The Episde to the Philippians is the more interesting as denoting the state of that beloved church, the firstborn of European churches, and so greatly endeared to St. Paul. It abounds in practical wisdom, and is rich in Scripture and Scriptural allusions. It reflects the spirit of St. John, alike in its lamb-like and its aquiline features : he is as loving as the beloved disciple himself when he speaks of Christ and his church, but " the son of thunder" is echoed in his rebukes of threat- ened corruptions in faith and morals. Nothing can be more clear than his view of the doctrines of grace ; but he writes like the disciple of St. John, though in perfect harmony with St. Paul's hymn-like eulogy of Christian love.