw seven golden candlestick This proves John's writings to be all figurative; for in twentieth verse, the seven candlesticks are shown to be seven churches. On considering this figure, we find the candlestick is placed on some eminent situation; it supp the candle, and thus light and comfort are diffused to around. The same effect a church or society of true beli ers produces.

Verses 13, 14, 15, 16: Show the glory, power, maje and dominion of the Redeemer, in and over the churches. their supreme head. He held in his right hand seven sta which are the angels, or the governmental authority over churches. Out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged swo which showed the powerful effect of his gospel on all t believers, and the fatal consequences of it to the disobedie His countenance was as the sun shining in his strength:

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cannot be taken in their literal sense. Hence the myst which is called such in that the seven stars represent angels of the seven churches, which are the spiritual ernment of its several members, in defence of the gospe committed to them. For we see that some are commen and others reproved; which shows that the whole body chargeable, or to guard against any error that might app among them. Thus it appears that both pastor and pe are included. The seven candlesticks are the seven churc or lights to lighten the Gentiles, and to show mankind way of righteousness and truth. To prove this, Christ to his followers:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may your good works, and glorify your Father which is heaven."-Matt. 5: 16.

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Verse 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." It is to be observed that the seven churches are addressed in seven different forms, and each shows the power and efficacy of the Redeemer.

Verses 2, 3: The church is commended, in these verses, for its works, its labor and patience. It appears that they could not bear them which were evil. They examined pretended teachers, and found them liars. They persevered in well-doing.o shaid daossfib nove ovad esilotudo novo

Verse 4: In this verse, however, the prophet had somewhat against them, because they had fallen from their first love. pade odt dead tot of rice aguilt csodT: stirw Verse 5: "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." ed al blad vod

Verse 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." Happy state of those who can overcome the snares and temptations of this evil world, and be enabled to partake of the tree of life. When faults were found in

the church at Ephesus at this early period. To fear that the

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