Ver. i 6. the Epifile to the Romanes, 119 D IALOGUE IX. Verfe 16. Therefore it is by faith that it might come by grace, and the promife might be fore to all the feed ; not to that onely which is of the Law,beet to that alfa which to of thefaith of Abraham, who it the father of no all. TI MOTHEUS. VV Hat is the drift ofthis Text? SI L. To prove the former point, that the promife of heavenly in- heritance is ours by beleeving, and not by working; the reafons to prove this are two. Firft, if the promife be male upon any other condition then belee- ving, then it is not free but of debt. Se- condly,the promife is not fure,except it be owns by beleeving ;for there can be no certainty by workes of the law, which we be not able to do perfe &ly. T What other thing is contained in this Text? S I L. A diftribudon of Abrahams feed Into beleeving Jewes and beleeving Gentiles : the former called his feed af- ter the law, becaufe the law was given to the Jewes ; the other which be of A- brahams faith,viz.beleeving Gentiles. TIM. What doll, he fpeake of bere when he faith [it it ?] Si L. He fpeaketh of the heavenly in- heritance promifed to Abraham; allo he faith, it is by faith,to (hew that the pro- mife of the heavenly inheritance, was given on condition that we do beleeve, and that faith is the inftrument to re- ceive it ; and the manner of fcripture phrafe, is to attribute that unto the in- firument, which is proper unto the agent. TIM. What it meant by this, that [It might come by Grace ?] Si L. We may underftandby Grace, either the obje& ofFaith, that is, Gods Grace and Mercy offered unto us in Chrift,which is the very thing that faith looketh unto, and leaneth upon, as the mark and flay of it, or byGrace may be underftoodthe fcope and end of Faith, which is the glory of Gods grace and fa- your; for, it is much to the praifè of Gods grace, to forgive tanners, which beleeve io Chrift, without all coafidera- tion of merits. Tr M. What things did we learn from hence? S t L. Thefe three things ; Firft,that ro attaine a benefit by Faith, and to at- taine it freely,is all one;Faith andGrace being fo knit,as one put the other is put, and contrary wife. Sccondly,that it is a Do &nine that tendeth direly to the glory of Gods grace,to teach, that nigh teoufneffe and life commeth by Faith. Thirdly, that fuch as will have heaven by merit of workes,are enemies to Gods grace, whatfoeverpretence they have to cloake their wickedneffe, yet heepuls' downe grace, who buildeth merit. T What learne we by thefe words that the promife might be feere to all the feed? S 1 L. Firit, that there is a mutuall relation or reference betweene the pro mite and faith; that is to fay, the pro- mile is made that men ( hould by Faith lay hold on it; and Faith on the other fide, taketh to nothing but the promife. Secondly,welearne, that Faith maketh heleeversfure of their falvation,becansit leaneth upon a firm and funepromife ;for . it is the nature of faith to be fore and cer- tain,yet it is the more firme and certain,] becaufe the promife whichit beleeveth,is firm & certain like to God the premier. T I M.Were not the promife fare if it were given on condition to k epe the whole Law? St L. No,becaufe of mans weakeneffe which cannot kcepe it; as alto, becaufe of the Gentiles, which were not fubjeet to the Law and Ceremonies; and there- fore could not have enjoyed the promife; of life, if it had beene by the Law. T e M. Tell no,ii there any thing wiicb t say hinder this certainty of Belavers:, SIL. Yea, two things; Firft, doubt; of perfeverance to the end, which Satan and the flefh do fuggeft to the godly. This hindrance may be removed,firft,by prayer, which being made from faith, for the gift of perfevera nee, it obtaineth it. Secondly,by the Meditation ofGodsì eternali love andcovenant, that he will be our God for ever, Jer.3 Ir 3. 32.40., a
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