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opposition and persecution, shall share with him (as we shall see more distinctly specified towards the close of this book), and this new dignity and exaltation will be their " 'new name" given them by Christ whose alone is the kingdom by right, as the Redeemer of man's lost and forfeited inheritance. And, accordingly, the path of the believer to this crown is the same trodden by Christ himself. He suffered, and therefore reigns: and "if we suffer we shall reign with him." "To Him “that overcometh will I give to sit down with me in my throne, even as I overcame and am set down with my "Father in his throne."

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In conclusion, I would only add, if we would not forfeit these privileges-if we would not lose our crown— if we would reign with Christ-let us beware of amalgamation with the world. Let us beware of the doctrine of Balaam-Satan's master-piece delusion, by which he accomplishes defection in the church. Be assured that he is by this armed with tenfold more power than by any false doctrine, or any openly proclaimed error. If the doctrine of Balaam have place in us-if in principle the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes have place in us-if anything have place in us that would lead to conformity to the world, or indulgence of the lust of the flesh, it will do more evil to the church of Christ in a day than infidelity would do in years. 0 then, instructed as we are in the devices of Satan by these examples, let us "be sober," let us "be vigilant;" knowing that "our adversary the Devil as a roaring lion goeth about seeking whom he may devour:"

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'whom," says the same admonition, "resist steadfast "in the faith, knowing that," if fidelity be attended with persecution, "the same afflictions are accom"plished in your brethren, which are in the world,” taking encouragement from the instances of those who have already "fought the good fight of faith," and, having overcome, are now waiting for their reward.

LECTURE SIXTH.

EPISTLE TO THYATIRA.

REVELATION, Chap. ii. 18-end. "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication: and she repented not. 22. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25. But that which ye have already, hold fast till I come. 26. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a

potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28. And I will give him the morning star. 29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

WE are now to consider the epistle to the church at Thyatira, a city not elsewhere noticed in Scripture, except as the native place of the woman named Lydia, "whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto "the things which were spoken of Paul," and with whom, then dwelling at Phillippi, the Apostles Paul and Silas abode some time: Acts, xvi. 14, 15.

I. Here, then, as in the former addresses, we have the appropriate title assumed by Christ: "These things saith THE SON OF GOD." This is the only place in the Book of Revelation in which the Lord Jesus is designated by this name, and here he assumes it evidently in reference to that remarkable prophecy, Psalm, ii. 7, where the Messiah says, "I will declare the decree: "Jehovah said unto me, THOU ART MY SON, this day "have I begotten thee;" as appears from verses 26, 27, where there is an undoubted reference to this Psalm, ver. 9-"He that overcometh to Him will I give "" power over the nations; and He shall rule them with

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a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be "broken in pieces." Which also shows the propriety of the title in this place; because he is about to promise, as a reward to him that overcometh, a share in that very power, and kingdom, and inheritance, which it is there foretold that he himself shall possess in conse

quence of his being "Son of God:" in both cases the inference holding-" If a Son, then an Heir."

It is added, "who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine brass." These emblems, as I showed when considering the vision of chap. i. from which they are taken, are used to express-the one, the searching discrimination and omniscience of the Head of the church, which nothing can escape undetected; and the other, the judgments he has the power to inflict, and particularly that which he will inflict at his next appearing, of which the treading of the winepress and also the treading out of corn are such vivid and descriptive symbols. See again Isaiah, lxiii. 3, and chap. xix. 15, and Micah, iv. 13.

II. Having thus announced his title, his address to this church next follows, ver. 19-25, opening with the usual declaration, "I know thy works," of which again he first particularizes those which he could note with approbation :-"Thy charity, and service, and "faith, and thy patience; and the last to be more than "the first." These can be here only briefly noticed.

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Charity," or, as the word here and elsewhere so rendered means, “love” (åɣáπŋ)—enjoined by our Lord as the chief characteristic of his disciples, and of which the full exposition is given in 1 Cor. xiii.-the love of the brethren; of their fellow Christians for His sake. In this eminent Christian grace they of Thyatira abounded, an evidence of the healthy state of the church, because the great evidence of love to Christ, as it is also the first fruit of the spirit. (Gal. v. 22.)

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