Paul's assurance of persevering.
Rom. viii. 38, 39. I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, ivhich is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
AS there is a typical resemblance between that good land which was promised to the Jews, and that better country which is reserved for us in heaven, so is there a striking resemblance between those, whether Jews or Christians, who have looked forward to the accomplishment of the promises. We see Moses while he was yet on the other side of Jordan, and Joshua soon after he had arrived on the borders of Canaan, appointing the boundaries of the twelve tribes, settling every thing with respect to the distribution of the land, and ordering various things to be observed, just as if they were already in full possession of the whole country without one enemy to oppose them. This appears at first sight presumptuous ; but they knew that God had given them the land ; and therefore, notwithstanding the battles which were yet to be fought, they doubted not in the least but that they should obtain the promised inheritance. Thus also the Apostle, in the passage before us, speaks in the language of triumph on behalf of himself and of all
the Christians at Rome, and that too even while they were surrounded with enemies, and conflicting on the field of battle.
It will be profitable to consider, I. The point of which the Apostle was persuaded —
[" The love of God" is that which God has manifested to us " in Christ Jesus," not merely in sending his Son to die for us, but in forgiving our sins, and adopting us into his family for his sake.
From this love the Apostle says, Nothing shall ever separate us: and, to strengthen his assertion, he calls to mind the various things which might be supposed capable of effecting a separation ; and declares concerning each, that it never shall.
He mentions four distinct couplets. First, " neither death nor life" shall be able. Death is that which is most of all dreaded a, and life is that which is most of all desiredb: more especially, if the one be attended with bitter agonies, or the other with all the pleasures of sense, their influence over us is exceeding great. But neither the one with all its terrors, nor the other with all its comforts, shall ever dissolve the union that subsists between God and his believing people.
Next, " neither angels, nor principalities, nor powers" shall be able. By angels must certainly be meant the evil angels, since the good angels are employed in ministering to the heirs of salvation, and would rather confirm them in the love of God than separate them from it : whereas, the evil angels, like a roaring lion, are constantly seeking whom they may devour. " Principalities and powers" are civil magistrates, who hold dominion over the visible, as the devils do over the invisible, world: and who, alas! too often unite their influ- ence with that of Satan to destroy the Church. But neither the one nor the other, nor both combined, shall ever sepa- rate a believer, how weak soever he may be, from the love of God.
Moreover " things present or things to come" will be found alike impotent in this respect. Present things may be so embarrassing as greatly to perplex us ; and things future may appear so formidable as to make us think it almost impossible for us to maintain our ground against them ; but they shall never prevail to destroy a child of God.
Lastly, " neither height nor depth" shall be able. To some the height of earthly prosperity is a dreadful snare ; to others the depth of adversity and distress. But the believer may defy them both : for not only they shall not be able, but