Julian Period, 4771. Vulgar Era,

58.

THE BODY OF SIN PUT TO DEATH BY CHRIST.

declares the only means of Salvation to be the grace of Corinth. our Lord Jesus Christ.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin.

15 For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me,

21 I find then a law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God, after the inward

man :

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

§ 25. ROM. vii. part of ver. 25. viii. 1—4.
The Apostle, still speaking in the Person of the unregene
rate Man, declares that, although while he remained
under the Mosaic Law, with his Mind he desired to serve
the Law of God, but through the corrupt Nature of his
Flesh, he served the Law of Sin-There is now no Con-
demnation in the new Covenant, to those who believe in
Christ, and walk under the Influence of his Spirit-He
continues, by shewing the Method by which Man is deli-
vered from the Law of Sin and of Death-The Law not
having the Power either to pardon or to justify, through
the degraded Nature and Corruption of the Flesh, the
Son of God, in the likeness of Man, put Sin to Death in
that Body which had been made subject to Death by the
Sin of the first Man, by which the Righteousness of the
Law was fulfilled, and Mankind were ransomed from its
Curse and Power-The Sacrifice of Christ enjoins on all,

387

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58.

conformity to the spirituality of the Law, destroying or Corinth. making a Sacrifice of Sin in the Flesh, if they would be sanctified, and wade Partakers of the Spirit of Christ.

25 So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

1 There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

$26. ROM. viii. 5-11.

St. Paul contrasts the Character of the carnal and the spi-
ritual Man-The carnal Man under the Law, was desti-
tute of Grace, unable to please God, and at enmity with
him-But Christians, who are guided by the Spirit of the
Gospel into Holiness, are sanctified and reconciled to God

Those who have not the Spirit, have no part in
Christ-The Effects of the Spirit manifested in the
Life-destroying the power of Sin, producing the fruits
of the Spirit, Righteousness and Holiness-And the
same Spirit of God that raised Jesus from the Dead
dwelling in them, shall also quicken their mortal Bodies,
now under the Curse of Sin, and make them alive unto
Righteousness, and raise them hereafter, as the Body of
Christ was raised to a Life of Glory.

5 For they that are after the flesh, do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace:

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him, that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you.

58.

THE FUTURE GLORY GREATER THAN THE PRESENT SUFFERINGS.

§ 27. ROM. viii. 12-17.

Julian Pe-
riod, 4771.
Vulgar Era, The Apostle continues his Argument by affirming, that as
the Spirit of God is now promised to them in the Gospel,
they are no longer obliged to live after the Flesh, which
leads to eternal Death; but if through the Spirit they
mortify the Deeds of the Body, they shall attain eternal
Life-They are now delivered from the Power and Bon-
dage of the Mosaic Law, and through Grace are become
the adopted Children of God, and are enabled to address
him as a reconciled Father, the Holy Spirit bearing
witness with their Spirit, that they are the Sons of
God; and if Sons, then Heirs, and Joint-heirs with
Christ of Glory and Immortality, if they jointly suffer
with him.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the
flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again, to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

§ 28. ROM. viii. 18-23.

The Apostle, having now fully illustrated the Blessings of
the Gospel Dispensation, which promises to the Jew and
Gentile through Faith, both Justification, Sanctification,
and a Joint-inheritance of Glory and Immortality with
Christ, introduces the painful Subject of Persecutions for
the Gospel's sake-He addresses himself more particularly
to the Gentiles, as being the most exposed to them, and
comforts them with the consideration that the transient
Sufferings of this Life cannot be compared to the Glory
which shall be revealed to them hereafter-a manifesta-
tion of Glory which all Mankind, even the Heathens
themselves, have earnestly desired and anticipated-For
as Mankind have been all subjected to Mortality, not by
their own act, but by reason of the Transgression of
their first Parent, they have Hope that they shall all be
delivered from the Bondage of Corruption and the Grave,
and be admitted into the glorious Happiness of the Chil-
dren of God-He further assures them they are not the

Corinth.

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Julian Period, 4771. Vulgar Æra, 58.

only Sufferers, for the whole Creation travaileth in Pain Corinth.
together, under the weight of Adam's transgression, hoping
for Deliverance; and the Apostles themselves are groaning
under the Miseries of Life till their Sonship shall be
established in the Redemption of their Bodies.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall
be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope:

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 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, to wit, the redemption of our body.

$29. ROM. viii. 24-28.

St. Paul continues his Argument, by affirming that Man's
Salvation in this World, is the Hope of the future Deli-
verance which is given in the Gospel, for what we possess
is no longer hoped for-if therefore they have a firm
Hope in a glorious Resurrection, they should be able
calmly to endure the Afflictions of Life, waiting patiently
its future Blessing-Another ground of Consolation is,
that the Holy Spirit will assist them in their Distresses,
and guide them in their Prayers; making itself, interces-
sion for their Deliverance in desires and groanings, not
expressed, but comprehended, and accepted by God.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen,
is not hope for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope
for?

25 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 intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 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 God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Julian Period, 4771. Vulgar Æra,

58.

AFFLICTION A PROOF OF THE LOVE OF GOD.

§ 30. ROM. viii. 29, to the end.

As a further Encouragement to the persecuted Gentile Con-
verts, St. Paul affirms that all things, more particularly
Sufferings, work together for more abundant good to those
who love God, to those who are called according to
his merciful Purpose-For those whom he thus fore-
knew, he also did predestinate, or decree, to be con-
formed to the Image of his Son, (which they now were by
suffering,) that they might become his chosen People-
That the Gentiles who were thus pre-ordained, were called
to the Knowledge of the Gospel unto Salvation, and those
who obeyed were justified, and those who persevered were
glorified-God having thus manifested his Mercy towards
them, and given his own Son to suffer for them, the Gen-
tiles are exhorted not to sink under their Afflictions, but
rather to rejoice in them, as a pledge of their conformity
to the Image of Christ-Which of their Persecutors St.
Paul demands will be able at the last Day to bring an
Accusation against those whom God has justified; and
who will dare to condemn those for whom Christ had
died, and intercedes-He asserts, too, that neither In-
juries, nor Afflictions, nor the Troubles and Dangers of
this Life, will be able to separate the chosen People of
God from the Love of Christ, through whom they have
hitherto more than conquered-His persuasion that no-
thing will induce them to forfeit the Love of God, which

is in Christ Jesus.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.

30 Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is 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 for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Corinth.

391