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p30 F G Patterson, In 2 Corinthians 4:1 διακονία is the apostle's ministry, but the ministry of, and characterised by, what he speaks of This is a common ambiguity in English. Hope is what passes in my mind - faith, hope, etc. - but my hope is laid up in heaven. 'Thought a good thought' is thought objectively; 'a man of much thought,' is the habit of thinking in the man, and so of others. In chapter 3 the subject matter, law or gospel, is the ministration, διακονία (diakonia), that is, the thing ministered, but it was ministered by Paul, and therefore his ministry. A candle was lit up in a lantern: it was itself the light - the candle's light - but his light because he carried it. God had shone in his heart to give forth the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. His ministry was this knowledge, still he ministered it, and so it was his ministry.

The bringing the stones from Gilgal was merely a provision of material - what was brought out of death: we are quickened together with Christ, but it was only the essential character of the stones provided; but the action with them was as much Joshua's as the other. (Josh. 4, 20) It was Christ's work in the power of the Spirit in both cases - namely, the memorial was: only one, having been in death (only dry and an entrance into the new and heavenly thing for us), the other, turning back to know whence we were drawn. The second twelve are Ephesians; the first, Romans.

As to Philistines, I suppose it is from phalas to migrate. They came up from Caphtor in the direction of Egypt called Philistines because they were strangers. The Canaanites represent Satan's power over which the people of God are victorious, as God's army fighting for God - taken as enemies, treated as such - Satan simply in power. The Philistines are the thorns of Satan's power where he has not been overcome - left and not treated as an enemy. They become an abiding source of distress and perplexity, having more power than Israel, though when God interferes they may be beaten as by Samuel, or put down when Christ comes as by David. They are the allowed evil of Satan's power, not the power of Satan banished or overcome by spiritual energy.

There are no specific scriptures that I know that state that the Holy Ghost will abide in us for ever. But its action in spiritual power is essential to our power in life. The Spirit is life, and it surely is not to be taken away as power of enjoyment in heaven. The law of the Spirit of life has made me free. The passage that made me see it was Acts 1:2, where Christ gave commandments by the Holy Ghost after His resurrection; and we are to be fully conformed to Him. We do get it in the Ephesians: the truth as in Jesus is putting off the old man and putting on the new. Only it comes in more, by the bye, because we are looked at as in heaven, and circumcision is the application of that to our place on earth or tendency of flesh to it. In Ephesians we come out as manifesting God's character, the Holy Ghost dwelling in us. You have not the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in Colossians, but life. He is pressing their completeness there in Christ upon them, and so speaks of it; they had circumcision as viewed in Christ. . . .

1 Timothy 3:15. The Son of the living God is what the church was built upon. It is the power which has brought it above dying man, and withal is abiding. It is a term of power and dignity above idols, above death in man. We trust in the living God. We are converted to serve the living and true God. Well, this is His assembly on earth. See Acts 14:15 or take a concordance and see living God.

As to John 1, 2, and 20, 21: the first is wholly earthly and with Israel, John's testimony and Christ's and the witnesses, and then His connection with Jews and temple on His return. John 20, 21 - rather the contrary - gathers His disciples after His resurrection, and is in their midst, and blessed are they that have not seen but have believed - Thomas only representing the Jewish remnant, and fish already on shore when the Lord comes. It is not the Church formed - that never in John - but an intimation of resurrection work, not a simply earthly one. There are no days in John 20, 21, but three consecutive scenes pointing to a Christ known as having left them as walking here, though walking as yet with them in resurrection, not uniting by the Holy Ghost.

Daniel 7, "Most High." The words are different in Hebrew, that is, plural and singular; verse 18 plural - heavenly, high, places. Verse 22 plural. Verse 25, first time singular, second plural, that is, with saints it is so. Verse 27 plural: the only difficulty, because it is elyonin not elyon - that is, singular, His kingdom, not plural.

I was very glad to hear of the work in - . Though accompanied by what craved excitement and was likely to sink down to its own real proportions, I did not doubt there was a real work in the Revival, but no Church to receive them. I trust in a measure that is the case in Canada. - is gone out, whose gift and heart is to care for saints.

Affectionately yours in haste.

London, July 23rd, 1869.

[52016E]

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