afflictions with patience. Instead of making us distrustful of our heavenly Father, they afford us new proofs of his love, and strengthen our hope of his mercy. And we shall have also, more or less of the assurance of God's love by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, vs. 1 — 5.
2. None of these fruits of reconciliation with God can be obtained until the spirit of self-righteousness and self-dependence is removed. They are secured through faith, and by Christ Jesus, and not by our own works or merit, v. 1, &c.
3. The hope of the hypocrite is like a spider's web; the hope of the believer is an anchor to his soul, sure and steadfast, v. 5.
4. Assurance of the love of God never produces self-complacency or pride; but always humility, self-abasement, wonder, gratitude and praise. The believer sees that the mysterious fountain of this love is in the divine mind ; it is not in himself who is ungodly and a sinner, vs. 8—10.
5. As the love of God in the gift of his Son, and the love of Christ in dying for us, are the peculiar characteristics of the gospel, no one can be a true Christian, on whom these truths do not exert a governing influence, vs. 9:10; compare 2 Cor. 5 : 14.
6. True religion is joyful, vs. 2, 11.