,%> w. Vi^-^.'k A<5*'ti«- IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) \ ' 1 V] (^ v/ 7 1.0 I.I 1.25 M 1^ 14', M M 1.4 IIIIII.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation \ ^ % V # 4 '^4. ."'.''' ■%^ ^fh ^^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 1458U (716) 872-4503 <^ L<*>' CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IVIicroreproductions / institut canadien de microreproductlons historiques \ "^ '\%. Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The tot! The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couieur r I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagie Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pellicuiie Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couieur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couieur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ n n n Planches et/ou illustrations en couieur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'aut-es documents Tigiit binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrde peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distursion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration apoaraissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas iti filmies. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a it6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger una modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dessous. r*n Coloured pages/ Pages de couieur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/oi Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6colordes, tachet^es ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materit Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible I I Pages damaged/ r~~| Pages restored and/or laminated/ I I Pages detached/ r^ Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ I I Only edition available/ The posi of tl film Orig begl the slon othe first sion or ill The shal TINI whi( Map diffe entii begl right requ metl □ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont dti filmdes d nouveau de facon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film^ au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. IPX 14X 18X 27y V 26X 30X 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed hare has baan raproducad thanks to the generosity of: Dougias Library Queen's University The images appearing hare are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies In printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated Impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated Impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — »• (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. L'exemplaira f iim6 fut reprodult grAce h la ginArositA da: Douglas Library Queen's University Las images suivantes ont 6t^ reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compta tenu de la condition at da la nattet* de I'exemplalre f iim«, et en conformity avec lea conditions du contrat de fllmage. Lea exemplalras orlglnaux dont la couverture en papier est ImprimAe sont fllmfo en commen^ant par la premier plat at en terminant soit par la darnidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impresslon ou d'lllustration, soit par la second plat, salon le cas. Tous las autres exempfaires orlglnaux sont fllmAs en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impresslon ou d'iiiustration et en terminant par la dernldre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la derniire image de cheque microfiche, seion le cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre fllmfo d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reprodult en un seul ciich6, il est filmd d partir de Tangle supArleur gauche, de gauche d droite. et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'Images nAcessalra. Les diagrammes suivants lllustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 CH PRINTE CHRISTIAN PREDBSTIMATION: CE, THfe- rtitcternuiiel) ma «ji %mM urn, TO SUFFER WITH JESUS, fHlIlflMlilBK aiif ^^^ii BExmci A!« Exposxopxom of DEDUCED CRITICALLY FROM THE TEXT; \ ASSri) LOGICALDtT, 3P3aoai THE CONTEXT: BY THE REV. JOHN S. EVANS QUEBEC : PRINTED BY MIPDLETON AND DAWSON, SHAW's BUILDINGS, LOWER TOWN. 1862. .#;--'a J n \ « It is necessary, frequently, to visit the ground on which Christianity was first established, to ascertain the limits and extent of the primitive faith, and to recover the parts talien by unjust violence, or lost by injudicious concession."— Bishop of Bristol. 17 (^ TEXT AND CONTEXT. Romans, viii. 17-3£ . 17 And if children, then heirs ; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ : if BO be that we suffer with Aim, that we may be also glorified together. anity was faith, and Qjudicious 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to 19 be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of 20 God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by 21 reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope : Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the 22 glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole 23 creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, fo wit, the 24 redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope. Bat hope that 1b 25 seen is not hope : for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities ; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought ; but the Spirit itself maketh intercessioD 27 for us with groaninga which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love 29 God, to them that are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be couformed to the image of his 30 Sou, tlmt Iiu ini;,'ht be tbo (irst-borra aiii.)ii.r many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predeetinuto, them he also called ; and whom he called, them he al.«o justified ; and whom he justified, lliein he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be 32 against us? He that spared not hia own Son, but delivered him up for ua 33 all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall 34 lay anything to the charge ot God's elect ? It is God that ju.itifieth. Who 18 he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again ; who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession 35 for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? S/mli tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? 3G (As it is written, For thy sake wc are killed all the day long ; we are 37 accounted as sheep for the .^laughter.) Nay, in all these things we are more 38 than conquerors, through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor 39 things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, BRIEF ANALYSIS. INTRODUCTION. PAGE The occasion that suefgested the exposition that is now submitted 8 Preliminary criticism. Fhowing that Calvinism has no basis in IIiIh passage, I hough usually deemed its strongest and le>'.°i- equivocal proof- text • and that Arminiaus, too, have misapplied thf se verses 8 EXPOSITION. Prayer and searching the Scriptures must be combined 15 As the text is grammatically and logically joined to the context, we must go back to find the subject of these connected observations 15 The General Topic is announced in the 17th verse to be this : the rcene- rate, as children of God, must sufr.T with Jesus, the Son of God, that with Blim they may be glorified.— Ver. 17 , ]g Preceding Context. The sufFerings referred to are not the atoning sufferings, but the sufferings of the present time ^-j The Son of God and the children of God sutiject to these 17 All men feel these, but do not endure them with the same spirit 17 Jesus left us an example of the right .spirit 17 The example of Jesus as a sufferer may be imitated by them that are renew- ed in spirit 2 g That they may do so, motives are presented ly The present suffering scene will soon give place to a glorious scene, in which will be found abundant compensation.— Ver. 18 ly The glory of the resurrection state is looked for by the Christian's frail body.— Ver. 19 20 This expectation is warranted by a correct view of God's final purpose when appointing the present state of probation— Ver. 20 21 That the expected glorification of the body has not yet taken place, is evi- dent from the nature of things ; but the continued anticipation of it is authorized. — Ver. 22 22 6 The dcniro of the mortal body for regonerivtioti is sympathetically felt by the already rc«eneral() soul.— Ver. 23 22 Wo regard this future salvation of tbo body as a thing realized in hope. — Ver. 23 22 Certain hope causes patient waiting. — Ver. 25 23 The Divine Spirit aids out bodily Infirmities to sustain the sufl'erings. — Ver. 26, 27 23 All the sufferings of the present time that I'fTect the children of God are made to work together for good to their souls — Ver. 28 24 The sutfsrings that come to them through the innocent iadrmities of the body are the most searching and improving tests ot character 25 Jesus was made perfect through suffering 26 By following his example, his adopted brethren, too, can be made perfect through puttering 26 Accordingly, God's guardian love deliberately purposes that his children should attend this perfecting school, and calls them to it 28 Text. This appointment to suffer is expressly and fixedly made by the Divine will, because it is only by being conformed to the image of the Son in suffering, that they could be conformed to his image in the glory that shall follow.- Ver. 29 28 As in the suffering, so in the glory that follows it, Christ is pre-enjinent. . 29 The arrangements for carrying into efiect the Divine will are made and continued by Divine Providence 31 These arrangements leave free the human will 36 God "calls" them that love him to submit to the appointed sufferings vol- untarily and joyfully.— Ver. 30. ( 1st clause.) 36 Having appointed and called them to suffer, God "justifies" them in regard- ing this call as coming from Divine love, and in exorcising accordingly patient and joyful hope in the midst ot tribulation — Ver. 30 (2ud clause.) 3T Yea, he '• glorifies " them by means of the very sufferings that some regard as badges oi shame.— Ver. 30 (last clause.) 38 Succeeding Context. The same theme runs also through the succeeding context.— Ver. 31. . . . 41 By thus employing sufferings, God counteracts the attempts of adversaries, and reverses the results at which they aim 41 All this is only what may be naturally expected from such a God as ours — Ver.32 42 Who then will henceforth think present suffering a sufBcient ground for an accusatory charge against God's elect?— Ver. 33 (let clause.) 42 Xi'fl ^Ul.1 I ' felt by 22 hope— 22 23 jringa. — 23 God are 24 !B of the 25 26 5 perfect 26 children 28 5 Divine the Son lory that 28 ainent.. 29 ftde and 31 36 nga vol- 36 1 regard- jnlingly }0 (2ud 37 e regard 38 31.... 41 ersaries, 41 8 ours — 42 d for an .) 42 Will God make such accuRation against those whom he now Justifictb? — Ver. u3 (y>*sl claupo.) 42 Will Christ, who sutfered and died a martyr's death, and attained a mar- tyr's resurrection, condemn those who follow in his train? — Ver. 34. 43 Assured, by the fact of Ciuist's iuterce.^8ion for up, of his continued love to UP, no tribulation, &c., shall separate our love from his love. — Ver. 36, 36 43 Christians can overcome even such circumstances, and make tlifm oppor- tunities of fulfilling their duty, and of improving their cliaracter and reward.