flowing from his election, without the humility which the consideration of its being gratuitous must produce ; nor can he have the peace of one who is justified, without the holiness of one who is called, vs. 29, 30.
3. As Christ is the first-born or head among many brethren, all true Christians must love him supremely, and each other as members of the same family. Unless we have this love, we do not belong to this sacred brotherhood, v. 29.
4. If the love of God is so great and constant, it is a great sin to dis- trust or doubt it, vs. 30 — 39.
5. Christians may well bear with patience and equanimity the unjust accusations, or even the condemnatory sentences of the wicked, since God justifies and accepts them. It is a small matter to be judged of man's judgment, vs. 33, 34.
6. If God spared not his own Son, in order to effect our salvation, what sacrifice on our part can be considered great, as a return for such love, or as a means of securing the salvation of others, v. 32.
7. The true method to drive away despondency is believing apprehen- sions of the scriptural grounds of hope, viz. the love of God, the death of Christ, his resurrection, his universal don\inion, and his intercession, verse 34.
8. Though the whole universe were encamped against the solitary Christian, he would still come off more than conqueror, vs. 35 — 39.
9. Afflictions and trials are not to be fled from or avoided, but over- come, V. 37.
10. All strength to endure and to conquer comes to us through him that loved us. Without him we can do nothing, v. 37.
11. How wonderful, how glorious, how secure is the gospel ! Those who are in Christ Jesus are as secure as the love of God, the merit, power, and intercession of Christ can make them. They are hedged round with mercy. They are enclosed in the arms of everlasting love. *' Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy ; to the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen !"