The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 383

ohllngeful notes of the nightingale? or the robin refuse to chirp merrily in the winter because ho cannot undertake the long flight of the swallow? Shall the violet with- hold its delicious fragrance because the sunflower is so conspicuously gorgeous? or the lofty elm not clap its hands in praise of God because of ita nearness to the wide- eprending beech? 'l'hat is not true humility, but scornful indolence, which buries its to.lent in the earth. Of a lowly beast of burden it was said, "The Lord bath neerl of him." II. IT re UNDUE BEL'[l'-EBTEEM WJIICH IB REPROVED. .An immoderate estimate of onr personal worth is unmindful of obvious facts. It forget_s that God regards quality rather than quantity, and that all we possess we have received, even the ability to use our gifts, and by use to augment and perfect our capacity. We gain a humble estimate of our powers by coming into the society of truly great men. AB we measure little hills by, the sky-piercing mountains, so we may profitably turn our thoughts to the almighty and all-wise, the ever-living and holy God. .And, to assist us in our judgments, his grace has sent a pattern of merit in the character and life of his Son, attempering the glory of the Most_ High to our weak vision, and allowing us to see Divine greatness humbling itself to the form of a servant and the death of a criminal. We have to own our imperfect rectitude when we place it side by side with the obedience and righteousness of Christ. As with a douche of cold water, is the most intoxicated with his own grandeur sobered into due modesty. Through pride the angels "kept not their first estate," and it is a favourite device of the tempter to allure men into a sense of self-sufficiency and importance. "Look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged." Wounded vanity prevents many II member of the Church from seeking to glorify a lowly position; the foot wants to be where the eye is, and the hand objects to serve the head. The elder brother loses the joy of the prodigal's return. Remember that in the Saviour's reckon- ing the widow's offering far outweighed the costly contributions of the wealthy. III. THE BULE IB TO BE UNIVEBSALLY APPLIED. "I say to every man that is among you." Every man needs this regulation. The precepts and promises of Scripture addressed to all are only effective as each severally appropriates them. We are individ"ualized in God's sight, not lumped together in the mass. The danger lies at the door of each, and each must calculate his proper worth and position. We cannot do this for 0!le another; to his own Master does each stand or fall. Every Christian has obtained some amount of faith. There are gradations in spiritual as in temporal life, and the rank of honour is according to the service rendered to the body to which we belong. But none is entirely destitute; let none, therefore, be despised or down- hearted. All Christians are landed proprietors; an estate large or small is allotted to them to occupy and cultivate. The Spirit distributeth as he will. Our business is not to quarrel with the distribution, but to be diligent stewards of the deposit entrusted to our care. He that is faithful in little or in much shall be rewarded. Such a con- sideration abates envy and discontent, abolishes boasting and self-complacency.-S. B.~ Ver. 15.-Sympatliy. The two clauses of this verse remind us of the two main emotions of the human breast, of their diverse nature, and their common association. Sorrow ever treads at the heels of joy. The sigh and the laugh may be heard at once. Scarce has prosperity brightened one threshold than adversity overshadows another. As in the plagues, there is light in Goshen and darkness in Egypt. If every house were painted to reveal the condition of the inmates, what startling contrasts would be seen side by side I It is of little use to try and measure the sum of happiness and of misery, to calculate which preponderates in life; better is it to adapt ourselves to these two prevailing states, and by appropril\te words and deeds to evince our sympathy both with those who mourn and those who exult, not shrinking from distress nor envying the fortunate. Many reasons concur in recommending the apostle's injunction. I. GoD BAB MADE MAN A SOCIAL nEING. He is the "God of the families of Israel., The Law commanded convocations, sooial observances; the people encamped not as individuals, but as households and tribes. Besides the appetites and affections that concern ourselves personally, there are others which respect our fellows and cannot be gmtified without their presence. Love, gratitude, pity, all suppose their existen\ ol>jects, so tht1t the mQral coustitut.ion of m&D exhibits the social capacities with which  THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS [on. XII. 1-21,