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.

Verse 6, 7, 8.

Euen as Dauid described the blessednes of the man vnto whom God imputeth righteousnesse without workes, saying; Bles∣sed are they whose vnrighteousnes is forgiuen, & whose sin is couered, Blessed is that man to whom, &c.

Tim.

VVHat is the drift of this text?

To proue that righteousnes is impu∣ted vnto faith, and commeth not by Workes. The which the Apostle prooueth by the testi∣mony of Dauid, Psal. 32, 1, 2.

Tim.

What be the parts of this Text?

Sil. 2.

First, the Preface or entrance, [Euen as Dauid, &c.] Secondly, the testimony it self [Blessed are they, &c.]

Tim.

What note ye out of the Preface?

Sil.

These thinges: First, that the testimony is cited without naming the Psalme or verse. Secondly, that the righteousnesse of Christ was preached to them that li∣ued before Christ. Thirdly, Paul so citeth the testimo∣ny, as hee giueth the summe and meaning of it in few words, which is thus much; that Iustificatō is the impu∣tation of righteousnes to the beleeuer, without workes.

Tim.

Who was Dauid?

Sil.

The Pen-man of the Holy-ghost, one of the holie Prophets.

Tim.

What followes heereof?

Silas.

That his testimony is to be receiued as the testi∣mony of God, because the Prophets wrote as they were moued by the holy Ghost.

Tim.

What meanes he by describing?

Silas.

Not a perfect definition, but a short and plaine setting before vs of the matter.

Tim.

What is meant by the Blessednesse of the man?

Sil.

The man which is blessed, or which may be estee∣med and held blessed.

Tim.

What do ye call blessednesse?

Sil.

The happy condition and estate of such as bee in Gods fauour through Christ.

Tim.

What is meant by imputing?

Silas.

To impute, is to put a thing into ones account or reckoning; it is a word borrowed from Merchants, who are saide to impute that, whereof they exact a rec∣koning and account.

Tim.

What is meant here by righteousnes?

Sil.

The exact and perfect conformity and agreement to the will of the Creator, which since Adam was found in Christ onely.

Tim.

Why doth he say (without workes) seeing Dauid spea∣keth not of workes in that part of the Psalme?

Sil.

It must of necessity bee vnderstood: for if this bee the blessednes, to haue the righteousnesse and good works of another (that is) of Christ accounted to vs, then a man is righteous and blessed without his owne works.

Tim.

Tea but he meaneth ceremoniall and naturall workes done before our conuersion: workes done before faith.

Sil.

Nay not so, but he meaneth all workes wherein sin may be committed, and therefore more principally works of the moral law; because more properly sinne is in them: againe, Dauid speaketh this euen of himselfe, being nowe conuerted and renewed vnto faith.

Tim.

What were we taught out of the testimony it selfe?

Sil.

Sundry things, first that there is but one way for all men to become blessed, and this is by free pardon. Se∣condly, from hence is matter of great comfort for the pore and needy, in that the wealthy of the world, haue no other true happinesse, then that which is common to the poo∣rest beleeuer. Thirdly, here is matter of great humbling for the mighty and rich, in that the poore are equall to them in the chiefest things. Fourthly, here is matter of great vnity and loue amongst all sorts, in that there is but one common saluation, or meanes of forgiuenesse of sinnes to the begger and to the king.

Tim.

What is that way of blessednes which is common to all the Saints, tell vs-this more plainly and distinctly?

Sil.

Free forgiuenesse of sinnes through faith in Iesus Christ; which is expressed heere by three phrases or fashi∣ons of speech. First, remission of sinnes, which is a dis∣charge of a debt. Secondly, couering of transgression, it beeing a speech taken from such as hide vnseemely things from the eies of others, least they bee offended; so our sins

by forgiuenes are hid from the eies of Gods iustice. Third∣ly (of not imputing) that is, not reckoning it to vs, or cal∣ling vs to any account for it. A speech borrowed from Merchants or Creditors, who doe put that debt out of the* 1.1 reckoning, which they meane to forgiue; so are wee saide to haue sinne not imputed, as when a creditor of grace and fauour, accepteth a debt to be paid, accounting it dischar∣ged, when the party indebted is not able to pay it.