— Ver. 37 44 God's love In Christ to u?, cannot be alienated from us by any changes which suflering can produce in us, or by any charges founded on them which enemies can present against us : awakens retponsive love to him, and hence has more influence over us than all things else. — Ver. 38, 39 45 Conclusion. Glory results to the Providence as well as to the Grace of God 46 Address to the reader 47 For " The" read the. ERRATA. For " has" read, had. Blot out full stop after " speaks." Blot out " speak" and " of." Blot out, " of." Put as before "liable." Instead of " oughtto" read ought to. Instead of " hy" read by. Et Seq. Instead of " Conybeare" read Conybeare. Blot out " the same word" and read, for it is the same Greek word that is translated " infirmity" in the one case and " weakness" in the other. <' 28 " 12 Instead of ver. 28 read 29. age. 14 line C 17 " K .1 7 II " 8 l< " 13 II " 29 20 " 3 21 " 18 24 c. 4 INTRODUCTION. The occasion that Tho^ followiiij? expositlou, to wliicli attention Sr^tu^'ir'S '' '""''"'''^y ^^l'^'^^^- ^^« ^^ggested by an aged suiiiiiittcd. Wcslcyiin Methodist Minister, now deceased, (the Kevd. A. Prindle.) Having frequently beard that he was accustomed to thinli independently, as well as clearly, and coherently, and having unexpectedly met with him, I availed myself of the opportunity to request a statement of the result of his medita- tions on tlio much controverted passage that is now before us. The reply was to this effect : he had heard and read much about it from interpreters of different denominations, but nothing of a satisfactory character. The reayon was this ; he perceived that all alike, neglec- ted both the preceding and succeeding context ; and applied the in- termediate words to a subject not there spoken of, and to characters not mentioned there : that the Apostle, however, gives no indication of any intended transition of thought : that hence the first, because the most natural in((uiry, is this : Mioht not the ni)ostle's words be ap- plied, in some legitimate and important sense, to the very subject on which he was professedly treating, in the verses immediately before and after them ? Treasuring up those remarks, we have examined the matter. The exposition now submitted is the result. Preliminary criti- I* ^^^^ 'j«P» shrewdly observed, that the surest ci.sm. siiowiiig that way to prevent the discovery of truth, is to set up Civlviiusmhasnoba- i, • • ii -, „ . ^ His iu this pas«aj,rp, Rometlung in the stead of it. If so, to remove tho' usually deemeci what has been thus set up, is, in such cases, a us ■' strongest and , , least equivocal preparatory work of great importance. We KiSs'trV^-^^ ^^'''^'" '*' ^*^^''^^^'-^' therefore, to occupy a few in- inisappliud these voi^- <'i"o us. The )ut it from itisfactory 0, neglec- ed the in- ;baracters indication , because I'ds be ap- ubject on ly before examined the surest I to set np remove cases, a ce. We a few in- in proml- In these ese inter- pretations, is not here attempted. We merely show that whether true or untrue in themselves, they have do seat in this passage. Every Interpretation of these words, as far as we know either makes no ollusion whatever to the grammatical connexion of the text with the context ; or traces it no farther than the immediately pre- cedmg clause, regarded as severed from the former part of the very sentence to which it belongs. And in either case the consequence is that the apostle's words are applied to characters directly contrary to those which the context demands. We shall notice these two classes of interpretation in the order in which they are given. I. Wo can apprehend the reason why some wholly omit alius? n to the preceding context : they could not connect them, without having to admit frankly, that the foreknowledge of which the one verse speaks, mnst, in that case, refer to the characters,—" them that love God, (and who are " the called according to his purpose") of which the previous verse speaks ; and suc>i a reference, would make these verses destroy the creed which asserts that predestination " was not influenced by the foresight of their faith or good works or perse- verance in either of them." (Exposition of the confession, p. 65, by Revd. R. Shaw. Revised and published by the Presbyterian Board of Publication.) To avoid such a reference, some conveniently assume that there is no connexion. But even if there were no connexion with former texts, these verses would be as unsuitable to that system of doctrine, as if there was. How is it that they do not see this ? By sinking out of sight the manifest connexion, they remove all limitation from the ran're of foreknowledge. The view of foreknowledge, in that case, rests not on specified persons or characters, but extends to all persons of all characters,— to every human being. Did he not foreknow all persons ? rhese writers believe that he did. Let them, then, take this view of foreknowledge, and proceed through the apostle's words, in the order m which he has placed them ;— for he undeniably places foreknow- ledge before predestination. They must then proceed thus • God B H 11 10 foreknew all persons, and whom he foreknew he did predestinate, that is, he did predestinate all persons. The result, in this case, is not Calvinism. Yea it is subversive of Calvinism, if, as they contend, the predestination here spoken of is the predestination of them that do not love God, to final and everlasting salvation, and of all the means necessary to this end. If this were so, if all persons that were fore- known were predestinated to this, XJniversaHsm, and not Calvinism, is the necessary result. But this representation is not correct, It makes predestination refer to characters, the very opposite of those to whom it is directly bound by the words of Paul. Instead of making it allude to them that love God, it makes it allude to them that do not love him, and that therefore still need salvation. What Paul applies to the renewed, is by them misapplied to the unrenewed and unpardoned, the depraved and the guilty. In proof of this, it is only necessary to quote their Confession of Faith. In the first section under the head of Effectual calling, it says, " All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, he is pleased in his appointed and accepted time, effectually to call, by his word and spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ, &c.» Thus they not only separate the a,postle's words, from the characters ot whom he spoke, but dare to apply them to the very opposite characters. Having detached predestination from them that love God, they attach it to them that do not love God ! Mark the difficulty in which this wrong-doing involves them. The means necessary for the accomplishment of such a,n end, as the salva- tion of the unrenewed, are not found among those specified by the inspired author. His golden chain is several links too short for the final salvation of any one who is in a depraved and guilty state. For instance, it does not contain the link of Redemption by the Son, nor the link of adoption by the Father, nor the link of Sanctification by the Spirit. Wanting these, this golden chain cannot reach down to a single unpardoned and unsanctified individual in the whole human family. For this reason it is of no use what'sver, to either the Cal- vinist or Universalist, as such. Unfit to save even one, it is, of 11 3Stinate, that case, is not contend, the them that do tU the means at were fore- )t Calvinism, redestination it is directly ludo to them )ve him, and the renewed, the depraved quote their I of Eflfectual ted unto life, icepted time, ite of sin and tion by Jesus he characters ^ery opposite em that love i them. The as the salva- iified by the short for the ' state. For the Son, nor ctification by jach down to whole human ther the Cal- )ae. it is, of "all," or the Calvinists' conrse unfit to save the Universalists' '• few." As the links not here, are necessary to adapt the chain to their use of it, they wonder at the omissions ; and regarding them as un- intentional, they think they may venture to sunder the chain in different places, and insert the so-called missing links. It was so dealt with by the Confession of Faith, in Chap, iii., Section 6, which thus presents the result : " As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and. most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore they, who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ— are effectu- ally called unto faith in Chribt by his Spirit working in due season-> are justiBed, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, eff'ectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, but the elect only." This is, obvioasly, a paraphrase of the verses under consideration, and as obviously adds to the number of its terms. But in doing so, they practically condemn this series of Scripture terms, as essentially defective, and practically admit, that without this human addition, it can neither be felt, nor shown, to answer their design. 2. The otiier class of interpreters, diff'er from the ones just noticed, in that they cannot overlook the evident connexion ot verses 29, and 30, with the 28th verse. Dr. John Brown, for instance, (in his Analytical exposition of the Romans, p. 250,) remarks : "Whom he did foreknow" is plainly au imperfect expression. It looks back to the words immediately preceding :— " Whom he did foreknow" are plainly " the called according to his purpose."— Why not go back a step farther to ascertain that the called according to his purpose, are plainly " them that love God," and that were loving God, at the time this call came. He dare not let foreknowledge extend to them : it would rend asunder his creed. To save it, he rends asunder the close- ly related clauses of one sentence; and then makes the separated clause denote characters the very reverse of those plainly expressed in the preceding clause. Thus every Calviuistic comment on the verses before us, rests from first to last, on a false basis. Indeed, no interpretation of them can •Mj&m^- 11 i 12 bo Cakinistic without doing so— without applying to children of the wicked one, terms which Paul applies only to the children of God. But Dr. Brown would complete the "plainly imperfect expression" thus : " Whom he did foreknow, as to be called, according to his purpose." Here> uses the word "foreknow" in the sense of fore- see ; but instantly he abandons this meaning, a meaning which would lead us to suppose, that " the called" were " them that love God " when called, and when foreseen. As if to avoid this reference he pre- fers to make it mean fore-appoint, and thus ventures to confound its moaning with that of predestination :~" ' Whom God fore-appointed to be called he also prcdestinatcd'-fore-appointed, 'to be conformed to the image of His Son.' " Strange I this makes the apostle imply that they were fore-appointed to be called, before it was decided what they were?to be called to ; and that the object of the calling was deter- mined subsequently, and as the second step ! Is this to be regarded as a proper exhibition of the order of thought in the Divine mind ? Or is it, merely, an ingenious effort to turn away the attention, from that still prior, but associated clause, which dare not be grajjpled with, or even formally brought to remembrance. In short, a fundamental error is committed by those who undertake to explain.those verses. They apply the Spirit's words to characters wholly contrary to those contemplated by the mind of the Spirit, And hence they mistake the object of the predestination too. They imagine that it is a predestination of the dead in sin to eternal life, instead of a predestination of the already quickened child of God, to be made perfect through suffering as the Son of God was. And this has been the grievous error of Arrainians, as truly as of Calvinists. Equally have they attached this chain to the wrong subjects. Ttiey have, in common, supposed that the chain was intended to lift, the yet unpardoned and unrenewed "out of the state of sin and death, in which they are by nature, into a state of holiness and salvation." And neither party can apply it to this work, without first disuniting it from its proper holdfast. Not merely so, the divinely-joined links must be severed, for the unwarrantable purpose of adding new links, or stretching old ones, before it can reach far enough to be attached 13 iLlldreu of the en of God. ct expression" cording to his sense of fore- ? which would at love God," erence he pre- confomid its ore-appointed be conformed tie imply that led what they g was deter- ) be regarded lie mind ? Or on, from that tpled with, or ho undertake ;o characters Df the Spirit. I too. They eternal life, ofGod, tobe And this has )f Calvinists. )jects. Tbey lift, the yet nd death, in d salvation." fst disuniting -joined links ag new links, » be attached to their new theme. Until thus wrested, undesignedly, indeed, but really it is utterly unfit for the work usually assigned it. When these verses are supposed to contain a predestinating plan of salvation from guilt and depravity and when it is seen that in a passage supposed to treat professedly on this plan, there is an omission of the atoning work of God the