The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 364

thl' Rdmc,nition to prayer is introouccd hel'O with a special purpose in view, It le intl'nded to }X'int out t.o us that the demeanour here commended can only be main- ~inl".'-1 through cultivating a prayerful spirit. It Is not easy, whilst pursuing this p1lgr1mage, to be patient amidst its difficulties, to be joyful when the present is dn;k, end the nLy of hope alone illuminates the night. Still, though not easy, it is possible, 'fhat is to _say, it becomes possible by prayer. Grace can be obtnincd, if soughi in Goo's appomted way; but it must be sought, not occasionally or fitfully, but stoad- fsstly, perseveringly, const~ntly, habitually. This is reasonable enough. There is ne>t.hing in our condition that should put a close to our prayers, and nothing in our he.arts. We do not become independent of the aid which such fellowship with Heaven alone can bring. There is every inducement, in the declarations and ~romises of God's Word, to" pray without ceasiog," "almi.ys to pray and not to faint.' God's fatherly heart does not cease to pity; Christ does not cease to intercede for his people. As long as our Lord is on the throne of power, and we are in poverty and need and help- lessness, we may well continue our prayers. Private, domestic, and public; silent and uttered; stated and ejaculatory ;-the prayers of God's people a.re acceptable, and are heard. APPLICATION. 1. The tribulations of life are common to all mankind. Why should any bearer of the gospel endure those tribulations without the grace that can sustain and comfort, the hopes that can animate and inspire? 2. If Christians are weighed down and distressed by the trials of life, is it not because they fail to give heed to the admonitions of God's Word, bees.use they neglect to use the means of grace and help which are placed within their reach? Tribulation will come. We can be sustained under it only by patience and by hope; and these virtues are the fruits of prayer. ,era. 13, 14.-1'reatmenl of friends and foes. Christianity is a practicaheligion. The New Testament is not &imply a repertory of general principles; it draws out those Dinne principles into the detailed duties and difficulties of daily life. For example, whilst love is the new commandment of Jesus to his disciples, and whilst love is described as the sum of the Divine Law, as the greatest of the virtues, as the bond of perfectness, we are shown how to manifest love in the occupations and relationships of daily existence. In this passage we learn how the Spirit of Christ will govern our conduct both t.o friends and to foes. L Cml.IsTI..ui TB.EAT)[D.->r OF, CHRISTiilf FRIENDS. In the first age of the gospel there were formed, in the cities of the empire, societies professing to trust Christ as the Divine Saviour, and to obey Christ as the Divine Lord. In many respects the pro- ceedings and habits of the members of these societies differed from those of the people around, and this with a profound and wide difference. This is exemplified in these admonitions. L Charity should be exhibited to those in need. In every community there were the very poor, the aged, the infirm and disabled, the oppressed and persecuted, the widows and orpb.a.ns. "The poor ye have always with you.'' .Among the heathen it was too common to treat these classes with contempt and neglect. Christianity intro- duced a better mode of dealing with the necessitous. 'reaching the brotherhood of men in ChriBt, it encouraged the sentiment of community, and led each practically to ,.hare with his neighbour the good of this world. 2. Hospitality is another form of the same virtue. By this is not meant sumptuous banquets, often given for ostentation and for purposes of policy. But in early times Christians would often come as strangers to a town, it might be in pursuit of work, it might be to escape from persecution, it might Le as the bearers of messages of greeting and sympathy. Accordingly, wo find some C'hriBt.iar..s commended for receiving such into their houses and entertaining them, and we find admonitions ~ others to adopt such a practice-the encouragement being added, ., Forget~not to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels =waree." 8. Tl.e =tive and 'llWllel o/ such conduct are to befownd in the Lora Jesu, l,i1T.telj. His very coming to this w~rld was occasioned by his compassion upon our IJtce1111ities : how moch more his sacnfice ar.d redemption I Look at hie example; and yc,u find him and bis disciples keeping a bag, and from their slender store relieving ~ho r,-.;,r; you 6.r,d him providing br~. fo~ ~WJgering multitud?s.; you find him heal)ng tr,~ P-id~ and helple81!; you find b1m 1nv1tmg young men _to vmt und to conv~rse with hi..u.. .Afw Lill ll.liC(;Ui5WD, CLrillt', Collowcrd, under the wflucnco of tho SJ,>lr1t poured 'on. xn. 1-21.] THE EPISTLE OF PAOL TO THE ROMANS.