A commentarie vpon the most diuine Epistle of S. Paul to the Romanes Containing for matter, the degeneration of our nature by Adams Fall; and the restauration thereof, by the grace of Christ. Together with the perfection of faith, and the imbecillity of workes, in the cause of iustification of elect sinners before God. For forme and maner of handling, it hath the coherence and method, the summe and scope, the interpretations & doctrines the reasons and vses, of most texts. All which, are set downe very familiarly and compendiously, in forme of a dialogue, betweene Tlmotheus [sic] and Silas, by Thomas Wilson, one of the six preachers in the cathedrall church of Canterbury.

DIAL. XIII.

Verse 23. And that be might declare the riches of his glory vpon the Vessels of mercy, which hee hath prepared vnto glory.

Tim.

VVHat is the drift and purpose of this Text?

Silas.

To illustrate or set foorth the ende of * 1.1 Gods counsell touching the reprobate (which is, the manifestation of iustice and power in their deserued de∣struction) by the contrary end, touching his counsell of election, which is two-fold. First, Gods owne glory, (this is the vtmost end.) Secondly, the eternall glorye and happinesse of the elect, (this is the neerest end.)

Tim.

Tell vs what is meant by [he] as also by [declare?]

Silas.

By [he] is meant God, as verse, 22. and by [de∣clare] * 1.2 is signified to make knowne to al reasonable crea∣tures, to wit, Angels and men.

Tim.

What is signified by [his glory] as also by the riches of his glory?

Silas.

By his glory is meant the grace of God, where∣in hee shewes himselfe glorious, see Ephe. 3 16. and by the riches of his glory, is meant his vnmeasurable and meruellous great mercy: see the like, Rom. 2, 4. Ephes. 1, 3, 8.

Tim.

Who are meant heere by the [vessels of his mercy?]

Silas

Elect men and women ordained to obtaine sal∣uation in heauen, through the mercies of God in Christ.

Tim.

What doctrines arise out of these words thus expoun∣ded?* 1.3

Sil.

First, that the elect (as well as the reprobate) are * 1.4 vessels or instruments framed of God to speciall vses; for God makes nothing in vaine: if reprobates bee for vse, much rather the elect.

Tim.

What vse of this point?

Silas.

It warnes vs that whatsoeuer wee are or haue, * 1.5 we hold it of God, and are to referre it to him, euen as vessels are what they are by the will of the Potter, and serue to his pleasure.

Tim.

What is the next doctrine?

Sil.

That not mans merit but Gods mercy, puts a dif∣ference * 1.6 betweene vessell and vessell, person and person. The godly in that they are vessels, this is by nature com∣mon to them with the wicked; but in that they are ves∣sels to honour, this must be ascribed to mercy: whereas yet the reprobates are vessels of wrath by merit, for their wrath and punishment is not inflicted, till it bee deser∣ued.

Tim.

What vse to be made of this point?

Silas.

It admonisheth Gods children that they haue no∣thing * 1.7 whereof to glory in themselues, seeing all they are or haue flowes from free and vndue mercy. There∣fore let them that will reioyce, reioyce in this, that they know God to bee mercifull, Ierc. 9. Whereas God cal∣leth, iustifieth, &c. hee sheweth not thereby what wee deserue, but how good and mercifull himselfe is.

Tim.

What other doctrine from hence?

Silas.

That the praise of Gods glorious mercy is the * 1.8 furthest and chiefest ende why hee electeth and chuseth some. This doctrine may be proued by plaine texte of Scripture, as Prouer. 16, 4. Rom. 11, 36. Ephe. 1, 12. to the praise of his glory. The reason of this doctrine is, because there can bee no higher or further ende of his owne decree, then his owne praise. It is iust and equall that he doe seeke glory vnto himselfe by his creatures.

Tim.

What vse is to be made of this doctrine?

Silas.

It stoppes the mouths of such as are ready to ac∣cuse * 1.9 the decrees of God to be vniust, whereas they tend vnto most righteous endes, as they bee the decrees of a most righteous God. Secondly, it warneth vs to make the glory of God the vtmost end of our counsels and ac∣tions, euen as God hath propounded it to himselfe for the scope of his owne counsels, 1. Cor. 10, 31. Col. 3, 17. 1. Tim. 4, 5.

Tim.