Son, and of the other things referred to ; then the ground is laid for the inference, that the omitted things belong not to the plan of salvation at all ; or, at least, are of minor importance. So natural is the tendency to this result that we are prepared to hear that it has been realised ; — that even millions have, by such a process of thought, rejected the doctrines not expressed in these verses. Dr. Lewis, Bishop of Ontario, in his recent charge to his Clergy, has traced this tendency in his own church, during the eighteenth century, which he calls " that dark age of the Reformed Church of England." He says : " The habit of viewing our salvation as the pre- determined decree of God the Father, who elected and fixed an unal- terable number from all eternity, by degrees drew men away from considering in its true significance the work of God the Son. The ten- dency of the human mind to disparage part of the system in propor- tion as it unduly magnifies another part, developed itself. As com- pared with God the Father's election of men to salvation, irrespective of anything but his own arbitrary decree, the work of God the Son appeared of second-rate importance, and gradually receded from view, till the result appeared in that widely-spread Arianism and open Sociniauism which disgraced the church in the last century." What happened in the Church of England, took place, on a far larger scale, among the Presbyterians. According to the Revd. Flavel Mines (Looking for the Church, p. 110) : " More than thirty millions of Presbyterians, in Switzerland, in Germany, in Ireland, in New England, in Old England, and wherever Presbyterianism has held sway ; — both pastors" (numbering "from fifteen to twenty thousand") " and parishes," ("from fifteen to twenty thousand,") '' in one terrific mass, have disowned the Trinity, and denied the divinity of Jesus." ft M 14 are^lVftf f -"1^ ''''"?^* """^^ ^^ '"^^^'^ *^ ^e^^ain as they are and the divmely appointed connexion be preserved, and thJ Cham IS not too short for the work contemplated by its mlker No ink of redemp ion, or adoption, or sanctification is needed, and none shonld be snpplied ; becanse the chain is attached to them tSat love God and that therefore has been redeemed, adopted and anct fied by other means previously considered. »ut.unea ev.^r^!l*\''"''1®'"P*"'' terms employed have nothing what- them that do not love God, from guilt and depravity, into final anS everlasting glory. On the other hand, they refer solely to them that love God, "viewed in relation to the sufferings of the present time ' Some have admitted that the words under con's ideratirare a^e of being applied, m part, to the topic just mentioned, and to wl Ithe apostle's previous remarks undoubtedly refer. But, in their view h! reference IS merely indirect. And, therefore, it is oily i aSnfa mannerthat they takenotice of it. They merely hintf paren thetai! that It has this, in addition to a widely different design Xch t^S their utmost efforts, they try to present prominently a,;d to in J '! permanently. Thus they virtually make void, aid st, 131^2 other, and previously admitted, application. ' ' Yet to this the inspired words apply more aonronrintAW fv, * pen-fex tte brethren of Christ; but mnch that is directly iZni J and admirably fitted, to unite and harmonic as wcl as ,2 r^' to glorify, ever, child of God in every Peno^in t^n """""""^ i % ""-N^^rt >j^»ate«w to remain as they reserved, and the •y its maker. No needed, and none to them that love ted and sanctified ve nothing what- minian, of saving 'J, into final and •lely to them that the present time." tion are capable aid to which the in their view, the ly in an incidental ;, parenthetically, ign, which, with I and to impress id set aside, the priately, than to ng to divide, or irectly intended, 1 as individually EXPOSITION. Prayer and search- ing the Scriptures must be combined. " F'or whom he did forelcnow, he also did predestinate io be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first- born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predes- tinate, them he also called ; and whom he called, them he also justified ; and whom he justified, them he also glorified." — Romans, viii., 29, 30. What student of the precious Bible has not prayed frequently and fervently that the Spirit whoso inspiration dictated these confessedly im- portant words, may exhibit the train of thought which they convey ? We believe that n proper sense of responsibility for the manner in which we search the Scriptures, that a teachable mind and a heart inclined to do whatever we may ascertain to be the Divine plea- sure respecting us, will be given by the Spirit to those who rightly implore these things. But even the answer to such prayers will not supersede the necessity of paying attention to every jot and tittle of the written word. And to the partial neglect of the latter, rather than to the absence of the former, would we attribute the unhappy diversi- ties of interpretation given to these much disputed words. Having prayed as others have done, let us search more thoroughly to find the clue that can conduct along the royal pathway. It plainly appears that the exposition of these As the text is verses does not depend on themselves alone, for i?g"Sy" joined *°o they are not detached insulated texts. It is evi- the context, we must dent to every person from the commencing fu^SVtV'e'con- "for," that they a» \crbally joined bythe in- nected observations, spired author to some preceding proposition. A connexion of words .y.>r tit I ; \\ % I \ \ 16 implies a connexion of thought An/i k„ ♦!,• logical connexion their right applicttl!, *" S"""""'" ""d would be exceedingly monftoiSZ/ *" '''^""»i»«d. It or contrary to its cont^r W ' f . T""*' ''"'"'°' "» ™"««^' subject .i\:^zt^ obi^t-r '^"'"™' '"^ ''°"'' '» »°^ «•« 4;^rirhrneT;hiidr:f^^^^^^^^^^ *■ --^ cceds to announce :- ''• ''"' '" *'"" '<"■«. P'»- Ver. 17. And if children, then heirs ■ heirs of Pn^ a jomt-heirs with Christ; if so be tha. vve kffe l"* him ,1.1 we may be also glorified together " ' """ uea^rrltd^'toirtetnTt T 7"-'. '"'^ " --'"« vce 3pca.» 0, being confoU^'to'-.^rC X Son^raeT'^ step, so does the Hth verse si.e»lt nf „«• • ... ^ "" '™* 30th verse speaks of beinglraed in cont™^ "^^ *"■"'' ' "^ '"" verse. And as this verse co Ifn, 2 T T"""' "" '"""^ ""= """ it definitely teaches us rwttrLol"^ '^^^ the image of the Son It I, ! ? " "" '" ■"= "»"'»""«« to the confLit/^l"; oTwhT^rjo'drt'^'"'- ^"' "^ be " in part " it was a wiJ Z !• ? '" "' ™"' ™ <">Ij' point, Ldes it wis airw seTsp"* 11'"' T'^^'r " °" «"' thought of our being conformed T/nt"^", to wUet h, „„„ the conformity contemplate^ a confoL^ * ;'^'°"''. °°'' "«' a conformity i„ the g.^,, thltshoZfoC But^r,'! r''"-!" cation of the anostle hi"*• learned he obedience by the things which he suffered."— Heb. 5, 8. It would seem that these statements of the inspired writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, refer, in some sense, to the whole of Christ's " days in the flesh ;" but yet have a particular illustrative reference to some one scene. For this latter some look to the Garden of Gethsemane. But the death referred to cannot be witnessed there. It cannot be I either his atoning death, or his death as a martyr ; because he was c ^'^'' '^ fiji 18 not saved from undergoing either of these. We caunot think that he even prayed to bo saved from the former. We do think he prayed to be reheved from a martyi-'s death, at the hands of those for whom he was making atonement ; but his conditional and submissive prayer for this, was not complied with. He was, " with wicked hands, crucified and slam." ' We must look elsewhere for the scene alluded to. We find it in the wilderness, when, having fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. As he was tempted fort/days, and therefore, before the final temptations of which a repoit is g/ven in Mat . ,v.. It must appear probable, that Satan then tried to induce him to fear death by famishment,--a suggestion that would artfully prepare, the way for the more special temptation, to command stones Iv tl^iT ' .^^S"^ ^''''' ''''' ^"^S^«*«^^' J««"« ^ould certain- y leso t to prayer, to Him that was able to save him from death. If this IS the case referred to, it would follow, that he was heaxd in that he .eared In answer to prayer, the fear of such death was taken away as being only a temptation. But, the suffering of hunger being allowed to remain, he would still have to learn obedience by the things This view is in harmony also with the context. For, as Ebrard remarks, ' the design of the author is to shew that the firstreqaS^ l7Z^ft'-'7'''''' '^^"^^y' '' being taken from amongT and clothed with mfirmity.-was not wanting in Jesus." JeJu''as'\'?„ffereJ '^^'' "^"""P'^ ^^"^ ^' '^^^^^^ ^7 those who, by raay be imitated by regeneration, have been made the children of S'S s'ph'r''"" ?''^- ,^"^"^2 '^'^ '^' same state of spirit that iw.w . • v . r ., ^^"^ ^^^' ^^ ^®" »3 the same state of bodv— a 10^ spu..t in a frail body-they can bear the sufferings to wS the latter exposes, with the disposition which the former sCies Hence ^nstians can obediently suffer with Jesus ; and ChriXn on^ cl do so, m the sense which the apostle intended to convey. ^ That they may do ^hat the children of God may pass through «o. mot.ve« are pre- these trials of their faith as the Son of God did Paul gives them, in this chapter, the reasons that lin us. fis prepa v^of endu the com evident the time iDf perse< JBtripes a ' sould sti ;lory bei ipostle p md of til * Note. uccesBive 7 th verse .^Jnterprete father tha '^postle ha ar ezposi estricted ot, the ri for our in nrestricte i "'**^: '3E»-,.. 19 unot think that ho >hink he prajed to those for whom he •missiye prayer for 3d hands, cracified X We find it in J forty nights, he forty days, and, eport is given in n tried to indnce it wonid artfully command stones 303 would certain- 1 from death. If vas heard in that death was taken J of hunger being ice by the things ainistered to his For, as Ebrard he first requisite rom among men, s.» ty those who, by the children of Lte of spirit that ate of body — a gs to which the upplies. Hence istians only can y- Y pass through ion of God did, he reasons that ihould induce them to do so ; the very reasons for which he himself lesired to know " the fellowship of his sufferings, being made confor- lable to his death."— Phil., 3. 10. Vcr. 18— « For I reckon, that the suflerings The present suffor- lof this present time are not worthy to be com- glfe pE Tfa gU," pared with the glory which shall be revealed '"'""^ ^c*^"^* ^^ ^'J'ch iin no " "''* ^^ found abnn- |in us. dant compensation. He reckons that the whole suffering scene now manifest before us rill give place to a glorious scene, which shall be revealed unto us ; >ne which will, as every one must admit, abundantly compon- late those who suffer as Christians. For suffering there will be flory. For light suffering there will be an exceeding weight of glory, ^r momentary suffering, everiasting glory. And this exceeding and everiasting weight of glory is not far distant ; for, according to the literal meaning, it is " about to be revealed." And, as the suffering Is preparatory to the glory, no one can for a moment doubt the wisdom of enduring the one in order to attain the other. The sufficiency of the compensation is seen without lengthened investigation. It is evident at a glance. Who is it that thus reckons ? Paul, who, sit the time of writing these words, was bearing "in his body the marks" W persecution, and expecting bonds and imprisonment. Who was " in stripes above measure, in prisons frequent" ? Paul, with all his trials, could still reckon so ; because, as th'fe suffering becomes less light, the glory becomes more weighty. Having made this general allusion,' the apostle proceeds to treat separately of the glory pertaining to the body and of that pertaining to the soul, and in the order just mentioned.* * Note.