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 12. Let not sinne raigne therefore in your mortall bodies, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Tim.

VVHat is the drift of this Text, and what doth it containe?

Silas.

To perswade those which are sanctified, not to suffer the grace of the Spirit to bee idle, but to set it on worke, for the suppressing of sinne which remaineth in our nature. These wordes of our Apostle, containe an exhortation to that purpose, and heere beginneth the second part of this chapter; the first part was doctrinall, this latter part is paraeneticall or hortatory.

Tim.

What be the parts of the exhortation contained in this 12. verse?

Silas.

Three: First, the substance of the exhortation, [Let not sinne raigne in you.] Secondly, the reason why wee should not suffer sinne to raigne, in these words, [There∣fore] and [Mortall.] Thirdly, the meanes how to hinder the kingdome of sinne, [By not obeying the lusts of sinne.]

Tim.

Now expound the words, and tell vs what doe yee call [Sinne?]

Sil.

The corruption and pronnesse of our nature to all* 1.1 euill, this naturall corruption is heere called sinne: first, because it is the punishment of the sinne of our first pa∣rents. Secondly, the matter and cause, roote and foun∣taine of all other sinnes. Thirdly, because it hath the proper nature of sinne.

Tim.

How proue ye that it hath the proper nature of sinne?

Silas.

First, it is the transgression of the Law, Rom.* 1.2 7, 7. Secondly, it striueth and rebelleth against the mo∣tions of the spirit, Rom. 7, 23. I see a law in my members rebelling &c. Thirdly, because it engendereth death,

which is the fruit of that which is properly sin. Rom. 5, 14.* 1.3 and 6, 23.

Tim.

When may sin be sayd to raigne?

Sil.

When the lusts and motions of sinne are confented vnto, and followed without resistance, or when it is done readily, which sin willeth and commandeth to be done.

Tim.

What is meant here by the body?

Sil.

The whole man consisting of Soule and body; now he doth rather name the body then the soule, because sin is first conuayed into the soule by the body, and afterward executed and fulfilled by the body, as an organ to the soule in committing of sin.

Tim.

What are the instructions that we are to learne from this exhortation thus expounded?

Sil.

First, though sin cannot but still be in the regene∣rate;* 1.4 yet it ought and may be kept from raigning, else this exhortation were vaine. Secondly, that it behooueth e∣uery child of God to doe his part and endeuour that sinne may not raigne. Thirdly, where this care is not taken to resist sinne, there it will raigne as a tyrant, or rather as a King.

Tim.

What reasons may stir vp Gods children to a care of hindering the kingdome of sinne, so much as euer lyeth in them to doe?

Sil.

First, seeing Christ hath put into them the grace to* 1.5 mortifie their sin, it is their part not to suffer it to bee idle & vnfruitful; but to labour more and more to keep vnder and maister that enemy which Christ hath already begun to slay and destroy. Secondly, because wee are mortall* 1.6 and subiect to death, therefore our resistaunce of sin must be the stronger, seeing it will shortly haue an end. Third∣ly, if we striue against the kingdome of sin to hinder it, we are sure to conquer it, otherwise it will ouercome vs to our euerlasting shame and destruction.

Tim.

But what needeth this exhortation to the faithfull, in whome sinne cannot haue any kingdome, because Christ is their King, and ruleth them outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit?

Sil.

It is very needfull, because by their owne care and endeuour in resisting sinne, it is kept from exercising any rule or kingdome ouer them. God who will not haue sin to rule in his children, the same God willeth his children not to bee secure, but to doe what they can to stoppe and hinder the power and course of sin in themselues: GOD workes by meanes.

Tim.

Tell vs now what is the speciall meanes to hinder the kingdome of sin?

Sil.

Not to obey it in the lustes thereof; whereby this word (lust) is meant not corruption of nature, but the first stirrings thereof, euen all the euill desires and motions that spring from it, which may appeare to bee so by these rea∣sons. First, because he doth distinguish sinne from lust, as the roote and cause from the fruite and effect. Secondly, because he speaketh of lusts in the plurall number, saying lustes and not lust; this shewes that hee meant not naturall corruption, which is one entire thing dispersed into the whole man; but those diuers and many wicked motions and desires which come of it, whereof wee may reade the particulars, Rom. 1, 29. 30. 1, Cor. 6. 9. 10. Gala. 5. 19. 20, 21. Colos. 3. 5. and Titus 3, 3. Such an heape, sea, or worlde of euill lusts there bee lurking in our nature, as so many e∣nemies to fight withall.

Tim.

Now ye haue told vs what is meant by lusts, tell vs what it is not to obey these lusst?

Sil.

Neither to practise them in our workes nor somuch as to consent vnto them in our will, with great watchful∣nesse and continuall prayer to withstand all motions and occasions of sin.

Tim.

What is the doctrine we learne from hence?

Sil.

That such as will keepe sinne from raigning, must keepe downe the first motions thereof, which may be de∣clared* 1.7 by these similitudes; first of woundes and diseases in the body, which being lookt vnto at the first, bee more easily cured, whereas being let run too long, they growe desperate and cureles: Also of Fields and Gardens where

the weedes beeing neglected too long, will ouergrow the corne and good hearbes. Lastly, of warriours who set vp∣pon their enemies, where they finde them feeblest; so sin being in time resifted, ere it get hold on our will, or break foorth by the members of our body, is kept from bearing rule ouer vs and held vnder as a slaue and vassall.

Tim.

What other meanes are there by which sinne must bee kept from raigning?

Silas.

This forenamed meane, hath other subordinate meanes as helpes thereunto, when God will worke by them. First, meditation on the word read and heard. Secondly, exercise of priuate prayer, and daily confession of knowne sinnes. Thirdly, admonition of the godly. Fourthly, Christian fasting. Fifthly, auoyding the occa∣sions of sinne, and the company and counsell of wicked men. Pfal. 1, 1. and 26, 4, 5. Prouerbs, 1, 10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Est peccatum, luèt non impu∣talur Sanctis. Augustin.
• * 1.2

  Reatus tollitur in Baptismo, non corruptio & macula. Idem.
• * 1.3

  Original con∣cupisence is sin formally, and not the matter or mother of sin.
• * 1.4

  Euery sin ori∣ginal and ac∣tual raigneth in the vnre∣generate, not so in the god∣ly.
• * 1.5

  Therefore.
• * 1.6

  Mortal.
• * 1.7

  Obsta principijs sero medicina paratur, cum mala per longas conualuere moras.