Rom. 136 They are exhorted against conformity to the world, SECT. ceremonial forms, though most exactly pre- 2 And be not conxxvii. scribed in a ritual of his own appointment. And formed to this world; but be ye transformas you desire to engage his approbation and fa- ed by the renewing xii. 2 vour, be not, in the general course of your tem- of your mind, that ye per and actions, conformed to the sentiments may prove what is and customs of this vain and sinful world; ceptable, and perfect that good, and acbut rather be ye transformed, in the renewing will of God. of your mind: endeavour to become new creatures, contracting new habits, and engaging in new pursuits, under the influence of the Divine Spirit on your hearts; that you may not only be speculatively acquainted with the doctrines, precepts, and design of the gospel, but may experimentally know that will of God [which is] in itself so excellently good, and which, as it is most acceptable to him, has the most apparent tendency to purify and perfect our natures.c 3 And I particularly say, and give it in charge,d 3 For I say, according to that grace which is given to me as through the grace an inspired apostle, to every one that is given unto me, to you, as if personally named, to take the greatest among you, not to every man that is heed, that he be not exalted into spiritual pride, think of himself more by the gifts and privileges which God hath con- highly than he ought ferred upon you, I charge each not to arrogate think soberly, ac[to himself] above what he ought to think, but cording as God hath that he think of himself with modesty, sobriety, dealt to every man and humility; according to the measure of that faith, and in correspondent proportion to those gifts, which God hath distributed to every man among you. And surely when you consider it is God who hath given all, there will appear little reason to magnify yourselves on any distinguishing share of his bounty, which any one may have received. Especially, when you remember, that this distribution is made, not only, or chiefly, for your own sake, but out of 4 regard to the good of the whole: For as in 4 For as we have one body we have many members, but all the mem- many members in bers have not the same use, but each its proper members have not one body, and all function and service, appointed by the wise the same office : Good, acceptable, and perfect.] L'Enfant explains each of these as opposed to the Jewish ritual; this Christian sacrifice being more excellent in itself, Ezek. xv. 25; more pleasing to God, Psal. xl. 7, 8; and tending more to make us perfect, Heb. vii. 19; I understand it as referring to all the perceptive part of Christianity, the excellency of which they will best under among to think; but to the measure of faith. stand, who set themselves most exactly to practise upon it. d Say, and give it in charge.] So xeyen signifies, Acts xv. 24. See Raphel. Annot. ex Herodot. in loc. • Not to arrogate, &c.] Raphelius, Annot. ex Herod. in loc. has shewn, that umepopove has properly this signification. one members one of another. and in all things to walk in simplicity. 137 Rom. xii. 5 Former, and gracious Preserver of the whole; SECT. 5 So we, being So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and xxvii. many, are one body every one members of each other: we should in Christ, and every, therefore endeavour each of us to know his own place and condition, and mutually to make our various capacities as serviceable as we can. 6 Having then Having therefore gifts, all proceeding from 6 gifts, differing ac- God, the great fountain of every good thing, cording to the grace and different according to the diversity of the that is given to us, whether prophecy, grace that is given unto us: whether [it be] prophlet us prophesy ac- ecy, as enabling us to foretell future events, or cording to the pro- to make discourses for the edification and diportion of faith: rection of the church, [let us be employed in it] according to the degree of our gift, which is in proportion to the degree of faith, that is respec7 Or ministry, let tively in us:f Or [having] the office of ministry, 7 wait on our min- as deacons, let a man employ himself actively istering; or he that and faithfully in his ministration: Or if he be teacheth, on teaching; an instructor of catechumens, who are to be fitted for the communion of the church, let him continue humbly, tenderly, and patiently, in 8 Or he that ex- the work of teaching: Or if he be an exhorter, 8 borteth, on exhorta- whose peculiar business it is to urge Christians tion: he that giveth, to duty, or to comfort them in the discharge of simplicity; he that it, let him continue in his exhortation: he that ruleth, with dili- giveth any thing to a charitable use, [let him do gence ; he that it] with true simplicity, and unfeigned liberality of heart; neither seeking the applause of men, other sinister end which he could desire to conceal he that presideth in the distribution of charities so collected, let him do it with diligence, that he may know the case let him