— The apostle ooutinues to make eufifering his theme, through several Buccessive verses. It is very obvious that he does so down to the end of the 27th verse at least, so that we might pass at once to the 28th verse. But as interpreters seem to apply the intermediate words to suffferings of any kind, rather than to those special sufferings, and for those special objects, which the apostle had exclusively in view, we shall take a few additional moments to take our exposition continuously through. We observe, however, that whether our restricted view of the kind of sufferings referred to in ver. 19,22, be adopted or Jiot, the right interpretation of verses 29 and 30 will not be afitcted thereby ; for our interpretation of these would follow from either the restricted or unrestricted view of verses 19,22. f I ■ll 20 ill fP The glory of the ^®''^® ^^ — " ^^^ the earnest expectation loTodTr" hy^tho °^ ^^^ creature waiteth for the manifestation Christian's frail of the SOns of God." body. The creature, iu earnest expectation, waiteth for the manifestation of the ghry of the sons of God, as the previous verse shows. And we believe the glory here referred to, is the glory of the resurrection body of the children of God,— the glory that will follow " the redemption of the body." (Verse 23.) The word rendered creature, may mean any created thing. The inspired writers, however, sometimes apply it to human, as dis- tinct from other animate beings. It occurs in Mark 16, 15 : " Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," i. e., to every human being. By a farther limitation, it seems to be here ap- plied to a human body as distinct from the soul,— to the body as it now is, exhibiting the old creation, in distinction from the glorified state of the body, which will exhibit the new creation. This meaning of the word can be uniformly adopted in the diflerent instances in which it occurs in this connexion. It is the same Greek word that is rendered creature, in the 19th, 20th and 21st verses, and creation, in the 22nd verse. It is more natural to suppose that the Apostle 'in- tends to attach the same meaning to the same word in each succes- sive verse, than that he uses the same word to express different mean- ings in closely connected sentences. And that this one meaning is that which we have assigned it, is, we think, made evident by the next, or 23rd verse, where the Apostle employs the explanatory phrase, to wit, the redemption of the body. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Hence, a renewal of the body is necessary, even iu the case of those who huve been already renewed in spirit. To these, the redemption of the body is stillja feltfjwant,- an object of earnest desire. Especially so, as, at the time of redemption, the bodies of "the sons of God "will manifest a difference, from even the resurrection bodies of the wicked. It is the Holy Spirit that will renew the bodies of the saints. In every case, in which the Divine Spirit had renewed the soul after the \ fil St expectation manifestation on, waiteth for 3 previous verse the glory of the hat will foUoiv created thing, human, as dis- 5, 15: "Go ye sature," i. e., to to be here ap- thebody as it m the glorified This meaning it instances in i word that is nd creation, in he Apostle in- in each succes- iifferent mean- leaning is that )y the next, or phrase, to wit. d. Hence, a lose who hiive 3n of the body ecially so, as, )f God" will )f the wicked, le saints. In soul after the image of God, he will renew the body also, after the image of Christ's resurrection body. In the former part of the chapter, th« apostle had assured them of this : " If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, ho that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." The Spirit of God will fashion the bodies that were his temple, like unto Christ's glorious body. For this reason, when the children of God have become the children of the resurrection, they will be manifestly distinguished from the children of the wicked one, as seen in their resurrcccion state, by even a peculiar bodily glory. Ver. 20. — " For the creature was made This cxpeotatlon subject to vanity, not willmely, but by reason '^ warranted by a ru- u u *v 1 • . 1 . 1 • i .correct view of ot him who hath subiected the same in hope." God's final nnmnsn hope. God's final purpose when nppointing the When first subjected to vanity, it was subjected present state oi pro- in hope of subsequent deliverance, and final glorifi- " '°°' cation. It is a historical fact, that the human body was subjected to vanity, " to that transitory nature which causes all the animated crea- tion so rapidly to pass away," (Conybeavo and Howson in loco.) This frail state of body was " not willingly" brought on, as far as Adam was concerned. It was not among the consequences anticipa- ted by him at the moment of sinning. He did not then expect that this would be done ; that God would say, " Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thon return." And when God, the subjec- ting power here referred to, did say this, it was in hope that, " as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive ;" or rather, as the Apostle here states it in its relation to them that are the children of God, it was, ver. 21, " in hope that the creature itself also, shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of tlie children of God." It was in hope that the body should be deUv- ered from the bondage of subjection to vanity " into the liberty of the glory," or " into the freedom which belongs to the glorification of the sons of God." So Conybeave and Howson say the last clause means. But the event hoped for has not yet been accomplished : — ^«HW"MMESE2CEr fl't - ■'^tmfmmiwmitmiai^m -^is&ht^t^^-^^'Mi^m:' <2SL glorlfloVtiSn"rtJ ^^^' ^^' " ^o*" we know that tho whole body haa not yet creation groaneth and travaileth in nain taken place, is evl- j„„^«u« ^-i ,. «**ioiii jn jjain clont from the nature together until now." cLuLS' anlioipa" Instead of " tho whole creation," the margin Uonof it iB autlior- pots "every creature." Wo thinli tho Apostle ^ ,' r . ., , . ^™?°* *° ^*^' *^° ''''''•® creature, i. o, the entire body of a child of God, groaned, Ac, for " if one member suffer., all ho members suffer with it." The whole body is continuing to .utfer the pangs of labor until now, and therefore has not yet brought forth It groans, therefore it is not yet glorified. But such a state of the body is evidently not intended to bo perma nent. The very struggles which tho creatures liere spoken of " make against pam and death, show that pain and death are not a part of the proper laws of their nature ; but rather a bondage imposed on them from Without." Such, say Conybeave and Howson, is tlie argument of the Apostle. And it is as original as it is profound. The inspired philosopherinfers that such struggles are evidently only for a little while, and will terminate in joyful results. Ver. 23. " And not only they, but our- selves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within our- selves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Not only do our mortal bodies groan, "but we ourselves,"-our soul8,~which we properly call ourselves, groan for the body's deliver- ance. It is we ourselves." our souls, that " have," thatalready enjoy the iirst fruits of the Spirit," in the form of regenerating and sanS fymg grace But as the saints, while . . ,uort.l body, have only Z hrst fruits of the Spirit, they groan for tLoeoa..letion of Vs ,ok to wit, the redemption of the body. E, , heart against suffering, because' as he refuses to lean on the strength of God, he considers it would be a reproach, to feel, or acknowledge his weakness. The godly man re- chnes on the Divine arm, and is not reluctant to admit honestly, his own feebleness. He does not, like the stoic, try to imagine suffering to be a plaything, and agony to be pleasure. He has finer sensibili- ties, and feels them to be what they are,-an oppressive burden that causes groans, and oft times groanings that cannot be uttered. In many cases, says one, we know not enough of the consequences or designs of present trials and sufferings, even to venture on making a definite request with regard to them ; because we know not whether relief from them is best or not. At other times, suffering so over- whelms and stupifies, that our groanings are unattended with a single explanation to man, or prayer to God. But, at such times, the sym- pathising Spirit is present with all true christians, and makes interces- sion for them And, knowing the deep things of God, he knoweth what is best for them, and what is agreeable to the will of God -to God's final object in the appointment of the sufferings. And from the Throne of Providence, or Grace, the suitable answer comes, to console to temporarily relieve, or strengtlien, the sufferer, to make the suffer- ings work together for good, or to dismiss them eternally. of the p?esenrSe ^^^' ^^- " ^"^ we know that all things fe;*o?to1,tS 7f ;«f ther for good to them that love to work together for ^^"» '^ ^'^^^ who are ihe called according good to their eoiils. to his purpose." Not only shall we be aided under these sufferings, we shall be benefitted by them. In the corresponding clause of the Greek Testt !-M< \:j le suflferings of the E" the thorn in the or my strength is 'ord.) He is not ravity, sink under lare to do, by the and its sufferings, 3 subject to these, mffering, because, iiders it would be ["he godly man re- Imit honestly, his imagine suffering as finer sensibili- sive burden that e uttered. :he consequences, jnture on making :now not whether uffering so over- ied with a single times, the sym- l makes interces- od, he knoweth ^ill of God,~to And from the Dmes, to console, make the snffer- ^lly. hat all things lem that love ed according :s, we shall be le Greek Testa- 25 ment, the word " all " is not followed by the word " things." There is an ellipsis of the nouu. This often happens, when a word is not necessary to convey the meani:.g of a sentence, though it would be necessary to complete the grammatical construction. The translators thought it best to complete the construction of the sentence ; and with this intention, inserted the word " things," after "all." The Apos- tle, however, had not been treating about all things, but about all the " sufferings of the present time." that affect " the children of God," ver. l*:, and that make them " groan," ver. 23. It is the "ta pathemata" of the 18th verse, that has been omitted after the " ta panta" of the 28th verse. Accordingly, the proper translation is . " We know that all the sufferings work together for good to them that love God." It is important to supply the ellipsis properly. If it was supposed that the f.postle placed «* things" after " all," his statement might be interpreted as including sins as well as sufferings, and the sufferings of eternity as well as those of time, among the workers together for good. In which case, some might be emboldened to imitate those who " do evil that good may come," and " whose damnation is just," Ro. 3. 8. We are prevented from running into such fatal errors, by giving at- tention to the context, which shows, that the apostle was speaking exclusively, of the sufferings of this present time, to which the children of God are, or may be, subject. And he now says, that all these work together for good to them that love God. This statement shows that his mind has passed from the considera- tion of the body, and the glory for which it waits, to the soul, and the glory that pertains to it. Sufferings work for the good of the soul, not of the body. The sufferings of the present time, are innocent tests of character, and yet, are the most thoroughly sifting ones that exist. That this is so, the sim- plest examples, said one who touched incidentally on this point, may teach us. " Are the cravings of the intemperate palate for wine, as hard to be endured as the natural thirst of him who pants for the waters of the gushing fountain, and cannot find them ? Ask the parched Ishmaelite The sufferings that come to Christipna through the innocent infirmities of the bo- dy, are the most searching and im- proving tests of chu- racter. ^, . I MlrifffWli^iM^ ^ ^^ || ; i i i i ( i ! 