14 An Expofztion upon Chap.'. Chrittian vocation floweth from his mercy. Thi is moreover well o be obferved, that Panl having faid of himfelfe, in verf t. that he was [Called to be an A- yoffle] and now twice, in verfe 6. and 7. faith of the Romsnes, that they were [The Called pf Chriff, and Called to bee Saints] that the word [Calling or Voca- tion] i s ufed in a double tenfe, either in a more kV' meaning ; fora Calling to a Fun &ion orOfñce, either civili; as to be a Magitlrate, a Captaine, &c or Ecclefi- aflicall,immediately, as to be a Prophet, an Apoltle &.c. or mediate, called by the Church, as were Do &ors and Pa(.tors : or elfe in a more large (ìgnification, for calling into the common (ocietyof the Chrittian Church ; and this is either unto the knowledg and pro£e(fion of Chri(i, as of Hypocrites, by a generali and external' calling, when the word foundeth in the care, to the enlightning ofthe minde,'and fome flight or flen- der change ofthe heart; or, it is unto the faith of Chrift, and unto falvation through him, when both minde and heart are mightily perfwaded by the Spirit, toobey the Caller, by beleeving his promifes, and indevouring to doe things commanded. This is an internal! and effe&nall calling, which Paul here afcribeth unto all theRomane Chrifti- ans ; not that there were among(' them no counterfeits and unbeleevers,but be- caufe by law and Judgment of Charity, wee are bound to efleenae all Inch for truly called, and Saints, who outwardly profeffe tbemfelves to be fo,and doe not by their converfation declare and evi- dence the contrary, leaving to G O D the judgement ofcertainty.Now,where - as he writeth of thefe Romano': that they were called to be Saints, or holy ; we are further to learne a difference be- tweene Nature and Grace ; that firfl wee are by Nature nncleane and unpure, deflitute of perfonall holineffe, though not without foderall holineffe, being the feede of faithful' parents: men are not therefore called of God, becaufe they are holy, but therefore they be Ho- ly, becaufe they are called of his Grace. Moreover, covertly the apo(lle herein takes away the difference betweene Jerre' and Gentiles, that the Jewel may not boaft,as if all holineffe were in their kindred, and were tyed only to their flocke( as they fooli(hly dreame ) for the Gentile, are called to the fame glori- ous condition of holineffe. Touching Saints, the word noteth not any abfo- lute perfeftion where there is no want : for no doubt but both Romanes, Corin- thians, & others, whom Paul honoureth with the Title of [Saints] were fundry wayes faulty ; but inch as be confecrate to God, and betides the imputation of Chrift his holincífe unto them through faith, have alto an inherent holineffe in their affeftion wrought by the Spirit, though joyned with many infirmities, yet they bee Saints by calling. Which name, if Paul gave unto all at Rome(a- mongft whom yet many were not filch indeed ) it is becaufe the denomination mutt follow the better part, in whofe name and praife he beautifieth the whole Church : it fo falling out, that in Socie- ties,the priviledges of force members re- dound to all the members withal', the Apofile might intend and propound the (cope and marke whereunto all ought to ftrìve and tend tb come unto; namely, to wale in holineffe, to live like Saints, as they were called unto the Communion of Saints. Ti M. She' now what beethofe good things, wbich by his Prayer be wifbeth unto the ì`ieleeving Romani.' ? SIL. Two : Firft, Grace. Secondly, Peace. TT sa. What is meant by Grace ?. S t L. Not the gifts which flow from Grace, but even that Spring and Foun- taine of all the good things which we enjoy; to wit, the free favour and good will ofGod which he doth beare his E- lea, when they are finners and Ene- mies. Tx se Seeing they have this already, how dotb he wifb it to them ? S t L. Hee wilheth unto them a more full fenle, and more plenteous fruits of this Grace, and a confiant perfeverance therein ; that they may have a more com-
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