Í Ver. i7. the Epifile to the Romans. a TIM. What ie the firfi reafon? his will revealed in his word. SIL. BecaufeChrilt having fet them TI M. What doe ye confider in this free from the bondage of fin, they are third reaJòn? not now bound to obey the lulls of it : S I L. Firft, the preface or entrance. as bondmen and fervants doe give obe- Secondly , a fimiltude with his parts, dience to their Lords, whiles they are which fetteth down two parts of Gods their fervants, but being once free, they I fervice, i. Subje&ion, 2. War with fin. TI II. Now fbew unto as in what words, the preface it contained , and the meaning of the wordy. SIL. The preface is contained in thefe words [I fpeak after the manner of men.] This phrafe bath (Landry fignifications, one is this: I require no hard matter,but fuch as men are able to perform. The f cond is this,' require no unjust thing, butfaéh as any that hath the reafon ofa man would grant to be equall and juif. Thirdly,' fpeak plainly and familiarly, as every man may tally underhand me, fetching a fimilitude tram common mat- ters known to all men,becaufe ye fhould the better perceive what I fay. Of all thefe expolitions,the fall is belt to be al- lowed of, becaule of that that follow - eth in the verfe;where he borroweth his comparifon from the worldly affaires of men,Cuch asall men by reafon and com- mon experience knew,and were well ac- quainted with. Tim. What it the castle why the Apo.; file would teach tbe Romani after fuch aplain anner,by eomparifont from eafre and home- ly thing, ? SIL. Becaufeof the infirmity of their fielb,by which is meant their carnali and corrupt underflanding,which hindereth that they could not receive heavenly things being taught them in profound and exa& manner, as appeareth by the example of Nicodemut and alto by the words of our Saviour to him, Ioh.3.i 2. Ti ta. What were the infiruaionigather- ed from hence? Si L. Three-fold : Firft, it concerns Minifters,that they apply themfelves in their teaching,to the capacity and rude - nefs of their hearers,which being rude, therefore the plainer wee fpeak,the bet- ter it is. The Cecond concerns hearers , for whom it is fafeft to be taught with the greatell plainnefs that may bee, be- caufe of the weaknefs of their under- (landing doe not ferve them any more nay, now they over -rule finfull lots, or elfe in vain they profeffe Chrillianity ; it is to no purpofe to put on the purple Kingly Robe,if there be no man to command; fo in vain to profefs thy fella Chriltian, if thou haft no command over thy paf- fions,and lofts. T I m. What is the fecond reafon? S r L. They are made the fervants of righteoufnefs, therefore they muff not ferve nor obey fin but God.This reaCon may be declared two wayes: Firft, by comparifon of bodily fervants, who are careful to pleafe their matters 3 fo ought Chrillians to be , being Gods fervants, Rom. Li. 4. Secondly, by confideration of his goodnefs and bounty, whom we ferve, declared both in the manifold good things, fpirituall and corporal!, which we have from him; and in thofe which we further hope for, to wit, the prefervation and fuftentation of our lives in this world, and eternal' life in heaven with God and his Angels. T I i«t . Let me hear ofyou what we are to learn by this-, that he calleth them [the fer- vanu ofrighteoaafnefs ] which be the fervants- of God? S I L. It helpeth us to diftinguilh the true fervants of God fi om the counter- feit ; for fuch as truely ferve God, have care to pleafe hint bydoing the righte- ous things which he commandeth in his word. Whereas falfe fervants, neglect- ing, his righteous precepts,doe yet pro - feffethemlèlves to be his fervants , and therefore be his fervants in name onelY, and not in truth and deed. Tam. What is the third Reafon ? Si L. The third reafon is taken from things which be like or equal', as thus : The ele& before their converfion gently ferve fin in doing the lufts there- of; therefore being converted,they muff with like diligence ferve God in doing m 91
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