What follows then? Some, no doubt, showed a want of faith; but will their want of faith make God break faith? Heaven forbid!

But what if our wrong-doing makes God's righteousness all the clearer? Will God be wrong in inflicting punishment? (I can but speak as a man.) Heaven forbid!

But throughout my body I see a different law, one which is in conflict with the law accepted by my reason, and which endeavors to make me a prisoner to that law of Sin which exists throughout my body.

In Scripture, again, it is said to Pharaoh-'It was for this very purpose that I raised thee to the throne, to show my power by my dealings with thee, and to make my name known throughout the world.'

I might rather ask 'Who are you who are arguing with God?' Does a thing which a man has molded say to him who has molded it 'Why did you make me like this?'

Has not the potter absolute power over his clay, so that out of the same lump he makes one thing for better, and another for common, use?

And what if God, intending to reveal his displeasure and make his power known, bore most patiently with the objects of his displeasure, though they were fit only to be destroyed,

So as to make known his surpassing glory in dealing with the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared beforehand for glory,

For with their hearts men believe and so attain to righteousness, while with their lips they make their Profession of Faith and so find Salvation.

May their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see; and do thou always make their backs to bend.'

Never avenge yourselves, dear friends, but make way for the Wrath of God; for Scripture declares--'"It is for me to avenge, I will requite," says the Lord.'

For Scripture says--'"As surely as I live," says the Lord, "every knee shall bend before me; and every tongue shall make acknowledgment to God."'

Therefore our efforts should be directed towards all that makes for peace and the mutual building up of character.

And that the Gentiles also may praise God for his mercy. As Scripture says--'Therefore will I make acknowledgment to thee among the Gentiles and sing in honor of thy Name.'

For Macedonia and Greece have been glad to make a collection for the poor among Christ's People at Jerusalem.