1:n. 5:l. Cf. 11lso rs. xi. 6; H11b. iii. 5); 1B intended, ill he.rdly teMble. Heaping and thii; ('Speci111ly RS it OC<'Un! here 11lmost coals of fire on e. peraon'e head would imml'<liRtely 111\(,r "Vengeanoo is mine." bo 11n unu11tnl'lll WIiy of denoting the Hc>n(.'(' l:bryl'Cll'tom and other F11thers. as softening of hie he11rt. More likely le tho well as ~m<> modeme, have taken it to new which ret11ins the idea of coals of fire mesn that by heaping benefits on our MrrP,ng with it, o.s elsewhere, that of enemy ""e shall Rggrllvate his guilt, and punishment e.nd the infliction of pa.In, but e ~ him to severer punishment from rc,,"llords the pain as that of shame and 1..-.00. But it is surelv inCNldible that the compunction, which may induce penitence. apCll'tle i;honld have meant to sugg<'st suoh a This appears to be the most genere.lly ruoti-1-e for benefioonoe ; and the whole tone received view. It is, however, a. question of the conkxt is 6gll,inst it, including that whether any such effect is definitely in the of ver. 21, which follows. Jerome s:1w this, writer's view. He may mean simply this: writing ... Carbone; iiritur congregabis super Men in general desire vengeance on their C'aput ejus. non in maledictnm et condomna- enemies, expressed proverbially by heaping tionom, ut plen'q¥e ezistimant, sed in oorrec- coals of fire on the head. Hast thou an tionem et pamitudinem." But if the "coals enemy ? Do him good. This is the only of fire" mean the Dh;ne judgment on our vengeanoe, the only coals of fire, allowed enemy, there is nothing to suggest a cor- to a Christian. Then follows naturally, Be rective purpose. The view, held by some, not overcome of evil, but overcome evil witb that ~ soft.eni.ng effect of fire on metals good.
HOMILETICS. , er. 1.-Christian sacrifice and worship. In commencing the practical part of this Epistle, St. Panl adopts a tone of gentle and affectionate persuasion. He might have addressed his readers as disciples, and have used towards them tlie language of authority and comma.nd. Bat, on the contrary, he calls them his "brethren," and he "beseeches," entreats them, as employing the appeals of love to enforce the precepts of duty. At the same time, his language implies that compliance with his admonitions is not a matter optional and indifferent. He beseeches them because they are brethren, and because be bas a right to expect that they will not only listen with respect, but obey with alacrity. Before entering upon the specific duties of the Christian life, and depicting in det.ail the Christian character, the apostle exhibits in this verse the general and com- prehensive principle of practical Christianity. As religious men, these Roman Chris- tians must, as a matter of coune, offer a s:i.cri.6.ce and a service of worship. And they are here told that the presentation to God of themselves is the one great act in which all specific acts of obedience are summed up and involved. Let them enter into the temple of God, and bring with them a living sacrifice; let them join in offering to Heaven a reasonable, a spiritual worship; for with such the Father will be well pleased. L Consider THE XOTIVE WHICH THE APOSTLE URGES in order to induce to consecra- tion. "By the mercies of Goo." To every sen.sitive and appreciative mind this is a cogent motive. The mercies of God have been, and are, so many, so varied, so suited to our case, so unfailing, that we cannot meditate upon them without acknowledging the claim they constitute upon us. The word used here is peculiar; the apostle speaks of the pity, the cowpassions, of the Lord. Langua~e this whic~ brin&s out our condi- tion as one of dependence, helplessness, and even IIllSery, and which brings out also the condeacension and loving-kindness of our heavenly Father. 'fhere is, no doubt, an especial reference to the spiritual favours which have been so fully and powerfully described in the earlier ponion of the Epistle. The mercies of God a.re nowhere so apparent BI! in redemption; and human sin requires a. great sa.lvation. In exhibiting the marvelloUI! int.erpoeition of Divine grace on behalf of sinful humanity, in explaining the reconciling work of Christ, in depicting the immunities, privileges, and hopes of those who receive the gospel, the apostle ha8 laid a good foundation for the appeal of tLe text. Mercies may well excite gratitude, for they arc undeserved, sovereign, and fr1x; and gratitude in the mind of the Christian, who is under the influence of the Huly Spirit, is a motive of no mean order. And gratitude to such e. God, e.nd for 11uch giftl<, can unly be a motive to virtue and holiness. . lL <,;.,,W!ider WS:AT THE APOITLE ENJOlBI 01 ·ro PBBBENT TO GoD, "Your bod1oa,• OH. xn. 1-21.] THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE RWiIANS. 349