do it with nor any According to the proportion of faith.] was ever quoted in antiquity, by the name Many interpret this, "Do it according to of avancy 750, or indeed that I can the general scheme of divine revelation, find, by any other. If we suppose the not setting up any novel interpretations of prophetic gift to be given in proportion to scripture, injurious to it." But Raphelius the exercise of faith, that is, of dependence (Annot. ex Xen. in loc.) objects that λoy, on God, when he signified a disposition in not arancia, would be the proper word general to impart it, we have I think the to express that. Dr. Sam. Clarke, (Post- clearest explication the phrase will admit. hum Serm. Vol. I. p. 6,) by faith under- See Vol. II. p. 311, note b on Mark xi. 22. stands the trust reposed in them, or the & Employ himself in ministration.] It nature and use of the gift they had; which seems the word 5 is understood. Comis a very unusual sense of the word sis. pare 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11. The word fanovia The Rhemish Jesuits suppose, it was a properly signifies the ministration of the confession, or summary, of faith, drawn up deacon, and so interpreted gives the dis. by all the apostles in conjunction: to which tinctest sense. they refer, Rom. vi. 17; chap. xvi. 17; 1 He that presideth with diligence.] In Tim. vi. 20; Gal. i. 6; Acts xv. 6; none of this and the following clause, I follow the which texts seem to imply any thing like interpretation of Lord Barrington, (Misc. it; nor is it pretended that such a creed Sacra. Vol. I. p. 77-80,) and refer to VOL. 4. 19 138 xxvii. Rom. They are to cultivate love and brotherly affection. SECT. proposed, and that he may see that nothing be sheweth mercy, with wanting to make the charity as effectual as pos- cheerfulness. sible; and as for him that sheweth mercy, that xii, 8 is, who has the care of those who on account of peculiarly grievous calamities are the objects of particular compassion, let him do it with an obliging cheerfulness of temper, cautiously guarding against any disgust at what may seem mean and disagreeable in the offices which must necessarily be performed for such. 9 evil, cleave to that On the whole, [let] love [be] undissembled, 9 Let love be withand all your expressions of mutual friendship out dissimulation. as free as possible from base flattery, and from Abhor that which is vain compliment. Abhor that which is evil, in which is good. every instance, and adhere resolutely to that which is good. Practise benevolence in all its branches, and every other virtue, with the greatest determination and perseverance of mind; whatever discouragements may for the love; in honour pre 10 present arise. Do not only abound in the ex- 10 Be kindly af ercises of common humanity; but in brotherly fectioned one to anlove, as Christians, [be] mutually full of tender other with brotherly affection, yea, cultivate those gentle disposi- ferring one another: tions of mind with delight; and endeavour to think so modestly of yourselves, that you may still be in honour preferring one another. Let each in his turn, be ready to think better of his brethren than of himself; and so to prevent them in every office of respect, and out of regard to their advantage, to give up with as good a grace as possible, any thing in which his own honour or personal interest may be 11 concerned. When you are actually engaged, 11 Not slothful in him for the reasons which I think suffic- fection, like that of parent animals to their ient to justify it; only mentioning the offspring, but a delight in us, as the ingeapplication of the word posals, in the nious Dr. Balguy has justly observed in same sense to Phebe, Rom. xvi. 2, who his excellent Sermon on this text. could not be supposed a ruler in the church. Пgaisu, properly signifies * Preventing them in every office of one who presides, but, in what, the connec- respect] Archbishop Leighton well ob tion must determine. For the extraordi- serves, (Expository Works, Vol. II. p. 329,) nary mercy exercised among the ancient that the original words en tiun añanass Christians, see Lucian de Morte Peregrin. #gonyμevos, are very expressive, and might apud Opera, Vol. II. p. 764, Edit. Salmur. 1619; and Julian Epist. xlix. In brotherly love, [be] mutually full of tender affection.] Perhaps the extremely expressive words of the original, rn δέλφια τις αλληλες φιλοςοςγοι, might justly be rendered, delight in the tenderest fraternal affection to each other. The word spy not only signifying a strong af literally be rendered, leading on each other with respect, or in giving honour going before each other. This I have endeavoured to express in this clause of the paraphrase, but have retained our version as expressing something of the esteem from which this respectful behaviour should proceed. L'Enfant renders it, mutually prevent one another with honour. Lord: 139 xii. 11 Reflections on our obligations to piety, humility, &c. business; fervent in be not slothful and sluggish in the prosecution sect. spirit; serving the of your proper