Verfes I i,1<2,&c: the Epile to the Romanes. 2 I come to Rome to eftablifh them, but he mull doe it at filch a time, and in Curti a fafhion as God would : for after many troubles Cuffered at Icrufalem, he was Cent bound to Rome, and G O D turned Paul to preach to the Macedonians, whereas he had meant to teach in Afta; yet Paul fiinned not herein, that his will was not agreeable to Gods ferret will, for it is finne to a man to tranfgreffe his revealed will. Hence it is,that a Chrifti- an with a good mind, may will that which God willeth not as a good Child, with a good affe &ion maywifh his Fathers lite, whom the Lord will have to dye. Againe, a man may with with an evill mind, that which G O D willeth well ; as a wicked child may e- villy delire his Fathers death, which God juftly purpofeth.Finally,note that Satan calteth innumerable hinderances in the way of Gods Minífters, to flop the edification of the Church: which fhould provoke all the Servants of Chrift, with greater fervency to pray for the free paffage and good fucceffe of the Gofpell; that the word of God (maugre Satan and his inftruments) may run ne and be glorified : and if their prayers be not heard,yet to wait upon GOD with patience, and to continue conflant : confidering,that `Paul did not at the firft obtaine what he earneftly and often craved touching his repaire to Rome: but at length, if they perfevere, God will grant that which fhall be ex- pedient for his Church. Ti so. -What is furthermore to bee learned from Bence, that man cannot doe whatfeever he purpofetb? S i L. That all things in the world are juffly, wifely, and powerfully or- dained and ordered by Gods provi- dence; more efpecially, GOD difpo, feth of all mens purpofes, as it is writ- ten ; Man purpofeth,God difpofeth,and the wayes of man are nct in himfelfe, Iere- my eo.a3. This teacheth all men pati- ence, prayer, and th ankfulneffe,to com- mend all their purpofes to Gods provi- dence; and to bleffe him In all events. Secondly, it reproveth fuch, as attribute all things toNature or Fortune; as A- theifts and prophane worldlings doe. Thirdly, it comforteth Gods Children, to know that their heavenly Father looketh to all things, fq as nothing fai- leth out in the world, but by his decree awl will. Ti M, What doe ye call the frúit here po- kers of? S i L. Firf, the converfion offome, who yet are in unbeleefe, and finne. Se- condly, the confirmation of filch as bee converted. Thirdly, the entreating and bringing to perfeElion, inch as bee con- verted and confirmed, this is the three- fold fruit :of the Minif ery, Iobeo 15.e6. Ti M. What doe ye learne hereby, that he termetb flrengthening (filch eh bye conver- ted ) a fruit ? S e L. Sundry very profitable Leffons, Fir*, that the Gofpell is fruitfull (whe: eftever it is preached) either for ltee, converlion, or for confirmation, qr for when he growlh and profiting. Secondly, that 17t:parcct f the people converted by it, are as an ac- the hearer,, ceptable fruit to God : and o their }=e a:á Teachers,as delightful) to them,as good vantage. fruit is to the Husbandman : or as the good flare and difpofition of the flocke, is to a good Shepheard. Thirdly, Mini - fters are to be glad, and to account it as precious fruit, when any be converted by them to Chrill. This is a remaining fruit,and moltexcellent,Iobn 15.5,8,e6. Ti N. What was taught from tbefe words as amongfl other Gentiles ?] S i L. Firfl, in that Paul provolteth the Romanes to the obedience of the Gofpell, by the examples of other Gen- Paul his rilej,wce learne, that great is the force of ;RaPnttch good examples, to move to good as tug! Was ofevill examples, to move to eviil. The other ben - firf reafort hereof, is, becaufe wee are tttee,anahe like Apes, apt to imitate others: and fe- ZPedi<to condly, examples affell our feufes as be 'mud well as our minds. Furthermore we manes. learne, that where the Gofpel is truly preached, it is never preached without fruit to life ; becaufe, wherefoever the Gofpell is preached, there G OD hath a people; which muff ferve to a double tile: firft, to encourage Minifters to teach and fecondly, to encourage the people to live under teaching Pallors. Tr M. /ifs a cer- taine token of a fáit&- fultMini-
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