The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 156

fe11re of coneoienoe and inspiree us with new motives and desires. The law of c0ndem- nation was nailed to the cross. Sinners recognize in the Father's surrender of bis beloved Bon his intention nud willingness to forgive the penitent. II. THE ARGUMENT DABED THEREON. 1. If a dying Ohri" r(',l',1yn,r,i1,ed us surely a living Redeemer will avert from us Divine W'l'ath. The contrast wa.~ ~eat between the lifeless form taken down by the disciples from the cross, and the ~risen Saviour declaring," All power is given unto me in heaven and earth." And in proportion did the disciples rise from chilling despair into a condition of fearless trinmpb. The reaur- reotion was the seal of the pleasure of God in the obedience of hie Son, and an ascen- sion to honour could mean nothing lees than continued aid and blessing for those on whose behalf the Son had suffered, 2. If Christ endured th$ cross fr/I' the S'J,ke of hiJJ enemies, surely he will now save his friends. By his death he transmuted foes into friends, and friendship involves help in every time of need. The exalted Savionr places his priestly resources at the disposal of his weak and tempted followers. His perpetual intercession is a guarantee of their full, complete salvation. "Having loved his, own who were in the world, he loves them unto the end." 3. If C'hrist overcame the initial difficulty in salvation, no oth$r obstacle can arrest his redemptive career. It might well seem the crux of the problem to bring man into the way of salvation ; but once his feet are guided into the way of peace, to snstain him therein is the joyfu:. function of him who" ever lives to save." The bridging of the chasm between sin and righteousness, love and holy indignation, having been accomplished, none can doubt the ability of the Divine Architect to lead the wayfarer across in safety. Our Shepherd trains and feeds his flock. The angel with the golden censer perfumes and offers our prayers before the throne. The living Saviour is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" of his people.-S. R. A. Ver. 19.-Ruin and redemption. By itself the first clanse expresses a fact of deepest gloom. It calls attention to the prevalence of sin and death. The history of the world is traced in darkest colours. We see the race from Adam till now marching to the grave, with the taint of corruption upon all. We are confronted by that pro- found mystery, the existence of moral evil, with its widespread, deep-seated effects. The possibility of man made upright and free yielding to temptation does not em.au..st the explanation of the actual Fall. And when the Scriptures point to the influence of an external agent, the serpent, employed to bring a.bout the downfall of the first pair, the pall of mystery is not removed; its comer is lifted a little that we may see how our difficulties relate to questionings concerning the origin and continuance of evil in beings superior to man. This appears to be God's mode of dealing with us. Enongh is said to allow faith a foothold, not enough to place the whole territory at our fu- posnl. Instead of unlocking the house of previous being and inviting us to its darkened halls, to explore for ourselves the tragedy with which our own world-tragedy is con- nocted, the Scriptures point to a Sun that has risen to shine upon our moral firmament, and bid us note its blissful tendencies, kindling fresh life and beauty, arresting decay, reviving hope, attesting the interest of the Almighty in his creatures, 11nd showing that the permission of evil is not to be ascribed to any lack of Divine love. The subject of sin c11nnot be beneficinlly studied unless combined with the antidote which the wisdom and affection of the Most High have provided. Fllith may wa.er as it contemplates the inroads made by sin upon the intelligence and happines..<: of the human family, and faith must be strengthened by meditation on the remedinl work of Christ. Do you wonder at the transmission of contagion from generation to gene- ration, at the long-drawn-out penalty of the race? and does the law seem inequi- table that lays many of the nets of the guilty as a burden on the shoulders of the innocent? 'l'hen notice the operntion of the same law in redemption, where the Son of God sheds his blood to save sinners, and observe how from him is perpetu.'\ted tb~ blossing of pence and godliness. Separate the two hemispheres, and the mind l'<it:Lm1es 11, proy to chilling doubts and oppressive fears; unite them, and hope asserts its bc~e~cent vivifying power. Whilst we declare in am!IZemont, "How unsc:uclmb!,, aro his Judg- ments, and his w11ys p11st finding ontl" we can udd, "'l'o whom be glory for over;" "Just 11nd truo 1iro thy w11ys, thou King of saints." I. 'l'1rn OON'l'ful.ij'r llE'l'W"l•:EN THE SIN OF ADAM AND 'l'IIE RIQliTEOUS~E:iS OF C1rn.1.s1·.  THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [on. v. 1-21.