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. IIII.

Verses 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. That I should be the Mini∣ster of Iesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministring the Gospell of God, that the offering vp of the Gentiles might be acceptable, beeing sanctified by the Holy-Ghost: I haue therefore whereof I may glory through Iesus Christ, in those things which appertaine to God, &c.

Tim

HOw doth the Apostle proceede in these verses, and what connexion haue they with the for∣mer?

Silas.

Hauing maintained his bolde writing to the Ro∣manes by an argument drawne from his Apostolicall func∣tion, (which being graciously bestowed on him, as ver. 15. imposed vpon him a necessity to write freely and boldly to them, as beeing commanded of God so to doe towardes them, beeing a part of his charge:) Now in these present verses hee describeth and magnifieth his Ministry sundry wayes, to make it gracious and glorious to the Romanes and other beleeuers: and first it is set soorth by the autho∣rity of it; the author of it is God or Christ Iesus, who im∣mediately and extraordinarily called him, Acts 9, 3, 4. to be his seruant, Gal. 1, 1. and his publike Minister: Not as Magistrates bee, Rom, 13, 6. but to minister the Gospell, where of God is the author; to giue attendance vnto holye things, and to worke in the holy seruice of the Gospell, to∣wards the Gentiles, (as Peter was inioyned to do towards the Iewes. Which maketh much to the commendation of his function, that he enioyed it with a large commission, as to preach to all the Gentiles, and also to haue the [Gos∣spell] that is, the glad tidings of peace and good things to bee the subiect of his preaching, as the Gentiles were the obiect of it: but heerein especially his ministry was exal∣ted, that the elect faithfull Gentiles were as a sacrifice of∣fered by him vnto God, and the Gospell as it were the sa∣crificing knife, himselfe as an holy Priest to kill, to cleanse and to offer (not beasts) but faithfull men vnto God. And finally, the oblation or sacrificing to bee his preaching,

doctrine, and admonitions, for the conuersion of soules thorow the Spirite, sanctifying and changing the hearts of the elect, among the heathen.

Tim.

What are wee to learne by this comparison or likenesse betweene the Ministery of the Gospell, and Leuiticall Priest∣hood?

Silas.

First, it warnes vs of the great dignity of the mi∣nistry, that it is sanctified & consecrated vnto such an holy end as the conuersion of sinners; which as it is the grea∣test good, so the function which effecteth it must be of sin∣gular worthinesse: Let men honour it as they loue saluati∣on. Secondly, hence we learne that God is much desi∣rous of, and greatly delighted with the saluation of men, for that hee doth account it for a very acceptable sacrifice or offering. Which should serue not a little to encourage both Preachers and professors with exceeding ioy of hart to trauaile, the one in preaching and setting it foorth; the other in hearing and receiuing the word of God, beeing imployed in such a seruice so pleasing to God, so profita∣ble to themselues.

Thirdly, we are taught heere that as the Sacrifices of the law were then pleasing vnto God, whē they were pure and offered vp according to rites of the law; so Christians doe become an acceptable sacrifice through the sanctify∣ing of the Holy-Ghost, working repentance from their sinnes, and induing them with a liuely faith, that beeing pure and bolye, they might please God through Christ. Though holinesse as a fruite of the Spirite doe please God, yet it is Christ the Mediator which maketh it, and the per∣son in whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to be acceptable.

Lastly, from this 16. verse wee haue wherewith to stop the mouths of the Papists, & prophane worldlings. As for the Papists which obiect vnto vs the want of Priest-hood, and seeme to lament that we haue no sacrifices, &c. we say for our selues that we haue both in our Churches: for our Sermons are oblations, our people be sacrifices, our selues Priests, (not properly taken, for so they ceased in Christs

person, beeing the onely proper Priest and sacrifice of the new Testament) but improper and metaphoricall, who yet truely and effectually doe by the sword of the worde slay mens brutish sinnes, to make them a sanctified hoast to God. Rather we haue iust cause to lament their case, that hauing thrust out this kinde of sacrifycing by the doctrine, and preaching of the holye Scriptures, warranted by the authority of God himselfe; they wickedly vsurpe in their Masse, to sacrifice Christ properly euery day, after his ex∣ample at his last supper, wherin yet he made no oblation: & thus of being the Ministers of Christ, they proue the mur∣therers of Christ, and the successors of Iudas, rather then the imitators of Paul. Now touching the prophane per∣sons which mislike and murmure at the plaine and bolde admonitions of the Ministers: Let this satisfie such, that as neuer any did finde fault with the Sacrificers of the lawe for killing and dressing of beasts appointed to bee sacrifi∣ces, so it should bee imputed as no blame to Preachers by the sacrificing knife of the worde, to slay & mortifie mens brutish lusts and vices: which if they be suffered to liue and raigne, it cannot be we should be an holy and acceptable sacrifice to God, Rom. 12, 1, 2.

