Veri: 3. the Epf1ietotheRomans. Method. Interpret. on and righteoufneffe (with whatfoe- ver good meaning we feek to do them) they are turned into fin,being I fay,not done by knowledge and obedience to the will of God therein, Rom. 14.23. 17im.4.3 DIALOGUE III. Verf. 3. For they being igmrattt of the Righteoufneffe of God, and going about to effabli(h their own Righteoufneffe, have not fubmitted themfelves unto the Righteoufneffe of God. Ti MOTH E U s J` ]Hat Le performed by the llpofilein thú verfe? S i L. Theme two things : Fir{}, the faults of the Jews irait, are here more diflin&ly and plainly laid down : As firff, their ignorance of the Righteouf- nefs of God. Secondly, from thence did fpring pride, out of opinion oftheir own Righteoufnefs. Thirdly, their pride engendred contempt of the grace and Righteoufneffe ofChrift. The fe- cond thing, is the fecond main part of this Chapter (to wit) the diffin &ion of Righteoufneffe into two parts; the Righteoufneffe of God, and our own Righteoufneffe. T i M.What ú meant here by ignorance? S I L. Not barely the want of know- ledge, but the not knowing of fuch things as the Jews (being Gods people) were bound to know. For the Righte- oufne(feof God was revealed in Scrip - ture,having witneffe from theLaw and Prophets; and taught in the Affemblies; and a thing very needfull to be known, as that wherein mans felicity doth con- lift: for Righteonfneffe and bleffedneffe are joined and annexed together unfe- paeably,Pfal.32. r. Heb.2.4. The Jufl fhall live by Faith. T I M. What fignifes the Righteoufneffe of God? S I L. The Righteoufneffe of God is threefold: Firft,his univerfall juftice, which requireth in Angels and men perfe& purity, outward and inward, in all points according to the exa& ri;,our oftheLaw. Secondly, particular cor- re &ive juffice, whereby he eternally revengeth and punitheth fin & iìnners, without pardon in Chri li , Rom. 3. 5. Thirdly,that which Scripture calls the righteoufñeffe of Chrif}, and of Faith, Rorn.3.22.and 10.6. In all theft three forts of righteoufneffe, the jeers were ignorant, although the third be here meant principally ; which is called the righteoufnefsofGod,becaufe it is given, appointed,and approved of God. T t M. What are we to gatherfor our in f riillion, from the firfi words being thus ex- pounded ? S r L. That it is a fin to be ignorant Voarine. ofGod,or his righteoufüefs. The rea- Keafon. foniis,becaufe we have a commandement from God to leek the knowledge of him,and that which pleafeth him,Exod. 20.3. r Chron. 28. 8. Dcfiru&ion is threatned to the ignorance of the Go- fpell, 7hef. 2.8: T i M. Let ú there no difference in tt it fin of ignorance ? are all ignorantperfonr alike ¡inners ? S I L. No not fo ; their ignorance is the lefe finfull which want means of knowledge, as the Turks and the Pa- gans: but thefe Jews here fpoken of,had Moles and the Prophets ; t herefore their ignorance was the greater fin. T I M. What ufe hereof ? S I L. It (hews them to be deceived, v f. which think to be excufed before God, by their ignoranceof his will ; whereas Ign.raetia none, no not liimple ignorance can ex- °x` " °' ° cute any, (for he mutt be beaten who roes., da knoweth not his Maffers will,) much leffeaffeaed and wilMI ignorance. 'Se- condly,it exhorts all Chriffians,as they will avoid the guilt of fin and condem- nation,to labour for the knowledge of God and his righteoufneffe ; for herein Rands eternall life to know God and Chri(f Jefus, job. x7. 3. and Chriffians fhouldaccount all things as dung, iñ refpe& of the precious knowledge of Jefus Chrift,Phil.3 8.. T I!M. JYhat other thing collect we from thefe words? S I t. 383
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