rt>sJ'{'C't to mere 1mimR.l lif,,, is dc-t1d, R@ it ,imth, but on euoh ne are eternal. Thus, were. t0 the lligl1er life of infolligent m11n. too, we sec how it is that eternal lifo is A whole WClrld Clf environing influonros to regarded, not RB one that will have its oom• which the mind of man responds, so as to live mcncemcnt after death, but as one to be in them, are to the brute as nothing ; it enjoyed at present, and to whioh we arc to may be SRid to be dead to them. Now, Scrip- rise in Christ even now. This idea la notably ture tearhes, e.nd we believe, that there ie a expre~eed in our Lord's words above referrod 1,piritual sphere of things above and beyond to: "I Rm the Resurreotion, and the Life: ih~ visible 11phere, which man ie r.apable he that believeth in me, though he die, yet of apprehending, being influenced by, and shall he live; and whosoever liveth and living a mll higher life than his natural believeth in me shall never die" (John xi. life therein. He is thus capable through 25, 26). Doubtless we are bidden to look the higher and didner part of his my8- forWRrd to a. fulnesa and perfection of the terious being, called by St. Paul bis ,rv,tiµ.a eternal life, of which our present enjoyment (cf. 1 These. v. 2S, 'Tl'i»• To .,,..,,;;,."- rtal .;, of it is but o.n earnest., in the ,rG,µ.a. ,,,,,,u,.a.• ,i,vx¾, rtal .,.1, ui»,.a), when in touch with .,.,,co, (1 Cor. xv. 44) in store for us here- the Ditlne ,,.,,,;;,..,_ For man to be in vital after-<:f. " Beloved, now are we children of correspondence Tith his spiritual environ• God, ancl it is not yet manifested what we ments ie spiritual life; to be out of cor- shall be," eto. (1 John iii. 2)-but still this respondC'nce with them is spirituru dP,ath. is rege.rded o.s but the consummation of a life And so, as the pl:mt is dead to sentient already begun. On the other hand, what- life, though alive in its own life; or as ever penal consequences of a state of spiritual the brute me.y be said to be de.~ to the death may be spoken of e,s in store hereafter higher lif" of man, thongh alive in mere for the wicked, it is regarded as being itself animal life; eo man may be dead as to but the continuance of a state of death in apfritual life, though alive as to psychical which they a.re before they pass away life: and thus "dead v.hile he liveth" ( cf. (cf. Rev. x..xii. 11). In eh. v. 12, etc., to l Cor. ii 14, "The nature.I man (,j,uxucos which this note refers, the above view of b8ponros) receiveth not the things of the what is often meant by "death" ought to Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto be kept before us. For, though the apostle mm: neither can he know them, because seems evidently to be speaking of the natural they a.re spiritually discerned." In other death that comes to all, he must· be to.ken as words, he is dead to them). Further, this regarding it e,s but the symbol and evidence spiritual life, unlike the psychice.l life, is of the sway of that spiritual death to which e11'er spoken of as etema.Z. For it consists in all men a.re now, in their fallen nature, interoommnnion of ma.n's immortal part liable. with the spiritual sphere of things which is The thoughts embodied in the above note eternal Kor does natural death interrnpt have been derived from, or suggested by, it; for it is not dc,pendent for its continu- • Na.tnrel Law in the Spiritual World,' by ance, as is psychical life, on environments Henry Drummond, F.R.8.E., F.G.S. (Hod- from which we are severod by the body's der and Stoughton : 1888),
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1, 2.-0l.risti.an privUege. There has been laid. in the preceding chapters, a firm foundation for the doctrines, promises, and precepts recorded here. The apostle has depicted human sin, misery, and helplessness; has shown how impossible it is that man should be justified by the works of the Law, and that his sole hope lies in the free mercy of God; and baa set forth Christ Jesus crucified and raised as the ground upon which Divine favour is extended to the penitent and believing, justifying this method of procedure as in harmony with the universal administration of the Divine government. If we take, with the_ P.eTised Version, the verbs in t_he~e verses as in ~he imperative mood, they then co11tam a summons to all true Chnet1an_s to appropnate foe spiritual privileges secured to them by the Author of eternal salvation, L We have here a STATE:HE!IT OF THE CnnIBTr.u1's POSI'l'ION. 1. What is ie, JUBtification; a state of acceptance with God, who, for Christ's sake, regards and treatB the bdiever in Jt:aWI e.s righteoue, and not as guilty. Until the conscience is &wred of Divine favour and forgivenesa there is 110 &0lid peace, 2, WM eecures it, J<::~•1~ Christ. Although Paul hal already shown this at length, he refers ng1Lin lo l,,.,ti, tLei;e vem,s to the &deerner, to whom we owe justification, and all the blessings wLd, foll0w in ii$ train. Jt is through lJilll that we •• have had our introduction into mr. v. 1--21.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 131