PREFACE. IT T is nearly twenty years since my thoughts were first specially directed to the study of the Epistle to the Colossians, as the subject of instruction and exercise in a large Bible-class in the City of London. After an interval of several years I renewed my study of this Epistle in a series of discourses for the pulpit, which in the course of their delivery I was frequently asked to publish. At that time I had no such thought or purpose: but since, in the providence of God, I have been laid aside from preaching, it has occurred to me that, in my enforced silence, I might be privileged to do some good by the publication of this exposition. The study of the Epistle was, therefore, again undertaken, with such additional helps as had come within my reach: the discourses have been entirely rewritten, and the preparation of this volume for the press has been the pleasing and profitable occupation of many months, according as God has given me strength to pursue it. I need not enumerate the works which I have consulted; some have been my constant companions, as will be seen by the frequent references to them; but many others have occasionally afforded me direct or indirect assistance. The exposition which I have attempted is such as appeared suitable to a congregation on Lord's-day mornings, and is especially practical in its character,—not critical, in the technical sense of that word, though no important point of exegesis, so far as I am aware, has been overlooked. The expository method of pulpit exercise has many advantages. It requires the connexion of Scripture to be traced: it brings the whole range of revealed truth in turn before the hearers-doctrinal, ethical, practical, consolatory-and were it more generally adopted by "pastors and teachers" in their public instruction, I cannot but think that the pulpit would excite an interest and wield an influence even beyond those which now flow from it. To the blessing of the "Spirit of Truth" I humbly commend this effort to explain and apply the teaching of this portion of His Holy Word. JAS. SPENCE. |