A plaine exposition vpon the whole thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes Wherein the text is diligently and methodically resolued, the sense giuen, and many doctrines thence gathered, are by liuely vses applied for the benefit of Gods children. Performed with much varietie, and conuenient breuitie, by Elnathan Parr Bachelor in Diuinity, and preacher of Gods word. To which is prefixed an alphabeticall table, containing the chiefe points and doctrines handled in the booke.

VERSE 25. But now I goe vnto Hierusalem to minister vnto the Saints.
26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and A∣chaia, to make a certaine contribution for the poore Saints which are in Hierusalem.
27. It hath pleased them verily, and their debters they are: For if the Gentiles haue been made per∣takers of their spirituall things, their duty is also to minister vnto them in carnall things.

IN these verses, and so to the end of this Chapter, hee ex∣cuseth his not comming to the Romanes Now.

Here are the Excuse, and the Amplification to bee consi∣dered.

The Excuse in the 25. verse. The Amplification in the rest, which hath three parts: First, An Exposition, vers. 26.27. Secondly, a Promise, vers. 28.29. Thirdly, a Petition to the Romanes, verse 30. to the end.

The Excuse is brought in by a Prolepsis: In the 23. verse he spake of a great and long desire he had to come to Rome. Hence they might say: If Paul, you haue so great a desire, why then doe you not instantly come vnto vs. For answer hereunto he shewes that he is vpon weighty affaires and not to be dispenced with, bound for Hierusalem, vers. 25. where we haue his iourney, and the end of it, to minister to the Saints.

I go to Hierusalem: He is now taking his iourney, which admitteth of no delay.

To minister to the Saints: That is, to the Christian Iewes there: and because there are diuersities of ministrations; he declareth it by exposition in the 26. and 27. verses, as name∣ly, that it is about a contribution or almes, which he is to conuey and deliuer to them from the Greeke Churches. For though his office was principally to preach, and not to serue tables, yet at this time there was a necessity of mercy a∣boue sacrifice; and it was enioyned Paul specially by a decree of the Church, Galath. 2.10. and therefore hee could not neglect it without much imputation.

Contribution: See the exposition of this word, chap. 12. v. 13.

Concerning this Contribution, there are two things: First, the Persons: Secondly, the Manner of it.

The Persons are two fold, Giuing, Receiuing.

The Persons giuing, Those of Macedonia and Achaia, two famous Countries in Greece. The Macedonians a poorer people; the Achaians, of whom were the Corinthians, very rich, as may appeare, 2. Cor. 8. and 9. Chap.

The persons receiuing, the poore Christian Iewes, descri∣bed by their condition, and by the place of their habitation.

Their Condition, outward and inward. The outward, they are poore: The inward, they are Saints. The place of their habitation, Hierusalem.

Poore: For through a hatred vnto Christ, the Iewes vn∣beleeuing, grieuously persecuted all them which turned Christians, spoiling them of their goods, as may appeare, Heb. 10.34. 1 Thess. 2.14. And indeed the Apostles and Christians, in no place, met with more grieuous aduersaries then the Iewes.

The manner of giuing to them: It pleased the Macedoni∣ans, by which word is noted, that such contribution was not extorted from them, but proceeded from a willing and rea∣die minde, taking delight in the same.

This manner is repeated in the seuen and twentieth verse, with a correction: It pleased them, and their debters they are. Though the almes was voluntary, yet a debt also, though almes and debt seeme to be opposite.

But a debt by a double law, the law of Charity, Rom. 13.8. and the law of Gratitude: and this is prooued from a rule of Equitie.

• For that which a man receiueth, he oweth requitall.
• But the Gentiles haue receiued the spirituall things of the Iewes.
• Therefore their dutie is to minister vnto them in their carnall things.

Saluation is of the Iewes, said our Sauiour, and theirs were the Promises and the Couenant, &c. and wee are enriched with the Gospell, and the blessing of it, by them: and where∣as before we were as dogges, not admitted to the crummes

vnder the table, yet now we sit downe with Abraham, Isaak and Iacob, in the kingdome of heauen.

From hence it was, that all the Churches of the Gentiles vntill the time of Theodosius, sent collection to the Church of the Iewes at Hierusalem, as to their Mother Church, vt totius orbis fouerentur ministerijs, as said Hierom, reproouing Vigilantius for finding fault therewith.

Now it is to be obserued that Saint Paul hath set a double accent vpon the Macedonians and Achaians, the one of com∣mendation, the other of obligation, that he might closely ad∣monish, or prepare the Romanes thereunto.

We must contribute to the reliefe of the poore Saints, [Doctr.] Rom. 12.13. Distributing to the necessity of Saints, Gal. 6.10. 1 Ioh. 3.17.

The Office to ouersee for the poore, [Ʋse 1] is honorable; The chiefest Apostles, yea the Angels haue borne it, ministring to Eliah, 1. King. 19. let no man despise it, but willingly vn∣dergoe it, and faithfully discharge it, hauing a principall re∣gard to the religious poore, of which see more vpon the twelfth Chapter, and thirteeth verse.

Distance of place dischargeth not from contribution, [Ʋse 2] if there be an vnity of faith. If occasion be offered relieue the poore Saints beyond the Seas, and among all, a Christian Iew in his want.

Be ready to distribute, [Ʋse 3] and willing to communicate: 1 Tim. 6.18. Remember the Macedonians, whose deepe po∣uerty abounded in liberality; and who beyond their power were willing of themselues intreating that they might be ad∣mitted into the fellowship of the ministration to the poore Saints at Hierusalem.

They intreated as if they had beene to receiue, not to be∣stow an almes.

Beware thou withdraw not thy selfe when thou shouldst be called to giue almes: and account him to haue done thee a great good turne, who calleth thee to releeue a poore Saint: Make much of such opportunities; to shew thy charity, thy faith, to adorne thy profession, and to allure to the liking of the Gospell: Thus many in ancient time were won to the faith: and with such sacrifices God is pleased, and at the day of

Iudgement Christ will reward for this. Mat. 25.

He that turnes away his face from a poore Saint, may iust∣ly feare that God will turne away his face from him; of the which an ancient Father excellently,

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A poore man comes, saith he; if he goe away and not ob∣taine; O Christ, I feare lest needing thy hand, I depart suc∣courlesse by my owne law. For he with giueth not, let him not hope.

How prodigall are we in vanity, how niggardly in chari∣ty! spending wastfully vpon our lusts; but not vouchsafing a halfpeny to the poore Saints. Shillings and pounds in har∣lotry and drunkennesse, &c. and a few pence grudged to the poore members of Iesus Christ, what hope can such haue?

Here is a rule. [Ʋse 4] It is our duty to minister vnto them in our carnall things, from whom we receiue spirituall.

Hence Paul proues the maintenance of ministers. 1 Cor. 9.10. Gal. 6.6.

By this rule wee ought to beare a pious affection to that Church in which and by whose ministery wee are regenera∣ted: whereby the vnnaturall practice of the Brownists in reuiling their mother the Church of England it to bee re∣proued.

By this rule we discerne that spirituall things are more ex∣cellent then carnall. If wee sow vnto you spirituall things, is it a great matter if we reape your carnall things, saith Paul? as if gold and siluer, were too base to enter into comparison with the Gospell and the blessing thereof.

By this rule wee are bound to our Benefactors: most to God from whom we receiue all good things carnall and spi∣rituall: let vs no wayes offend him, but performe all true and thankfull obedience. Amen.

Notes

• John 4.22.
• 1. Cor. 8.1.2. & seq.
• Hebr. 13.16.
• Greg. Nazianz. in tetrast.
• 1 Cor. 9.10.