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 4. For whatsoeuer things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we throughpati∣ence, and comfort of the Scriptures, might haue hope.

THe first Proposition of the Argument, vers. 3. was this: Whatsoeuer is written of Christ we must follow. This is here proued by an argument taken from the end of the Scriptures, they are written for our learning.

It seemeth to be inferred by a Prolepsis; It is written that Christ pleased not himselfe: some might say, what is that to vs? Much saith Paul; For, whatsoeuer is written aforetime, is written for our learning. That of Christ is written afore.

Therefore &c.

Here are two things deliuered of the Scriptures, making for the commendation of them: Their end, which is Doctrine; Their vse, which is Hope; which Hope, is set forth by the meanes whereby it is nourished; Patience and Consolation, which are noted by their Instrument whereby they are wrought, the Scriptures.

Whatsoeuer things are written aforetime: This notifieth the old Testament which was then onely written, and is to be applied to the New also; for there is the same end of both, which is Christ.

Learning: that is, heauenly learning: For other matters, as the Art of Nauigation, Husbandry, &c. may be learned by other writings; but, to know God aright, to vnderstand his prouidence, the Redemption of man by Christ, &c. by no booke to be attained, but onely by the Scriptures.

There is a great booke which sheweth vs the Inuisible things of God, which is the Booke of the Creatures: but the

Scripture onely able to make vs wise in such things to salua∣tion.

That we might haue hope, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures. Hope is the certaine expectation of eter∣nall life to be giuen freely for Christ, the daughter of faith, yet being as ancient as the mother. Faith beleeues, hope expects.

Patience is a voluntary suffering of things grieuous, for piety sake.

Comfort is better felt then by words declared; yet you may say that it is a sweet effect of our Iustification, vpon the affections, whereby we re••oyce in the promises of God.

Some reade exhortation, because the Greeke word signi∣fies both, and M. B••za doth not much disallow it; * 1.1 but it cannot bee so taken here, for the resuming of both these in the next verse, The God of patience and consolation; for I re∣member not that God is any where called the God of exhor∣tation.

Patience and comfort: though they beget not hope, yet they are as the two brests which nourish and confirme it.

Iob said, Though hee slay me I will trust in him: and againe, All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait, * 1.2 till my change come. His patience, and the comfort he felt, sustained him in this hope.

Of the Scriptures: Scripture is a Latine word, and signi∣fies writing: now the bookes of the Old and New Testament are called the Scriptures or writings, in regard of their excel∣lency; as onely worthy to bee written: Scriptures, with this addition, Holy.

So we call the Scriptures in one volume, the Bible; which is a Greekish word, as if wee should say, The Bible, be∣cause as Dauid said of Goliahs sword, there is none to that, so we may say of this Booke: a Caedar in Lebanon not more exceeding the lowliest shrub, then this all other bookes. As the gold and siluer, and raiment of the Israelites comming out of Aegypt was nothing comparable to the riches of Ieru∣salem in the dayes of Salomon: * 1.3 so neither the learning of all prophane writings, with the holy Scriptures, as saith Saint Augustine; For, saith he, Quicquid homo extra didicerit, &c.

Whatsoeuer a man learnes in other bookes, if it be ill, it is in the Bible condemned, if it be good it is there to be found; and ouer and aboue, there are things of exceeding profit to bee found, which we shall meet with in no other booke.

These holy Scriptures worke patience and consol••tion: that patience and comfort which is gotten elsewhere, will faile in the time of need.

The Scriptures were written for our edification in learning, [Doctr.] and hope, by patience and comfort. Psal. 19 7.8.9.10.11. where the effects of the law, or Scriptures of the old Testament are set downe to bee most soueraigne and wholesome; much more now in the addition of the New Testament: Rom. 4.23. 1 Cor. 10.11. Ioh. 20.31. 2 Tim. 3.15.16.17.

The Scriptures are most excellent. [Vse 1]

1 In regard of their Author which is God; but this is not in our Text.

2 In regard of their Contents, which is the heauenly Do∣ctrine, whereby the wounded and dead conscience is com∣forted and reuiued.

3 In regard of their perfection; there is no errour in them; there is nothing idle or superfluous: for whatsoeuer is written, (as Paul here (and elsewhere, all Scripture) is exceeding pro∣fitable to learning and hope.

