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.

They if they abide not still in vnbeliefe shalbe grafted in.

Q. How can predestination bee eternall and certaine, seeing that it dependeth vpon mans beleefe or vnbe∣leefe?

An. Our beliefe or vnbeliefe dependeth vpon pre∣destination, for they that are elected to eternall life, be∣leeue. Act. 13.48. and they that are eternall refused, cannot beleeue nor obey the Gospell. Ioh. 8. and there∣fore predestination dependeth not on it, for the second causes hang on the first, that is the decree of God and not the first on the second.

Secondly our engrafting into the Church dependeth not vpon our owne power and free-will, but onely vpon the power of God and his mercy.

Thirdly, wee must distinguish of the times. The Iewes that liue in one time or age, may bee generally reiected, but not so in another, (especially) when their fulnesse shall (as wee daily expect and pray for) come into the Church, and they bee by faith Abahams chil∣dren.

Fourthly, the Apostle speaketh not of euery perti∣cular but of the people and nation in generall. Lastly, their duetie is shewed vs that they ought not to please themselues in their ignorance and vnbeleife, but

to desire to come to true vnderstanding and faith.

V. 22. Behold the bountifulnesse and seuerity of God.

The whole world is but a Theater of Gods mercie and iudgements,* 1.1 for whatsoeuer, is done in it, hee doth it either as the efficient cause, if it bee good, and so farre forth as it is good: or, if it be euill, he effectually permit∣eth it,* 1.2 and most wisely, and to good ends, ordereth and gouerneth it, and that alwaies without any fault of his, as here we haue an instance in the Iewes reiection, & in the election of the Gentiles. Psal. 115.

The reason herof is, first because God is almighty, and therefore nothing is or can bee done in the world, but by his decree and knowledge, effectual working, or (at least) by his effectual permissiō: secondly God sitteth not idle in heauen, (as Epicures & others vainly imagin) but alwaies worketh & doth care for and order the things of men, preparing and propounding rewards to the God∣ly, and reseruing and prouiding punishments for the wicked. Gen. 6.5.6. Gen. 22.1. Deut. 8.2. & 13.3. Isa. 4, 1.20.21.22.23.

Vse. Let vs attribute and ascribe nothing to chance or fortune, but ascribe all to Gods holy prouidence, who decreeth and fore-seeth, gouerneth ordereth and direct∣eth all things, euen the least and most vile things, and that, in a most excellent maner, & to most excellent ends, and if nature nihil facit frustra, then the God of nature, who is wisdome it selfe doth nothing but to excellent purpose.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doct.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 97. v. 1 2 3, 4.