The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 155

we look through the things seen t.o the unseen and eternal can we welcome trouble as working out a weight of glory, and it loses its fearsome aspect, 2. 'l'hen tribulation must have the Christian spirit to work upon, or its results may be disastrous. Not every substance will pass unlrnrmed through the wheels and rollers, the spindles and l'hutt-ll's. It. may be t-0rn in the proces,,, or reduced to pulp, '!'rouble does not neces- sarily improve the world~v minded. Instead of softening, it may harden the heart l the man may become peevish and morose, soured by disappointment. a. And the Christian may dread the allurement of prosperity more than the endurance of hardship, '!'he chilling blast causes the traveller to wrap his cloak the closer around him; it is the hc~t which leads to throwing off his !(&Xment. '!'roubles drive us to the appointed Refuge; in our joys we are like Hannibal's soldiers at Cannre, relaxing the bonds of vigilance and soberness. Times of persecution have often proved an invigorating, l>rscing season t-0 the Church. Perhaps the hope of future glory appears more lustrous and enviable when in contrast with present danger. IL THE VALUE OF 'IRE PRODUCT. Hope is cheerful, like the light wherewith God decks himself and adorns the landscape. Hope is the eye of the soul; its clearness and brightness tell of good heslth. But the point on which the apostle here insists is the reliabk cAaracJer of Christian hope. It is a robe of which the wearer will never have cause to be ashamed. It suits the wearer. There hn.s been an inward preparation for the outward adornment. God's love has been diffused through his breast. Assured that he is a beloved child, the anticipation of bliss and perfection is an appropriate vesture for his peaceful, happy spirit. The man excluded from the wedding-feast because of an unsuitable dress showed thereby that his heart was not right; pride or obstinacy had rejected the garment freely offered. The w<>rlcmanship of the robe dis- plays the same graci.ous <iesi,gn that has filled the heart already with assurances of recon- ciling, redeemi'Tl.g love. The Spirit showing to the believer the things of Christ reveals· the character and purpose of God, and the hope of glory is recognized as corresponding in every particular to this experience of the wondrous love of God. • It is a durable garment, not flimsy iD texture, looking well for a season, then suddenly giving way. The hope of IDAny is like a palace of ice, glittering, but yielding to the rays of increasing light, or like a torch extinguished by the wind of death. But this hope, amid every change of circumstance, shall subsist in undecaying, yea, growing, splendour. -S. R.A. Vers. 9, 10.-The certainty of sal11ation. The doctrine of justification by faith may be £aid t-O be hinted at in tbe fust chapter, implied in the second, distinctly proclaimed i::i the third, proved scriptural in the fourth, and openly exulted in in this present chapter. Its con.sequences are now being emphasized by the apostle, L THE APPEAL TO .1,,. FA~. The "if" of the tenth verse does not signify doubt, but introduces the major premiBB of the proposition, and one which is matter of instant acknowbdgment. Translate it" since," or "seeing that." 1. The previous state, one of enmity against God. The human race as such had revolted against its Sovereign. The apostle considers Chri~t•s work as effected for all gener,ations, the ancient saints profiting by anticipat.ory faith, and subsequent believers being attracted by the plain preachiDg c,f the cross. Modem experience attests the reality of this unnatural con• dition, tr.,e hostility being evident both in thought and word and deed. What a blight mu.st have fallen upon the creation, for the creatures to set themselves against their Ureatoc, the children against their Parent I The remembrance of a God in heaven, iC1stead of inspiring deJiubt, is excluded as far and as long as possible. Witness the cxcla1I1&tion of the wo~ by the dying-bed of Falstaff," Now I, to comfort him, bid him 'a should not think of God; I hoped there was no need to trouble himself with any such thoughts yet." 2. TM change effected. Reconciliation means the bringing t.ugether iD J,appy agreement of parties formerly at variance. It matters not whether wt ca.n definitely state the time and manner of our individual conversion, provided we are conscious that there is now no estrangement, that we are -not "alienated in our miitd" from the almighty Author of our bcini. Does peace reign ? Do we love and Dot dread God, df:l!iriag to serve him as our cbief glory? 3. The i'Tl.,9trument. 'l'ho death of Christ is dc:clared by the apostlr to have removed ever! barrier to man's rtitum to fellow11hip with God. Wo are "jWltified by his blood,' which allays the 011. v.1-21.J 'l'HE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 151