The  work  of  the  Apostle  Paul  is  contained  in  the  2d  verse :
"  Ye  are  our  epistle  written  in  our  hearts,  known  and  read
of  all  men."  But  let  us  explain  the  meaning  of  this  phrase
and  its  connection.  The  close  of  the  2d  chapter  looked  like
boasting — it  seemed  like  a  recommendation  of  himself.  Now,
in  these  verses,  he  is  replying  to  the  possible  charge.  He
declares  that  he  wanted  no  commendation  to  them,  no  praise,
no  recommendatory  letters ;  and  in  this  he  was  alluding  to
the  f.iri(TTo\a\  ffvffrariKai  of  the  early  Church.  A  great  Chris
tian  brotherhood  was  the  Church  of  Christ ;  and  if  a  Chris
tian  of  Corinth  travelled  to  Rome  or  Galatia,  he  received
from  the  bishop  or  congregation  letters  of  recommendation,
and  was  at  home  at  once  among  friends.  Now  such  a  letter,
St.  Paul  says,  he  did  not  need.  Nor  need  any  boasting  be
his,  nor  praise  from  himself  or  others ;  his  works  were  too
well  known.  What,  then,  were  St.  Paul's  works  ?  What


62O  Lee  her es  on  the

were  St.  Paul's  Epistles  ?  You  will  answer  at  once,  These
which  we  hold  in  our  hands.  "  No  !"  replies  the  apostle.
