The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 336

But man has neither known hia Maker's mind, nor certainly has he counselled him with '11"isdom. And yet did the e.rro~nt Ismelite think to have merited aught from God? as though he had given him, forsooth, by his vain services, that it must be recompensed him again? This was indeed to arrogate to himself that knowledge of God's mind and connsellori;hip of his W&ys, which were impossible, and to affect which was pr,;_ poste~us, and darkly like blasphemy. But the apostle has already cast these pre- rompt1ons down, even to the dust. III. It only needs now that he reiw;ert, once for all, the utter freedom of the aotions of G..--.d, '11"hich he has argued, and at tbe same time the almightiness and goodness of his W&YS.. as also previously set forth. "Of him." He is the primal Fount of creation and of history. All things proceed forth'from him, therefore surely he may put down one and set up another. " Through him." The very sins of men are open to his pre- T"ision, and their folly and blindness, and the results therefore do not take him by surpri..~; but rather they are allowed for in the great plan of his world-kingdom, and therefore through him they may be said to work their way. "To him." The very sins which he allows, and their consequences, adverse as they may seem to be to his plans, he can so control that they shall work for ultimate good. To him? Yes, to the perfecting of his wise plans. And these plans of his wisdom? They are all in lovtl. Therefore to him we will ascribe the glory evermore. Amen. Oh how utterly we may trust him, if we will I For only our persistent sin can shut us out from the might of his marvellous love. "Here, then, I doubt no more, Bat in his pleaB111'8 rest, Whose wisdom, love, and truth, and power Engage to make me bleat." T.F.L. Ver. 13.-Magnifying one's office. The Epistles are prevented from being a dry compendium of doctrine by the personal notices scattered through them, a11,d by the apostle's open-hearted references to his plans and feelings. The human element is strong and int.eresting. What a light is thrown on the apostle's self-denying labours by the d2clan,.t;ian., "l magnify my office n I He gloried in his ministry, in his deacon- ship. L TlmY-womr BEST WBO A.ll.E PROUD OJ' THEIR OFl!'IOE. Buch freely devote .the neceasary time, thought, and energy to the efficient discharge of their duties. It becomes a "labour of love ; "the he.art quickens the circulation of the blood for all the ac:..ivity niquisite to faithful stewardship. :Men can grow to like what at first wa.s irksome, aa we often see in pr0118Cating any study in science or a.rt, till the subject and pumuit fascinate. We get clearer and more extensive views of the achievements possible. The apostle saw that the reception of the Gentiles might provoke the Jews to godly jealansy and frnitful emulation, a.nd that the entry of the Jews into the Christian Church wonld prove a stimulus and revival to all. lt is the office, not the holder, which is to be 11U1,fJ'll,ified,, Where men have strutted like pea.cocks, airing their vanity ; where Bumbledom hae beeu harsh and overbearing, and man, "drest in a little brief authority, hae played fantastic tricb," the chief regard hae been paid to self iostead of to the 1ervice rendered. To glorify onr ministry is to remain humble, and tender in heart, lest the ministry should be discredited and its use diminished. II. ALL WORK IS BOl!i'OUBA.BLE TO wmCH Goo BAB .APPOINT.ED us. To receive a commission from an illustrious sovereign lends dignity to a task, and it is this thought of a Divine I!Wlll.i.on which hae upheld many a hero at his post of toil and peril In the great hOU88 of God veuels of every capacity and form and texture are needed, and whilat we may oovet the beet gifts and the noblest service, no department i.a deapicable. Said Lincoln the president, when taunted with hie former menial oocupation, "Didn't I do it well? n H.ow may we know that we are in the righe place P By tl~ cl.arader of our 'IDork. Does it tend to happiness and ueefulnes1, leuening Uii.sery a.nd vice, supplying real want&, and elevating not degrading mankind, ~ot miri.iBtering to base pauiODJ1 and low appetites? By nccus therein,. Paul c,ould pomt w. the" i;igWI of an apostle11hip." Though HOme honest labourers ma.y aave to wait for the; cruW11lllg Larvtst, they cao 7et cllic(,rn tokena of its advc11t, which forbiu de11pon- on, xr. 1-86.] THE EPISTLE OF' PAUL TO THE ROMANS. 335