1 ill I I I 26 in the desert. Is the pampered appetite of the epicure, as importu- nate in its demands, as the unavoidable and ravenous hunger of the famishing man ? Ask ihe wretched mothe^-s who, in the siege of Samaria, bargained to sUiy in succession their own children that they might subsist a few days longer on their flesh ;-yet it is obvious that they should have determined to die of famme, rather than commit these horrid and unnatural murders." By such illustrations he estab- hshes this position : " That those temptations which are the most sifting, severe and terrible, in their nature, may be, precisely, those which are the farthest removed from being sinful,"— those which come to us through the innocent infirmities of the body. And, by means of these, the soul, after being saved by santification from sintul propen- sities, continues in probation of the highest kind. Through these infirmi- ties, Jesus could be tempted, and was tempted, and that more severely than the mothers of Samaria. Having fasted forty days and forty nights he felt hungry, and, under the indescribable sensations which hunger then must have caused, was tempted of the devil to command stones to be made bread,— a temptation artfully made such as to be aided by all the cravings and dictations, of famished appetite. But to have given such a command, at that time, would have impliedly charged Divine Providence with want of sympathy, for the sufferings of even holy humanity. To avoid making this imputation Jesus blessedly endured the temptation, and thus admitted that the kindest proyidence may subject genuinely holy beings to fiery trials, in order to their being made per- feet through suffering. ^ Jesus was made ^"^^ through suffering Jesus was made perfect perfect through mt- as his Heavenly Father intended. " For it became ■ , him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering," Heb. 2. 10. Christians, too, can be made perfect through suffering. Suffering can perfect a sanctified soul. It cannot sanctify an uusanctified soul ; only the ®P''''t of God can do this. It cannot atone, in Tvhole or in part, for a guilty soul ; only the Lord Jesus Christ could effect this work. But it can perfect a pardoned and sanctified soul, by By imitating his example, hia adopted brethren too, can be made perfect thro' suffering. are k y ¥ 1.M icure, as importa- •us hunger of the ), in the siege of children that they i it is obvious that ther than commit itrations he estab- ich are the most !, precisely, those those which come And, by means of •om sintul propen- ugh these infirmi- tiat more severely 3 and forty nights, vhich hunger then (land stones to be > be aided by all »ut to have given y charged Divine igs of even holy sedly endured the lence may subject being made per- vas made perfect " For it became nd by whom are ! the captain of I perfect through I sanctified soul. 1 soul ; only the annot atone, in is Christ could nctified soul, by 27 peculiarly exercising, and thereby strengthening and maturing the grace already in possession ; and by occasioning need for more grace, and thus leading them to pray and obtain more grace than would otherwise be necessary. It cultivates the noblest traits of character. Personal sufferings give exercise to patience and resignation, passive fortitude, or active heroic courage. The sufferings of friends call forth benevolent aid in every form of self-denying watching, weeping sym- pathy, and gentle assistance. So that amidst them, a great part of existing friendship and brotherly love is formed and cherished. Amidst them too, life is uncertain, and the constant uncertainty of life, ever points to present duty, as that which imperatively demands present attention. They have a tendency i;kewise,to wean us from undue at- tachment to earthly things, and to increase the desire to " depart and be with Christ." Accordingly it has been observed, that those christians whose sufferings are the longest, and the most severe, are the most patient sufferers. It is not said that these sufferings work together for good to them that do not love God. In such, alas, they often occasion sullenness, ^tfulness, murmuring, blasphemy, stupid despondency, or dire despair. When this is the case, they, of course, are prevented from working for good. But for them that do love God, they work for good. The verbs are in the present tense, so that the sense is : For those that now love God they now work for good. And they work together. As the Divine Spirit co-operated with the spirit of the christian, in helping his infirmities, to sustain his sufferings ; so these sufferings co-operate in working good for those who thus sustain them. And as a whole, they co-operate with other departments of God's special providence. That they will do so, is regarded not as a possibility, or proba- bility, but as a certainty. " We know," with full assurance of nnderstanding, that all these things shall work together for good to " them who are the called," literally, says Dr. J. Brown, " to them bemg called according to God's purpose," t. e., to them, because they are " the called according to God's purpose," 1 ' * i 1 1! I f tell 28 Accordingly, God'a guardian love de- liberately purposes that his children should attend this perfecting school and culls them to it. If, then, a scene of suffering is the place to learn the highest kind of obedience, if those who already hate sin and love God may be perfected here ;we are prepared to hear that their Heavenly Father purposes to place tliera in this training school, and that they are called to it for this pnrposo. As a call cannot be from eternity, but must be given in time • so those to whom this call came, were, when it arrived, ones that had the love of God in them. It is they " that love God" that are called accordmg to the purpose here mentioned. The special object of this call IS again stated and submitted for our approval. toI?S.Tsl°Jpirs:r; , ^"^- ^®- " ^^^^ ^^^^^"^ ^^ ^^^ foreknow, and fixedly made by "e also did predestinate to be conformed to the Divine will, be- the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren." " Whom" obviously refers to them that love God, and that are the called according to the purpose here alluded to. If, then, the antecedent of the relative were expressed again, the passage would read thus : For them that love God whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate, &c. Or, in other words, whom he did foresee, he did foreappoint, &c. It has been truly remarked, that in point of order, St. Paul makes God's prescience precede God's predestination ; not God's predestina- tion precede God's prescience.— (Faber on Election, p. 272.) To place predestination before foreknowledge, is to destroy foreknowledge altogether, by reducing it to present knowledge of existing decrees. As the apostle speaks of foreknowledge as preceding predestination,' so this foreknowledge has reference to character,— to them that love God, that had already acquired the true principle of personal holiness. And personally holy ones being the characters foreknown, are the ones that are predestinated. Now when it is as such they are pre- destinated, it must be for the attainment of something that is subse. quent to the genuine commencement of a holy life. Accordingly, the' whole context shows, that it is a predestination of them that love God to be " conformed to the image of the Son" as " a mm of sorrows and <'ause it is only by being conformed to the image of the Son ia8ufforinfr,thatthey could be conformed to his image in the glory that shall fol- low. =i%i 29 f is the place to snce, if those who may be perfected at their Heavenly n iu this training iC. given in time ; so d, ones that had cl" that are called jial object of this did foreknow, e conformed to le might be the ren." ) them that love according to the n, the antecedent ain, the passage did foreknow he \ he did foresee, St. Paul makes Tod's predestina- , p. 272.) To y foreknowledge xisting decrees. I predestination, tliem that love ersonal holiness, known, are the 1 they are pre- g that is subse. ccordingly, the THAT LOVE God, of sorrows and Icqminfed wit/t grip/" — a predestination to conformity in suffering, iu |rder to conformity in the glory tluit sliould follow. This conformity suffering is plainly exhibited as the pniposed consequence of the pre- destination spoken of. They were foreseen as persons that love God, jind, as such, were predestinated to be conformed to the image of the Son, in suffering, and then in glory. The Greek word, tluit is here rendered "conformed," h mmmor- ^hous. The verb corresponding to it, is used by the same apostle ni\\ the same reference to suffering. It occurs in Phil., 3, 10, when le speaks of desiring to know Christ and the fellowship of his suflerings I' being made conformable to his death ;" his death as a martyr, the inly death of Christ to which man could be conformed. The same word is used by him, to denote a joint participation of the Resulting glory. It is thns used in Phil, 3, 21, where it has special reference to the bot'.ily glorification to be obtained at the second com- ing of Christ ; " who shall change our vile body that it may be ^fumviorphoumenos fasliioned like unto his gloiious body, according to %\\Q working whereby he is able even to subdue all tilings to himself." In the text tlie word summorplwus combines these references. It denotes conformity to Christ's suffering body, in order to conformity io his glorified body ; including, of coarse, under each all that is ^Respectively implied. With this view, too, agrees the clause " that he might be the first- |)orn among many brethren." The expression " first-born among many" tc, here points to Jesus as in possession of a glorified body. Among *.' the children of the resurrection" he is the first-born. In Col., 1, 18, ind in Rev., 1, 5, he is called " the first-begotten from the dead ;" — the first that was raised from the dead, to die no more. His glorious body will be the model after which the resurrection jodies of his brethren will be fashioned. As his once frail body, was 'luade in all things like unto his brethren, so their resurrection bodies .Bhall be in all things made like unto his now glorified body. And since it is as brethren of Jesus — God's . As in suffering, so L 1 J.1 J ii 1 1 M 1 /. in tile glorv tlitit. fol- pruo and proper son, that they become children of lowsitfchrist ispre- fod, and heirs of God, they shall partake of the emiaeat. glorious rewards, conferred on Christ as a sufferer, in proportion to i! ill III nil 30 the degree i.i which they snifered with him. While Jesus submitted the ordinary kmd of sufferings, he felt some of them more inte han any mere man could do. For instance, as no ingratitude of m to a n..re human benefactor, could be as base, as ingmtitude towZ a D.vme and only Redeemer ; so he was pained by the con ralet ^ of sinners against himself, by their reviling, and evil sneTki^l n^l persecution unto death, far more intensely tT.an a /n a^o'ld be -u.iar treatment. Hence as in the sufferings, so I the glo y h 'wH '^ have the pre-eminence, yea and •' in all things." ^' Now, since the apostle does not represe^nt the predestination a, comn,encmg with those spoken of when in a state pLiou o It o personal hohness. hence the conforming process camL, as some htk mlude a change from depravity to holiness. Besides such a cl age' would not be m conformity to any thing that Jesus ever underwent He ^Z Z: f T T'''' '' '''''''' '' -^ -"^^ su a Ln^ n us brethren be effected by any of the series of divine acts sDecififrl Jesus, that I,ke l„m they may be made perfect through suffering. th^lluT""""':"", "' '"" '"""' ""«'^« '» ™"«™«J "y i'« analogy to nth verse, wim-h, „s already noticed, announce., the topic wWct Apostle ,s unfolding. As there, the apostle spoke of' , fen! «ith Jesus, as the Qrst .step, that they may he -lorficd n,Z7 , step : so here, conformity to tho imaf-o of h.. tcT « sorrows, is the hr.t stcp.'aud the la^' i^^l^t 'm, "mi^t ^rL"' born amonj; „,a„, brethren," in the "gloriBed" st.te And ,1,. I ters spohon of i„ the one p„»ge, namely 'uhe W dren of « ""t oZ;::::;;:. '■"-"-'-«»".