We reade the ancient Fathers with singular comfort, but in them as in all moderne writers, there is something, if not erroneous a 1.4, yet that might bee spared; but this Booke, the whole and euery part of it is profitable, vsefull, and necessary; and this onely hath this priuiledge, as S. Augustine twice in one Epistle acknowledgeth b 1.5, and elsewhere c 1.6.

Quaeuis bracteola d 1.7, euery little filing, the least ray, is of great value.

Singuli sermones, syllabae, apices, puncta, in diuinis Scripturis plena sunt sensibus: In the diuine Scriptures euery word, syl∣lable, accent, point, is full of sense, said S. Hierome e 1.8.

The Anabaptists are here confuted, [Ʋse 2] who refuse the Old Testament. Also the Papists to be taxed for diuers points.

1 For equalling vnwritten traditions, to the written word in authority.

2 For denying lay people as they call them, to reade the

Scriptures, lest they should thereby proue Hereticks, but in very deed lest the common people by that light should di∣scerne their impostures; and therefore whereas the Councell of Trent licenced young men to reade the Bible, hauing a certificate from their Curate of their wisdome and sincerity: the Pope, after restrained that liberty.

3 For holding the Scriptures not to be necessary but onely to the well, and more conuenient being of the Church. They make them necessary no otherwaies, then riches to our life, or a horse to our trauaile: but we hold them, as necessary as our daily bread for life; and as our legges for trauailing on foot.

Though when God spake face to face to the Patriarcks, and by dreames, &c. there was not such necessity of writing, yet now those meanes being ceased, S. Iude said, * 1.9 it was need∣full for me to write.

The Scripture is necessary for all, [Vse 3] for learned and vnlear∣ned, for old and young, if they desire knowledge, comfort, and hope.

Quae nullis animis, nullis non congruit annis, * 1.10 Lacte rigans paruos, pane cibans validos.

Saint Augustine saith, His praua corriguntur, * 1.11 parua nutri∣untur, & magna oblectantur ingenia: Here ill dispositions may find for them amendment, weak ones for their nourishment, good ones for their delight.

Let the vnlearned study them that they may come to knowledge; and the learned, that they may be put in mind, and stirred vp to doe according to that they know.

If thou beest faint, here are the Flaggons of wine, and apples of Paradise to comfort thee: if thou beest strong and health∣full in grace, here is the salt, which will keepe thee from pu∣trifying and corrupting.

If the Diuell assault thee, here is the Riuer out of which thou maist choose thee smooth stones to repell and throw him vnder thy feet.

If thy lusts rebell, here is the Sword to cut them off.

If thou beest sicke, here is the Apothecaries shop of Cordi∣als, Conseruatiues, and Restoratiues.

It were infinite to trauaile in this commendation.

Let vs all reade the Scriptures and learne them; let vs teach our children to say Hosanna, Timothy, knowing the Scriptures from a child, proued an admirable man.

Get thee a Bible, at the least a new Testament; it is the best implement of houshold: As he is a simple Souldier that wants a sword, so hee is a very sory Christian that wants a Bible.

The booke of the Scriptures giuen for our learning, [Ʋse 4] also to teach vs patience, and consolation, and hope.

They are Gods letters to vs to make vs not onely more learned, but also more godly.

Apply the Scriptures to thy life, and turne the words into workes, or thou losest thy labour.

Many the more they know, the nearer they are to hell, because they liue not according to their knowledge.

As meat plentifully eaten, and vndigested, destroyeth the body; so much knowledge, not digested into works, dam∣neth the soule.

Therefore If you know these things, happy are ye if ye doe them: Iohn 13.17.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ambrose
• * 1.2

  Iob 13.15. Iob 14.14.
• * 1.3

  August. l. 2. de Doct. Christ. ca. 42.
• a 1.4

  Consule Aug. Marcellino. Ep. 7
• b 1.5

  Aug. Hieron. Ep 19.
• c 1.6

  Aug. Vincent. Ep. 48.
• d 1.7

  Chrysost. Hom. 1. ad pop. Ante∣och.
• e 1.8

  Hieron. com. in 3. ca. Ep. ad Ephes.
• * 1.9

  Iude v. 3.
• * 1.10

  Esp. in 2. Tim.
• * 1.11

  Aug. Velus. Ep. 3.