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. XVIII.

Verses 27, 28, 29. Also Esayas cryeth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel, were as the sand of the sea, yet shall but a remnant be saued; for hee will make his

account and gather it into a short summe with righteousues; for the Lord will make a short account in the earth. And as Esay∣as saide before, Except the Lord bad left vs a seede, we bad bin made as Sodome, and had beene like to Gomorrah.

Tim.

WHat is the purpose of this Text?

Silas.

Hauing proued the calling of the Gen∣tiles by the Testimony of Hosea, nowe he doth the like touching the Iewes; whose calling to Christ he proues by the testimonies of Esaias, Chap. 10, 22. and 1, 9.

Tim.

What is the summe of this Text?

Sil.

That of the Iewes some few onely were called to Christ, the most part of them being reiected, according as God had from euerlasting determined. For the Apo∣sile reasons heere from the effectes to the cause: Fewe called, therefore few chosen.

Tim.

What be the parts of this Text?

Sil.

Two: First, hee teacheth, that a small number of the Iewes were saued, verse 27, 28. Secondly, the reason heereof, Gods mercy, verse 29.

Tim.

What is meant heereby [Crying?]

Silas.

A plaine and earnest speaking the truth without feare or fainting.

Tim.

What is to be learned from hence?

Silas.

That the Ministers of Christ must boldly and distinctly declare the minde of God, Esay 58, 1. Hence is Iohn Baptist called a crier, Math. 3, 3. It is a speech borro∣wed from common criers in Cities, who so speak as they may be heard of all. Thus Christ spake, for he lift vp his voice, Iohn 7, 37. The reasons heereof be, first, the com∣mandement of God, Esay 58. Secondly, the example of Christ and the Prophets, Iohn 7. Thirdly, this maner of teaching stirres vp and quickens attention. Fourthly, it helpes the vnderstanding, causing things sooner to bee vnderstood and perceiued. Fiftly, the vntoward rebelli∣on of mans heart, requires such plainnesse and earnest∣nesse to humble and tame it.

Tim.

What is the vse of this point?

Silas.

It reprooues such teachers as suppresse their voices. The other extreame is, too much to exalt it. Se∣condly, it warnesh hearers to loue such vehemency, see∣ing their owne dulnesse needs it.

Tim.

What is meant by the sand of the Sea?

Sil.

The exceeding great number of the Iewes, being for multitude like to the sand of the Sea, as God promi∣sed Abraham, Gen. 15.

Tim.

What is meant by [remnant?]

Sil.

It is a speech borrowed from Tradesmen, who cut out a whole cloath, till onely a little peece be left, which they call a remnant or remainder: by which is meant a verie few and small number of the Iewes, as it were an handfull, shall be called.

Tim.

What signifies saued?

Silas.

It signifieth deliuerance from bodily and spiri∣tuall dangers?

Tim.

Of what times did Esayas speake this?

Silas.

First, of the times of Ezckiah, when all Iuda be∣ing ouerrun by the Assyrians, onely Ierusalem was spa∣red. Secondly, of the times of the deliuerance out of Chaldea, when most of the Iewes tarried behinde, the fe∣west returned home, many dyed in Babylon, others wil∣lingly abode there. But the Prophet hath yet a further relation, (namely) vnto the times of Grace, when the greatest number of the Iewes spurned against the Gos∣pell, some few onely receyuing it. Those externall Re∣demptions and deliuerances beeing Types of the Spiri∣tuall.

Tim.

What is the Doctrine from hence?

Silas.

That though the Nation of the Iewes were full of people, yet the greatest number of them shoulde not be deliuered from eternal destruction. The reasons here∣of bee, first their generall vnkindnesse and vnthankeful∣nesse deseruing it. Rom. 10, 21. also verse 2. Secondly, God had decreed to call and saue but a few of them; as

appcareth by the latter part of this prophesie, verse 28. For to make his account, and gather it into a short sum, signifies not onely that God would lessen the number of the Iewes, but that he did it out of his foreappointment, his election and reprobation bearing the whole sway & stroake in this thing. For more could not bee called and saued then were elected, and these were not many.

Tim.

What is the vse of this doctrine?

Sil.

First, that euē in the visible Church al are not elect, yea that the reprobates do in number exceede the elect. Secondly, that we must not bee offended with the few∣nesse of the godly, and great heapes of the vngodly, for such was the estate of Gods people vnder the law. Third∣ly, it teacheth, that multitudes be no markes of the visi∣ble Church: in all societies for the most part, the best number is the least, and the greatest the worst.

Tim.

What is meant by the Lord of Hoasts?

Sil.

The mighty God, whose hoasts all creatures be, executing his will, as Souldiours the will of their Cap∣taine.

Tim.

What doth Seede signifie?

Silas.

A small number reserued, as a little seed Corne out of a great heape; that which is chosen for seede, is much lesse then the whole crop.

Tim.

What learne we by this comparison?

Silas.

First, that Gods elect bee a precious people, as the seede Corne is the best graine, 1 Pet 2, 9. which must engender in them a loue and comfort of theyr excellent estate euen vnder the Crosse; and in others a reuerence towards them, and it condemnes the world which iudge basely of them. Secondly, we learne that the godlie are exceeding fruitfull, as seede bringes forth some thirtie, some sixty, some an hundred folde: a sew Apostles con∣uerted whole nations to Christ, Acts 2, 41. Colos. 1, 7, 8. Rom. 1. Thirdly, the number of the elect, is the smallest number. It is verie great considered simply, Reuel: 7, 9. but small in respect of the damned, Luke 12, 32.

Tim.

What vse of this last point?

Sil.

It admonisheth all men to striue most earnestly to finde themselues amongst this little slocke, and to ioyne rather with a fewe that liue well, then to doe ill with a multitude that ioyne together in euill.

Tim.

What learne we from hence, that God is saide to haue left this seede?

Silas.

To hold it for a great mercy of God, that there be any that beleeue in him, and feare him in so generall an apostacie: as if in a deluge of water or generall fire, one house or two should bee preserued in a great Citic.

Tim.

What is meant by being [like?]

Silas.

Vtterly to be wasted & destroyed as they were, whereof reade Deut. 29. Gen. 18.

Tim.

What is our Doctrine from hence?

Silas.

That Gods owne people deserued as greeuous things as the Sodomites, should he deale with them in Iustice; because to other sinnes common to them both, they doe adde contempt of grace, and most grosse vn∣thankfulnesse, in that being trusted with much, they ren∣der but a little. Also they haue stronger & more meanes to keepe them from sinning, and so their rebellions bee more grieuous. This commends Gods meruailous pati∣ence in bearing with his people, and admonisheth them of earnest and speedie repentance, least his anger breake forth, and his fire burne when none can quench it.