ROMANS VIII. 22, 23.

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

FROM such passages as the above, passages of the kind with ---which the Scriptures abound, the inference is drawn that we have here another proof of the continued conscious sinfulness of all believers in this life. If there were no sin, but believers were dead to it, and delivered from its power, all groaning, it is affirmed, would for ever cease. In regard to such an inference we remark:---

1. Groaning is no evidence at all of sin in any form. The opposite supposition implies sin in Christ and the Holy Spirit too, groaning being affirmed of each. "When Jesus, therefore, saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in Spirit and was troubled." "Jesus then again groaning in himself, cometh to the sepulchre" (John x. 33---38). "The Spirit itself maketh intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Rom. viii 26).

2. Of the groanings attributed to believers, conscious sin is never sñeci1~ed as the cause: nor are such mental states ever presented as indicative of the presence of sin.

3. Of the groanings actually attributed to believers, two specific causes are assigned, namely,---strong aspirations after future glory and blessedness---external afflictions, the main portions of which are "persecutions for righteousness' sake." "For in this (tabernacle, the body,) we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven." "For we that are in this tabernacle groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life" (2 Cor. v. 2, 4). Groaning, and strongly desiring, or aspiring, after anything, are often employed in the same sense in the Scriptures.

The chief cause of these groanings, afflictions brought upon us as disciplinary providences excepted, are tribulations from the enemies of Christ, tribulations brought upon believers as persecutions for righteousness' sake." Believers are represented as being, in these things, "partakers of Christ's sufferings." Of these tribulations, Paul thus speaks to those believers who were then subject to such "fiery trials": "Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels." Such is the language of all the New Testament writers in respect to the causes of the groanings under consideration.

4. Hence, the tribulations which induce these groanings are spoken of by these writers, not as reasons for repentance for conscious sin, but as proofs of fidelity to Christ; grounds of" assurance of hope," and sources of present joy and rejoicing. "My brethren," says James, speaking of these things, "count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations" (James xii.). "Beloved," says Peter, "think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing had happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy" (I Peter iv. 12, 13). Such are the revelations of God on this subject. Groanings may be occasioned by judgments for sin, and when afflicted, we should also carefully and prayerfully inquire for the cause. He reasons most illogically, and unwisely, out of the Scriptures, however, who adduces the groanings therein attributed to believers, as proof of the continued conscious sinfulness of all men iii this life. Nothing can be further from "the mind of the Spirit" than such deductions from such facts.