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.

DIALOGVE VI.

Verse 11, 12.

That he should be the Father of them that beleeue, not being Circumcised, that righteousnesse might be imputed to them also; and the Father of Circumcision not to them onely which are of the circumcision, but vnto them also which walk in the steps of the faith of our Father Abraham, which hee had when he was vncircumcised.

Tim.

VVHat is the drift of this Text?

Silas.

To shew the end of Gods counsell, in iustifying Abraham in time of his vncircumcision, which was to shew, that the Gentiles which beleeue are Abra∣hams children though they be vncircumcised, aswell as the circumcised beleeuing Iewes. To explaine this bet∣ter, in the former verses two thinges were affirmed of Abraham: First, that he was iustified by the faith he had in his vncircumcision: 2. that hee receiued circumcisi∣on as a seale of forgiuenesse of sinnes by the redempti∣on of Christ, thorough faith in his blood. Now he shew∣eth the cause of each, and that each had his mystery. For the former was so done, that he might be the Father of such as beleeue, being not circumcised. i. Gentiles: the latter hapned, that he might be the Father also of Cir∣cumcision. i. the Iewes, not vniuersally, but particular∣ly such as walked in the steps of Abrahams faith: and all to this end, to teach that the benefit of imputed righte∣ousnesse, pertaineth to both Iewes and Gentiles which are beleeuers, as being equally children of Abraham, and therefore heires of all the priuiledges and rightes which were Abrahams by vertue of Gods promise that he made to him, Gen. 17. I will bee thy God, and the God of thy seede. And againe, Thou shalt be the Father of many Na∣tions. Abraham &c. in this name was this whole myste∣ry expressed. Concerning the interpretation of the

wordes, this phrase of walking in the steps of the faith, &c. hath reference (as may seeme) vnto the commaun∣dement, Genesis 17, 1. Walke before me, &c. and it doth verie significantly declare, that there is no other Faith required in the posterity, then which was in the Parent Abraham, namely, such a faith as seeks remission of sins and life euerlasting in grace alone, and not in Circumci∣sion and workes of the Law.

Tim.

Of how many sorts be the Children of Abraham?

Silas.

They be either Iewes or Gentiles. The Iewes may bee distinguished into circumcised and beleeuing Iewes, and vncircumcised and beleeuing, as Abraham did, but not circumcised as he was; as they were which receyued the Gospell when the law ceased.

Tim.

What is it then that giueth this dignity to men, to be Abrahams Children?

Silas.

It is not Circumcision, but Faith, beleeuing the promises after Abrahams example; for it causeth righ∣teousnesse to be imputed to them, yea, though they lack Circumcision.

Tim.

What things are learned from hence?

Sil.

That it was a great honour which God did vnto Abraham, to make all beleeuers his Children: First, be∣cause it is a large and honourable posterity. Secondly, it is also a maruellous great matter to haue Abraham to be our father. For righteousnesse, forgiuenesse of sinne, & all happinesse belongeth to such. We are heere verie di∣ligently to obserue (least we erre) that father-hoode in respect of the faithful is heere giuen to Abraham not by efficiencie, as if he should be the worker and authour of faith in all his children (for faith is the guift of God, it is not of our selues, or of any other creature) but by a kind of proportion, because the grace of the Couenant was giuen him vpon that condition and agreement, and by that Lawe, that as carnall parents do passe ouer and de∣riue all their inheritances and goods vnto their naturall

Children: so Abraham this spirituall Father, should by couenant, doctrine, and example, deriue vnto all the faithfull his spirituall Children, that free blessed∣nesse and Iustice of Faith, which hee had receiued of God. Learne also the vnity and harmony of the Church, Faith, righteousnesse in the olde and new Testaments. There is but one Father of all the beleeuers: and there∣fore but one faith, one body, and one Church: one Lord, head, and Sauiour; one Iustification, one saluati∣on, euen as we professe one catholick Church, the Com∣munion of Saints, to which pertaines remission of sins, resurrection, and glory. Hence fals to ground that car∣nall conceite of the Iewish Church, that it had onely temporall promises, and were not partakers of Christ and his righteousnes. Furthermore note here, that to be the children of Abraham, and heires of his Iustice, wee ought to labour for such a faith in all points as was his Faith, so qualified as his beleefe was: comming after him in beleeuing, as we would tracke and followe the steps of one which had gone before vs in a rough, vne∣uen, and cragged way.

Tim.

What were the qualities of Abrahams faith, in which we must imitate him?

Sil.

Sundry and excellent: First readinesse, in that he beleeued God without delay or deliberation, after once he had his promise and vnderstood it. Secondly sinceri∣ty, in that he beleeued truly without Hypocrisie Third∣ly strength, for that he stroue against, and ouercame all lets of his faith. Fourthly patience, in that hee waited long for the performance of the promise. Fiftly, con∣stancy, in that he continued to beleeue vnto the end. 6. Wisedom in that he grounded his faith aright, vpon the word and promise of God, and not vppon men or his owne merites. Seauenthly fruitfulnesse, for his faith was fruitfull of good workes, Iames 2, 22. Abrahams Faith wrought with his workes. Lastly, it was not coniectu∣ral opinion, but a Plerophory or firme and full assurance of the promise, Rom. 4.

Tim.

What were the chiefe fruits of Abrahams faith?

Sil.

First, singular loue of God, for whose sake hee was ready to offer Isaac. Secondly a true feare of God. Third∣ly, rare charity towards men, gladly entertaining strangers. Fourthly, deniall of him selfe, for he left his owne countrey and his fathers house. Fiftly, sortitude and valorous cou∣rage, for hee feared greatly no danger nor enemy. Sixtly, contempt of the worlde, with the pleasures and delightes, profits and honours of it: for hee was euer ready to loose and leaue all for Gods name. Such as bee like to Abraham in his faith, hauing or striuing to haue it so qualified and so fruitfull, are indeed the children of Abraham.