The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 252

the hee.rtiness and fidelity with which he snrrenders himself to the guidance of the Spirit. He acknowledges tha.t "it is not in ma.n that walketh to direct his steps." II. THE ROAD TRAVELLED UNDER THE GUIDANCE 011' THE SPIRIT. It is a heaven- war<l journey; the. afl'ectio1;1s ar~ "set on t?-in~s a.hove," It begins with taking up the cross to follow Christ, and implies ee!f-demal m order to please God. It is a pil"rim- age. Thie world is not our rest, or our final home. It involves a warfare, for many foes beset our path, and there is no tnrning aside to By-path Meadows for the man under the influence of the Spirit. How the natural life is gl~rified and transfigured by this conception of the unseen hand impelling us I No man 1s ever harmed by the Spirit's leading, and if he falls into a snare it is because he has mistaken the Divine indications of his route. III. .AsoEBTAINING THE JIIIND OF THE SPIRIT, We are not led blindfold and Irresistibly; the reason is illumined, the emotions_ are qu!ckened. All ~bat strengthens the spiritual life contributes to the clearness with which we recognize the Spiri;,'s prompting, and to the readiness with which we yield to his gentlest touch. l'rayer keeps open the communication with the spiritual realm. Ask for guidance before, not after, commencing an enterprise; nor expect the Holy Spirit to come in as a. deus ez machinri to rectify your errors. Compare your judgment and conduct with the precepts and principles of Scripture, and with the example of good men, especially of Jesus Christ. We are taught in his schooL Like an artist intently studying some work of genius and imbibing its spirit, so meditate on Christ till you catch bis enthu- siasm for goodness and consecration to the will of God. Make the most of the seasons when you are blessedly conscious that you are "in the Spirit," he it on "the Lord'3 day" or any other. It is sin that darkens our spiritual perceptions, as some accident to the body may blunt the finer seusations, may dull the hearing and dim the sight. IV. THE FAMILY LIKENESS WHICH THIS GUIDANCE IMPARTS. The Spirit of God enables us to realize our sonship. Hatred and disobedience and fear are exchanged. for glad com- munion and willing service. We become iccreasicgly like our Father, like· onr elder Brother Christ, and like the rest of the redeemed children. It is not identical same- ness, but similarity, which results. Members of the same home may differ much in exact lineaments, yet the stranger can discern a family likeness. By his Spirit is the Saviour preparing his brethren for their heavenly home, to enter with intelligent zest into its enjoy.ments, the society of the angels and of the blest, into holier worship and higher service than we can render here.-S. R. A. Ver. 19.-The CJhristian apocalypse. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of progress; "forward" is its watchword. That outgoing of the character of God which constitutes hie works and laws cannot be other than an advance. For God to retrograde is impos- sible. In Judaism at its brightest period, the eyes of the noblest men directed. their vision to better days to come. The saints "died in faith," not having received. the promises, but embracing them afar off. .And to-day the Christian, much as he loves to read of the illustrious sacrifice of himself on earth of the Son of God, regarding the events of that earthly sojourn as the foundation of his hope and religion, yet sighs not for 11 return of past wonders, but believes in II more glorious unveiling of the plan of God. Times of apparent defeat and humiliation are but valleys to be traversed in ascending to the topmost mountain-peak. I. THE GOAL OF EXPECTATION. "The revealing of the sons of God." The sons are at present in obscurity. 'rhe statue is partially hidden, its proportions are visible, but we shall hereafter discern its lustrous beauty and perfection, complete, unstained. Princes, heirs to the throne, may be for a season in poor habiliments and amid mean surroundings; but they nre to be brought forth like Jossh, to be crowned as kings and priests unto God. God has given us "the firstfruits of the Spirit." As when a friend despntches his carriage and servants and son to conduct us with all honour to his house, so God has sent his Spirit into the hearts of his children-the earnest of tho joys of heaven. Sweet voices whisper a comin"0 state of lnrger possibilities aud nobler felicity. The dawn hernlds a cloudless day. Wo "wait for the redemption of the body," the removal of every trace of sin, the doliveranco from ev<'ry yl1 ke, tho com- plete nbolition of death. Here a menu presence may conceal a benutiful porsouality; there the body shnll be the out-flnshing glory of the perfected spirit, tlS at tho Trans-  250 TRE ll:PIS'l'LE OF PAUL 'rO TltE ROMANS. tcm. "rtrr.1-89,