Tim.

In the verse 17. and verses following vnto the 22. what doth the Apostle performe?

Silas.

Hee continueth to commend his Apostolicall function by the effects, in the subduing of the Gentiles by his ministry vnto the obedience of the Gospell, both by his words and workes, verse 18. whereof hee reckoneth first the kindes, (signes and wonders) and the efficient cause, the power of the Holy-Ghost, the author of mira∣cles, verse 19. And for so much as the Romanes might ob∣iect, Why doest thou O Paul chiefely begin with vs Ro∣manes, and so earnestly deale with vs, passing by other nations? Thereunto hee answereth, verse 19, 20. that he had spread the Gospell by his preaching in many other re∣gions, yea where the name of Christ had not sounded, or beene knowne before; whereof hee noteth the ende in

verse 20. Least I should builde on another mans founda∣tion, and in verse 21. he sheweth his warrant and commis∣sion out of the Prophet Esay, Chap. 52. verse 15. In regard of these things he doth professe that he had occasion of re∣ioycing and matter of glorying, yet not in himselfe but in Christ and his grace, (in which alone there is true glory∣ing with God) and not in honour, riches, and wisedome of the world, but in the things pertaining to God, (to wit) in matters concerning the worshippe of God, and the sal∣uation of the Church, wherein his ministry did consist, verse 17.

Tim.

What especiall doctrines can ye obserue from the verse 17. to the 21. verse, whereof the method and meaning you haue now breefely vnfolded?

Silas.

Out of verse 17. we haue these instructions: First when God prospereth the worke of our vocation, (name∣ly by blessing the ministry to the working of faith and o∣bedience to Christ) therein is iust cause of reioycing. The reason is, because in such effects God is highly glorified in his mercies, and soules conuerted and saued, whereat men and Angels ought to bee glad, Luke 15, 7. Such therfore wrong God and his Church much, which neyther them∣selues labour to winne men to Christ, and doe enuy others which doe it. Also heere is more cause of incouragement & ioy by the happy successe of his ministry to a Preacher, then of disheartning by the vnthankfulnesse of the world. Lastly, it reproueth such as by disobedience and vnprofita∣blenesse, do grieue their Ministers, whose heauinesse is the peoples vnhappinesse. Heb. 13, 17. Secondly, wee learne that Ministers in their reioycing must retaine this mode∣sty, as not to be puffed vp with their guifts, or to despise o∣thers whom God doth not so grace and blesse, but euer to remember they are but Organes & instruments of Christ, to effect what he will doe by them, 1. Cor. 4, 1. All the force working in the conscience is of Christ, who both or∣dained the Ministers, and furnished them with guifts and zeale, and blesseth their indeuours.

The third instruction is, that the subiect of their ministry be (the things of God,) that is, his seruice, Heb. 5, 1. A Minister is a middle person betweene the people and God, to report Gods will to them, and to offer and vtter their prayers to God, to preach from God glad tydings of peace and good things; and on the other side to bring the people to God. Wee will attend the worde and Prayer, Acts 6, ver. 4. Ministers bee the mouth of GOD to open his minde, and of the peoples to put vp their request: thus their seruice is wholly about the soule.

The reason is, that as Christs kingdome is not of this world, so his Ministers are ouer the people in things not belonging to this world, but to the Lord, 1 Thess. 5, 12. Hence is a iust reproofe to such, as neglecting to imploy themselues in the things of God (which are the things proper to their calling) doe spend it in following theyr carnall pleasures, or worldly profit, doing nothing lesse, then that whereunto they be of God ordained and elec∣ted of his Church, whose end will be fearefull, by the pa∣rable of the euill seruaunt in the Gospell, which in his Maisters absence, gaue himselfe to sensuality, and forgot his proper seruice.

Tim.

From the 18. verse what Doctrines collect ye?

Silas.

