fl..-ous l!flemB t.o ha'"c been euggcst.ed by senso, the pen11l oonsequouco or unntonotl &iinilo.rity of sound, there being no ap~rcnt sin due to the Divine ll11r11,oa-il"" (of. eh. vl. link of id8:98- The latter word is nghtly 21-28; viii. 6, etc.). It is to be observed translated m the Authorized Version, as is thllt in the lnttcr part of this vorso the 111.t!o 6aTll..3011s; ~ o u s being one who distinction between ...,,da-a-~"'• meaning hnbi- bree.ks trooties, " faithless; " ,cnrovllous, one tual practice, and orolfw is not shown in the who refuse.s to enter into a truce or treaty, Authorized Version. 'fhe eddenoo of the "impl11011ble." "reprobate mind" is not simply tlmt suoh Ter. 32.-Who (oT..-wu, with its usual things are done occnsionnlly under tcmpt11- 1;igni.6canoo, 11s before) knowing the judg- tion, but that they nre the hnbits of people's mant of Ooc1, that they whfoh practise euoh lives. And still more: suoh habits aro not things ve worthy of death, not only do the only participated in by those who have Ame, but also have pleasure in them that 1.--nowleclgo enough to perceive their guilt practise them. In this concluding verse the (,.;,.,.a ,ro,oiia-"'), but even concloued and 11p- main point of tbe whole nrgument, with provcd (a-wE11501<oiia-, ..-oi's ,rpda-uoua-,); there which &ho it began ('"er. 19). ill repeated, 'll'lLS no general protest or indignntion in viz. that all this sin was in spite of better society against the prevalent abominations; knowledge-the origiidll knowledge of God and those familio.r with the writers of the renialcd, as above set forth, to the human Augustan ago must be well aware that this race, and (as is implied further) au inward was so. Here we have the final proof of the witness of conscience still remaining, how- prevalence of the a.li&,c,µos voiis, the climax e.-cr stifled, even in the most corrupt society. of the picture of general moral degradation. By ~,os 6avb-au is not meant " deserving of "Ideo antem sic interpretor, qtiod video cspital punishment;" Divine judgment is apostolum voluisse hie gravius oliquid et evidently implied. There is no need to scelera.tius ipsa vitiol'Dm perpetra.tione per- inquire llrhat conception of future retribu- stringero. Id quale sit non intelligo, nisi tion the heathen themtl0lves may be sup- referamus ad ist.a.m nequitim summa.m, ubi posed to have had, or to have been capable mi.sari homines'contra Dei justitiam, 11bjeota of enterta.ining. Si. Paul constantly denotes verecundia, vitiorum patrocinium l!llBcipiunt" by Ba,,,rras, in a general and comprehensive (Calvin).
HOMILETICS. Ver. L-.Apostolic credentials. Greetings are often merely formal, or merely friendly. Not so this sa.lutaiion, with which the apostle of the Gentiles opens his Epistle to the Christians of renoWDed, imperial Rome. It is sincere and hearty, and it is also dignified and authorit.ati.ve. St. Paul writes as one who feels the responsibility of his position and vocation, as one who is justified in claiming from his readers respectful attention and submissive obedience. At the same time, the consciousness of his apostleship does not interfere with, but rather deepens, his prayerful and brotherly interest in the welfare of those who are the representatives of Christ in the world's metropolis. L 'In APOSTLE'S 1'"EW N-UIE IS DT ITSELF A CREDENTIAL, At the commencement of his apostolic career, Saul's name was changed to Paul ; and to all who thought upon the matter even for one moment, this fact must have been very significant. 'l'ho old name had been left behind with the old nature. The Jewish persecutor bad become the Christian preacher. Whether or not the apostle assumed the name of his convert, the Prc,cowml of Cyprus, in any case the new name was associated with the new calling, the new covenant, the new life, the new hope. The change reminds us of the promise of the victorious Redeemer to his faithful soldier, "I will write upon him my new Name." Il. Tu .Al'OSTLE'B IIPDlITtT.AL SERVICE IS .A CL.AIM UPON CHRISTI.AN BEBPEOT .AND co!il'IDESCE. The open assertion by St. Paul, that he is "bond-servant of Jesus Christ," proves that a fresh idea has been introduced into the world. Here is e. Jewish rabbi. a Boman citizen, glorying in his subjection, his serfdom; owning as hie Master, not the emperor, but the Crucified I In inditwg official letters, the great are wont to name their titles of honour. Observe, on the contrary, the lowliness of the apostle's at;!tude, u evinced in the "style and title" he here assumes. To him it is e.n honour tu Lf: C,'brist'• slave,--" whose I am, and whom I serve.'' It is the glorification of bpiritu&I Lumauity, when a noble nature like !:it. l'oul's boasts of vassalage to Jeirno, JM1:<,m.ed by Cbrillt'11 pity and sa<,-rifice froro the thraldc,m to sin, th<J first w,o which the emaoc,-ipate(i bondroan makes of new freedom is to bind blme<Jif to the service of os. r.1-82.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIIE ROMANS. 15