We cannot here attempt to enter upon a full exposition of this most important scripture; we merely offer a suggestion or two which may help the reader to seize its scope and import. We are fully aware that many Christians differ widely as to the interpretation of this chapter. Some deny that it presents the exercises of a quickened soul; others maintain that it sets forth the experiences proper to a Christian. We cannot accept either conclusion. We believe it exhibits to our view the exercises of a truly regenerated soul, but of a soul not set free by the knowledge of its union with a risen Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost. Hundreds of Christians are actually in the seventh of Romans; but their proper place is in the eighth. They are, as to their experience, under the law; they do not know themselves as sealed by the Holy Ghost; they are not in possession of full victory in a risen and glorified Christ; they have doubts and fears, and are ever disposed to cry out, “O wretched man that I am? who shall deliver me?” But is not a Christian delivered? is he not saved? is he not accepted in the Beloved? is he not sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise? is he not united to Christ? ought he not to know, to enjoy, and to confess all this? Unquestionably. Well, then, he is no longer, as to his standing, in the seventh of Romans. It is his privilege to sing the song of victory, at heaven’s side of the empty tomb of Jesus, and to walk in the holy liberty wherewith Christ makes His people free. The seventh of Romans is not liberty at all, but bondage—except, indeed, at the very close, where the soul is able to say, “I thank God.” No doubt, it may be a very wholesome exercise to pass through all that is here detailed for us with such marvelous vividness and power; and furthermore, we must declare that we should vastly prefer being honestly in the seventh of Romans to being falsely in the eighth. But all this leaves wholly untouched the question as to the proper application of this profoundly interesting passage of Scripture.