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Verse 15. For if the casting away of them be the reconci∣ling of the world, what shall their receiuing be but life from the dead?
VVHat doth this 15. verse containe?
The 2. argumēt wherby the beleeuing Gē∣tiles are dehorted from insulting or proud disdaining of
the vnbeleeuing Iewes: it is taken from the hope of the restoring of the Iewes to the Church of God, who ther∣fore ought not to be contemned. The first argument was from the end of Gods counsell, in the reiection of the Iewes, whereof we heard out of verses 11, 12.
Of what parts doth this text consist?
Of two parts: The first is a proposition. The se∣cond* 1.1 is a proofe: the proposition or matter propounded is this: The Iewes which bee now as deade men by their vnbeleefe, shall bee reuiued and quickened againe by grace. This proposition is illustrated and set foorth by the similitude of the last and generall resurrection, when the dead which lye buried in their graues, shall arise a∣gaine, euen as possible it is for God to raise the Iewes out of the graue of their sinnes. This proposition is con∣firmed by an argument a minori, from that which is lesse likely, to that which is more likely, as thus: If the cala∣mity of the Iewes brought foorth so great a good to the world of the Gentiles, as reconciliation with God, then what shall their felicity be, but a reuiuing of the whole world, when both Iewes and Gentiles shall receiue the Gospell; then not Iew alone shall be restored to life, but the whole world shal be totally receiued to God-wards.
Now expound the words of the first part of this sen∣tence.
[Casting away] signifieth the same with fall and* 1.2 diminishing, as before verse 14. [World] by a Synecdo∣che, signifies the Gentiles which be the greatest part of the world. And reconcilement is put for saluation, wher∣of our atonemēt with God by Christ is the chiefest part, because a sinner entreth then into the estate of saluati∣on, when sinnes are pardoned through Christ.
But how may the casting away of some, be the reconci∣ling* 1.3 and sauing of others, seeing euill must not bee done that good may come of it?
First, the casting away of the Iewes, as it comes* 1.4 from God, had the nature not of an euill but of a good
worke, because it was the execution of his Iustice vpon them for their vnbeleefe. Secondly, it was not properly the cause of the Gentiles saluation, but accidentally, in∣somuch as the Iewes being cast out, by that occasion the Gentiles were called to Christ; who could not be called till they were reiected, by reason that the Iewes malice was such as made them to contemne the grace of Christ, and to enuy that the Gentile should bee partakers of it. Neither would they enter, nor suffer others: as a Dogge in the manger, which neyther eateth the Hay, nor suffe∣reth the Oxen to eate it; therfore, as by tumbling down the dogge, the beast comes vnto the foode, so by ca∣sting off the stubborne Iewes, the Gentiles found ente∣rance both into the estate of Grace, and Reconciliation with God.
What instructions haue wee from the former part of this Verse?
First, that God can turne the greatest euill to much good for his children: the reason is, his most ad∣mirable wisedome and goodnesse; euen as Satan by his very great malice and subtilty, can so poison the best things, as they proue hurtfull to the wicked.
What is the vse to be made of this point?
First, to mooue vs to loue, praise, and admire* 1.5 the most singular loue and wisedome of God. Secondly, to labour, after Gods example, to make benefit of all e∣uils which happen to our selues or others, euen of our owne sinnes, and of the transgressions of other men, to make vs more humble and watchfull thereby, for the time to come.
What other Lesson learne we from the beginning of this verse?
That the summe of the Gospell is to preach re∣conciliation* 1.6 with God (to wit) that of sinners, enemies, and vngodly, being without God and true life, subiect to wrath and death for sinne, wee are receiued to fauour and become friends, children and heyres of life through
Iesus Christ beleeued in. See 2 Cor. 5. what Paul saith of God, in verses 18, 19. and of the Apostles and other Mi∣nisters, verse 20.
What be the parts of reconciliation?
