Wilson - BS2663 W54 653

r 24 An Expofition upon Chap.'. braceth it. But here is chiefely meant, that falvation which is fpirituall, and is of the foule, from finne and etentall death, whereof there be two parts ; the fin i part, is deliverance from atilt and punifhment of finne, by temtflton r the fecond, is bleffednefle and eternall life in the poffiffionof Gods favour and love, whereof there be three degrees. First, in this life, at the time cf regene- ration , when finne beeing pardoned through faith, and the foule renewed by the holy Ghof}, it beginneth to live that life which is eternal]. The fecond, at death, when the foule fevered . from the body,is received into Abraham' bo- fotne, to reti in heaven, with the fpirits of jut} men. The third, at the day of Refurre&ion, when the whole man fhallbee glorified with Chrift ever - laftingly. This is that falvation, where- unto the Gofpell bringeth the embra- cers of it. Moreover, whereas it is preached to force unto deftru &ion, it happeneth by the infidelity of men. For the Gofpell of it owne Nature, and by the Counfell of God, is appointed to be caufe of Salvation. Wherein it differeth from the Law, whole effe& is to reveale wrath for finne, not to juflifie and fave finners, propounding life indeed,but it is unto the perfe& keepers : whereas the Gofpell offereth and performeth Salva- tion to the beleevers, even to every be- leever, without difference of Nation; and fo the promifes of the Gofpell are univerfall, both in refpe& of all belee- vers which receive it; and aIlo, becaufe no Age,Sex,Nation, Efiate or conditi- on, is excluded from participation of Chrifl, and life eternal!, to they beleeve. Laf}ly, in the tenth Chapter of this E- piflle, verle 13,15, t6. Paul franieth the Ladder (as I may fo fpeake) by which the Gofpell caufeth men to afcend, and dimbe unto the marke of eternal] Salva- tion in Heaven ;whereof,the firft ftepis fending of Teachers to preach the Go- fpell. The fecond, is preaching. The third,is hearing of the Gofpell preach- ed. The Fourth, Faith by hearing. The fife,Confcffìon and Invocation of God. The fixt and lait, is Salvation it felfe. TI M. What reafont may move men to be- lave? S I L. First, the commandement of God, Marro 1.15. Secondly, the promi- les, even of eternall life, and of all other good tuings,bee made to Faith. Third- ly, examples of good men in Scripture, who beleeved. Fourthly, the danger of unbeleefe, which is eternal] death, be- fides manifold temporary miferies.Fift- ly, the profit of beleeving. Sixtly, the truth of G O D thepromifer, who can- not lye or deceive. Seventhly, his Al- mighty power ; boring molt able to keepe his prcmifes. Laftly, wee beleeve men which are leffe faiehfull then God, by many thoufand degrees ; and if we beleeve the witueffe of men, how much more ought =CIO receive the telimo- ny and record of God ?I lohn 5.g. Ey thefe reafons, wee mutt fight against all motions of unbeleefe, and inforce our (elves to ufe all good meanes to preferve and increafe Faith. DIA LOGVE VIII. Verle 17. For by it the rigbteoufite f o of God, it revea- led from Faith to Faith. TIMOTHEUS. VT Hat coherence and dependence hash this Verfe with the next before? How are obey knit together S I L. It containeth aproofe,or ren- dreth a reafon of that which hee had laid touching the Gofpell, by the pro- per cffe& whereof (to wit ; that by Faith we fhould be jufiified he now confirmeth the Gofpell,to be ET be ponce of God to Salvation: ] for wee are cer- tainly faired by that whereby we are juftified. T his Text :hen, doth well and fitly fez ve to a double purpofe and end. Firii, it is brought in, as a reafon of the definition of the Gofpell, pet dowse in verfe 16. For, if by the Dc&rineof the Gofpell bee plainly and effe &ually filmed and taught the onely tight way of attaining righteoufneffe before God, (which neither Law, nor Pbilofophy, nor any other 'earning can teach) then is

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