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Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9. And be found in Him; not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ-the righteousness which is of God by faith.

How did Paul rate his attainments as a Christian?

12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13. Brethren, I count not myself to have ap-. prehended; but this one thing I do; forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Ought not we also to persevere in like manner ? 16. Whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

CHAPTER IV.

SEVERAL EXHORTATIONS.

Recite the apostle's counsel to moderation and trust in God.

5. Let your moderation be known unto all men: the Lord is at hand.

6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God:

7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What does Paul recommend to the contemplation of the Philippians, in concluding his epistle?

8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO

THE COLOSSIANS.

CHAPTER I

PAUL'S SOLICITUDE AND THANKFULNESS FOR THE COLOSSIANS.

How does Paul express his solicitude for the Colossians, and his thankfulness for the privileges of the Gospel?

9. We do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son;

14. In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

How does he remind them of their personal interest in this great benefit ?

21. And you that were sometime alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled,

22. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreprovable, in his sight;

23. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved.away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven;

26. Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.

27. To whom God would make known what

is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is, Christ in you the hope of glory.

CHAPTER II.

EXHORTATION TO CONSTANCY.-OBSERVANCE OF CEREMONIES.

How did Paul exhort the Colossians to constancy in the faith of Christ, and to guard against vain speculations?

6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him:

7. Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

What was his counsel to them respecting the observance of ceremonial ordinances?

16. Let no man judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy-day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath-days;

17. Which are a shadow of things to come,

but the body is of Christ.

20. Wherefore, if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances.

CHAPTER III.

ON HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS.

What should a Christian aspire after; and whereon should he place his affections?

1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

3. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Should not charity and a devout spirit clothe and influence the minds of Christians?

14. Above all things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

15. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body and be ye thankful.

16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17. And whatsoever ye do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

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