The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Corinthians — Section 55

gettings, and restorings. For he casts our sins behind his back, and into the depths of the sea. "As the punishment of man is representative of the punishment and wrath ?f God, so_ the absolution of man is representative of the forgiveness of God." I:npress, m concl1:1s1?n, the extreme painfulness of the possibility that, in regard to her discipline, the Chnstrn,n Church may be out-manre\lvred by Satan, and co:me really to do hie 'l"ork.-R. T. • Vers. 1~, 13.-:--P,·ovidential doors .. Introduce by describing the leading instances of prov1dent1al deliverance, care, and gmdance in the life of the Apostle Paul. Especially dwell_ on the cases in which his life ,vas preserved from peril and from the plots of his en_e~1es. ri:he refe1:ence made _in_our text is rather to the gracious way in which his m1ss1onary Journeymgs and m1ss10nary spheres had been opened before him; and the illustration may be taken from the singular way in which doors were opened and shut, when the Divine will was for the apostle to preach the gospel in Europe (see Acts xvi; fi-9). For the figure of a "door" for an "opportunity," see 1 Cor. xvi. 9; Rev. iii. 8. The truth of the Divine providence ordering our iives is• not one that is so familiar to us as it was to our fathers. Possibly our warmer·thought of God's fatherly care has taken the place of the colder conception of an impersonal providence. Still, it may be well to revive the older notion and make it glow·with Christian sentiment and feeling. I. THE ORDERING OF PROVIDENCE FOil EVERYBODY. Irrespective of religious state arid relations. Illustrations of this are found in all times of· danger, disease, or calamity. Some are taken and some are left. We constantly rea~ of remarkable providential escapes. II. THE SPECIALITY OF PROVIDENCE FOR CHRISTIANS. It nia.y in part be that Chris~ tians more readily recognize the hand of God in their rescuings and guidances, but we may also believe that God gives a special protection to his own. Such a belief may be a great comfort to us, but it must be kept from becoming exaggerated and extravagant. The Christian cannot always be preserved, because his suffering may be for the' good of the whole. III. THE ATTITUDE IN WHICH CHRISTIANS SHOULD STAND TOWARDS THE EVER-ACTIVE PROVIDENCE. It may be shown to include (1) 'earnest watchings; (2) patient waitings; (3) prompt actings; (4) full and unhesitating obediences; and (5) thankful rejoicings. -R.T. Vers. 15, 16.-The twofold issues of a preached gospel. Heroes, in tlie older days of the apostle, were usually great generals, leaders of mighty armies, conquerors of other nations-men whose "glory" came from desolated cities, down-trodden races, wasted harvests, and crushed and bleeding hearts. And such heroes were permit~ed to have a "triumph," as it was called. A triumphal procession was arranged_ in th~1~ honour, an_d to this event the Roman generals looked as to the very goal of their amb1t10n. Magni• ficent and thrilling scenes they must have been. The general '!as received, at the g~tes of the imperial city, by all that was noble and grave and venerable among the ollic~al~, and he was led from the gate through the crowded and shouting streets t~ the Capitol. First marched the ancient men, the grave· senators of the Roman council, headed by a body of magistrates. Then came the trumpeters, making the air ring again with their prolonged and joyous blasts. Then followed a long train of carriages a"nd fr~'?es l11den with the spoils brought from battle-fields or plundered from conquer~d c1t1es, the articles which were most remarkable for their value, or rarity, or beauty bemg fully exposed to view. There might be seen models of the forts or cities whi_ch had been captured ; gold and silver statues, pictures, handsome vases, and embro1dere~ stuffs. Then came a band of players on the flute, and then white bulls and ox?n d?stmed ,f?r sacrifice; and incense-bearers, waving to and fro their censers, and· sendmg forth their sweet savour. '!'hen were seen caged lions nnd tigers, or monstrous elephants, or other 8trange creatures, brought as specimens from the captive lands. And then the pro- cession filled with pathos, for there followed the lenders of the conquered foe, and tl~e lnng train of inferior captives, all bound and fettered, and altogether ~ sad and humi- liating sight. At last came the great conqueror, standing in a. spleD;d1d chariot, drawn Ly four milk-white horses, magnificently adorned, the conqueror ~canng n roynl _sceptre, aud having his brow encircleJ with a laurel crown. After him marched his grcnt oH. u.1-17.] 1'HE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 55