business in life, but endeavour xxvii. to rouse your spirits; so that it may be dis- Rom. patched with vigour and alacrity, and without an unnecessary expense of time. For this purpose be fervent, warm and active in spirit; and certainly you will see the greatest obligation and encouragement to be so, when you consider that you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, to whose condescension and love you are infinitely indebted. May you always attend his service with the greatest zeal and delight, and may every action of life be brought into a due subordination to that great end! IMPROVEMENT. How rich were a Christian in practical directions for the conduct of life, even if this excellent chapter were his only treasure of this kind. Let such scriptures as these be welcome to us; the scriptures that teach us our duty, as well as those that display before our eyes the richest variety of spiritual privileges. Indeed it is one of our greatest privileges, to be taught our duty, if at the same time we are inclined by Divine grace to perform it, and if we are not, we have no privileges that will prevent, none that will increase our ruin. Wisely does the great apostle lay the foundation of all virtue verse in a principle of unfeigned piety towards God: in presenting be- 1 fore him our bodies as living sacrifices. How great an honour and happiness will it be to us, to do it. 'That we may be engag ed to this, let us often think of his tender mercies, so many and so great; and especially, of that most illustrious of all mercies, his redeeming us by the blood of his Son, and calling us into the Christian covenant. Can there be a more reasonable service than this? that we should be consecrated to our Creator, to our Redeemer, to our Sanctifier, to our constant Benefactor, to our supreme end and happiness? The world indeed neglects him, yea, even what is called the Christian world, neglect him, to such a degree, as if we did not continually see it, we should 1 Serving the Lord.] Several copies for noble sense of the commonly received zuge read xapo, serving the time, that is, reading so much, that I could by no means husbanding your opportunities, and Dr. persuade myself to follow it. It is a lively Mill, trusting chiefly to the authority of exhortation to Christians to be always Jerome, and some other Latin translations, serving Christ, and to cultivate the temper admits this as the true reading. But it is which the apostle expresses, when he says by no means supported by an adequate nuo to nv Xgs, Phil. i. 21, to me to live number of Greek manuscripts; and besides, is Christ. It also suggests a motive to enthat it would be an unnatural and inelegant force the former exhortation; as I have expression in that sense, it sinks the hinted in the paraphrase. 140 Christians are to rejoice in hope, SECT. not suppose to be possible. But let us not in this instance be xxvii. conformed to it. O that Divine grace may so transform and renew our hearts, that we may not Nothing but experience can 2 teach us, how good, and perfect, and acceptable, the will of God is, and how happy a thing it is to be governed, in every respect, by its unerring declarations. verse 3 4 Let us remember, that as our sanctification, so also our humil ity and our usefulness are his will; and therefore let us endeavour to conquer every high conceit of ourselves, and every sordid and selfish sentiment. Let us often reflect, that we are all mem7, &c. bers of each other; and being so happily united in Christ, have all but one interest, which is that of the body, and of its glorified head. Whether our station in the church be more public, or private; whether our capacities and endowments be more or less distinguished: let us all be faithful, be affectionate, be disinterested, be active, endeavouring to serve Christ, and even the poorest of his people, with simplicity, with diligence, with cheerfulness; preferring others to ourselves; abhorring that love which is spent in hypocritical words and unmeaning forms; cultivating that which gives to the soul tenderness, condescension, and 11 vigour. In one word, let us remember we are serving the Lord, the Lord Christ; and doing all in his name, and for his sake, let this add fervour to our spirit, zeal to our diligence, and abase. ment to our humility; for nothing surely can be so animating, nothing so melting, nothing so humbling, as to recollect, on the one hand, how much we owe him, and on the other, how little we are able, how much less we are careful to do for his service. SECT. xxviii. SECT. XXVIII. The apostle pursues his practical exhortations, and particularly recommends devotion, patience, hospitality, mutual sympathy, humility, a peaceful temper, and a readiness to forgive injuries. Rom. XII. 12, to the end. ROMANS XII. 12. ROMANS XII. 12. I HAVE been exhorting you, my brethren EJOICING in to many Christian duties and graces, and R. hope, patient in among the rest, to the greatest activity and Rom. zeal in the service of Christ. Let me exhort zii. 12 you to guard against such a dejection of spirit |