and Pythagoras, and were now endangered by the same Jewish zealots building on the dreams of a vain philosophy, and uniting with them the ceremonies of Moses and the abstinences and traditions of men.

The warm and holy zeal of Epaphras was kindled and overflowing, as it were, in the view of these dangers, and he was labouring night and day in his prayers for their establishment in the simplicity of Christ.

Here, then, let us pause. May God grant to all his ministers the humility and tenderness of St. Paul towards his fellow-labourers in the Gospel! May God grant us many such a Tychicus and Onesimus in all our churches and missions, who may become faithful ministers, whatever their previous character may have been. May such as John Mark once was, return to their first fidelity; and those who resemble Aristarchus and Justus, be " a comfort to us," amidst the timidity of too many in critical times! And may many such as the faithful Epaphras labour fervently for us, that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

LECTURE XXXIV.

LUKE AND DEMAS-THE LAODICEAN BRETHREN— NYMPHAS-CHARGE CONCERNING THIS EPISTLE, AND ONE FROM LAODICEA -MESSAGE TO ARCHIPPUS THE APOSTLE'S CONCLUDING SALUTATION.

COL. iv. 14—18.

WE have considered our apostle's affectionate notice of the bearers of his epistle, and of his three fellow-helpers from the circumcision; and also his high commendation of Epaphras.

We proceed next to his brief mention of Luke and Demas.

14. Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

This Luke is generally considered to be the same as the evangelist, and companion of St. Paul in his travels, mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He had accompanied him to Judea, and abode with him during the two years of his imprisonment at Jerusalem and Cæsarea, and was no doubt present at his trial before Festus and Felix. When Paul was sent a prisoner to Italy, Luke still attended him; and at the apostle's second and final imprisonment at Rome, stood by him when others through fear deserted him. This circumstance is mentioned in

the second Epistle to Timothy in manner," Only Luke is with me."

a most marked

For then it was

2 Tim iv.

that at his first answer no man stood by him, but 11,16. all men forsook him."

He may well, therefore, be described as beloved; for such fidelity, through so long a period of such trials, was calculated to excite the warmest affections of the apostle's tender and grateful heart.

We learn also here that Luke was a physician, which may possibly have been stated by the apostle, not only to distinguish him from others of the same name, but also to teach us that the profession of medicine should be duly honoured and esteemed in the church, and not considered incompatible with the most zealous and continued fidelity in the Gospel. Thank God, many beloved physicians have at different periods borne this character; though, alas! the number, in some ages of the church, has been but few! Their familiarity with the wonders of God in the human frame, the circumstances of their early medical education and associations, and the services of their profession, intrenching at times on the rest of the Lord's day, give occasion too often, through the hardness of man's heart, to irreligion and infidelity.

We may observe, also, that affection and love to those who unite piety with zeal in performing the functions of the physician, should be considered as a fit and suitable return for their assiduous services. They deserve our love, as well as the mere secular

10.

remuneration which their education, and talents, and skill may merit. There is no profession where friendships are so often generated. And few Christians fill a more useful and exalted position in the church than the pious enlightened physician.

We may observe, further, that in the travels of missionaries or other pastors, the accompanying services of a pious, skilful medical friend and brother in the Gospel, is of great moment, and a source of much consolation.

The name of Demas excites our sorrow, because in our apostle's subsequent epistle, about three years after to Timothy, he is mentioned as having "for2 Tim. iv. saken him, having loved the present world, and having departed for Thessalonica." For it is generally considered that he is the same person. Whether he finally apostatised or not, we cannot tell; but his name stands as a beacon and warning, like that of Lot's wife, of the danger of the love of the world. At one time he is St. Paul's companion in tribulation, at another his faith and courage fail; at one moment he sends salutations to the Colossian brethren, at another he loves the world too much to give up all for Christ. Perhaps some prospect Joshua vii. of secular advantage offered itself like " the golden wedge and Babylonish garment" to Achan; and "he coveted it," and went off to Thessalonica in pursuit of it; not willing to hazard himself longer by continuing with the apostle in his last trial and sufferings for the Gospel.

21

Let us pray for grace to resemble Luke the beloved physician, and not Demas, the lover of this present, miserable, deceitful, and perishing world!

The apostle having finished the salutations of those around him, proceeds to send his own benedictions to the Laodicean brethren, and especially to one of their number.

15. Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.

The apostle sends his apostolical blessing to the brethren at Laodicea in particular, and to Nymphas, as he was about to give a most important direction with regard to them. It is probable that the errors concerning the mediation of Christ were most prevalent there, and that it was most needful that this epistle should be solemnly and publicly read amongst them. He was particular, therefore, in saluting the faithful in that place, as a preparation.

When we read of the fearful" lukewarmness" of the Laodicean church in about thirty years from this time, when our Lord addressed the last of the seven Apocalyptical Epistles to it, we are struck, as we noted in our introductory lecture, with a melancholy reflection on the rapid mischief that one false principle, such as saint invocation, may produce in the course of a single generation. In the year 64, St. Paul salutes the brethren there without casting any blame especially upon them; and in the year 96, our Lord pronounces them "neither cold nor