The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 381

path of flowery ease-that the mountains should be levelled and the valleys raised to fo.cilitate your progress I At the aHar say, "I feel the cord that binds me; the knife is keen that severs the tender flesh; the flames are hard tQ bear; but withal I can rejoice tho.t I am exalted to the honour of a holocaust accepted of God, and not consumed but purified by the so.crifice." II. THE WEIGHTY ARGUMENT TO URGE THE DEDICATION, There is a" therefore" in the text; the exhortation is grounded on previous reasoning and previously stated facts. Herein lies the strength of the religious teacher. He may have no excommnnication with bell, book, and candle to pronounce, no fire and sword with which to wrin"' reluctant assent; but he has decisions of a recognized court to allege, and motives J unequalled potency to appeal to, Every one who has to do with machinery knows the importance of motive-power. And Christianity is strong where philosophical systems of ethics are weak. "You admit," the apostle seems to say, "these premisses; now supply the practical conclusion." He has been rehearsing the " mercies of God " to J ewa and Gentiles. Gratitude for the Divine goodness impels to his service, and the hope of future benefits is a lawful constraining force. Surely the grace that has granted pardon, peace, eternal life, is a voice to demand, a magnet to attract to, such a sacrifice as that entreated. Providential mercies cry aloud, "Yield yourselves nnto God." Where shall we begin, how end their recital? There are seasons, such as the beginning of a new year, or the anniversary of a birthday, when the remembrance of the Divine forethought and loving-kindness overwhelms the soul with thankfulness and praise. The darkest night has had its star; in the coldest day some gleam of sunshine bas cheered our landscape. Family and household mercies, blessings bestowed on Church and town and country, fresh discoveries in nature or art, "sweet voices from the distant hills,"- all these renewed compa.ssions of a benevolent God evoke the old inquiry, "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits toward me?" The text furnishes the answer, the full New Testament programme, outlined in the psalmist's "cup of salvation" and "thanksgiving," and "payment of vows" and" prayer."-S. R. A. Ver. 2.-CJhristian character a metamorphosis. Advice as to conduct, in order to be complete, should be both negative and positive in exhortation; it should say what ought to be done as well as what ought to be avoided. Christianity repels from evil and attracts to goodness. He runs best who not only flees from peril, but knows the refuge for whlch to shape his course. I. NoT THE FABfilON OF THE AGE, BUT THE WILL OF GoD, IS THE TRUE ST.!.~llARD OF DUTY. The Scriptures contrast this world with the kingdom of God. The one is fleeting, the other eternal. The one is carnal, the other spiritual; the one appea· s to the bodily senses, the other is a vision of faith. The kingdom which Christ has established realizes the desire and purpose of God's heart. 'l'hose who enter it are not thereby removed from the sphere of worldly need and influence and activity, but there is a difference in the spirit with which these temporal objects are pursued. A touch- stone of value is introduced, and occupations and possessions are appraised :i.ccording to its d.-icisions. The will of God is the Ariadne clew which guides the traveller safely through the maze of shifting opinions and bewildering dictates. The disciple of Christ asks not-What will my com11anions say? what is the prevailing etiquette? what is the code of honour prescribed by the circle to which I belong? or what is the amount of kindness, purity, and justice which will save me from public censure? but-What would God have me do? what will be approve? what is his Divine intent in my upbringing and redemption? From how many petty anxieties is such a man freed, and what noble cares supplant his former subservience to custom! Commerce, politics, the Church, every arena needs suoh men. The face of God is not reflected in his serrnnts like coins stamped with the sovereign's identical image, but varies like the refiectiou of the sky, according to the lo.ke, river, or sea that mirrors its glory. II. A RENEWED MIND IB THE OHANNEL OF TRANSFORMATION, God has created m:ui intelligent, and men act generally according to their perception of the fitness of things. Alter their views, modify their tastes, direct their inclinations, and their ct\l"eer is chan"ed, If they do the same things, they do them with reference to a higher Bein<> and ~ wider lo.ndsoo.pe. Some things loved before appear loathsome now; the eyes ar~ oponod, and tbo old order is desortcd for tho beauties l\lld satisfactions of the new state.  THE EPIB1't'E OF' PAUL TO TllE RO:M.iltS. Cott. x.tt. 1-21.