the npostlo. How genuine and sincere intercession proves when it involves us in arduous missions I .And then this mission is with a distinctly ,pvritud purpose-that Paul may, as apostle, communicate some "spiritual girt" with~ view tQ their establish- ment in the faith, How often are missions undertaken for minor and temporal ohjects, a look after Ohurch organization ancl such-like, instead of having the revival and establishment of saints steadily in view I 3. Paul ez-pects to get good aa well~ do g()f"A in visiti'!l'g Rome. He says, " that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me [' that I with you may be comforted in you, e.ach of us by the other's faith, both yours ann mine,' Revised Version]." Even an apostle with special gifts to convey expects reaction to follow his holy action ; he gets benefit while giving it; it is the law of the kingdom. "It is more bleased to give than to receive." II. PAUL REVEALS ms MISSIONARY ZEAL T0WABDS RollE AS A PUB1'0SE LONG 0HEBIBHED, BUT MTHEBT0 mNDEBED. "Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (but was let hitherto), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles." It was a settled purpose pressing through long years for accomplishment, and the writing of this Epistle WM an expedient adopted amid the continued hindrances. It 1111rely shows how determineJ!ly sacred work should be set about; not as the outcome of hasty impulse, but as the result of deliberate, prayerful conviction. Ill. PAUL PRESENTS us WITH A WONDROUS SE~SE 01!' ms nIDEBTED!il!:88. "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." Writing in Greek to these Christians at Rome, he doubtless, according to custom, included his correspondents in the term " Greeks," and not in the term " barbar'.ans." 1 This sense of universal indebtedness arose out of his commission as apostle to the Gentiles; but it is also a distinctively Christian conviction. The genius of Christianity makes us do good unto all men as we have opportunity, and especially to such as are of the household of faith (Gal. vi. 10). No other system so lays the burden of the world's welfare on us.1 Besides, Paul did not choose a certain cl.ass to whom to minister. He took men as they came, "the unintelligent" (..vo1i"Tou) just as readily as "the philosophers" {troq,o'is). It is noble to throw off selfishness so thoroughly as to feel through Christ a debtor unto all men. IV. T:uE POLIOY TO BE PURSUED WAS TO l'BEACH THE GOSPEL. "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also," etc. (vers. 16-17). .And here we have to notice: 1. The method pursued always was preaching the gospel. It has been said, "Preaching is an institute peculiar to the gospel It is an agency, previously unknown, which Christianity has created for itself t.J be its chosen mode of utterance. Jesus and his messengers are, therefore, the only preachers." 3 This method of personal agency, this plan by the pulpit, not by the press, is mcst instructive. It secures a contact of mind with mind, and heart with heart, which no mechanical substitute can furnish. Even if the pulpit had lost its power, as is insinuated but not proved, the one remedy for this would be the revivifying of the instrumentality.' 2. The subfect-matter of the preaching is the gospel of Christ. It is an announcement of good news, of which Christ is at once Embodiment and Author. Not a newspaper, with startling intelligence of a personal nature, but a message with a personal application, constitutes the subject of preaching. The good news is this, that God, though justly offended with us because of our sins, is yet prepared for Christ's sake to recei,e us into his favour and fellowship, as if the estrangement had never been. Surely this is what each sinner needs. It suits the Roman and the Grecian and the barbarian..5 It is a message for the whole human race. 3. This gospel is" the power of God unto salrotioR lo every one that believeth." God has many powers abroad. What destructive forces may wo see around us I But here, in contrast, have we his energy manifested for saving purposes. Every one who believes the good news disoovers that salvation is in it. ' Of. the quotntion from Oiooro given in Godet, iR loo. • I!'or B c,tunint exposition of this indebtedness, eee Arnot'e 'Root.a 1,11.d Frui.is of the Ohristi11n L1fo,' p. 870. 1 • Aormons,' by Dr. J. 0. Dykoa, p. S-1.
• er. Rov. Phillips Brooka's 'Leotul'Oll on Preo.ohing,' J)(lS •im. • Roberlson'11 'Scrwou~,' 1st series, Noe. ::i:i.-xiii. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO TIIE ROMANS. [olI. r.1-32,