Tim.

What vnderstandeth hee by forgiuenes of sinne, more then is expressed?

Sil.

The imputation of Christ his righteousnes, which cannot bee seuered from remission of sinnes: so heere is a* 1.2 Synechdoche of the part.

Tim.

What was further here noted?

Sil.

That forgiuenes is of all sinnes great and small, ma∣ny and few one and other. Secondly, that seeing we can∣not be free from sinne, but by forgiuenesse, we should ther∣fore auoyde sinne the more carefully, being wary that wee do not that from which we cānot be quitted but by a par∣don; and least we abuse that mercy, which doeth so graci∣ously couer our faults.

Tim.

What other things more were noted out of this text?

Sil.

Sundry, first touching blessednesse. Secondly, tou∣ching Gods mercy in forgiuenes of sin. Thirdly, touching our duty about leauing of sin.

Tim.

What was noted and obserued concerning blessednes?

Sil.

Many things, first the causes of blessednes, the chiefe working cause is Gods grace or the fauor of God; the me∣ritorious and materiall cause is Christ his obedience to death; the ende or finall cause is Gods glory: the instru∣ment Gods word offering, our faith apprehending, the Sa∣craments sealing: hence it is written, Blessed are they that beleeue, blessed are they that heare the word and keep it. Se∣condly, the effects of blessedness; the effects towardes our selues are forgiuenes of sinnes, regeneration, peace of con∣science, ioy in the holy Ghost, graces of the new man, as knowledge, wisedome, faith, hope, loue and patience. The

effects towards others bee the workes of loue and mercy, and all fruits of our labour in our calling: hence it is saide, Blessed is the man whose sinnes are couered, Psal. 32. & Blessed are the mercifull, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the poore in spirit. Math. 5. Thirdly, the degrees of blessednes, which bee three, first in this life an entrance into a blessed estate, by beeing en∣grafted into Christ through faith, to bee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of him and his benefits, of forgiuenes of sinnes and sanctification. Secondly, the proceeding in it at death, when the soule is receiued into glory, the body beeing laide into the earth. Thirdly, the perfection of it in heauen, when the whole man shall be glorified: hence it is said, Blessed are they which dye in the Lord, Reuel. 14. 13. & Blessed are they who are called to the Lambes martage. Reue. 19.

Tim.

What was obserued touching forgiuenes of sinnes?

Sil.

That the Prophet speaking in the plurall number, giueth vs to vnderstand that not one or a few, nor smal, but many and great sinnes are forgiuen the faithfull: the rea∣sons hereof are first, because otherwise they coulde not bee blessed if one sinne were vnpardoned, for they coulde haue no true peace. Secondly, Christs merits and Gods mercies exceedeth all, and be much greater then al the sins of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, were they all in any one man.

Tim.

What vse of this?

Sil.

Sound consolation to beleeuers, in the time of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for sinne. Secondly, an instruction for vs, to for∣giue our brethren whatsoeuer offence against vs, when they come and say, it repents mee: euen as God for Christs sake forgaue vs, Ephe. 4. 32. Obserue that our sinnes on∣ly hinder our blessednes, which shall bee perfect when our sinnes be wholy taken away, meane time it is but begun.

Tim.

What were wee to learne as touching our duty about sinne?

Sil.

That before the committing of sinne wee doe take good heed; 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that we may not offend so merciful a God as hath forgiuen vs so great a debt. Rom. 12. 1. Secondly, because sinne being once committed, we cannot bee well

eased till wee be forgiuen: further we learne, that after the committing thereof, we despaire not, because there is mercy with God, to giue a free and ful pardon to them who seek for it. Lastly, that Gods children may commit sinnes of all sorts and kindes, except onely one sin, from which they are preserued.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In this sence the word imputing is v∣sed Nom. 8. 27.
• * 1.2

  1 Cor. 1. 30.