First, whereas Paul made a religion and Consci∣ence, as one that neither would nor could speak of ought [I dare not,] which Christ had not wrought in him, and done by him in the function of his Apostleship: Hence wee learne, as the duty of Pastors, to acknowledge the whole fruite of their ministry to come from Christ as au∣thor. Paul which planteth is nothing, but Christ which giueth the encrease: so the deity of Christ, that he is true and very God, whose sole and onely worke it is to make the preaching effectuall, to bow mens hearts (naturallie stony and obstinate) to becom pliable to the doctrine of the Gospell to receiue it by faith, which is the chiefest obedience, and mother of al obedience inpractise & con uersation; but Christ did this by the Ministry of Paul, as

heere he confesseth. Therefore, he is the true and mighty God which changeth the hearts, yea, euen of the Gen∣tiles, peruerse Idolaters, and wholly estranged from God and goodnesse. To make these by faith and obedience to embrace the Gospell, must needes argue in Christ which did it, an omnipotency and diuine vertue. For to giue a new heart and a new Spirit, is Gods prerogatiue royall, Ezek. 36, 26.

Moreouer, inasmuch as Christ wrought in Paul by two meanes (words) that is, publique preachings, priuate ex∣hortation, disputing, Epistles, and writings: and second∣ly (deeds) that is, his great labour and trauaile, his godlie life, his many and manifold myracles, 1 Cor. 15, 10. it af∣foords this Doctrine; That there be two notable signes and markes of a faithfull Minister of Christ, and two es∣peciall meanes whereby hee may benefite the flocke of Christ. First Doctrine, that he be able in a good measure to teach truths, and to confute the gainsayer. Titus 1, 9. Secondly, examples of life and maners to shine as a light, Math. 5. as Christ both saide and did, Acts 1, 1.

Farre hence from this calling bee all such, which are giuen to their ease and commodity, be either scandalous in life, or vnable and vnwilling to teach and labor in do∣ctrine & doing good. Let such know as haue their toong or hand lame and maimed, and bee defectiue in wordes or deeds, that they are so much short of that they ought to be. Also let such people see, that they haue God come so much the nearer to them, and haue the more meanes to draw neere to him, or to bee left without all excuse, whosoeuer enioy teaching and working Pastors, which builde with both hands. Some alleadge for defence of their ignorance ot wickednesse that their Minister is ig∣norant and teacheth them not. Others, that their guides, though seeing ones, yet offensiue ones, say and do not: but such haue no exception at al to make, whose Pastors speake and worke, and giue light by sound doctrine and godly life.

Tim.

Do yee note in the words or matter of the 19, 20, 21. verses, ought to our edification in piety?

Silas.

In the words I note, that the greatest workes which Paul did worke, are called by two names. First, Signes, because they serue to shew and proue his calling and doctrine to be of God; and therefore, such as ought to be reucrently receiued and submitted vnto. Second∣ly (wonders or myracles) drawing, or rather driuing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to admiration and wondering, by the straungenesse of them, because they exceeded both course of nature, and capacity of vndorstanding. And it is vsuall with men, to wonder at things which be aboue reason or nature. Also the word [might or power] in the first place, signifies the efficacy, which these great workes had in the hearts of the Gentiles before whom they were done; and in the latter place, it declareth the chiefe cause of that efficacy, to wit; the might of the holy Spirite, working with the Apostle.

Tim.

What are we to learne from hence? What matter of instructions in these words thus opened?

Silas.

That in the beginning of the Gospell, when the Doctrine thereof was yet newe, vnwoonted, or vn∣knowne, and the Church yet being as a tender plant, or as a childe in the Cradle, it pleased God to accompanie the publishing of his trueth, with the gift of woorking myracles, the better to countenance and confirme both doctrine and the Church, Marke 16, 20. These Tokens and wonders which at the first did ratifie the Doctrine, (as seales establish couenants) are stil to this day of force to giue credite to the same doctrine (taught now in the reformed Churches) to be diuine and from heauen. So as he which without a myracle will not now beleeue it, (when all the world beleeueth it) he himselfe may be ac∣counted a wonder. We doe vse to water plants when they are newly set and but tender: afterwardes being growne vp to be trees, we cease then to water them; so the Church and doctrine of grace, when it was new, nee∣ded