Two: First, remission of sins, or not imputing our faultes, with imputation of Christ his perfect iustice in keeping the Law vnto beleeuing sinners. Secondly, Sanctification, in killing the strength of sin, and quicke∣ning the soule by works of righteousnesse in the Spirit, Rom. 6, 2, 3, 4. Remission takes away the guilt and paine of sinne: Sanctification remoues the dominion & king∣dome of sinne that it raigne not, Rom. 6, 12. and is a ne∣cessary companion of remission, and fruite of reconcilia∣tion with God, 1 Cor. 1, 30.
What profit is to be made of this point?
That Preachers ought diligently to teach this Doctrine of reconcilement, and the people to learne it, that they may be throughly acquainted with Gods mer∣cies, to their comforting after heauinesse for sinne and their own miseries; & to their humbling after grace be∣stowed on them. For as nothing will so cheare vp a trou∣bled spirit, as the declaration of the sweete & sure mer∣cies of Christ, vnto firme and full attonement with God; so nothing is more auailable to humble them thē the re∣membrance of their vnhappy condition, in being stran∣gers from God.
Come to the latter part of this verse, and tel vs what is meant by [receiuing,] as also, by [life?]
Heere the effect or consequent, is put for the cause or antecedent, which is an effectuall calling or re∣ceiuing of the Iewes into the Christian Church; and by life is meant the quickning by grace to liue to God, be∣ing before dead in trespasses. Thus Oecumenius expounds this place: What (saith hee) shall bee their assumption but this, that we may say of him that assumeth or recey∣ueth, that he reuiueth them being dead in sinnes? This speech is borrowed from the last great resurrection of
the body, whereunto the Scriptures do often resemble the restitution of the Iewes, both from their bodily and spirituall calamities. See Esay 26, 19. Hos. 13, 14. Ezek. 37, 11, 12, &c. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 11, 12. to teach vs, that the re∣stitution of the Iewes (beeing spiritually dead) to the faith of Christ, in the end of the world, shall be as cer∣taine and sure, as that the corporally dead shalbe raised out of their graues at the last day; which is an Article of our faith.
What else are we taught from hence?
That in all men naturally, there is no more strength to do a good worke (no not to thinke a good thought) pleasing God, then there is force in a deade man to do any worldly worke, Iohn 15, 5. 2 Cor. 3, 4. 1. Cor. 2, 14. This confuteth the counsell of Trent, which teacheth, that wee haue power (if we will) to receyue grace offered, to beleeue and repent when wee are ex∣horted. Session 6. But this is false, because God must draw vs to Christ, Iohn 6, 44. also, work in vs both the will and deede, Phil. 2, 13. and because of our wil being dead, God is not onely to helpe it, but to reuiue vs by putting (as it were) a new soule of grace into vs. This must stirre vs vp to giue the whole praise of our newe birth to God, as Col. 1, 21. Ephe. 1. 1, 2, 3. Againe, from hence we may learne, that wee may not despaire of the saluation of any, either of others or our own, how hope∣lesse soeuer. For if God can reuiue the Iewes, now sixe∣teene Ages rotten in the graue of sinne, then how much more others also? see Iohn 5, 25, 28.
What Vse of this last point?
This must nourish a charitable opinion of the greatest sinners, and preserue men in hope of thēselues, so they do not deferre, but betimes endeauour to turne from sinne, and seeke to God, who is rich in mercie and power: whose example should teach vs not to be cruell and rigorous (as many Christians are,) being far vnlike to God, who enclineth to pity, pardon, and to saue euen
most for lorne offenders 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Whereas many (thorough hardheartednesse) be so implacable, as nothing will ap∣pease them; no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and confession after crimes yea, sundry Parents be heerein wodrthy to be blamed, that as some are too indulgent, so others too too seuere, refusing to take to fauour their relenting and repenting children. Oh, what would become of themselues, if God so deale with them. But there is much mercy with God, and plentifull compassions, so ought there also to bee with men.
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Doctrine.