EPISTLE TO PHILEMON. I9<> 



to enjoin thee thut which is convenient ' He is careful 

 al&o to TL-^call, though obliquely, to Philemon's memory, the 

 sacred obligation under which he had laid him, by bringing 

 to him the knowledge of Jesus Christ : "I do not say to 

 thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides." 

 Without laying aside, therefore, the apostolic character, our 

 author softens the imperative style of his address by mixing 

 with it every sentiment and consideration that could move 

 the heart of his correspondent. Aged and in prison, he is 

 contented to supplicate and entreat. Onesnnus was rendered 

 dear to him by his conversion and his services : the child of 

 his affliction, and "ministering unto him in the bonds of the 

 gospel." This ought to recommend him, whatever had been 

 his fault, to Philemon's forgiveness: "Receive him as my- 

 stilf, as my own bowels." Every thing, however, should be 

 \oluntary. St. Paul was determined that Philemon's coni- 

 jtliance should flow from his own bounty: "Without thy 

 mind would I do nothing ; that thy benefit should not be as 

 it were of necessity, but willingly ;" trusting nevertheless to 

 his gratitude and attachment for the performance of all that 

 he requested, and for more : " Having confidence in thy 

 obedience, I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also 

 do more than I say." 



St. Paul's discourse at Miletus ; his speech before Agrip 

 pa ; his epistle to the Romans, as has been remarked, No, 

 Vni. ; that to the Galatians, chap. 4 : 1 1-20 ; to the Phi- 

 lippians, chap. 1 : 29 ; 2:2; the second to the Corinthians, 

 chap. 6 : 1—13 ; and indeed some part or other of almost 

 every epistle, exhibit examples of a similar application to the 

 teelings and aflections of the persons whom he addresses. 

 And it is observable, that these pathetic effusions, drawn 

 for the most part from his own sufferings and situation, usu 

 ally precede a command, soften a rebuke, or mitigate the 

 harshness of some disagreeable truth. 



