A CONCISE EXPOSITION RECTOR OF ST. MICHAEL BASSISHAW, CITY OF LONDON, HONORARY CANON OF ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL; Author of "A Paraphrastic Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews," "Dark Sayings of Old," "Sundry Reflections on Current Topics," PREFACE. THE following concise explanation of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans contains the substance of the author's instruction to "Candidates for Holy Orders." The Epistle itself, after eighteen centuries since it was written, continues an ever-fresh and welling fountain of Gospel consolation to the believer's soul. Its supreme value and preciousness as a setting forth of the way of salvation are only equalled by the Epistle to the Hebrews. There is a depth and fulness of interest in these two inspired compositions that cast all mere human writings into the shade. But the Epistle to the Romans, as being addressed by the great Apostle of the Gentiles to the Church of Rome, has, if possible, larger and stronger claims upon the Christian reader's devout gratitude than even the Epistle to the Hebrews. It sets forth so fully that paramount and all-consoling doctrine of JUSTIFICATION by faith in the one great Sacrifice, our Lord Jesus Christ! To untold millions it has been the stay and anchor of their souls in life and in death.. To read it is to know the mind of Christ, and to perceive the one all-sufficient remedy which God's loving foreknowledge has set forth for our fallen condition. May the following unpretentious words of exposition be blessed to many readers! May the Church of God (which consists of all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity) find from age to age bold and fearless, though loving and charitable expounders of the Word of Truth! AMEN! J. B. M'C, ST. MICHAEL BASSISHAW THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMAN S. 3 2 mined. PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with Gr. deter power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, "for obedience to the Or, to the obedifaith among all nations, for his name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 9 6 ence of faith. spirit. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve *with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that Or, in my without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the |
