Wilson - BS2663 W54 653

Ver.7. the Epiflle to the Romanes. ans, or jaws, (for the Church at Rome now conlifted of many Strangers, and not onely of Citizens and home- born) with all refpeaof perfon; as God the giver of there grace,, is free from excep- tion of perlons, both to comfort the meane onely, in that they were not palled over : allo, to humble the great and mightie, in that they were forted with the needy and little ones: Moreo- ver Parsds example warneth all ; name- ly, Minillers, that they bee ready accor- ding to their gifts and opportunities, to pray for, inftruta, exhort, and comfort every one under their charge, all being alike deare to Chrift, and a like account Huff be rendred for all. Ti M, How bee the perfons Saluted fit fresh ? S r t. Firft, by their Place ( which bee at Rome.) Secondly, by their three titles: Firft, beloved of GOD; fecond- ly, Calledr; thirdly, Saints. Ti M. What learnt wee from the place? S r L. That Gods grace was not tyed to Places, Perron, or times, but is free- ly given without refpea of Country, &c. For they who now be at Rome, are degenerated, and enjoy not that Grace ofGod. Ti M. What bee the titles given to the Roams? S t L. Firft, beloved of God : fecond- ly, Saints : and thirdly, Called. T t M, What figni fretb thin, to be beloved of God? S IL. Thus much ; not to be lovers of GOD aaively,but paffively ; to be right deare to God,ofgreat account and price in his fight,even as it were his chicle de- light,being loved both by prxdeflinati- on, and by prefent jollification, without any merit. Ti M. What dorhthis commend to us? S IL. The great worthinelfeand dig. nity'ofatrue Chriftian,that the great GOD fets his love upon him to take pleafure in him ; which is more, then if all the Princes of earth fhould joyne and confpire together, to love one man. Secondly, that they bee happie men which be Gods Children,for they have G O D loving and favonrable,in whore 13 favour is life, and upon w''oCe love de- pends all felicity, both earthly and hea- venly ; they cannot bee miferable whom G O D loveth ; and they cannotbut bee miferable whom God hateth. Thirdly, that the love and free good will ofGod, is the roote of all other benefits : name- ly, Calling, Sanaificarion,and Remilfì- on offinues are derived from hence,that God loving us, we loved not him, but he loved us fielt. t labn 4. i o. Alfo God fo loved the World, that he gave his Sonne. lobe 3.16. Fourthly, this fhould provoke his Children to returne dileai- on and love to God, of whom they are beloved.Fi ftly, godly perlons ought to bee very deare unto us, and of great rec- koning, fithence God our father loves them. Wee fhould love where hee loves, and deale well by them whom hee will honour Co much. s. lohn 5. t. Sixtly,that all the injuries done to the Saints, can . not brit provoke God to indignation;as it would grieve us to fee any abufed whom wee love. Ti M. What is meant by Saints? S e L. Such, as being feparated from the World, are confecrated to Chrift, and have his Spirit given them to worke holinefle in them : fo as Saints bee per,- fops fanétified by the Spirit, to live holi- ly andjuftly. From hence wee learn, two things: Firft,that fuch as Hill abide is their Pinnes, and wallow in the mire ofa prophase life, retying divers lulls and pleafitres, they are no beleevers,nor beloved of God ; fen all Beleevers are Saints; that is, they are holy perfons, loving and praairïng holinefle. Second- ly, that they (hall never beSaints in hea- ven, who fieft be not Saints in Earth. Saints in Via inchoatively, ere they be Saints in P atria, perfealy. T I M. What meanetb this, that it is fail they were called to bee Saints? S I L. That by an effeauall vocation, G O D Almighty (as it were) by [peak- ing theword, did make them to bee fuch indeed and truth, as they were called and named to bee; to wit, Saints or ho- ly : and that according to his gracious good will and pleafure, as was implyed in the Word (Feloved) to fhew, that our C Chrifían

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