s This, as it is usually interpreted, is made to sanction the idea, that a sense of God's love in the soul is of itself a sufficient ground for an assurance, that our hope is truly scriptural, and shall never be disappointed. But such an idea would lead to the most fatal delu- sions. A most able and judicious commentator (Mr. Scott), aware of this danger, endeavours to remove it, by including in " the love of God shed abroad in the heart," all the fruits resulting from it. But an easier, and, in the Author's judgment, a better way to get rid of the difficulty, is, to connect this clause of the text with those words in ver. 3, " We glory in tribulations also ; " the intermediate parts being taken parenthetically. Then the proper sense of these words may be given to them without any danger, and a beautiful light be thrown on the whole passage : for though the love of God in the heart is not of itself a sufficient evidence of the soundness of our hope, it is, beyond every thing in the world, an incentive to despise, or rather to glory in, sufferings for the Lord's sake. We would read it thus : " We glory in tribulations also ; (knowing, &c. &c. ;) because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, &c."
flee unto the Saviour as their only refuge, and rely upon him as their only hope.]
We would exhort you then, beloved,
1. To hold fast the doctrine of justification by faith only —
[No other doctrine brings such blessings along with it. Hence, they who impugn this doctrine, pour contempt on all these effects of it, as fancies that have no reality, and as the creatures of a heated imagination. But we must discard the Scriptures themselves, if we discard these things from the ex- perience of God's people : and therefore let none deprive you of your hope. Believe in Christ : make him " all your salvation, and all your desire." Dismiss with abhorrence every thought that tends to lower him in your estimation, or to rob him of his glory; and to the latest hour of your lives " live altogether by faith in Him, who has loved you, and given himself for you."]
2. To seek the privileges connected with it —
[If any enjoy them not, the fault is utterly their own. Circumstances may interfere to put a difference between one and another, so that persons, equally pious, may not be equally full of peace and joy : and the same persons may sometimes experience a diversity of frames. But, generally speaking, these blessed exercises of mind will be found in men in pro- portion to the simplicity of their faith, and the entireness of their devotion to God. All the persons in the blessed Trinity are engaged to make you thus blessed. The Father lays his anger by, and speaks peace to your souls. The Lord Jesus Christ, as your Advocate with the Father, secures these bless- ings for you, and, as your living Head, imparts them to you. And the Holy Ghost communicates to you all those exquisite delights, which the sense of God's love, and a prospect of his glory, are calculated to inspire. Seek then the peace that passeth all understanding ; and the joyful " hope that purifieth the heart :" and seek such an abiding sense of God's presence, as shall raise you above all the things of time and sense, and convert tribulation itself into a source of joy and a ground of glorying. Then will you adorn this doctrine of God our Saviour ; and will put to shame the enemies of the Gospel, by the transcendent efficacy of it upon your souls.]
1841. J THE BELIEVER'S SECURITY IN CHRIST. I&l