The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 449

know that they nre in the line of the faithful. No new thing bath happened, for the same nffliotione were nccompliehed in our brethren before. If, then, others have bravely endured nnd maintained their confidence, eo may we. And the ancient writings testify thnt men, in pleasing God e.nd serving their day and generation, realized true satisfac- tion, e.n inward peace and joy indestructible. So we, too, may discover that the road to hnppinese ia holy self-denial. We are slow t.o learn that the bitter rind covers grateful fruit, that death is the gate to life, and humility the stepping-stone to honour. Obedience prepares us to wield authority; e.nd to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing is to prove how inseparably the kingdo:n of God and our own good are com- bined. Miserly selfishness overreaches itself; the restricted heart dies of inanition. He who will always get from others knows not the blessedness of givin"'. The wine of Ohristian charity flushes the spirit with a generous emotion, pure a~d God-like the nectar of the ekiee.-S. R. A. ' Ver. 7.- Warm-hearted (Jhristian C(}Urlesy. Many points of diepnte arose in Churches composed of Jews and Gentiles. Not easily or joyfully could Jewish Christians throw off tbe trammels formed by the habits and traditions of ages, and welcome the admis- sion into the new brotherhood on equal terms of men who had never been trained to compunction on account of ceremonial regulations neglected. Like the mother in the days of Solomon, more anxious for the safety of her child than for the strict settlement of a legal problem, the apostle was concerned for the welfare and peace of the commu- nity. He would have both parties waive their rights, and unite in holy fellowship instead of holding aloof. A .chief part of our modem difficulties consists in the proper treatment of others, especially of our fellow-Christians. More anxiety, embarrassment, sin, is displayed here than in any other direction. The ancient matters of controversy do not perhaps trouble us, though signs are not wanting on the horizon of clouds no bigger than a man's hand which may at any time overspread the sky and disturb the harmony of the Churches. We still need guidance lest trivial differences in though& and behaviour should estrange us from one another. Let us look at the rule of beha- viour laid down. It is contained in those golden words, the pivot of Christian conduct, "Even as Christ also." Our treatment of others is t.o resemble Christ's behaviour towards us. Here is the path we are to tread, and the source of skill and strength to enable us to proceed therein, I. CHRIST RECEIVES MEN GLADLY. Not reluctantly, bnt heartily, with outstretched arms and promise of blessing. See this evinced in the Gospel narratives. He was moved with compassion toward the multitudes; gave roye.l invitations-" If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink;" "Come unto me, all ye that labour." This can be verified in our own experience; for Christ lives and rules over our hearta and lives, dispenses his favours freely; and the peace and joy that filled our hearts in trust- ing him were the testimony of his delight, the fire descending from heaven to certify the acceptance of our sacrifice. Contrast Christ's interest in Saul's conversion with tho latter's oool reception by the Church at Jerusalem, where the apostle had been aban- doned to utter neglect but for Barnabas. The kingdom of God is no close corporation, like e. city company, afraid of its membership growing too large for the spoils to be divided; or o. House of Lords, where a large in.flux lessens individual importance. But our desire must be for the Church to increase till it sways the globe. Our Christian societies should be as a fostering greenhouse to young life, or e.s a warm bath that dissi- pates spiritual rheumatism, where the outside chill may be forgotten, and men may dee from a hostile crowd to a sanctuary of peace and love. II. GHRIST REOEIVES MEN IN SPITE OF THEIR llllPERFEcn'IO::-.-S Though sin-smi.ued nnd despairing of righteousness, helpless with frequent falls, ignorant with a dulne,;s which is realized more each day, yet our worthlessness was not spurned by the Saviour. For this reason he drew us to himself, to heal and save us, to instruct and improve us, to develop into maturity any latent germ of good. Ho soos what men may become under genial influences-the image of God renewed; the dry stick swelling into life and blossom; tho plot of barren ground n garden. If we wait till our brethrWl are faultless, we shall have littlo communion this side of heaven. If they are not as cultured or 11.i largo-h~1trted, nil the more do tlloy need our stimulating con\'erse; nnd if not doctrinally p~rl'oct, thoy will learu, 448 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ROMANS. [oa, xv.1---83,