to the power of His glory."* The strengthening is such as might be expected from the power of the Divine glory, and this power indicates the measure and degree in which the Colossians would be strengthened. In a parallel passage in the Epistle to the Ephesians (iii. 16), St. Paul prays that they might be strengthened" according to the riches of His glory."

Spiritual power, then, is not indigenous to the soul of man; it is from God, who alone fully knows its capabilities and needs, and who can influence it according to His gracious will. If the word or smile of an earthly parent can strengthen the soul of his child in some effort of patience, some arduous duty, or some achievement of skill, what must be the presence and power of God to the souls of His weak and erring children? The Divine Father can work effectively within; we can influence each other only from without. And the principle of this Divine action is according to the power of His glory, not simply His glorious power, as some explain it; for this is only one idea, while "the power of His glory" involves more than one. Often do we find the power and glory of God conjoined in Scripture. Unitedly they are ascribed to Him. To see His power and His glory is the spiritual vision longed for by those who devoutly worship in the earthly sanctuary. The celebration of His power and glory is the grand theme of celestial song in the upper sanctuary. Here the principle on which God confers strength is "according to the power of His glory." Power, then, must be an essential attribute of the Divine glory. The glory of God has a force, an influence peculiar to itself,

This is "the norma in accordance with which, and in correspondence with which, the strengthening would be effected." (Ellicott in loc.)

† Ps. lxiii. 2. Rev. xix. i.

and characteristic of it. In a bright day of spring or summer we speak of the power of the sun, a power proportionate to his glorious effulgence, unclouded brilliance, and direct radiance. So God's glory, as it shines forth in creation, providence, and redemption, has marvellous power.

If you survey the Divine glory in creation, how vast and impressive its power must be! "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork;" but what attribute of His glory is most prominent in the march, regularity, and splendour of these heavenly bodies? Is it not the almighty power by which He "stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain," and "bringeth out their host by number"? So with the works of creation around us. Power is everywhere present and apparent in the everlasting hills, "the deep blue sea," the variegated earth, and all the wonders in them. Even the thoughtless and untaught multitudes, who may have no eye to trace the wisdom, and no heart to acknowledge the goodness, are constrained to see "the eternal power and Godhead" manifest in the works of nature.

And if you contemplate the glory of God in providence, no less remarkable is its power-an all-sustaining and preserving power, supplying the wants of everything that liveth. "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; thrat power belongeth unto God."*"If I speak of strength," says Job, "lo! He is strong." What power in turning the mighty wheels of providence throughout all the succession of time, doing" according to His will in the army of heaven the and among the inhabitants of the earth!" What power in ordering times and seasons, governing a tumultuous world, restraining the powers of darkness, and in preserving a feeble Church! The paths of Jehovah are often inscrutable in

Ps. lxii. 11.

† Job ix. 19.

Dan. iv. 35.

providence; and though the march of His majesty may be in mystery, yet who can refuse or fail to see something of the power of His glory? It is, however, in the Divine glory shining forth in the redemption of the world by His incarnate Son, that this power is specially and preeminently seen. Christ Jesus, "the brightness of the Father's glory," is also "the power of God and the wisdom of God." All the rays of the Divine glory scattered throughout revelation, and bearing on man's condition and destiny, are brought as it were into a focus in the cross, and concentrated there with enlightening and vivifying power. It is this which takes away guilt, destroys sin, and dissipates darkness from the human soul. The exceeding greatness of this power working by the Holy Spirit in the believing hear accomplishes the new creation, and transforms the moral nature of men. God's glory shining through the cross melts the stubborn soul, moulds it afresh, and turns the alien and the outcast into a lover, a disciple, and a saint. How mighty, then, the power of the Divine glory in the gospel!

In what direction soever we look we cannot fail to discern rich and accumulative evidence of the power of the glory of God. According to this power He strengthens the souls of His children. We may regard the expression as suggesting both the measure and the model of the might imparted. Strengthened, not according to human power or angelic strength, but according to a Divine measure. According as the power of the Divine glory is manifested elsewhere-in nature, in providence, or in redemption-so will it be in the souls, histories, experiences, and triumphs of God's people. They shall be illustrations, and have in themselves displays of the power of His glory, as truly as the works of creation or providence. This power is the measure of theirs, for it is God who worketh in them; and he evidence of His working, in the preserving, helping, and

strengthening of their souls, is to the spiritual eye as manifest as any evidence of power in other departments of the Divine government. What an abundant resource is this for all their weakness! What a boundless supply for all their want!

The power of the Divine glory may be regarded also as the model of our might; we may be strengthened with a might corresponding to the power of God's glory, may have such a strength imparted to us as shall be the proper image and impress of the Divine power in moral beings, so that we shall be strong in our human souls, and in accordance with our finite nature, as God is strong in Himself, according to His infinite nature. With what strength, then, for action and endurance, for achievement or resistance, may we be endued; with what ability and courage may we be armed in the great battle of life. Surely, with so much of Divine power in us, we may well realize what is godlike in spiritual heroism, so as to resist evil, overcome temptation, banish fear, surmount difficulties, be valiant for the truth, and at last conquer death itself. The weakest Christian soul so strengthened will be able to rise above trials before which unaided humanity must sink, or under which it must succumb. Truly blessed are they who are strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Neither duty, danger, nor difficulty need be any ground of fear to them.

III. The great moral purpose intended by the strengthening process," unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." It is not strength with a view to active duty or bold achievement, so much as to patient endurance and expectant waiting; not strength to do, so much as strength to bear, all things. We have here an intimation of what often appears in the New Testament-and which is confirmed by the experience of God's people in all ages-that the exercise of the passive virtues requires more strength of soul, and ex

hibits more of the Christ-like spirit, than the active virtues. It often, indeed always, requires more spiritual strength to sit still and wait than to be up and doing-more strength for patience under trial than for the active performance of duty. Mark how the Apostle here uses again, now for the fifth time in this prayer, the word all,—“ unto all patience and long-suffering." He means patience and long-suffering at all times, in all conditions, under all circumstances, under every form of trial, and in waiting for all promised or anticipated good. Patience and long-suffering are elements in the Christian life in which strength is specially a necessity for us; and it is not difficult to see an important distinction between them.

1. Patience has its sphere of exercise especially in our relation to God, in the endurance of trial or in waiting for promised blessing. The dealings of God with His people here are the discipline of a wise and loving Father who knows what is best for us, and seeks graciously to fit us for a high and perfect state of being. "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Heb. xii. 6). This discipline is often painful and protracted; long days and wearisome nights of affliction may be sent; sorrow may come on sorrow, and trial after trial. Under such discipline the spirit of the sufferer is apt to sink; there may seem no way or prospect of relief, no ray of light, no dawning of comfort anywhere; the burden appears greater than can be borne, and the tendency to discontent and murmuring may set in upon the soul. How much need of strength to bear up under such a load, and of patience to endure under such circumstances. In the midst of apparent anomalies and manifold difficulties, with so much to distress and disappoint, so much to try and disturb the soul, it is apt to give way to gloomy surmises and unwise questionings regarding the dealings of God. In order to be patient.