■■ andwhoarespoken-rinS:: Our interpretation is sustained also, by its analogy to other mrallel pas ages, where we And the same sacred writer trcuh," of th. y Ofomto.t fho.n concernmg their faith ; "That no man lould tpolnl lat w( [now. pur fa [nd oui to 1 [onfirm lUSt, t. 4, 22. ' Thus the ana that th( must th appoint image c tho thin the glor Acco rated a podies 1 .ff suffe: ire perr ihysical ■^ The a lie app( 'espondi lelongs ihat will ;he argu vibl-od, as 'hus sai lake pe gain, ihe wast Hi 31 ■M liile Jesus submitted tliem more intensely' ingratitude of man: ingratitude towards: by the contradiction . evil speaking, and y man could be, by in the glory, he will , 3 predestination as previous to that of mot, as some think, ties, such a change ver underwent. He ould such a change vine acts, specified no regenerating or i^iewed as already ted to suffer with Jgh suffering. d by its analogy to ?s the topic which spoke of suflFerino- 'rifled as the final n as the man of night be the first- • And the charac- Iren of God," are spokeu of in the to other parallel siting of the same ul, writing to the 'r of love, and 1, that he sent " That no man bonld be moved by these afflictions : for yourselves know that we are 3pointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you we told you liat we should suffer tribulation ; even as it came to pass, and ye inow. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I scut to know our faith, lest by some means the tempter should have tempted you (nd our labor be in vain," J Thes. 3. 2-5. The apostle himself return- to the childreu of God at Antioch, Iconium, and Lvstra, " to jonfirm their souls" amid sufferings ; by assuring them, that' "we ust, through much tribulatiou enter into the kingdom of God " Acts 4, 22. Thus the meaning which we have given is in entire harmony with he analogy of faith. It is, undoubtedly, the doctrine of the Bible, [hat they that love God must pass through much tribulation. Why "Qust they ? Because they "are appointed thereunto." Why are they ippointed thereto ? They are predestinated to be conformed to the iiage of the Son, who though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by |be things which he suffered, and who, through sufferings, attained to ^e glory which should follow. " Accordingly, the souls that have been rogene- |ated are allowed to remain for a time in frail lodies that are susceptible of suffering. Causes f f sufiering crowd around them. Wicked men ire permitted to persecute. And the course of •hysical nature is made to abound in sources of pain as well as of joy \ The afflictive character of the present state of nature, is, evidently, |lie appointment of God ; for the very same relation, aptitude, and cor' '^lespondence, of parts, which are present, to prove that what is joyful '|)elongs to the things that are made, are present, likewise, to prove, fhat what is afflictive belongs also to the things that are made. As the argument from design, proves that what is afflictive comes from Ood, as truly as what is joyous ; so does the testimony of Scripture Thus saith God himself, " I form the light, and create darkness ; I jnake peace and create evil. I the Lord do all these things," I3. 46.7. gain, in the 54th chap, and 16th ver., he says, " I have created he waster to destroy." The iirranjjpnicntg for canjiiif the latter, or t after the chief Hies have been 3istibly, like an ?e is sometimes, Jtinies. and vice of these cases, •eyoud all ques- t pleasures and ous administra- ume that every msequent, is a ry, it was un- ead of rewards, iraents, would niuistratiou of 35 Those instances of pleasure and pain that are instances of reward IftHd punishment, administered by a moral governor for actions regarded las virtuous or vicious, are tuose that are produced by acts subsequent Ito the vicious or virtuous acts,— namely, by the act of our own re- |viewing conscience, or by the act of a human, or Divine, Governor. But those instances of pleasure, which are immediately attendant on joctions that may be bul)sequently punished ; and those instances of jpain that are connected with actions, that may be rewarded at a Ifuture time ; are those which constitute the present state, a state of [probation. What proof of obedience to Ood, could our first parents have shown, by abstaining from the forbidden fruit, if it were not " pleasant to the eyes" and " good for food ?" If it were evidently nauseous to the taste, and poisonous to the blood, the refraining from it would, pro- bably, be an act of self-love merely, not an exercise and manifestation of love to God. But to be called to obey God, when obedience re- quires self-denial, and especially when it requires (as, since the fall of Adam, it does require;, toil and sufifering,— is to be called to act from love to God, as a principle distinct from, and superior to, love to self. The full adoption and cultivation of that superior principle could make us consistent and steadfast commandment-keepers, in any •circumstances in this world, or in that which is to come. Hence the design of many of the pains and pleasures of the present world is to constitute a system of probation, for the very purpose of exercising, strengthening, and confirming, the principle of love to God ; that, as it ought, it may ever be stronger than love to any or to all things else. Tully under its influence, we would not barter the ap- proving and sympathising smile of God, for the possession of any of the allurements, or for freedom from any of the sufferings, of this present time. In short, the not keeping steadily in view, the distinctions between the sufferings belonging to the state of probation, and those pertaining to the beginnings of a system of punishment; has occasioned some dangerous misconceptions of both systems. And this, perhaps more than anything else, has prevented Arminians from discovering the pro- per exposition of *he part of the 8th chapter of Romans now before us. HHi@p Ill m 36 Not merely so, the dangerous misconceptions referred to, have been eelocted, and made the basis of several spreading heresies :— a topic to which we may yet call special attention, Tbene arrange- ^''"^^ ^^'^ predestination, is a predestination to Sn'wiU ''""' '"' *^® sufferings of the present time, it do es not act directly on the will of man. And since it is a predestmation of those who love God; and since such willingly vea joyously, submit to the sufferings, appointed by their Heavenly Father for their good, taking " pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, etc for Christ 8 sake," being " ready to be bound," " not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection ;" it is, accordingly a predestination which manifestly leaves free the human will. God call8 them Ver. 30., " Moreover whom he did ore- L^uoIh^X°intd destinate them he also called." ^ iT^TioXnT Having been viewed as them that love God, when this call came, it is evident that this call cannot involve the doctrine of irresistible regeneration, or regeneration in any way. And lor the same reason, it cannot be the call to them that do not love God ; and which refers to repentance and faith With these things, or those characters, it has here nothing to do It is a call or invitation given to them that do love God, to suffer with Jesus. The apostles informed and reminded Christians of this call For instance, Peter says, (1st Epistle, 2nd ch., 20, 21 verses), " If when with God. For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps " The sufferings which Christ endured, for the purpose of leaving us an example, were, of course, not the peculiar sufferings that were con nected with his atonement, but the ordinary sufferings pertaining to this present world. His example under these, we may be, and are, call- ed to follow. Jesus himself called every follower to suffer these with tm If any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."-Mat. 16. 24. And as Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him ; so we are called to "count It all joy" when we. fall iotp. divers trials of our faith, m i 37 rrcd to, have been •esies : — a topic to I predestination to »e, it do es not act And since it is a uch willingly, yea, Heavenly Father, preaches, etc., for i'pting deliverance is, accordingly, a m will. om he did pre- d." n that love God, int that this call I, or regeneration the call to them and faith. With g to do. It is a suflfer with Jesus, fthis call. For •ses), " If, when lis is acceptable ause Christ also follow his steps." of leaving us an ! that were con- gs pertaining to be, and are, call- suffer these with limself and take 3SU3 endured the :alIedto "count Having appointed and ctillftl I hem to suircr, God jiifiiflfs tltt'in in renurdiiig thiH call as coming Irum DiviMH Iovh ; and in exercisinjit. accctrdinKly, piUimt and joylni liapc, in thi> midst uf tiibula- tioa. Ver. 30, (aeoond clause). " And whom le called them he also justified." As this justification has relation to the preced- ing call, and as this call was an invitation to them hat love God, to submit to appointed or permit- id sufferings, with the mind that was in Jesus as \s a sufferer ; therefore, the justification that re- fers to this call, cannot be the justification of the ingodly who believe for pardon and regeneration. It must be ,he justification of the godly, who willingly obey the call to suffer as [Christians ; not gloomily, as if they were called to do penance, but sheerfully, as those who are promoting their present good, audheight- ining their future glory. But what justification do they need ? And how do they come to need It ? The answer to these questions will be apparent, when we .dvert to the common, though strange fact, that men are disposed to %ive calumnious explanations, of the sufferings of the children of God, ' 'Where has it not been thought or said, that this or that professor of ilreligion cannot have genuine piety, seeing that the one has such •ievere and long continued illness, and that such heavy calamities have fassed successively over the other ? So it was in the case of Job. imply because of his sudden worldly losses, his family bereavements, is loathsome and terrible disease, it is judged, even by his friends, fthat notwithstanding all his high profession, he is in nothing better ^than a hypocrite. And, after seven days of amazed and upbraiding :^ silence, they harshly utter stern accusations against him, as one guilty s| of dreadful, if not unpardonable, sins, which must sooner or later come to light. I But God justified the afflicted chieftain, by publishing to the world I his testimony that " that man was perfect and upright, one that feared ! God and eschewed evil," Job 1. 1., when these tribulations came upon him. And that he was, accordingly, right in saying, " Though he slay me yet will I trust in him," Job 13. 15. Jehovah-Jesus, too, being " a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief," had his character suspected and falsely spoken against, as a sinuer " stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." But " he was justi- iill lii k. 38 fied in the Spirit." " He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead," Rom. I., 4. And so the children of God in general, who " glory in tribulation also : knowing tliat tribulation worketh patience ; and patience ex- perience ; and experience hope ;" are justified in thus hoping, for " hope raaketh us not ashamed, because the love of God is^'shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us » By thus giving them the comforts of the Spirit, God justifies thera in glorymg that God is their God, notwithstanding their tribulation • yea, and is employing this tribulation, to perfect that which concerns them. tbe'L'bV mtarfo? S '^''- ^^ i^^'' ^'ause), « Whom he justified, Teryt^uifeiiiigswhch them he also -lorified " some regard as bad- ■^"vu. ges of «hame. He has not merely freed them from the surmisings and accusations, that were erroneously grounded on their afflictions- he has made these afflictions the means of giving increased stability' and heightened lustre, to their character and reputation He has caused them to be benefited, and honored, and praised, in a hi-h degree, by means of the very things that many suppose to be only badges of shame. ^ Who has not got a soul to venerate the noble army of martyrs who stood up, singly, against the tyranny of the world, and unflinchingly contended for liberty to express, and act on, their conscientious convic- tions, in reference to the faith once delivered to the saints Even those who meanly choose for themselves a retreat of inglorious ease under the smiles of worldly prosperity, are so constituted as to reserve their highest admiration, for those who uphold and defend a ' just or holy cause, even in perilous times, " unawed by power and undismayed by fear." The trial of their faith is already " found unto praise, and honor, and glory." But this glory will not fade away • it will contmue until the appearing of Jesus Christ, and then be perpetu- ated for ever by the public plaudit, " Well done, good and faithful servant." God has made the sufferings of Job, for instance, the means of magnifyinj him ii. the eyes of the world ; io that he is 39 m he justified, »pprovingly spoken of to the present day. And as Jesus " humbled iiraself, and became obedient unto dsath, even the death of the cross ; vheretoi-e, God also hath highly exulted him, and given him a name Iwhich is above every name." — Phi., 2, 8 9. The soul may not only be glorified by others, but may glory itself. 