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. XII.

Verse 22.

I meane the righteousnes of God, through the faith of Iesus Christ, in all and ouer all that heleeue.

Tim.

IN what sence is the faith of Iesus vsed here?

Sil.

Not actiuely for that which Iesus had, but passiuely, for that faith whereby hee is had and recei∣ued.

Tim.

What is the drift of this text?

Sil.

To open and vnsold more at large, that which hee spake concerning the righteousnes of God: laying foorth first the instrument whereby it is applied vnto vs, which is faith. Secondly, the persons or subiect vppon whome it is bestowed, which be all beleeuers without difference of na∣tions. Thirdly, the efficient and principall cause of righte∣ousnes, which is God. And fourthly, the materiall cause, which is Iesus Christ.

Tim.

What is the righteousnes of God?

Sil.

That which commeth meerly by Gods good guift, and maketh vs acceptable to God, euen able to stand be∣fore God; this righteousnesse wee doe attaine, through faith, which iustifieth obiectiuely, because it leadeth to Christ; and instrumentally, as the hand of the soule to ap∣prehend it: therefore it is written, the righteousnes of God through faith.

Tim.

What are the kinds of faith?

Sil.

Foure, first historicall, which is a knowledge of the history and letter, or of the doctrine of the Scripture, thence called dogmaticall faith. Secondly, temporarie faith, which is a knowledge of the trueth, with an assent to* 1.1 it for a time, Math. 13. 21. Thirdly miraculous, which is a beleefe that by the power of God, straunge wonders may be done 1 Corin. 13. 1, 2. Fourthly, iustifying faith, by the which the righteousnes of God is receiued. Of this iustify∣ing faith, there are two parts, the first is a knowledge of the things to be beleeued. as Iohn 6. 69. wee know and beleeue. Secondly application of them to our selues.

Tim.

How proue ye that there must bee application in true faith?

Sil.

First by the commaundement, beleeue the Gospell, Marke 16, 1, 5. Secondly, by the nature of faith, which is an hand to drawe Christ to vs. Thirdly, by the example of Scripture, as Dauid Psalme 18, 2. Mary, Luke 1, 28. Tho∣mas, Iohn 20, 28. Fourthly by reason, for howe can Christ profit vs, if he be not applied and put on by faith? And 5. by the testimony of the learned, which teach true faith to be particular with application, as Hierom, Cyril, &c.

Tim.

What actions are required vnto faith?

Sil.

These fiue: First, approbation of the things be∣leeued. Secondly, expetition in an ernest desire of them. 3〈◊〉〈◊〉 apprehension in a fast laying hold of them. Fourth∣ly, oblectation in delighting my selfe in them. Fiftly, expectation, in looking certainly to inioy them.

Tim.

What be the degrees of faith?

Silas.

Three-fold: First, such a faith which is a true and earnest desire to beleeue the promises of Christ. Se∣condly, a little faith, which is a certaine assurance, that the same belongs to vs. Thirdly, a full perswasion when the heart is strongly assured thereof, ioyned with a sure and certaine knowledge of things hoped for, Heb. 11, 1.

Tim.

What is the obiect of Faith?

Silas.

Christ Iesus, in whom wee do consider three things. First his person, God and Man. Secondly, his

Offices, King, Priest, and Prophet. Thirdly, his benefits, Remission of 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, reconciliation, a∣doption, sanctification, eternall life.

Tim.

What are the persons vnto whom God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ with his benefits?

Sil.

All the beleeuers, and onely the beleeuers.

Tim.

What thinke ye of the elect Infants, are they Belee∣uers?

Tim.

Some think them to be iustified by the beleefe of the Church. Others thinke it to be by the beleefe of their parents. Others, by the beleefe of sureties. Others by some secret worke of the spirit: But I think that they are saued by their owne faith: as it is generally written, The iust shall liue by his owne faith.

Tim.

But they want knowledge, without which, there is no Faith?

Sil.

True, they lacke knowledge, which is by dis∣course, yet they are not altogither without some know∣ledge, such as for their age they are capeable of, as ap∣peareth by this; that reason is in children, though they want the vse of it. Also by the example of Ieremy, Iohn Baptist, and Christ; all which had the light of the Spirit in their infancy, being sanctified in the wombe.

Tim.

What vse was made of this?

Sil.

That men which haue not true faith, should labor to get it, seeing no righteousnes is had without it, nor sal∣uation but by it. Secondly, such as haue it, should che∣rish and labour to encrease it by all good means, and be thankfull to God for it. Thirdly, to take comfort to our selues, vpon the death of young children, seeing God who hath made a Couenant of life with them, doeth worke in them to beleeue in him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Faith iustifies not effectiue∣ly as working a iustice in vs or materially as being our Iustice.