The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 363

ocldreesed to deities morolly imperfect and capricious, were faithless fitful and nnin- fluentiol even upon their own noture. It is the glory of Christianity to ha've chanued oil this. .Among the lowliest of the Saviour's followers we find fortitude in the enduronce of offliction, orising from the conviction that it is the chasteni.nu of a Divine Fother. Hope-especiBlly Be reaching beyond this brief existence and 88 a mighty sustaining power-is a virtue distinctively Christian. Whil.•t praye; in~tearl of being an occBSional, doubting, and unprofitable exercise, is the atmo~phere th~ Christian breothes, the power which sustains him in all trouble, and which inspires within h'.m a hope founded upon the faithfulness ond the promises of bis redeeming God. II. As RE8PE0TB THE PRESENT, THE CHRISTIAN IS l!Ul'POBTED BY PATIENCE. Patience 6Uffere without murmuring the ills which Providence permits. Patience waits for the relief which, in due time, Providence will send. Buffering and waiting complete this unusual virtue. It is not easy for any one to be patient; it is easier to work with diligence ond strenuousness than to endure trial without complaint-than to wait until a power not our own shall bring the trial to a close. Christian patience is not a stoical aquiescence '.in the inevitable, upon the principle "What can't be cured must be endured." 1. It is the result of a belief in a wise and merciful Provwena. We do not bow to fate; we submit to a Father in heaven. Often we cannot understand why be should permit all that befalls us. But faith assures us that the counsels of God towards us are counsels of love. We cannot shut out from the universe the unseen hand that guides and governs all for our highest and eternal good. We believed in our own earthly father's heart, though sense conld never have told ns of it; and similarly our souls are patient, because we are assured that a heavenly Parent cares for a.s, and strengthens and heals as well as smites. 2. It is the fruit offell=ship with Jesus. There was no quality for which our Saviour was more to be admired than for his patience. He was patient with the misunderstandings of his own disciples; he was patient with his enemies e.nd murderers; he was patient under insult and agony. In all this be left us an example ; ond an apostle prays that God may direct our hearts into the patience of Christ. Many, through faith in the meek and patient Sanour, hove been enabled by Divine grace to overcome a naturally impatient and imperious, hasty and violent temper. 3. It is a 'llirtue in which we are instructed and practically diaciplinecl by the Spirit of Goel. " Tribulation worketh patience." The lesson is not learned all at once, Let not those dispositions to which it is not naturally easy be discouraged. •.. Let patience have its perfect work." Patience is tried, not that it may give way, but that it may be established. It is the handiwork of the living Spirit; and the day shall come when the Maker shall pronounce this and all his works to be very good. III. As RESPEOTB THE FUTURE, THE CHRISTIAN IS mBPIRED BY HOPE. Now, hope is an eosier and more natural exercise of the human spirit than is patience. A person may rebel and fret under present discipline, and yet may hope for better times. " . . . . the darkest day, Live till to-morrow, will have passed away.• The Christian's hope is, however, far superior to any other. Whilst he has higher pleasures and stronger supports now, he has brighter prospects for the great hereafter. There are several elements of superiority in this hope. 1. It is well-founded, resting 11s it does upon the faithful promises of Gdd. God is designated "the God of hope." Hence the Christian's hope is not vaaue, but definite; it is not hesitating, but sure. 2. It is hope of grace/or all the needs that are to come.. This means hope of deliverance from all dangers, support under nll difficulties, consolation under nll troubles, guidance in all perplexities. 3. It is hope which reaches bey<md this presfflt life; such hope a11 none bas been able to inspire but he who "abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light by the gospel." Hope of rest, of victory, of a kingdom; a hope as "an anchor unto the soul, sure and steadfast, which entereth into that within the veil," 4. It is hope which bring, joy. Making the future real, bringing the future near, hope cho.ses away the gloom and dnrkness, nnd creates n spiritu:11 j,,y, pure, serene, nncl unspel\kabl!'. Thus, in tho night, songs of joy nnd gb,lness ascend to h01,veu. " Patiunce workoth cxporicnco, and experience hope." IV. BY PBAY.U:B, PATIENCE IS PERFEC'l'ED AND HOPE INSPIRED, It is evident th:w 862 TIIE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [011. xn.1-21.