Rom. v. 1 — 5. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ : by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation ivorkelh patience ; and patience, experience ; and experience, hope : and hope maketh not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
*
IT may excite surprise, that the Apostle should contend so earnestly for the doctrine of justification by faith alone, when on many other subjects he evinces a candour that might almost be construed into indifference. The eating of meats offered to idols ; the observance of times and seasons which under the Jewish law were regarded as holy ; yea, and even the practice of circumcision itself, if not set in opposition to the Gospel ; were left by him to the discretion of men, to be used or neglected as they thought fit. But to receive the doctrine of justifica- tion by faith was not left to the option of any ; nor was any alternative offered them, but to submit to it, or perish. This however was not without good rea- son, since it was not possible to substitute any thing in the place of that doctrine, or to interfere with it in any degree, without making void the whole work of redemption. Moreover, by this doctrine such blessings were insured to man as could not be pro- cured by any other means. Some of these the Apostle