The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 136

this grace." 3. How is ie'obtained, By faith. Christ has done all that ie necessary, on hie pe.rt, to eeoure our salvation. But there is needed eomething upon our part. W 0 have to reoeive upon the Divine terms, ae a free gift, the greatest of all blessinas, It ie e. spiritual act and attitude and exercise, indispensable to the new life. 4. By what title ie it held, By the.t of grace; it is gratuitous. This is for our advantage • for no question is raised as to our fitness. The only question is as to God's faithfuln'ess • and this is not only pledged, but absolutely sure. ' II. We have here a REPRESENTATION OF THE CHRISTIAN'S PRESENT PRIVILEGE, "We have," se.ys the apostle, " [ or rather, 'let us have'] peace with God." 1. This is the peace of submission. The sinner is at enmity with God. In becoming a Christian, he Jays down the weapons of rebellion, and ceases from his opposition to rightful authority. It is a complete reversal of his former attitude. 2. This is also the peace of rewncilu,,- tion, Concord is established. Divine rule is cordially accepted, Divine principles acknowledged, Divine precepts obeyed, The Christian takes God's will for his will ; and this is true peace. 3. It is, further, the peace of confidence. Nations are sometimes on the footing, with respect to one another, of an armed truce. Very different is the relation between the God of peace and his reconciled, obedient subjects ; for they can rest in the assured enjoyment of his favour. Therefore theirs is a peace which passeth understanding, and a peace which is never to be violated. III. We have here a REVELATION OF THE CHBISTIA.N's BOPE FOB TBE FUTURE. "Let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God." 1.- Observe what it is we are enconraged to hope for. The expression is one which, in the nature of things, we cannot now fully comprehend. God's glory is essentially moral and spiritual. Yet we are assured that Christians shall be changed into the same image, from glory to glory; that the Divine glory shall, in due time, be revealed in, or rather unto, us. It is a wonderful prospect, compared with which all human and 'terrestrial hopes are pale and dim. 2. To cherish such a hope occasions present joy, Even though our circamstances are distinguished by much that might naturally depress and dishearten us, even in suffering, weakness, or persecution, such a prospect as is here unfolded may well animate onr hearts and sustain our courage. And as the realization of this hope grows nearer and nearer, it behoves the Christian to cherish this rejoicing more and more Cornily and happily. Peace here, and glory hereafter, such is the Christian's privilege! What more can he desire? What, comparable with this, can this world impart or proffer? APPLICATION. Let those who are without peace here, and without hope for the hereafter, consider whether there is any way to these blessings save that here pro- pounded-the way of justification through faith in Christ. Vers. 2-6.-0hristian discipline. Christianity is a religion intended both for heaven and for earth. It does not lose sight of the present when gazing into the future, visible to it alone. Beginning with our relation to God, it establishes thereupon our relation to men. It unfolds morality in the act of revealing the spiritaal and Divine. It represents heaven, not merely es a compensation for the miseries of time and earth, but as a state attained by the training and the ednca.tion which, in the order of Divine providence, time and earth are priIUarily intended to provide for men. l. THIS EARTHLY· LIFE IS B.EB.E DEPICTED AS A SCENE OF TRIBULATION. '!'hat human existence is characterized by trouble and sorrow is a trite but indisputa hie truth. There is no person who has ever livtld to whom all things have happened as he would have wished. And with most persons life has been, in many re:speots, o. long contradiotion of their n11turnl tastes and preferences. Whether in body or in mind. in ciroumstanccs or in relationships, in associations or employment, by bereavement or defections, all men are, and have ever been, in some way or other afflicted. This condition of our earthly pilgrimage is to many an occasion of annoyance, irritation, murmuring, rebellion. Others, of a more reasonable habH of mind, submit, with a certain stolidity, to what they regard as inevitable evil. But true religion teaches a better way of accepting our lot. We are taught to axpect tribubtion, and we are not taught to rego.rd piety as exempting from the common discipline. "Count it not strange oonoeming the fiery trial I\Dlong you." Onr great Leader passed through worse tribulation thllD nny of his followers; though he did not m,:,rit an::,- of his ~orrows, whilst we deserve more thau rul of ours. He has &lso given us to und.irs\and  THB EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [orr. v.1-21.