3o thought Paul when he said, " Most gladly, therefore, will I rather jlory in my infirmities that the power of Christ mny rest upon me. There- tore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persec u- tiou.?, in distresses for Christ's sake : for wiien I am weak, then am I strong."— 2 Cor, 12, 9,10. It is not difficult to see the ground of this [glorying. While exposed to such circumstances he needed more grace tiian he would have needed in different scenes. Where there isne'ed of greater grace, a greater supply is given. And there is so much fresh consolation in every additional degree of gr ice, that everything that gives occasion to seek it, ishaiied with pleasure, and gloried in. Hence \' we glory in tribulations also." " If God had told me sometime igo," said Dr. Payson, " that He was about to make me as happy as I pould be in this world, and then had told me that he should begin by fsrippling me in all my limbs, and removing me from all my usual pources of enjoyment, I should have thought it a very stratige mode of accomplishing his purpose. But as every one was removed, he has come in and filled up its place ; and now, when I am crippled and not able to move, I am happier than ever I was in ail my life before. God Is able to make me happy without anything else ;" or, he might have Wded, in the midst of everything that i:- permitted to prove me and try me. Indeed, it is this heroic and cheerful spirit that calls forth the ladmiration of others, and leads them to acclaim, " Happy are ye, for [the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you." And as the nob'.e spirit that commands our admiration, is discovered in the midst of Buffering!?, which appeal to cur kindliest sympathies ; hence, while the ladmiiatiou heightens our esteem, the sympathy promotes our fellow- iBhip, Thus God's method of glorifying eacA, is one that, at the same Itime, unites all in delightful harmony. Other methods of promoting liudividual glory have a tendency to disunite, to forbid fellowship. But iGod's method promotes at once the glory of the individual, and the communion of the " many brethren." i 40 Not only does this plan secnre tbefr companionship— it heightens their mutual love. " Pity," remarks Dr. Thomas Brown, " promotes the growth of the benevolent affections. For which child is it that the heart of the mother, who strives to divide her attentions equally, feels in secret, notwithstanding every effort to equalize her love, the warmest attachment ? It is for that one which has been feeble from infancy, which has existed only by her continued care, which' has deprived her of most hours of occupation or amusement abroad, of most hours at night of repose."— (Phil, of the Human Mind, p. 634.) Thus sufferings harmonize and unite, while they glorify, them that love God. May we not proceed with this thought, and infer that, as sufferings touch the softest sympathies of the ministering angels, they strengthen in tiiem attachment to those to whom they minister, and thus prepare angels and saints to blend more intimately in one blissful company for ever ? May we not carry out this thouglit still further, and suppose that sometliing analogous to what we have mentioned, takes place in that infinitely benevolent Being who in all our afflic- tions is afflicted ? Does not such full and constant sympathy cause the smiles of Divine love to be more affectionate, and its embraces to be more tender, through all eternity ? And is it not partly on this account that those who come "out of great tribulation," are, there- fore, " next the throne ?" Other interpreters apply the verb glorified, thongh in the past tense, to a glory which is yet wholly future. But this, as Faber remarks^ is " grammatically inadmissible ;" so that those interpretations are utterly without basis in this passage. They could be sustained only by altering the tense of this verb, in addition to all the other changes to which we have adverted. The verb affirms that the glory has been actually bestowed ; for the glory here spoken of, pertains in part to the soul, and is a glory that may be realised while remaining in the midst of sufferings. But though begun here it will be continued, and become everlasting glory, and be connected with the glory of the resurrection state, and of final rewards. Some bring in the sanctification which their theory demands, under the term glorified. But as they have to throw the word glorified into / I 41 hip — it heightens rown, " promotes child is it that ttentlons equally, ilize her love, the been feeble from care, which' has ment abroad, of n Mind, p. 634.) lorify, them that and infer that, as ring angels, they ;y minister, and •ly in one blissful ?ht still further, have mentioned, in all our aflaic- sympathy cause its embraces to )t partly on this ;ion," are, there- n the past tense, Faber remarks, erpretations are 3 sustained only e other changes bestowed ; for and is a glory mflferings. But ■orlasting glory, ite, and of final lemands, under :d glorified into , the future tense, and its fulfilment into the future world ; so they are obliged to throw the involved sanctification, too, into the future state. Thus they originate or support a dangerous error. Thus we have simply showed, that the apostle's words can be applied more directly and fully to the subject mentioned by him in the preced- ing context, than to any new subject ; that there is no warrant what- ever for changing the subject ; that the links which some unjustifiably, and misleadingly, weld on, are additions that make it wholly unfit for its intended work ; and therefore productive " of no effect ;" that there is no need of such links ; and that the chain, left in connexion with the theme that runs through the preceding verses, is found to be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. That the preceding train of thought is the one that runs through the 29th and 30th verses, is farther evident from the fact, that it con- tinues to run through the subsequent context also. We shall follow it, but our remarks must be brief. Ver. 31. — What shall we then say to these things } If God be for us, who can be against us .'' What shall we that love God say to these statements, which shew that even in appointing, or permitting, tlie suflFerings of this present time " God is for us," because he thereby intends the perfecting of our character, and the heightening of our glory. " The emphasis," says Dr. Brown, " is on the word God. ' If God be for us, who can be against us V " Many may resolve to be " against us," and The same theme runs also through the succeeding context. By thus employ- ing sufferings, God counteracts the at- tempts of adversa- ries, and reverses the results at which they aim. may try to inflict irremediable injury ; yet. to accomplish their purpose, they can use nothing beyond the sufferings of this present time. But all these are made to work together for our good, by that infinitely loving, faithful, wise and powerful Being who is " for us." And the degree of present sufferings is limited. God has given us a " frail body, which soon interposes death, and thus limits the degree of pain which they can inflict." And " after they have killed the body, they have no more that they can do." Let them do what they can, therefore ; their restricted and transient efforts will, F r ■m : I 1 ilH'f )!lHi! p i^ 42 under the controlling superintendence of Providence, become instru- ments of good working for us. " Who can be against us ?" Ver. 32. — He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him np for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us All this is only what may be natu- rally expected Irom Buch a God as oura. Who then will henceforth think present suffering a sufficient ground for an accusatory charge against God's elect ? all things ? That " all things," or rather {ta panto) all the things referred to, that even all the varieties of suffering should be given as workers for good, seems an astonishing array for the benefit of creatures. And yet the absence of such an array would be more astonishing, in view of the fact that these creatures are redeemed creatures, and that those things are under the power and direction of a faithful Creator, whose redeeming love towards us, was so tender, so infinite, as not to " spare his only begotten Son, but to deliver Him up for us all," i. e., in our stead, and for the expiation of our sins. Ver. 33. — Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect } The words ' ' any thing " are not in the Greek Testament. The original merely says, " Who shall charge" (bring as an accusatory charge) "against God's elect ?" Charge what ? Of course what he had been writing about. Who will henceforth argue against God's elect, that the fact of their continuing to suffer since their professed conversion is a proof of their continued sinning, and of the continuance of God's judicial displeasure ? Who henceforth will say this, after learning what an inspired apostle has revealed to be the true significancy, and design, of the sufferings of them that love God, and that, as such, are God's elect ? Will God make Ver. C3 (last clause.) — It is God that such accusation :„o*:fiofli against those whom jusuiieui. henowjustifleth? go^g ^^^:^^^ ^ii^t this should be put in the interrogatory form. Will God that justifieth ? Will the accusatory charge be brought, at some future time, by that unchangeable One who now justifieth them ? No, God will never become the accuser of any conduct, or state of things, of which he is now the justifior. 48 become instru- t us ?" not his own >r us all, how freely give us ings referred to, II as woikers for ireatures. And mishing, in view 5, and that those Creator, whose IS not to " spare ,11," i. e., in our ly thing to the lot in the Greek ly says, " Who " against God's a writing about, the fact of their a proof of their cial displeasure ? inspired apostle of the sufferings elect ? ! is God that be put in the 1 the accusatory ichangeable One 3me the accuser V the justlfier. Will Christ who suSered and died a martyr's death, and attained a martyr's resurrection, con- demn those who fol- low in his train ? Ver. 34. — Who is he that condcmncth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Some would put the latter part of tlie verse in the form of interro- gation : Will Christ who died ? Will Christ whose acquaintance with grief was consummated by a martyr's death, inflicted by wicked hands, will ho condemn his brethren who, in obedience to his command, take up their cross and follow him ? "Yea rather that is risen again," and whose own resurrection lifo, therefore, gives evidence that his submission to death was justified, by that Being whose power raised him from the dead. Will he condemn in others, what has been justified in himself? " Who is at the right hand of God ?" Will he who personally realises the glory that was to follow the sufferings, condemn us for suffering with him, that we may be also glorified together ? " Who also maketh intercession for us." Who having been in all points tempted as we are, now sympathises with us, and maketh inter- cession for every kind of Divine assistance, that may cause our trials to end, as his did, in praise and honor and glory. Will his interced- ing lips condemn those for whom he maketh intercession ? No : he ever liveth to make intercession, and that on behalf of suffering saints. As the condemnation which the apostle supposes to he brought against those of whom he speaks, is not Divine condemnation on the ground of personal sin, but human condemnation on the ground of personal sufferings ; it necessarily follows that these verses furnish no foundation whatever, for the doctrine of the irreversible justification from all sin, of all who have been at any time believers. Yet some have strangely imagined that they saw it seated here. Verses, 35, 36. — Who shall separate us from the love of Christ > shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nak- edness, or peril, or sword ? (As it is writ- ten, for thy sake we are killed all the day long : we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.") Assured by the fast of Christ's in- tercession for us, of his continued love to UB, no tribulation or &c., shall separata our love from hU love. 44 Assured of his love to us, we allow not the sufferings of this present Assurea ui ^ f agencies and means, so to "™' rttltt: o of*:; S wltJour »;» ca.s, .s to crowd oat T^heart «« lev .0 him. Havmg all spiritual joys and hopes, :?a ett aiirated, because we have not all earthly comfort, too 1 :l „.