Our readings for the present month are the epistles to the Romans and to the Hebrews.

The great theme of Romans is " the righteousness of God" as manifested in the justification of the ungodly, and the full acceptance of the believer in Christ. Its general divisions mark most clearly the wondrous unfolding of divine reasoning we have here.

Div. 1:(chaps, 1:-5:n.) God's righteousness, in contrast with man's unrighteousness, and yet the basis upon which the sinner is justified.

The first seventeen verses of the first chapter are of an introductory character in which the apostle declares the basis of the gospel and its sources. The theme of this portion is given in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses.

From chap. 1:18-3:20, we have a most needful, but painful unfolding of the awful and hopeless corruption of the natural man. God lets in the light of His truth, both in nature and in revelation, and both alike prove man to be utterly and hopelessly away from Him. He first applies this to the Gentiles who have not the law, but who are nevertheless responsible to know and to obey God as revealed in the work of nature. His eternal power and deity are manifested here, so that men are without excuse. So far, however, from this bringing them to the knowledge of God, the very light that was in them became darkness, and, turning away from the Source of life, their very nature was corrupted by all the unspeakable passions which fester in the darkness, and are the natural offspring of a mind and heart that have shut God out.

Coming to the Jew, with all his privileges under the law, the oracles of God having been committed to him, and divine love shown in his history, is the record any better? Alas, no. The Jew has simply boasted in the law and used it as a prop for his self-righteousness ; but, as a matter of fact, has not kept it, and is therefore proved guilty under it.

The conclusion of the whole of this part is, that both Jew and Gentile are all under sin, and the effect is that' every mouth should be "stopped, and all the world become guilty before God."

This leads on to the divine remedy, which is as efficacious and complete as the ruin was hopeless.

From chap. 3:21 to the close of this portion, God's righteousness, in contrast with man's unrighteousness, is brought out; and the amazing thing is that the very righteousness which would brand forever the ungodly as unworthy a place in His presence, instead of doing so, is manifested in the justification of every one who believes in Jesus.

This is upon the ground of the sacrifice of the blessed Son of God, the One whom God, in His love, has "set forth to be a propitiatory," (or mercy-seat) "through faith, by His blood." As there was no difference in the condition of all, Jew and Gentile alike, so now for believers there is no difference in their justification. "The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." Boasting is shut out. The Jew cannot exalt himself above the Gentile, but both alike are justified on the same divine principle of "faith without works."
This is the grand statement of the gospel, which is illustrated and supported by quotations from the Old Testament Scriptures. Abraham and David are given, in the forth chapter, as examples of justification by faith without works, circumcision having come in only after the justification was effected, but never as a ground of it.

The conclusion is reached in the fifth chapter, where justification, peace with God, access into His presence and joy in the hope of His glory, are the delightful contrasts to the condemnation, wrath of God, distance from Him, and "fearful looking for of judgment" of the natural man. When the soul has entered into these divine truths, tribulation by the way becomes but the blessed means of casting us more fully upon God and working in us the fruits of divine grace. Thus, we can joy in God as the Object of our souls' delight, "through whom we have now received the reconciliation."

There is no thought here of attainment or classes of the people of God. It simply sets before us the full, precious results of justification, the portion of the weakest and youngest believer in Christ. Reconciliation was effected when we were enemies; and received, the moment we believed in God, through Christ. Therefore to make it an advanced stage of Christian experience, is to miss entirely the teaching of the Spirit of God, and to becloud by self-occupation those who otherwise would be rejoicing " with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Div. 2. (chaps, 5:12-8:) The theme of this portion is entirely different from the first. There, it was the justification of the sinner from his sins. Here, it is the deliverance of the believer from sin. The gospel provides this twofold remedy:for man's guilt, and for his helplessness. The most humbling lesson, perhaps, that a believer has to learn, is that there is no strength in him ; that even with a new nature, there is no power to live for God; and here, alas, most of the people of God spend their lives, looking upon constant failure and recovery, sin and groaning, as the normal condition of a believer.

The first division would answer to the sheltering blood of the passover lamb; the people being still in Egypt, but feasting with comfort upon the roasted lamb whose blood has sheltered them. This second portion is God's leading them forth out of the land of Egypt, bringing them through the Red Sea to sing their song of triumph, and walk with pilgrim vigor through the wilderness.

