2 An Expofition upon Jewes, as role &ed of God, for the con - tempt of Chrift . To compound this diffention, Paul the Apoftle framed this Epiftle ; Firft,fhewing that neitherGen- tiles by theirNatural) workes, or Jewes by their Legall deeds, could bee .jullifi ed : forfomuch as the one violated and brake the Law of Nature,and the other the Law of Mofes ; therefore, both the oneand the other, were to be ¡unifi- ed through Chrili alone, apprehended by a true and lively Faith. After this generali Do&rine, reach - ing unto the ninth Chapter, there bee doeth in more particular fort, repreffe both the infolency of the Jewes, by pro- ving, that the proiuifes were given, and became effe &uall onely to the true lfrael, even to fuch aswere of the faith ofAbra- ham, to all the Elea of GOD, which be- leeve in Chrili, and not to the carnali feed which carne of Abraban, onely ac- cording to the flefh. Then, in the eles venth Chapter , converting him to the Gentiles, hee perfwadeth them unto hu- mility, that they fhould modefily behave themfelves toward the Jewes,forfonmch as divers of them were dayly called to the Faith; and towards the fecond con,, ming of Chrift, God would graffe in againe the whole Nation, and make them the members of the Chriflan Church. When the fulneffe(or bodie) of the Gentiles fhould enter into the fame, then the blindneffe of the J ewes fhould eeafe, it being neither totali nor finali, but onely in part, and for a time. In the fourteenth Chapter againe, Paul fetteth upon Jewes and Gentiles, exhorting them both, with many and weighty reafons, unto brotherly love and peace; not to be divided one from another, or to judge and contemne one another, about Dayes and Meates, and fuch things as were of a middle nature. The refi of the Epiftle is fpent in ex- hortations to morali Good-workes, both fpeciail in refpe& of a Calling;and general), belonging to all Chriltians, Chap.is. and part of the 13. where Po- litical. duties bee urged, both of the Magiftrate, and of the Subje&. Final- ly, after divers falutations, and familiar matters, he doth very gravely conclude the Epifle ,with admonition to take heed offalfe Teachers, with giving of thankes and praifes to God. TIM. What is the feope of this Epiffle ? SIL. To teach the way of obtaining true righteoufneffe, which is not by worker, but by a lively faith in Chrift Jefus. TIM. Are there any more matters handled in this Epiffle ? S i L. Yea, fundry and moft weighty; as namely, aboutOriginall corruption, San &ification, Spirituali combate, the ufe ofthe Law, of the remnants of finne, theben efit9 of affli &ions, the conftancie of Beleevers, Ele &ion, Reprobation, Reje&iort, provocation of the Jewes, Moral!, Ecclefaiticall,and Political) du- Chriftian libertie, familiar matters. Ti se. What reafons may move us to love and 'Judy this Epi file? S t L. Firft, the worthineffe and va- riety of the Matter. Sécondly, the Me- thod and order of writing, being very exa &. Thirdly, the Dignity of the in- ftrument or Pen -man, being an Apoftle that had feene vilions and revelations. Fourthly, the Maieflie and Wifedo me of the Author, being the God of Wife- dome and Maiefty. T I M Into what pares may this Epi- ftle be divided? Si L. Into two parts : Firft, the Ti- tle and infcription, [The Epiflle, &r.] Secondly, the Treatife [Paul an Apoffle, &c.] The Treatife bath a Przface, to verler 6. wherein Paul faluteth the Ro- mans, wilhing them good things, and de(cribeththe perfon of Ch rill : alfo te- flifieth his purpofe ofvifiting them : af- ter the Prætace, as a Do&rinall haul tu- Lion unto Chap.12. and another exhor- tatory unto the egad of the Epi(lle. T i M. What fgnifications be there of this word [Epiffle ?] S i L. It bath two; the one, unpro- per and borrowed ;the other, proper and natural!. By the unproperlignifi- cation, itfignifieth any thing that repre- fenteth the minde of another. Thus the Scriptures be Gods Epiftles. Alfo, the Corinthians are called Paula Epillles, becanfe
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