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. IX.

Verse 11. And not so onely: but we reioyce concerning God by Iesus Christ our Lord, by whom we haue receiued the attonement.

Tim.

WHat doth this Text offer vnto vs?

Silas.

An amplification of that which was said before in the thirde verse of this Chap∣ter, to which it must be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after this sort. He had said verse second, We reioyce vnder the hope of glory. Then verse third, he added a correction; Not so, but we reioyce also in tribulations: now in the eleuenth verse, he ioyneth a third member of glorying or reioycing, & not onely so, but we reioyce concerning God through Iesus Christ our Lord. The sum whereof is thus much; seeing we haue God reconciled vnto vs by Christ, euen vnto our certaine and assured saluation in heauen; wee reioyce not in our hope of glorie to come, nor in afflic∣tions present, but especially in the knowledge & Faith of this great grace and fauour of God the father vnto vs through his Sonne.

Tim.

What be the parts of this Text?

Silas.

First a dutie, to reioyce. Secondly the cause heereof, because God is reconciled and become our Fa∣ther in Christ. Thirdly, the meanes how we attaine this reconcilement, in that we receiue it, to wit; by our faith in Christ. This reioycing is a speciall good thing, and it is as it were, the very life of a mans life.

Tim.

How many kinds of reioycings be there?

Silas.

There is a naturall reioycing common vnto all men when the hart is cheared, either by an in-bred liue∣linesse, or by outwarde occasions, as in the presence of things pleasant or agreeable to our nature. This reioy∣cing is not meant heere. Also, there is a spirituall and Christian kinde of reioycing, which ariseth from the spirit of God, stirring vp the heart to reioyce in spiritu∣all and heauenly things, when they are present with vs, or certainly hoped for. As first, when the Church flouri∣sheth,

Psal. 137, 3. Secondly, when a sinner returneth to the Lord, Luke 15, 10. Thirdly, in the meanes of salua∣tion, Ps. 122, 1. Fourthly, in doing righteousnes, iudge∣ment and equity. Fiftly, in the exercising our selues in* 1.1 the praises of God, Psal. 95, 1. Sixtly, in the reconciliati∣on that we haue with God through Christ when it is be∣leeued or felt, of this our Text speaketh.

Tim.

What is it to reioyce concerning God?

Silas.

To haue ioy of heart in this respect, that hee is become our Father, and loueth vs as his Children and Sonnes.

Tim.

What difference is there in these speeches concerning God as heere: and to reioyce in God, as 1 Cor. 1, 31. and to re∣ioyce with God, as Rom. 4, 2?

Sil.

To reioyce in God, it is to attribute all thinges which be good vnto God, and to render him all thanks for them; this we may doe. Secondly, to reioyce with God, it is to to bring something with vs of our owne, wherein to glorie and reioyce besides Gods fauour; and this we may not doe. Thirdly, to reioyce concerning God, it is to be merry in our hearts for this, that we do vnderstand how God doth loue vs, as a father his chil∣dren. The like vnto this, we haue in Ier. 9, 24. Let him that reioyceth reioyce herein, that he knoweth me to be mercifull and righteous; whereas others reioyce in ri∣ches or pleasure, or honour, or wisedome; the Christi∣an ought to reioyce in Christ.

Tim.

Is there great and iust cause to reioyce for such a gift bestowed on vs, as Gods Fatherly fauour through Christ?

Silas.

Yea very great, for heerein consistes all mans happinesse, both now and for euer, to haue God recon∣ciled, that he may bee a Father to take vs for his sonnes sake and loue. Such onely do reioyce; therefore such as waigh these things, and do inwardly feele them, so as they are are affected with them, do from hence gather exceeding strong hope of enioying euerlasting life. For God is such a Father, so constant in his loue, as though

he will correct them, yet neuer will he disinherit them.

Tim.

By whom is it that God is become a fauourable Fa∣ther vnto vs?

Silas.

By Christ his beloued sonne, who by his death on the Crosse, hath made attonement for our sinnes, be∣ing there in our stead by the will of his Father; and by meanes of our receiuing it thorough faith in the pro∣mise of the Gospell, we haue made it ours.

Tim.

What thinges doe yee consider seuerally in this attone∣ment spoken of in this place?

Silas.

First God, to whom wee are reconciled, he lo∣uing vs, and giuing his sonne for vs. Secondly, his Son comming to worke our attonement by his obedience, passion, and Sacrifice. Thirdly, our Faith embracing this attonement, and receiuing it. Fourthly, a great re∣ioycing of hart in the Faith and certainty of this recon∣cilement with God.

Tim.

What do ye collect from this whole Doctrine?

Silas.

That our Christian and spirituall reioycing, it is as our measure of beleeuing is: none, if our Faith bee none; little, if our faith be little; great, if our Faith bee great. Therefore, as any do long for much true Christi∣an comfort, let them endeuor a daily increase of Faith, by the humble, sincere, and constant vse of al those ho∣ly meanes priuate and publicke, whereby God vseth to enlarge the beleefe of his children.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prouerbes 1.