Why prophecy? "But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and comfort." (5:3.)

Under "edification" comes salutary instruction, warning, admonition, reproof, correction, pruning, etc.

"Exhortation " recovers from dejection that might result from the former, and stirs up with cheer the drooping spirit; calls upon men to arise and build; fires them with a spirit of loyalty. '' Quit you like men, be strong" (1 Cor. 16:13).

"Comfort" is soothing, consolatory, binding up, sympathizing. "God of all comfort:who comforteth us in our tribulation." (2 Cor. 1:3, 4.)

Prophecy, in the Christian sense, is never a cold theological exposition of abstract truths, but an unfolding of the ways of God as applicable to the present necessity.

It knows nothing of partiality,- favors none. It sees departure from God quickly, and admonishes and exhorts. It will not pale before even an apostle. (Gal. 2:11-21.) Men are never free from the necessity of prophecy.

He who prophesies utters the very mind of God for the hour, (i Pet. 4:10, 11.)

He need not be surprised if much suffering follows his ministrations. He must practice his own preaching. As the prophets of old had to be the living exponents of their own words, so must he who prophesies. Sobriety, then, is incumbent upon those who prophesy, and a sincere godly life.

"Ye may all prophesy . . . that all may learn, and all may be comforted." (i Cor. 14:31.)

Prophecy has to do much with the negative", or human, side of things. The positive, or divine, side usually comes second and last-"comfort."

The flesh in us hates prophecy. The "spiritual" love it. (5:37.)

John was a prophet. His ministry was corrective, restoring. It was like a mighty "ax . . . laid unto the root of the trees " when it began. (Matt. 3:10.) It said "Behold the Lamb of God,"(John 1. 29,36), as it continued. It glorified the Lord Jesus as it departs:"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30.) "They shall fail," is said of "prophecies," that is, cease (i Cor. 13:8), "when that which is perfect is come." (5:10.)

The Lord Jesus Himself was an unceasing prophecy. He is the Son of Man, Son of God. The Prophet drives them out of the temple, none the less the Son of the Father. (John 2:16, 17; Ps. Ixix. 9, etc.)

He notes everything that is wrong, and docs not try to win the self-righteous. The breach is simply widened, for He is the "Truth." (Matt. 15:1-14; 21:23-27.) Yet the sincere are instructed patiently. (ch. 15:15-20.) The obedient are graciously borne with in tenderest love. (John 16:12-15.)

Not that "His own" are always obedient, for they are exhorted to obedience, but those who are characteristically so.

Prophecy looks at that which is wrong, and rebukes it; calls to repentance; instructs by presenting the truth; exhorts to be obedient to it; comforts the truly penitent.

It is a ministry which insists upon the truth being made practical. It is, then, the ministry for all time and every emergency.

There can be no practical Christianity without it. Then let us all "covet to prophesy," not forgetting the "comfort." S. A. W.