all is well. We .. believ'e on him." 2. Th~ sJJtCinl subJ'ect-matttt· qf our fait'ft, "That f'lllsed Jesus," et.c.. It 'WRS not reTMled to Abtahatn. how God would evontually work out l'lll'l'lltion for rnankind, but !!'1ch salvation 1\8 he could gra.sp was promleod-'the l'Ri8ing up of a posterity which s~1ould possess the world. To ue the full mea.nlng of tha.t promise has been ma.de known. (1) The "delivering up" of Jesus "for our h-espassei<." Man's sin the necessitating cause: "that he might be ju8t," eto, (eh. iii, 26). God's love the efficient ea.use: "so loved the world," etc. (John lit 10), (2) 'l'he •raising" of Jesas "for our justification." The death did its work; mo.n wae justified (i.e. potentially). But if so, the justification of man through the death of Obrist demanded his resurrection, just as the trespasses demanded his death. God raised him ; O"UT Lord of life for evermore. And it is this grandly operative love that olaims our faith. II. OuR llIGHTEO~'ESS. 1. An objective righteousness, complete now by reason of our faith in the at.oning work of Chn"'st. What was potential for all men is actual to us, who have received it with humble hearts-even justifica.tion through Christ. 2 . .A s,d,femr,e righuournwi, pledged by the faith which ;trusts the living Lord. The faith itself the germ also of future righteousness, and therefore "reckoned" for what it will more and more perfectly bring forth. To us? Oh, simple condition-believe on him !-T. F. L. Vers. 6-S.-.A happy man. It is essential in argument to have common ground where the debate can be carried on. The apostle could count on the agreement of his Jewish readers with his reference to the Scriptures as the court or final appeal. And whilst some modem hearers reject the claims of the Bible, the majority receive it as an inspired authority, so that the preacher's business generally is to prove his case therefrom, and to press home its statements showing what is the appropriate action they involve. Having mentioned Abraham as an instance of justification by faith, the apostle prc,ceeded to summJn David as a witness to the same truth in the thirty-second psalm. • ' L Gon's llEBCJFUL TREATlfEl,."T OF PID,'ITENT SINNERS, 1. Three· expressions are employed in the verses cited, respecting sin, It is said to be forgiven, like a debt remitt.ed, tbe score against us being erased. It is covered, as the mercy-seat hid the Law from new, or as a stone flung into the depths of the sea is buried in its waters, or m a mantle of :fleecy snow conceals the defilements of a landscape. Likewise it is not ret:koned &,,,"II.inst the delinquents, as if God turned a deaf ear and unseeing eye when complaint is lodged against him concerning the transgressions of the culprits. He smooths the wax tablets so that none can read the bil1 of indictment, 2. These expressions signify a complete pardon. The king may not care much for the presence of the pardoned rebel at his conrt; but the father is joyful at the return of the prodigal son. No intermediate state of indifference is possible in God's attitude towards· his creatures; when he forgives, there is full reconciliation, No look, no tone, hints at past unworthiness! 3. These expressions teach plainly gratuitous justification; ·'No mention is made of hur..:::n merit. Man's repentance cannot obliterate or atone for the past ; forgiveness means a wrong condoned, not undone. Man is a· slave, who cannot purchase his freedom ; he has thrown himself into bondage, and his only hope lies in fret: manumission. II. THE HAPPINESS OF THE FORGIVEN. 1. The penalties of sin are averted. This does not mean that all the consequences of past wrong-doing· are prevented from following, but that the wrath of God rl'ets no longer upon the sinner, The future sentence against evil is withheld, and .the burden or guilt is thus removed. 2. J uetifica- tion brings with it admission into a state of Divine favour. Acquittal includes more than a negative result, that of no condemnation; there is likewise a positive entrance into the kingdom of heaven, with all its sacred privileges and relationships, Filial love tak~ the place of the spirit of fear. 3. The blissful consciousness of a right condition. Instead of slurring over sin, trying vainly to forget it, the. fact has bean faced, the truth admitted, and the touch of God has rolled the load for ever from tho conscience. The Scriptures assume the JX>Hsibility of knowing ourselves forgiven. Faith oi,ens the inni,r hearing to rejoice in tho assurance," Go in pence." 'fho devout L!radite had the cemnoniee of the temple to ll)'Illbolize God's plan of mercy as well o.a dtt:n'. 1......2/J;J Tt1t ~PISTLE or PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 119
th~ deolnratlons of inspired tenchere. The Christian has wordR of Christ to rest upon, ns llleo the npostolic commentaries upon tho sacrifice and misRion of Christ. "I'm in IL DOW''l'lrorld," snid one who realized his altered poAition God-wards. Peaceful in mind during life, sereno in the prospect of denth, with God as his Portion throuah eternity 0 surely thle is happiness worthy of the eulogy of the psalmiet.-S. R. A. '