The last half of the fifth chapter shows us the two heads of the human race:the first Adam, whose descendants all partake of his nature and upon whom the sentence of death rests because of sin; and the Last Adam, Christ Himself, in whom His people are identified with Him, partakers of His life and all that accompanies it.

The sixth chapter applies this identification to the question of sin, and shows that in the death of Christ we too are dead to sin and are, therefore, to reckon ourselves that, and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Thus, we can bring forth fruit unto God, being no longer servants to sin, but unto God.

Chap. 7:introduces the law and shows the believer's relation to it. Having done its holy work, it has been magnified and made honorable by our Lord, who bore its curse upon the cross. This chapter shows that believers are no longer under the law, and that if they seek to produce holiness through the law, they will find themselves in a bondage which causes them to cry aloud, "O wretched man that I am!" It is well that this exercise should be deep and complete, in order that one may get to the full end of himself, learning that in him, that is, in his flesh " dwelleth no good thing;" that he has not the power to perform that which even the new nature desires and delights in. Here, Christ comes in most blessedly, and through Him deliverance is accomplished.

This is dwelt upon at the beginning of the eighth chapter, where the law of the Spirit, which is "life in Christ Jesus," sets free from the law of sin and death. The result is now, for those who walk in the Spirit, that the practical righteousness of the law is secured. The liberty, joy, and power of the Spirit are seen throughout the wondrous eighth chapter; the creation in which we are, groaning under bondage yet, the liberty of the glory not having been manifest; but even here we tread in peace our onward way; and God, who knows the heart, delighting to answer the prayers of His dependent people. For such, all things must work together for good. Nor can there be an accusation laid to their charge, for God is for them. Who can be against them? It is God who has justified them.

Furthermore, as they look up at Christ in glory now, making intercession for them, the One who bore their sins upon the cross, they can ask, with all boldness, " Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" And then the whole catalogue of possible evils that might overtake them in this world is enumerated, and faith flashes forth its triumphant answer:"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." Nothing can separate us from that love. Dear brethren, how the heart is filled and overflows with these delightful themes!

Div. 3. (chaps, 9:-11:) This division is devoted to showing how God's perfect grace, which we have been looking at, is absolutely consistent with all His ways with Israel as a nation, past, present, and future.

Chap. 9:dwells upon God's sovereignty in election, and applies it to Israel. Not all the descendants of Abraham formed a part of the chosen nation. " In Isaac shall thy seed be called." So, also, Esau was excluded. This election of grace reaches out also to the Gentiles, and in His sovereignty, they too have been brought into the participation of blessing, not by works of law, but through faith in Christ.

Chap. 10:This righteousness by the law was a great stumbling block for the Jew. He failed to see that he was only condemned by the law, although his history would have given numberless illustrations of that fact. Moses, in principle, had declared that righteousness must be only by faith. Israel had not harkened to God, and therefore the blessing had gone out to the Gentiles.

In chap. 11:this is enlarged upon. There has ever been an election in Israel according to grace, but the nation as a whole are in blindness, because of their rejection of the Lord. This will continue until "the fulness of the Gentiles" is brought in. Then, when the Church is taken out of the world, God will resume His dealings with the people who are "beloved for the fathers' sakes," and all Israel will then be saved; that is, as a nation, in contrast with individuals, who are now brought out.

Div. 4. (chaps, 12:-16:) The closing part of our Epistle is devoted to practical exhortations, based upon the great truths of grace of the first two parts.

Chap. 12:speaks of the happy life of devotedness to God shown in mutual love and service.
Chap. 13:dwells upon our responsibility, largely to " the powers that be," and stirs us up to put on the armor of light.

Chap. 14:inculcates most tender regard for weak consciences, avoiding the stumbling of a brother who may not have the same liberty which we enjoy.

Chap. 15:continues this theme and also recalls to the Romans the grace which had reached out to them as Gentiles.

The close, Chap. xvi, is devoted to salutations and the faithful warnings against those who cause divisions and offences.

Our notice of the epistle to the Hebrews must be brief. We would refer our-readers to the lectures on that Epistle just coming out in the "Treasury of Truth" for this month.

The great theme here is the Person of Christ in contrast with all else.

Div. 1:(chaps, 1:-2:4.) Christ supreme as Son of God and divine, though manifested upon earth, the truth of which is witnessed by Scripture.

Div. 2. (chaps, 2:5