This whole paragraph is an illustration of divine justice and impartiality as exercised toward mankind.  It shows that they are here for trial—­that those who act uprightly will meet the divine approbation, and be rewarded with eternal rewards; but that a contentious disregard of duty, and willful continuance in known wickedness will be the object of divine indignation, which will occasion tribulation and anguish that in the decisions at the great day, family and national distinctions will be disregarded—­that it will be required of every one according to the talents committed to him, and no more, whether he be Jew or Gentile.

Some have doubted whether those left to the light of nature could possibly meet the divine approbation and find mercy with God; or were not doomed without remedy to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire.  This we apprehend to be here determined.  “Those who have not the law, may do by nature, the things contained in the law; and the doers of the law shall be justified.”

By “doing the law,” no more is intended than acting sincerely, according to the light imparted.  Perfect obedience is not attainable by imperfect creatures—­cannot therefore be here intended by the apostle.  His evident meaning is, that sincerity is accepted of God, and rewarded with the rewards of grace, and equally of the Gentile, as of the Jew; for there is no respect of persons with God.

Adults, privileged with gospel light, must believe and obey the gospel.  To them is that declaration addressed—­“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”  This hath no relation to those who have not the means of faith.  “What the law saith, it saith to those who are under it.”  The same is true of the gospel.

The equal justice of God in giving to every one according to his works, or to his improvement of talents, is the spirit of the text and context, and of many other scriptures.  Yea, this one of those great truths which are borne on the face of revelation—­“If ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth every man according to his works, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”

Some objections to the preceding definition of divine impartiality are subjoined, with very brief replies.

It is said “We must be born again or we cannot see the kingdom of God,” and regeneration is the work of God, or effect of divine influence.

That necessary change, is indeed the work of God, but not to the exclusion of human cooperation.  The holy spirit strives with all who have the means of grace.  None are wholly destitute of supernal influences—­of awakenings and convictions, or devoid of power to cherish or to resist them.  This is intimated in the warnings to beware of grieving or quenching the spirit.  Could men only oppose divine influence in renovation, they would never be exhorted of God “to make themselves new hearts, and turn themselves that they may live.” *