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. XI.

Verse 18.

Which Abraham aboue hope beleeued vnder hope, that hee should bee the Father of many Nations, according to that which was spoken, so shal thy seede be.

Tim.

VVHat is the drift of this Text?

Silas.

To extoll and praise Abrahams Faith by two reasons: First, that it did not giue place to sence, nature, or humaine reason. For he beleeued aboue the hope of man. Secondly, that it did embrace the truth of Gods promise, contained in these words; So shal thy seed be. And thirdly, that he made the Diuine promise, the support and prop of his Faith (according to that was spoken.)

Tim.

What is meant when he saith [He beleeued vnder hope aboue hope?]

Sil.

That he beleeued vnder the hope of God, & aboue the hope of man: for when things were dosperate in the reason of man, and there was no hope at al, yet looking vp vnto God, he had hope; he conceiued inuincible faith in his heart, ioyned with an infallible hope euen against hope of flesh, nature, and all mans reason.

Tim.

Do ye not by hope vnderstand things hoped for?

Sil.

It is true, & then the meaning is contrary to that which might by man haue beene hoped for, hee waited for things which were set forth of God to be hoped for; ouercomming by his faith, all difficulties, absurdities, & impossibilities, which natural reason might obiect and oppose to him.

Tim.

What was our instruction from hence?

Sil.

This, that a true faith dooth enable vs to expect such things as the reason of man would neuer look for. Example heereof we haue in Abraham, who beeing an hundred yeare old, it was against reason, that he should

looke to bee a Father, yet his faith beleeued it (seeing God promised it.) Also Dauid against all humaine rea∣son and hope beleeued, that he should be King of Isra∣el. Also, when Moyses beleeued, that the people should passe through the Red sea as on dry Land, it was against reason: the like is to bee saide of Ioseph and of many o∣thers.

Tim.

Is it not dangerous in things which are set forth to be beleeued, to take counsell with the wisedom of the Flesh, or with humaine reason?

Silas.

It is so, as appeareth in the example of Sara, of Zachary, and Moyses; all which were punished, because they consulted with flesh and bloud instead of belee∣uing. Also, in the example of wicked men, who haue re∣ceiued hurt by leaning too much to the wisedom of the flesh, more then to the word of God, as they which pe∣rished in the wildernes: also a Prince which was seruant to Iehoram King of Israel, 2 Kings 7. Lastly, Zedekiah K. of Iudah, Ier. 39, 7. Therefore in things which are pro∣pounded by the word to be beleeued of vs, we must re∣nounce that which our owne and other mens reason can obiect, seeme it neuer so absurde and vnpossible which God promiseth, yet it must absolutely be belee∣ued.

Tim.

What was further commended to vs out of the first part of this sentence?

Silas.

That it is the propertie of a true faith, to keepe men in hope, euen when things seeme desperate. Exam∣ple heereof we haue in our Sauiour Christ, Math 27. My God my God, why hast thou forsaken mee. And Saint Paul, Act 27. & Iob & Ieremy. For faith doth beare it selfe bold vpon the truth of Gods promises. For faith doth be∣leeue the whole word of God, according as is written, Faith is by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Rom. 10, 17. But the word of promise is that whereabout Faith is properly occupied, and especially the word of the Co∣uenant, wherein God promised to bee mercifull to our sinnes.

Tim.

Yet the promise that Abraham is saide to beleeue, was of a temporal blessing, euen of a large posterity.

Silas.

It was so, but this dependeth vpon the Coue∣nant of grace, and helpeth him to beleeue that. For, he that can beleeue God to be faithfull in smaller thinges, can also beleeue that he will keepe his truth in greater thinges. Againe, all earthly pronuses are fulfilled for Christ, who is the substance of the Couenant. Againe, all earthly promises proceede from mercy, and Christ is the foundation of Gods mercy towards vs.