The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 408

the gospel, or to take pe.rt in pagan worship-he must resist even unto death (see AGts i_v. 19; v. 29). Most of the apostles suffered martyrdom for this principle" (so Shedd; m loc.). III. THE BELIEVER 18 EXPECTED TO BE LOYAL TO THE EXIl!TING GOVEBNllENT AS A MATTER OF OONSOIENOE, (Ver. 6.) We have already Been where the duty of resistance to the civil magistrate comes in-where he interferes with God's province and assumes the lordship of the conscience. But when be keeps clear of this we are to yield him obedience as o. matter of conscience, and not as a matter of fear. Treason is a business outside a believer's functions altogether. His simple duty is submission; under prote.9t, sometimes, it may be; but he should not incur the curse of taking the sword and perish- ing by it. "In respect to things pertaining only to this life," says Dr. Shedd, "and in cases in which the rights of conscience and religious convictions are not infringed upon, both Christ and his apostles taught that injustice, and even tyranny, should be sub- mitted to, rather than that revolutionary resistance be made. And this, because merely earthly liberty, and the rights of property, are of secondary consideration. The same rule applies to the relation of the individual to the sta.te, in this case, that applies to the relation between man and man. If a. Christian is defrauded of his property by a fellow-believer, he ought to "take the wrong, and suffer himself to be defrauded," rather than'' go to law one with another" (1 Cor. vi. 7). In like manner, in regard to merely worldly good, the Christian should forego his rights, and a.llow himself to be ill treated even by the government under which he lives, rather than organize a. rebellion and bring on war with its untold evils." IV. TAXATION L'I THE SUPPORT OF A DIVINE ORDINANCE. (Ver. 6.) It may be hard to believe that ministers of state are at the ea.me time ministers of God, and that heavy taxation for government extravagance is stipend to God's officers; yet so it is. They are "servants of the people appointed of God," and so must get their tribute. Of course, it is open to the Christian citizen to criticize the government management, and seek that the ordinance of civil government do not become a. tax such as no citizen will be able to bear. When the Church and the state are compared, the Church is out of sight the cheaper institution. Still, it does not become the Christian, any more than his Master, to be haggling about tribute; and there will usually be some way, though not perhaps through a fish's mouth, of meeting the tax-gatherer's demands. V. THE RECOGNITION OF STATE CLAIMS AND HONOURS BECOMES, IN FACT, BELIGIOuS. (Ver. 7.) All are to get their due, whether direct taxes, or duties of excise, or fear and honour; for these arrangements of state are, as a rule, favourable to good morals, and deserve to be respected. Now, there are one or two objections to the principle of Christian citizenship as here laid down which, before concluding this homily, we may dispose of. 1. How about a state vhen it proceeds to persecution and injustice P Answer: The believer in such a case must protest age.inst the injustice, and patiently bear it, while he respects the Divine principle embodied in the persecuting state. He avoids disloyalty, yet advocates reform. 2. Is the Church to be tM tool of tM state P Answer : By no means. They have distinct spheres. It is as false to put the Church against the state, as to confound the Church and the state. The Church recognizes the state as a moral institution for securing Justice, and the state should recognize the Church as a Divine institution for securing love. 'l'he state enforces justice by penal- ties; the Churoh promotes love by persuasion. There need be, and should be, no confusion between them.-R. M. E. Vere. 8-14.-0hrist-likeness. From citizenship, which is disposed of in the preceding verses, the apostle passes on to the Christian spirit as manifested in neighbourly rel::i.- tions. He here enters into the very spirit and essence of God's law, showing it to be love. And here we have- I. THE DEBT WHICH OAN NEVER DE DISCHARGED. (Ver. 8.) We may pay all other debts, and should owe no man anything; but love is a debt that cau n,',~r be dis- oho.rgod, an obligation which abides, a blessed law laid on us in perp~tuity. All the commandments of the secoud table arc covered by this one law of love. N,, one in his senses would over seek discharge from such o. law. Could it bo a privilege to hate oue's neighbour? "Good haters," as they aro pleased to call themselves, are usually publio nuiijnncee. We aro under this law of love for ever, because WI! are twder gmce. It ia  406 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [oa, xm. 1-14,