The vvorldes resurrection, or The generall calling of the Iewes A familiar commentary vpon the eleuenth chapter of Saint Paul to the Romaines, according to the sence of Scripture, and the consent of the most iudicious interpreters, wherein aboue fiftie notable questions are soundly answered, and the particular doctrines, reasons and vses of euery verse, are profitable and plainly deliuered. By Thomas Draxe. Minister of the word of God.

Eyes that they should not see.

* 1.1God as a iust iudge doth deliuer vp the reprobates be∣ing destitute of his grace vnto Satan and their owne lusts to be blinded more and more. Ioh. 9. ver. 39. Math. 13.13. and this God doth not by iniecting new blindnesse into them, but by withdrawing his grace from them and by leauing them to their naturall blindnesse, and so it must of necessity be encreased when men are forsaken of God.

The reasons hereof are, first because they are none of his people and elect and hee is not indebted any way vnto

them therefore he sheweth his power and iustice in their blinding and hardning.

Secondly, because for the abuse of the gifts and graces of God and for the ill imployment of their talents, God depriueth them of the knowledge and preaching of the word, and so they ranne daylie into great blindnesse and obstinacie (God in his iust iudgment forsaking them) or els, if they enioy the ministery of the word; their hearts are so hardned and starkned with wicked desires and lusts, and by the custome of sinne draweth as it were such a thicke skinne vpon it, that it can by no warnings and admonitions be bent or bowed, and they so hate the doctrine of the gospell, that they neuer heed it, much lesse meditate vpon it.

1 Vse. Let vs not maruaile at this iudgement as though it were some new thing, that they that doe stubbernely and stifly reiect the gospell, be thus blind, seeing that the Prophets so long before complained of it, and fore-told it; but let vs rather beware of it and pray that we be not for our naughtinesse and negligence giuen ouer to the same iudgment.

2 Vse. Let vs be truly thankfull vnto God, and giue glo∣rie and praise vnto him, that leauing and forsaking many others in the blindnesse of their minde and hardnesse of their hearts, hee hath by his spirit opened our eyes and eares to vnderstand the doctrine of the gospell and to receiue it by faith vnto saluation, for hee hath not done so with euery person, neither haue the most, knowne his lawes.

V. 9. And Dauid saith, let their table, bee made a snare, and a net and a stumbling block euen for a recom∣pence vnto them.

V. 10. Let their eyes be hardned that they see not, and bowe their backe alwaies.

And Dauid as a figure of Christ saith.* 1.2 Let their table. i. their meat, drinke, law, scripture, sacraments of out-ward

worship and all their prerogatiues and excellencies, bee made. i. turned into a snare. That is as vnhappy birds are ensnared in that wherein they sought releife and com∣fort, so, let the fore-named benefits wherein they out∣wardly rest, and which by their wicked opinions and er∣rors they haue peruerted and abused, and their preposte∣rous zeale against the gospell, turne to their destruction, Let it bee a stumbling blocke and recompence vnto them.

i. Let them stumble against the Law and holy Scrip∣ture as against a stone, that they may not bee builded thereby to saluation, but may runne head-long to their owne destruction: and let it, as a recompence turne to their more grieuous punishment and iudgement, and leaue them without all excuse. Let their eyes of their vnderstand∣ing be darkned. i. blinded that they may not admit and receiue the sauing light of the gospell, that they be with∣out counsaile in their affaires and not perceiue the euills, which doe hang ouer their heads, and bow downe their backes alwaies. i. Let them not speede and prosper in their designes and actions, but let them shrinke and halt, be cast downe and tremble in their mindes and conscien∣ces, and let them bee brought downe and diminished by slauerie, troubles and captiuity, and so weaken their strength that they may bee vnprofitable vnto euery worke.

Q. Did not Dauid, Elias, Paul and others, sinne and offend God in praying and vsing imprecation against Gods enemies?

A. No, for first they did it by especiall and extraordi∣nary instinct of Gods spirit, and as Prophets, or figures of Christ vnto them, the state and reprobation of diuers persons was reuealed of God.

Secondly, when they did wish eternall destruction to the enemies of God, they did not (to speake properly) pray against their persons, but against the kingdome of sinne and satan in them, which cannot bee altogither de∣stroied, but by the confusion of the members and instru∣ments of Satan.

Thirdly their praiers and imprecations proceeded only from pure zeale of Gods glory and iustice, and not from any priuate distemper, or mixture of humane passion, for they considered them not as their owne enemies but as the enemies and blasphemours of God.

Q. May we after the example of holy men in scripture pray against any particuler person?

A. No, except we could by a Propheticall or Apostoli∣call instinct discerne of their spirits and of their reproba∣tion, which guift is denied vs, or except wee knew that they had committed the sinne against the holy Ghost, which is a malicious and finall blasphemy and persecuti∣on of the knowne truth and principles of Gods word, which is very hard to iudge of, for any one particuler per∣son especially in our times,* 1.3 wherein such a guift of discer∣ning spirits is not graunted.

Q. May we not at al pray against the enemies of Christs gospell?

An. Yes, for first wee haue the practise and warrant of holy men in scripture for it. Psal. 69.22. 2. King. 1.10. Act. 4. ver. 29. and 30. 2. Tim. 4.

Secondly, when we pray that the kingdome of God may come, we, (by consequence) pray that sinne Satan and all his members may be destroied.

Thirdly, wee are to pray that Gods iustice may bee ac∣knowledged and magnified in the plagues, punishments and ruine of the wicked.

Fourthly we must loue God aboue al men whatsoeuer, and if we sincerely loue God, we cannot choose but hate his enemies.

Q. With what cautions and conditions, or in what maner may we lawfully pray against Gods enemies?

A. First we must pray against Gods enemies in gene∣rall, for there are, and will alwaies be many such, whom God will neuer saue.

Secondly against their wicked counsailes, plots and purposes,* 1.4 and thus Dauid praied that God would turne the counsaile of Ahitophell into foolishnesse and thus

the Apostles praied against the counsailes of the Scribes and Pharasies,* 1.5 that charged them with threatnings that they should not preach in the name of Iesus but we must not pray against these persons.

Thirdly we must pray conditionally, against them, that if they be reprobates and so incurable, they may be iudg∣ed and iustly condemned, but if they be elect, and by con∣sequent curable, they may bee fatherly corrected and so conuerted and saued.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doctr.
• * 1.2

  Paraphras.
• * 1.3

  1 Cor. 12.10.
• * 1.4

  2 Sam. 15.31.
• * 1.5

  Act. 4. v. 29 & 30.