confirmation by myracles; but now it is growne old and vniuersally receiued, there is no such vse of Myra∣cles. Let vs rather suspect the Popish religion to bee the new Religion, and their Church no Church of Christ, be∣cause they build the truth and credit thereof vpon won∣ders, which are no perpetuall nor effentiall notes of true Prophets, and true Church, but common to all Prophets both false and true. See Deut. 13, 1, 2. Mat. 24, 24. 2 Thes. 2, 9. and Reuel. 13, 13. False Prophets, false Christs, yea, that Antichrist shall be permitted (for the probation of the faithfull, and perdition of the vnfaithfull) to worke wondrous workes, which are called lying wonders, 2. Thess. 2, 9. both because they be many of them but iug∣ling trickes, packed by the cunning of Friars, and for that they tend (suppose they should be done) to deceiue men, to establish their lyes, superstitions, and heresies of Popery: also, because oftentimes they are done or do proceede from Satan the Father of lies. Whereas, all true myracles (as our Text teacheth) for their end doth serue to confirme the truth of the Gospell: and for their beginning, they alwaies be wrought by the mighty Spi∣rit of God, who alone can alter the course of nature, and do wondrous things. Satan and his imps do some things to be wondred at of such as cannot perceiue the causes of those things which impostures cunningly hide.

But if that miracles were necessary, we are not vtter∣ly destitute. The straunge proseruation of Luther and Q. Elizabeth, against many deadly enemies, is maruailous if not myraculous: also the discouering of the Gun-pow∣der Treason, in so strange a sort. Maister Hawks clapping his hands thrice for ioy in the fiery flame: Cranmers hart whole in the fire, his body being burnt, as it hapned to others, are not these wondrous matters?

Tim.

What may wee obserue from the end of the 19. verse, with the 20. and 21?

Sil.

It commends to vs these few instructions. Where∣as Paul had filled with the Gospell (that is, had brought

to the faith of Christ by plentifull and diligent preach∣ing the Gospell) so many people and prouinces as were mightily distant one from the other, as I Hyricum (which is thought to be that which at this day we call Slauonia) is distant from Ierusalem the Metropolis of Iudea, which in a right line is iudged to be about 350. Germain miles, but was much larger space going by circuites, and fetch∣ing compasses, as it is knowne he did. In this example of the Apostle (I say) carying the word to such Barbarians, and superstitious places, with such extreame labour, and both manifest and manifold dangers (whereof we reade in the Acts, and in 2 Cor. 11.) wee haue the Image of a faithfull Minister, filled with loue of Christ his Kingdom and mans saluation, to the reproofe of such as with farre lesse paines, and no perrill at home, may and ought to preach Christ euery Saboth, and will not: and it giueth due encouragement to all such as do the Lordes worke with fidelity and industry, to perseuer in theyr godlie course, whereof they haue Paul such a noble president & patterne. As God will looke for much of them to whom he committeth much; so they which doe improoue their Talents, and encrease them vntill they come to be tenne Talents, such shall be set ouer ten Cities, and enter into their Maisters ioy, when the sloathfull shall heare, Take him, and binde him, &c.

Furthermore as Paul in few words ran ouer an heap of Myracles, and an infinite company of Cities, in ver. 19 to set forth his infinite labours to the example of others; so in that he studied, and did euen in an holy ambition (as men striue which be greedy of worldly honour) contend to fulfil the prophesies, concerning the carying the name and Gospell of Christ, where it had neuer beene preach∣ed by any before him, yea, where the sound of Christ ne∣uer came. Heerein first he did approue himselfe a true A∣postle, whose office was, to call ignorant heathnish peo∣ple to Christ, and to constitute Churches, which they might leaue to others to builde forwarde, as Paul did in

Ephesus and Creta, 1. Timothy 1, 34. Titus 1, 4, 5, 6.

Faire vnlike to that which Iesuites boast to bee done by them in India; for neyther bee they commissionated for the whole world, as the Apostles were, neyther preached they the truth of the Gospell, but their owne errors, the traditions of Rome: and gathered Churches not to Christ, but to Antichrist, to increase not Gods but Sathans king∣dome, making them an hundred times worse then they were before, yea by their extreame cruelties making the name of Christ odious to those Pagans.

Secondly, in that Paul sought as well to instruct such as were conuerted, as to gaine to Christ such as were stran∣gers from him, we see againe his affection to Christs glory and kingdome; which should bee a spur in the sides of all Christs true Ministers to quicken them to al care and labor for the enlarging of Christs flocke, and getting to them∣selues testimony of their calling from God, by the zeale of their hearts, and fruites of their indeuour; as Paul had from the accomplishment of propheticall Oracles, whereby his extraordinary Apostolicall function was warranted to him selfe and the Churches of Christ.