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. Now to him that is of Power to stablish you ac∣cording to my Gospell, and the preaching of Iesus Christ, according to the Reuelation of the My∣sterie, which was kept secret since the World beganne:
26. But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the Commandement of the Euerlasting God, made knowne to all Na∣tions for the obedience of Faith:
27. To God only wise, bee glory through Iesus Christ for euer, Amen.

IN these words is the last part of this Chapter, of the con∣clusion, and of the whole Epistle; which is a Doxology or an acknowledgment of glory to God.

Where we haue the summe: To God be glory: and the Am∣plification, from diuers Arguments.

From a description of God; in which, two things are at∣tributed to him, for the which he giues him glory: The first is power, the second Wisedome.

His Power set downe with the effect of it, v. 25. To him that is of power to establish you.

Corroboration in Grace, is by the Power of God: [Obser.] and this is to be vnderstood with the Exclusiue onely, which is ad∣ded to his wisedome, v. 27.

For such is the power of the Deuill, and our weakenesse, that vnlesse God himselfe who is Omnipotent, did establish vs, we must needs vtterly fall away.

This establishing is amplified from the instrument of it, The Gospell, of which are three things set downe.

First, the administring cause thereof; which is Saint Paul: according to My Gospell: not the History of the Gospell written or dictated by Paul; but according to the Do∣ctrine of the Gospell preached by Paul, and the rest, of the Apostles: or written vnto the Romanes in this E∣pistle, wherein indeed, the summe of the Gospell is con∣tayned.

Secondly, The materiall cause of it: The preaching of Iesus Christ: For Christ is the scope and summe of the Gospell, and as Paul desired to know nothing but Christ crucified, and gloried in nothing else, so he preached nothing else. Vn∣lesse wee would expound the words actiuely; * 1.1 according to that which was preached by our Sauiour Christ, according vnto that in the Epistle to the Hebrewes, where the Doctrine of saluation is called, the Word spoken by the Lord.

Thirdly, The formall cause: The Reuelation of the Mystery, kept secret, since the world began, but now made manifest and knowne: Concerning which wee may here note foure things.

First, to whom it is now manifested and made knowne: to all Nations: before there was a great silence of the Gospell, it being shadowed with many types and figures, but now such veyles are taken away; there is a Reuelation, and mani∣festing

of it: before it was knowne to the Iewes onely, but now, to all Nations.

Secondly, the meanes whereby it was made knowne; the Scriptures of the Prophets: For to him, (that is, to Christ) giue all the Prophets witnesse: * 1.2 and therefore Saint Paul in his preaching, said, none other things, then those which were spoken by Moses and the Prophets: and when he came to Rome, he expounded and testified vnto them the Kingdome of God, per∣swading them concerning Iesus, both out of the Law of Moses and out of the Prophets. * 1.3

Thirdly, the Authority: The Commandement of God, set forth by another of his attributes, Euerlasting, without be∣ginning and without end.

Fourthly, the end of the manifesting and publishing of the Gospell, for the obedience of Faith; not onely that wee should know it and taste of it; but beleeue it, and obey it.

The second Attribute in the description of God, is his Wisedome, v. 27. set forth by this Exclusiue Only: To God only Wise: So 1. Tim. 1.17. the onely wise God, and Iude v. 25. the only wise God our Sauiour: which exclusiue is to be added to all his Attributes, * 1.4 as Onely Potentate, Onely hath immortality, Onely Holy.

There are many wise men and women; so the Angels: But men by institution and meanes; and Angels and men, by participation and the Gift of God, and in part; But God is wise absolutely, * 1.5 infinitely, and by Nature, being the Fountaine and Ocean, from whence the drops, and small streames of wisedome are deri••••ed vnto the Creatures.

The publishing and preaching the Gospell to all Nations, [Obser.] was by the Commandement of the Euerlasting God, who is omnipotent and Onely wise.

As no other wisedome and power could haue so brought it to passe; so, though the Deuill, Tyrants, Infidels, A∣theists, Papists, and all wicked men ioyne their power and cunning, they shall neuer be able to roote it out.

This is our comfort; though our enemies be strong and wise, yet our God is stronger and wiser then they.

2 From the meanes by whom wee are to giue glory to

God: which is, by our Lord Iesus Christ: so Colos. 3.17. Gi∣uing thanks to God and the Father by Him: For our spirituall sacrifices are acceptable to God by Iesus Christ, as Saint Peter speaketh. * 1.6

3 From the continuance of performing this duty, for euer.

4 From the Affection, wherewith Paul glorifies God, which is vehement, testified in this word, Amen.

God is specially to bee glorified of his Church, [Doctr.] for his power and wisedome in confirming of his Elect by the Gospell. Ephes. 3.20.21. Now to him that is able to doe exceeding abun∣dantly, aboue all that we aske or thinke, according to the power that worketh in vs. Ʋnto him be glory in the Church, by Christ Iesus, throughout all ages world without end, Amen. Iude v. 24.25. Now to him that is able to keepe you from falling, and to preserue you faultlesse before the presence of his glory, with ex∣ceeding ioy, To the onely wise God our Sauiour, bee glory, and maiesty, dominion, and power, now and euer; Amen.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Heb. 2.3.
• * 1.2

  Act. 10.43. Act 26.22.
• * 1.3

  Act 28.23.
• * 1.4

  1. Tim. 6.15. 1. Tim. 6.16. Reuel. 15.4.
• * 1.5

  Hieron. in locum
• * 1.6

  1. Pet. 2.5.