The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 339

knowlodgo e.nd close accees to, Goel, ancl omitting to cultivate the appropriat'l grar= nnd cluties, II. 'l'um LAW AND AIM 01!' GoD'B GOVERNMENT 18 RWHTEOUK"S'Y.RR. HP.rn W'J ail<'.,end to that eesentinl a.ttribnte of God which is the guide and end r,f his de.aliw, 8 with his cren~ures. Well-~eiag cannot be separated [rom :well-doing. In no other ,;ay r,an the Almighty mnke his people happy than by mducmg them to practise what i.~ " lovely and of good report." Christ died to save men from their sine. His offerin"' frees men from the overwhelming burden of their past enormities, wipes off the srJ;re ao-ainst them, but requires the pursuit of holiness as the consequence and token of their for- giveness. The bearing of good fruit is the sure criterion of the improved condition of the tree. The rose which blooms not tells not of proper grafting. Faith in Christ admits to his kingdom, and continued faith showing itself by works of obedience keeps us united•to the source of prosperity and progress. Heaven needs a prepared people to enter into its bliss and service. Greatly do men err, therefore, who plume them- selves on their conversion and go not on unto sanctification of life. IIL HrsTOBY TEAOHES us HUMILITY. History is God in action. The facts of history are naught apart from the revelation of a. Divine order they bring to the illumined mind. The fate of Israel is a. tablet whose letters of fire should brand them- selves on the memory as a declaration of the forbearing goodness of God to the faithful, and his ultimate severity to the disobedient. God changes not; what he has done he may do a.gain. If" the natural branches" were not spa.red, why should he spare the objects of his after-clemency when they too turn a.side to rebel counsels? The story of the antediluvians swept a.way by a. torrent of righteous indi,,crnation; of the inhabitants of Sodom smitten in their pride and idleness; of the Ca.na.anites "spued out" of the land for their wickedness; of Babylon and Nineveh, where civilization was a hot-bed of vice, its riot and fumes extinguished by the desert sands; of Judas, who by transgression fell from his apostleship; of the temple at JeI'Ullalem profaned by its guardians and then given over to the flames; of the candlesticks removed when the Churches of Asia. "lost their first love; "-all these a.re so many voices echoing the warning of the text, "Be not high-minded, but fear." God spares long, but at last the thunderbolt falls. Sin marches to its destined gra.ve. IV, THE DECEITl!'ULNESB OF OUR HEARTS CALLS FOB CONSTA!,""T VIGILANCE. Human nature remains true to itself, brings forth the sa.me fruit in all e.ges. Even in the renewed no.ture of the Christian, "the flesh lusteth ~"llinst the Spirit." The serpent of evil is scotched, not killed. Our environment exposes us to unceasing attacks. At any moment of relaxed tension, the foe may assault and carry the fortress. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." The Saviour emphasized the caution, •• What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch I " Children a.re often reckless because they perceive not the danger; wise men neglect no precautions. Our safest course is to be intent on "the things that accompany salvation," to fill the hands with beneficent activities, to engage the thoughts on noblest themes. Press toward the goal, and no enchanted meadow shall beguile our steps. Like earnest competitors, read the rules onrefully and sedulously conform to them. Prayerful meditation on the Scriptures, bumble confidence in God, and the opening of the heart to the sway of the blessed Spirit, will correct any wrong attitude, and enable us to pernevere to the end. "Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us," etc.-8. R. .A. Vers,1-10.-The election of grace. We saw in last chapter how the Jews, absorbed in the tnsk of working out their own self-r~h~eousness, had not as a nation submitted themselves to the righteousness which is ofuoo.. The Gentiles were accordingly appe..'\led to, and their reception of the gospel is being used to provoke the Jews to jealousy, e.nd lead them ultimately to a better mind. In the chapter now before us the apostle r,ursues the argument, and exhibits more in detail the Divine plnn in Israel's rejection. The section now to be considered emphasizes the fact that, notwithstanding the general Jewish rejection of the gospel, there is an election of grace. And- I. PAUL 18 HIMBIIILI!' AN EXOBl'TION TO THIii GBNERAL B&JEOTION OF THE l1USPE.L ON THIii PART OF THIii JEWB, (Ver. 1.~ 'l'o the lluestion which in the Re\'"isc,l \'t!rsi.ou le put "Did Ood cast off his people?' tho apostle virtually t\Ilsw~rs, " By no me&11s; I am n:ysolf n p!'Oof to the ,coutrary." P~ul hnll, liko hi.I colllp:.\trk,t..-,, gou<J about to BOKANB. I  33S THE EPISTLE OF rAUL 'l'O THE ROMANS. [orr. XI, 1-88,