2120. ]    THE  BELIEVER  FILLED  WITH  THE  HOLY  GHOST.    395

a  reason  for  vigilance  and  circumspection :  for  if  they  might
so  quickly  be  called  to  give  up  their  account  to  God,  it  became
them  to  be  ever  on  their  guard,  and  ever  ready.  Our  lot,
through  the  tender  mercy  of  our  God,  is  cast  on  happier  days :
we  are  not  exposed  to  the  fury  of  persecutors:  the  utmost
that  we  suffer,  is,  for  the  most  part,  a  little  contempt,  and  the
loss  of  some  temporal  interests.  Still  however  our  "  days"
may  justly  be  called  "  evil,"  because  of  the  general  prevalence
of  infidelity  and  profanenessh.  We  are  as  liable  to  be  ensnared
by  evil  examples,  PS  those  at  Ephesus  were  to  be  turned  aside
by  the  fear  of  man.  "  Iniquity  abounds  ;  and  therefore  there
is  danger  lest  the  love  of  many  should  wax  cold."  If  then  we
would  not  be  drawn  into  the  vortex  of  corruption,  we  should
keep  at  a  distance  from  it ;  and  if  we  would  stand  in  the  day
of  trial,  we  should  improve  each  passing  hour  in  preparation
for  it.]

h  If  there  be  war,  famine,  pestilence,  or  any  other  public  calamity,
it  might  be  mentioned  here.
MMCXX.
THE    BELIEVER    FILLED    WITH    THE    HOLY    GHOST.
Eph.  v.  18 — 20.  Be  filled  with  the  Spirit ;  speaking  to  your
selves  in  psalms  and  hymns  and  spiritual  songs,  singing  and
making  melody  in  your  heart  to  the  Lord  ;  giving  thanks  al
ways  for  all  things  unto  God  and  the  Father  in  the  name  of
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ*.
