Romans 16:27

REFLECTIONS

May the faithful Ministers of Christ here learn from Paul, how near, and dear, to the heart, must ever lie the Church of Christ, when the Spirit of Christ dwells in the heart. Not content with is dressing the whole mystical body of Christ, the Apostle here particularly mentions one by one, in name, as members of Christ's body, his flesh, and his bones. Oh! how infinitely more to be valued is this record of Christ's people in the book of God, than the being enrolled among all the great ones of the earth.

Reader! do not overlook what Paul hath said, in honorable testimony of those, who by awakening, and regenerating grace, were in Christ before him. How sweet is early grace! How blessed to know the Lord from our youth! Little children! if peradventure the Lord should, put this Poor Man's Commentary in the way of any such, who like Josiah, or Timothy, have been brought acquainted with the Lord God of your fathers from your youth; do not fail to mark and bless God for the distinguishing grace! And you no less of upper years, who even like Paul, can observe those that were in the knowledge of Christ before you; yea, if even at the eleventh hour! Oh! bless God for his distinguishing mercy. He that came in at the eleventh hour, was made equal with him which had borne the burden and heat of the day! And why so, but because it is all of free grace. He that is called early, is not called for his deservings. And he that is called late, is called then for God's grace, and not his merit. All is to the praise of the glory of his grace who hath made us accepted in the beloved.

And now, for the moment, we take leave of the Apostle. Farewell Paul! We have cause to thank thee for thy ministry. But we bless Paul's Lord infinitely more, who appointed it. Oh! for grace, mightly to value and love the servant; but to pass by the servant, and love and adore the Master. Precious Jesus! he is indeed thy minister. Oh! make those sweet writings blessed to the souls of thy people. And may they minister in thine Almighty hand, to all the Churches, to bring glory to the Father, Son, and Spirit, now, and forevr.

Amen.