ruitful pen of the apostle Paul. (1.)
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his; and, Let every one that nameth
the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. ii. 19). The
engraving on the upper side of this seal represents God's part in a
sinner's salvation, and corresponds to the shepherd's generous act;
the engraving on its under side represents man's part, and
corresponds to the repenting and returning of the prodigal. (2.)
"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" (Phil. iii. 12). The obscurity which
adheres to the sentence as it stands in the English Bible is removed
when, instead of "that for which," you substitute the more direct
and literal rendering, "for that," meaning "because" or "inasmuch
as." The sentence should be read, "I follow after, if that I may (if
so be that I may) apprehend, inasmuch as I also have been
apprehended by, Christ Jesus," ([Greek: dioko de ei kai katalabo,
eph ho kai katelephthen hypo tou Christoi Iesou]). The apostle
intends to state two connected facts; and to intimate that the one
is the cause of the other. He is striving to grasp the Saviour; and
what impels or encourages him to make the effort? His own experience
that his Saviour has already in sovereign love laid hold of him.
Christ has already come to this sinful man, in loving saving power,
as the good shepherd came to the lost sheep; therefore the sinful
man will arise and go to the Father like the repenting prodigal. The
consciousness that like the lost sheep he has been grasped in the
Redeemer's arms does not induce him to abstain from effort as
unnecessary; on the contrary, by inspiring hope, it nerves his arm
and spurs him on. Because he feels that the Shepherd is bearing him,
therefore he will arise and go.

It is proper to notice here also the immediate occasion in our Lord's
history whence these instructions sprung, as it belongs not particularly
to the first parable, but generally to the whole group. This spark of
heavenly light, like many others of similar beauty, has been struck off
for us by a rude blow which the Jewish leaders aimed against the
character and authority of Jesus. The publicans and sinners of the
place,--the home-heathen of the day,--the people whether rich o