37O demn God of unrighteoufneffe for re- jeEting fo many Jewes that studied to pleafe him, and were his people,calling the Gentiles that were Idolaters and lewd livers, and none of his people ? T i M. What are we to learn from theft words ? i DúÚ. S I L. Two things : Fill, that mans corrupt reafon will have alwaies fome- thing to obje& againft Gods truth : for Paul had firmly proved both the calling of the Gentiles,and the general reje &i - on of the Jewes by the Scripture; and yet fee how reafon fill goes on,to jan- gle and quarrel. Therefore let men pray God to reform their reafon, for it is an enemy °of Godswifdome,til grace have renewed it,Rom.8.8. & 12.2. Secondly, from hence we may learn, that the Miniflers of Chrift muff be able to forefee what carnal men can fay againft the truth, and to flop their mouthes ; this being one part of their funEtion,to convince gain fayers. T I M. Now come to the firft part of the anfwer touching the Gentiles,and tell us what if meant by the [Gentiles ?] S 1 L. All people of the world which were not Jewes. TIM. What it meant by [righteoufneffe?] S I L. The perfe& juftice of works which God requires in his Law, or the performance of all ouch duties perfeElly, as the Law commands. T I M. In whatfenfe are they faid not to have followed it ? S s L. They neither loved nor .cared for, nor pra&ifed jet ft and righteous works. This may appear, firft, in that they could not,becaufethey were igno- rant of Mofer Law, much more igno- rant were they of the righteoufneffe of Chrift. Secondly, as for the Law pfna- ture, they were alto tranfgrelfors of that,being both lewd livers, and Idola- ters. See Rom. I.20,21,22, &C. Ephef. 2. I,2.Alfo Chap.4. 18,19,&c. TIM. Tea, but in the fecond o f the Ro- mans, Paul faith, that they did thethings of the Law by nature? z S t L. True : if we refpe& the out- ward difcipline and government of the common - wealth °; for they commanded An Expafitionupon - Chap. 9. 2 Deli. and rewarded many vertues, they foi- bad and puni[hed many vices, as thtrt, murder,adultery,&c But touchiugtheir private life, they were for the molt part very vicious, and enemies to al honefty, fefilting Chrift his Gofpel, and Apo - files. And this is that which is meant here (even more then is laid) that they followed not, that is, they fled from it and abhorred it,and ft rove againft it. T i M. What Dolirine from hence? S i L. Firft,we learn, that all men be- fore grace are unrighteous, and thereby guilty of wrath. Secondly, that in mans wil naturally,there can be no power to move him to that which is good, fork carries him direEtly to that which is againft the Law : much leffe can men beforegrace merit ex congruo. Thirdly, ;that faith (touching the beginning of it) is in no wife from man him felt, for it is given : for we can make our felves no more able to beleeve, then we can make our (elves to live, for we live to God by faith,and till then we are dead. Laftly,from hence we learn, that prede- ftination is a molt powerful thing, be- caufe it brings to a calling, to faith, to Chrift, and to falvation, even thofe which think upon nothing leffe, nay even thofe which .do Strive againft it; as thefe. Gentiles here named, and the Theef on the Croffe,ancl Paul, and Ma- naps,and innumerable others.* T I M. What ufe is to be made of this lag point? S I L. It teacheth us, that neither willing nor running, purpofe nor en- deavour,can get a man to be a beleever: though men do their parts, yet all de- pends upon the grace of God,which we fee even without any labour conferreth grace and righteoufneffe, there where God pleafeth to give it. Secondly, it comforteth great Sinners, and helpeth them againft defpair; becaufe neither multitude nor greatneffe of fins, nor long continuance in them, nor all the power ofSatan, thal hinder the conver- liion ofany who belong to Gods ele &i- on.Thirdly, it flirreth up the godly,to confider whence they have all graces which they in joy ; namely, from Gods eter- Dollriae.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=