May not yet some other doctrine be drawne from the former part of this verse?

Sil.

Yes, this: That the mercie which God shewes the elect, is not common and ordinary, but exceeding a∣bundant* 1.10 and plentifull: for to forgiue them so many sins,* 1.11 to deliuer them from so great wrath, to fulfill them with such exceeding graces, to call them to such exceeding and endlesse ioyes, to giue them his owne Sonne to pur∣chase all this, and to do all this most freely (passing by others no worse then themselues) shewes his mercy and goodnesse to be exceeding rich and glorious towardes the chosen.

Tim.

What vse of this point?* 1.12

Silas.

It affoords an exhortation to the godlie, to en∣large their hearts vnto all possible loue and thankeful∣nesse towardes this mercifull God, with continuall and great care to glorifie him by our obedience vnto his word. Thus farre of the first end.

Tim.

What is the second end of election?

Silas.

The glory of the elect: by glory here is not one∣ly* 1.13 meant the glorious and blessed estate of the Saints in heauen, but all the meanes also which bringes them thi∣ther, as Calling, Faith, Righteousnesse, Sanctification, &c. and finally, the whole woorke of theyr Redemp∣tion.

Tim.

In what sence is it sayde [That God prepareth vnto Glorie?]

Silas.

That is to say, he hath made them fit and meet before hand, to be partakers of this glory: and this God doth three wayes. First by eternall predestination. Se∣condly, by an innocent creation. Thirdly, by an effectu∣all restauration, restoring them by Christ vnto their lost Image.

Tim.

Speaking of the reprobate hee saith of them passiuely (prepared) but of the vessels of mercy (he prepared,) what are we to learne from this difference of the phrase?

Silas.

That the reprobates bring something of their owne to further their destruction (to wit, corruption of nature, and the fruites thereof,) whereas the elect ha∣uing

from God alone, whatsoeuer good belongs to their saluation, they also haue from God both the ende, and all the meanes, both grace, iustice, and glory. The repro∣bate in respect of nature and ende, are prepared of God; but prauity and naughtinesse they haue from Sathan and themselues.

Tim.

What is the doctrine from these latter words?* 1.14

Silas.

That God hath vnseparably ioyned the saluation* 1.15 of the elect, with the praise of his owne glory. The rea∣son hereof is, to make his owne goodnes more renowned, and the elect more gratefull and obedient; for all men be∣ing alike sinfull by nature, if hee would haue condemned all, it had been but iust; therefore the more was his mercy, that he would saue some, whome he might haue worthily refused.

Tim.

What vse hereof?* 1.16

Silas.

To assure the elect of their owne saluation, which they cannot misse off, since God will not loose the glory of his grace. Secondly, to stirre vp themselues to more ioyfulnesse, by considering the gracious ende of his coun∣sell toward them, compared with the fearefull ende of o∣thers; this is more effectuall to mooue the godly to laude God, then if all men had beene ordained to glory.

Tim.

What other thing are wee to learne from these last words?

Silas.

That the elect in themselues are no whit better* 1.17 then others; for in that they must bee prepared, it shewes* 1.18 that of themselues they are not apt. Againe, this ouer∣throwes* 1.19 the doctrine of free will and merite; for if God must needes prepare vs, where is our power to doe any good, or what place for our owne deseruings, seeing wee haue nothing but what wee doe receiue? Lastly, this doeth greatly extoll Gods goodnesse towards the chosen, in that not onely God giues them eternall glory, but pre∣pareth them for it, to make them meete inheritours. He prepareth heauen for the elect, and the elect for heauen; yea and preserues thē to it also by his power throgh faith.

To him be praise and glory for euer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Scope.
• * 1.2

  Interpreta∣tion.
• * 1.3

  Doctrine.
• * 1.4

  Reason.
• * 1.5

  Vse.
• * 1.6

  2. Doctrine.
• * 1.7

  Vse.
• * 1.8

  3. Doctrine.
• * 1.9

  Vse.
• * 1.10

  4. Doctrine.
• * 1.11

  Reason.
• * 1.12

  Vse.
• * 1.13

  Interpreta∣tion.
• * 1.14

  5. Doctrine.
• * 1.15

  Reason.
• * 1.16

  Vse.
• * 1.17

  6. Doctrine.
• * 1.18

  Reason.
• * 1.19

  Vse.