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. VI.

Verse 6. For Christ, when we were yet of no strength, at his time died for the vngodly.

Tim.

VVHat is the drift and end of this text?

Sil.

To confirme that which hee had said, of the loue of God towards vs, by an effect and fruite of his loue, which is, the death of his Sonne Christ Iesus. Here beginneth the demonstration, which is the second part of this Chapter, as before.

Tim.

How is this set foorth?

Sil.

It is set foorth by a double circumstāce of time; first in that the Sonne of God was giuen to death for vs at that time when we were yet weake, vngodly, sinners, and ene∣mies. Secondly, in that he dyed for vs at the time appoyn∣ted of his Father, called (his time.)

Tim.

What be the parts of this sixt verse?

Sil.

Foure; first, what ones God loued, (weake and vn∣godly ones.) Secondly, by what guift hee expressed his loue (his Sonne Christ.) Thirdly, at what time the guift was bestowed (at his time.) Fourthly, to what thing he was giuen, (to death.)

Tim.

Now come to the interpretation of the words, and first tell vs what is meant by [weake] in this place?

Sil.

The word here vsed, is applyed sometime to the bo∣dy; then it signifieth either weaknesse, which commeth by some disease or sicknesse, after which, men bee feeble; or else it noteth the want of al might, as in that text of 1 Cor. 15, 43. The body is sowne in weakenesse: or it is affirmed of the minde, and then it is either put for small strength, as Rom. 15, 1. or for no strength, as here in this text: that this is here meant, may appeare by this, that they which are called weak, the same are called vngodly, sinners, enemies; such are voyd of all spirituall and sauing power, to beleeue or repent.

Tim.

What doe these termes teach vs?

Sil.

That they for whome Christ was giuen to death, were such as had no force of their own to help themselues, but needed all manner of helpe vnto saluation. Secondly that such as Christ died for, doe not onely neede all helpe, but being vngodly, refuse helps being offered; and beeing sinners encrease their euils more and more, and which is most of all, they grow in hatred of the remedy, being open enemies to God: heere is a singular gradation to amplify Gods loue to lost mankind.

Tim.

What is the vse to be made of this truth?

Sil.

It sheweth the wretched estate which men liue in without faith in Christ. Secondly, it condemneth the mad∣nesse of such as affime that the elect beeing in this estate, were yet Iustified, and the sonnes and heires of God: this their madnesse may appeare in this, that the selfe same per∣sons at one time, shal be actually and indeed both enemies and friends to God, sinners and righteous, vngodly and sonnes, to need all helpe, and yet to haue all helpe; this is to confound heauen and hell grace and corruption, Sathan and God, death and life togither. Thirdly, it confuteth the Pelagian and Papist, who ascribe some strength to na∣ture to prepare, at least to dispose it selfe to grace. This the Pelagian sets forth by a similitude of waxe fitte for any impression, of white paper, or a naked table ready to take any forme: so is our nature (say they) apt to learne, if it be

but taught vs: also the Papists they expresse it by the simi∣litude of a man sore wounded or much enfeebled, or laden or borne downe with bolts and fetters, which with a little helpe of another mans hand, will raise vppe himselfe, and make shift to stand vppon his feete: So say they, nature is but wounded, enfeebled, or ouerburthened, and with litle helpe of grace, can reare it selfe to heauenwards. These their corrupt opinions appeare to be false, by Ephes. 2. 1. where it is written that wee are dead in trespasses and sins, and therefore as touching God and godlinesse, wee are by nature dead corps; and in this our text, we are said to bee of no strength. Fourthly, it prouoketh Gods children to great humility and thankfulnes towards God, to consider what they were before their conuersion; for the more mi∣serable our former estate, the more amyable present grace: also it must moue them to compassionate others, which yet be in this woeful estate, seeing themselues once were such. And lastly, it must stirre vp a feruent loue to God, who in this most pittifull case loued vs, and gaue such a guist and remedy to vs, and for vs.

Tim.

What was that gift whereby God doth expresse his loue vnto vs, being so sinfull and wretched?

Sil.

No lesse then Christ, his owne and onely begotten Sonne, which is the greatest and best guift that the most* 1.1 great and good God could bestow vppon mankinde: the reason is, because it is more worth then all the world: for it is himselfe in the person of his Sonne, therfore the grea∣test. Also through this gift all other gifts are made good and profitable to vs, which else would bee so many curses. Therefore the best cause that moued him to bestow such a gift vpon vs, was the good pleasure of his will, which here and elsewhere is called his loue, Iohn 3, 16. 1 Ioh. 4.

Tim.

What did we learne by this, that God would witnes his loue by such a fruit of it and gift?

Sil.

That our loue must be like the loue of God, that is, an effectuall and fruitfull loue, not in purpose onely and goodwill, but in effect as wee are able to expresse it. Se∣condly,

that as God declareth his great loue, and that to his enemies: so after his example, wee should out of loue do good to our enemies, whereby we are knowne to be Gods Children, Luke 6. For euen Infidels and the most wicked persons, they will loue such as loue them, Math. 5.

Tim.

What doth this meane, which is added [According to the time, or at his time?]

Silas.

It meaneth thus much: euen that fit and con∣uenient time appointed of his Father, called fulnesse of time, Gal. 4, 4. and his houre, John 5, 25. for God hath his times appointed for all his workes, Eccl. 3, 1.

Tim.

What followes of this?

Silas.

That Christ could come neither sooner nor la∣ter then hee did. Secondly, it commendeth the more Gods loue vnto vs, to send him at a time when a floode of wickednesse had ouerflowed all. Thirdly, that there is a fit time for euerie work of God, which should teach men to waite vpon God, Eccles. 3, 1.

Tim.

Where unto gaue he Christ for vs?

Sil.

Vnto death, which was a dissolution of his bodie* 1.2 and soule, ioyned with the curse of God, Galath. 3, 13. Of this death there was great neede. For Gods Iustice had decreed it, his word foretolde it, the sacrifices pre∣figured it, the foulenesse of mans sin deseruing it, Christ willingly suffered it, man was sufficiently redeemed by it, and God greatly glorified by it.

Tim.

What vse heereof?

Silas.

It sheweth vs the greatnesse of mans sinne, and of Christs loue, of Satans malice, and of Gods Iustice, & of Popish blindnesse and corruption, which teach some sinnes so light and veniall, as asprinkling of holy-wa∣ter and ashes will purge them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  As God could not sweare by a greater then himselfe so he could not giue a greater then himselfe in the person of Christ.
• * 1.2

  He suffered the first death and the pangs of the second death.