™ Uerv sorrow becomes resignation, and all ^:, l:^r^«.^s ; .now.^tl.te^. l.hta«lict.n will be an exceedin.^ and everlasting weight ot g ory. And thus we are more than conquerors through him that loveth us. Tried erace can glory. Untried grace is no ground of glorying. But ielglce is f ground of glorying By tr.l the ^ "stja^^^^^ convinced that he possesses the principles and the spirit of a Chris an hat he esteems religion above every thing else that he could nioy Hence, when in circumstances in which the profession of re^t- gjr/may hazlrdhis highest worldly interests, ^ishfe liberty, and elte and when, therefore, he is called to prefer either the gain of he : ^d'wTth the liss of the soul, or the salvation of the soul with th Toss of the world ; he discovers at once his unconqueraWe and tri- Iphant attachm;nt to his predominant interest by demanding. «• Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ?" &c Ver. 37.—" Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." The graces that compose the christian character are so varied, and so wonderfully adapted to everything that transpires in the world, that even lus most subtle and untiring enemies cannot place hi- iu circumstanc^ cmitrived so artfully as to leave him no way of pleasing God. If a rrinterrupt me at my devotions," said one, " he just gives me an ;;"f having pLnce with him. When ^atan^,^^^^^^^^^^ the property, and plagued the person of Job, even then, Job had an oppo'^tunity'd exerci 'ng patience. Patience was then the v^y duty which was required, and the grace whose exercise was then the most plea^U to God ; because the one for which Providence ^nd Revela- la h^united ly called. Present duty is ascertained by this two-fold Christians can overcome even such circumstances ; and maice them opportu- nities of fulfllling their duty and im- proving their char- acter and reward. a present ms, so to jrowd out nd hopes, forts too. and all t affliction i thus we ' glorying, hristian is f a Chris- ; he could iion of reli- berty, and gain of the il with the le and tri- demanding, things we h him that m character adapted to d, that even ircumstances aod. " If a gives me an in destroyed Job had an ;he very duty then the most 3 and Revela- ■ this two-fold 45 demand. The Bible tells us the principles according to which we should act, when called on to act ; or suffer, when called to suffer. But whether the next call will be one to act, or one to suffer, is not to be learned from the Bible. It is the course of events, as they turn up under the management of Divine Providence, that will specify this. And if we act from scriptural principles, when the providence of God calls us to act, and suffer according to scriptural principles, when called to suffer ;— then we are in harmony with the Bible and with Provi- dence, and with both at the same time. And christians can maintuiu this two-fold harmony, though opponents, human or satanic. should do all they are permitted to do. They may, indeed, disarrange and set aside self-made plans, but the hiuderance is a providential call to providential duty, In silencing one christian grace they call into exercise another. Even when hindering us from acting as christians, they cannot hinder us from willing, and praying, and suflermg, and loving as christians. He that loves us, gives us grace to endure the contradiction of sinners, as well as to perform the duties of samts, and accordingly, in every possible position of our endlessly varied circum- stances, we can find an occasion, and a call, for the use of some part of our christian character. We may, then, and can, contmnally, and everywhere, improve our character, and increase our reward. And thus " in all these, things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Ver. 38, 39.—" For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things pres- ent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." We know that God's love in Christ towards us, will not be alienated from us, by any changes iu'our appearance, which pain or persecution may cause ; or by any surmisings, revilings, evil-speak- ings, or accusations, which those sufferings may Grid's love ia Christ beiiitr uii- 8pfakiiliU,audleiiig incapable ot being alienated from us. by any chaiigus uhloU Pufei'itJg can pio- ducj in us ; v\- by any cbargeH founded on thuni, which eue- mi'K can pre?' nt again&tu9 : awakens ri>poiisive love to hira, and hence has more influence over U8 than all things else. 46 A ^ occasion among the accusers of the brethren ; even though these accusers and opposers included fallen angels, as well as wicked men, and were so numerous as to be organized under principalities and powers ; and though their present attempt should be repeated, or increased in the future. The lo\re of God iu Christ towards us, has vastly more influence over us than all the pleasures and pains, the hopes and fears, arising from any or all forbidden, or opposing things. So that the Christian is sustained, not merely by joyful hope of the future recompense of the reward ; but by responsive and adoring love to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. He himself becomes our portion, and " com- forteth us in all our tribulation, making us say with Samuel Rutherford, in his season of banishment and imprisonment, " My Lord Jesus hath fully recompensed my sadness with his joys, ray losses with his own sweet presence." And with the poet we sing : — " I cannot always trace the way Wherein the Almighty one doth move ; But I can always, always say That God is love." Conclusion. Glory Thus the whole plan of Providence, as well as resultB to the provi- , t -, ' , dence as well as to ^f grace, redounds to the praise and glory of God. the grace of God. Had this scene of probation closed after our first parents sinned because placed under a single privation, the universe might have inferred that man was incapable of acting from the principle of love to God, as distinct from, and superior to, the prin- ciple of love to self ; or that God could uotsecui j continual obedience from every creature, on whom he would impose self-denial. God, however, determined to demonstrate that he could secure, and that man could render, the fullest and most cheerful obedience in any circumstances of the kind. He accordingly multiplies copies of " Thou shalt not touch it," and puts them on many things. He diffuses around all the sad variety of pain and diversity of woe : and introduces them that love God into all the sufferings of this present time : and appoints them to learn " in whatsoever state they are to be content ;" «' to suffer all things lest they should hinder the Gospel of Christ ;" " to take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions for Christ's sake ;" " to bo strengthened unto all patience •'»»>\^, 47 and long-suflFeriug with joyfulness :" in a word, to demonstrate that the principle of love is stronger than the feeling of Hnffering, is made perfeci through suffering, and thus attains to higher degrees of glory everlasting. '• Life I repeat, is energy of love Divine or human ; exercised in pain, In strife, or tribulation ; and ordained, If 80 approved and sanetKiod, to pass Tlirougli sliadea, and silent rest, to endless joy." Reader, if you have not the love of God in you, you are passing through the toils and pains of earth, in such a way as to derive no present or future benefit. Yours is all the anguish, but none of the resulting ecstacy. See the folly of sin even in relation to tlie subject under consideration. Abandon it at once, and for ever ; and pray " Lord, remember me with the favor thou bearest unto thy people." Ye that love the Lord, frequently meditate on the part of the chap- ter now brought to your remembrance. It furnishes more fully than any other scripture, the reasons for which God determined, that those who love him should remain a little while amid the sufferings of the present time ; and the motives that can strengthen tliem to be more than conquerors. Since one end of suffering, as a moral discipline, is "to enable us at last to bear the unclouded happiness of eternity, lot us learn to apply, in hours of happiness on eartli, the lessons already learned in the school of sorrow. If we cannot recollect, and practise, the lessons of adversity, in the intervals of prosperity, no benelicial moral result has been wrought in us." But if " every sorrow be resignation" and causes " every joy to be gratitude," we may feel assured tliat to us every light affliction will result in a " weight of glory." Forget not, like the Hebrew Christians, the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children : " My son, despise not thou the chastening," the training, the instruction , " of the Lord, nor faint wheu* thou art rebuked of him." Recognizing that God is " too wise to err' respecting afflictions, you will not " despise" them. And you will not faint under them when, you are persuaded that he is " too good to be unkind," that * ' where there is tenderness there cannot be tyranny." V 48 You will not feel disheartened, if you properly observe that the path you have to tread is a baateu path, one that has been safely and tri- umphantly passed by " many bretiircu." Behold theni encompassing you as a great cloud of witnesses, uniformly affirming that faith can over- come the world, and gain an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom. Among them see those individual examples of faith, to whom the finger of inspiration pointed the Hebrews ; and notice that, in each case, " there was always some possession which they renounced, or some earthly privation and affliction which they endured, but, on the other hand, a future reward which they saw before them." — (Ebrard.) Especially keep " looki ng to Jesus," who is, by far the brightest example amidst the whole. For Jesus was a man of sorrows, and endured even the ignominy of being crucitied and slain, and he endured all, through the sustaining power of faith " in the joy that was set before him." And therefore is he (the arckeegon, not " author" but leader, captain, as in Heb. 2, 10) the leader who stands ut the head of the host of witnesses, and the one in whom the faith, by which they over- came, is exhibited in full and perfected glory, the perfecter of the faith. " Meditating on these things," " looking unto Josus," and praying in the Holy Gliost," you will not Icol " concerning the iiory trial that is to try you, as though some strange thing hajjpened unto you ; but rrjoice, inasmuch as yc are partakers of Christ's sufl'orings ; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."— 1 Tetcr 4, 12, 13. Child of Grace, remember that thou art a child of Providence, of a special Providence, that is most wisely, and kindly, training thee to be an heir of glory, even a joint heir with Christ. Now " the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and domi- nion for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter, 5, 10, 11. " Wherefore also we pray always for you ; that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfd all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power : that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God a, id the Lord Jesus Christ."— 2 Thes. 1, ii, 12. -Vvi;, he path aud tri- ipassing an over- irlasting aitli, to ce that, lounced, but, oa Sbrard.) 3xample 3ndured ircd all, t before t leader, i of the ey over- • of the praying ial that •a ; but ; ; that, ceeding ice, of a thee to eternal ike you id domi- herefore . worthy and the ! Christ ;e of our