The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 423

an,l ,,:, lif:htenn1!'nt '1\-hich ot,her b,,oks and. compnni011s rul\y furnish. Yot tho conclusion c,,nw ,,, mmt he felt to he our own, in harmony with the dictl\tcs of our conscience ,rnd mtitied by our independent judgment. 'l'hcn we may go fearlessly forward. Mc~ J.iffer in the conclusions they reach. hono~tly enough, according to their broadth of intellect, their natural temperament, their surroundings, and their education, mental and cxperim,,ntnl. II. ' ' E cA:KNoT BE E?-.""DLESSLY ARGUING THESE QUESTIONS. He who Is ever debating with himself 8ettles nothing. He wastes his brief moments in deciding what to think and do, in8tead of beginning at once the discharge of his duties and the exercise of his gifts. Much in Christian doctrine and practice is unambiguous. To cultivato love, peace, godliness, to bring forth the frnits of the Spirit iu activity, benevolonce, holiness, -the rightness of this needs no process of rea.soning, The man possessed by an idea is the man who influences his fellows; not he who is sure of nothing, who has only conun- dru:ns to propound instead of a way of salvation to proclaim and suggestions for useful- ne8S to enforce. The ring of conviction in the voice begets assent e.nd confidence in the hearers. "We believe, and ther~fore we speak," this is the preaching which is mighty unto conversion. A dainty scepticism has but negative chilling power. Doubters can hardly be fruit-bearers. Once a decision has been arrived at, the reasons on which it was fonnded may not be always present to the mind, but the impression remains. This does not forbid a growth of opinion, the gaining of a wider outlook and clearer penetra- tion modifying prenous conclusions. Time and experience confirm or alter views by imperc~ptible degrees, without the ferment that attends constant restlessness of debate. Jll. ''E RATE NO RIGHT TO llll'OSE OUB PABTICULAB JUDGMENT AND EXAMPLE AB ARTICLES OF FAITH ON OUB FELLOW-KEMBERS. There must be mutual concessions. Let not the strong contemn the weak as narrow-minded, nor the scrupulous censure the liberty of others as an infraction of Christian _morals. Teetotallers err when they pass strictures on non-abstainers, and the latter are equally guilty when they ridicule the former's self-denial The good of the society, though best secured by the welfare oI each unit composing the alliance, is yet of greater worth than the satisfaction e.nd triumph of any separate section. u Follow after the things which make for peace." Divine charity, which bears long with all sorts and conditions of men, is reflected in the membership which knows how to be tolerant without laxity, and comprehensive withont indefinireness. The building up of the temple of God will take long if we are always deliberating on the right of individual stones to a place in thll structure. Is the mark of the Master-mason on the stone? Has God received such? Then it is not for us to question or exclude.-S. R. A. Ver. 9.-The d,omir,wn of CJhrist. It is characteristic of apostolic ethics to turn from det.ails of conduct to the main principles which should permeate every Christian life. The central truth governing all religious behaviour is our relationship to God, as mani- fested and actualized in Christ Jesus. Thus the historical facts of Christ's death and rerurrection necessarily give rise t.o doctrine, and they cannot be separated from our belief without tending t.o overthrow the whole edifice of Christian living based on Chrut as its Foundation. It matters comparatively little whether a man ee.ts meat or abstains from it, observes certain days or disregards their special sanctity, provided that the scruple alleged or the freedom enjoyed is conscientious, springing out of his con- ception of the nature of the religion Jesus Christ has revealed. It is not for others to d€1!pise the punctilious or to blame the informal Each will be judged by his Master. 'That Master is Lord of both quick and dead; he presides not only over our earthly life but over our departure t.o the larger life. Christiane may differ in point of intel- lectual attainment and particnla.r opinion, but every face believingly turned to the Sun of Righteoneneas reftliCtB some of its glory; every worshipper is brought near to every other u he gathers at the feet of the Infinite Object of adoration and praise. L 'l'HE LoBDBHIP OF CHBI9T. 1. Christian,, freedom is not unCO'IUiltioned liberty. "Ye are nc,t yc,ur own" is the watchword of grateful service. 'l'he emancipation of a slim, doos not set him free from all law; he is released from degrading servitude to be uwnul to hi& country and k,ing. Modern civilization tcA.Chee the compatibility of 11un.eroW1 l!tatutell with true eaeential freedom. 'l'he rule of Christ is recognized and illwitrated in the Acu of the Apostka. "'l'hou, Lord, show which of these two thou dtt, xrv.1-M.J THE EPISTLE OF PAtJL TO THE ROMANS. 421