.-.--*------- -_, An Expofition upon Chap,i. S i L. This verfe with the relt that follow to the end of the firfi Chapter, '! do by a very plaine and di(tine( order, more filly explicate and declare the matters briefly and coneifely fet downe in the 18.verfe ; as fiat, what that truth is which the Heathens did unjultly de- taine,viz : the principles of Nature im- printed within them, both of God and of morall duties ; and how they carne by thi s naturall light, in this verle and next. Secondly, how by unjufi detai- ning that truth,they proved impious to God by unthankfulnefle and idolatry, and incurious towards themfelves and their neighboui s,from verfe 2o.till32.in which verfe, laftly, is taught what that wrath and punifhment is,which is from God in Heaven, revealed and Pent upon fuch wickednefïe of men. Now the firft word or particle of this prefent Text [Fiecarsfe]or[For] bewraieth this verfe, to depend upon the former, as a reafon thereof taken from the effe&. He had fail, the Gentile) violently oppreffed truth, and as a Jaylor his Prifoner,fo they kept in the fame,which yet defired to bluff out into a&ions, as the fanne out of th e clouds. This he proveth thus, becaufe fuch as had a certaine light and knowledge to lead them to God, in Come fort to know him, and to difcerne betweene good and evill in common life, could not commit fuch impieties toward God, fuch unc!eanneffe againft themfelves, and fuch injuftice to their Neighbors,butthat they mua be judged guilty of unrighteous detention and fupprelfion of the truth. If happily any would alleadge for the Heathens in their defence, that they wholly wanted the knowledge of the truth, and fo are untruly charged for with - bolding it; for anlwer to this fecret obje &ion hee affirmeth ; that the Gentiles had the knowledge of God, both by light of Nature, verfe 19. and by the view of Gods workes, verfe 20. Ti M. What is she drift of this Text ? S s L. To (hew what truth that is which the Gentiles detained in unrigh- teouftreffe :it was a certaine knowledge of God, which they learnedby naturali infiin&,and by the workes ofCreation, and that they are juftly charged for with - holding the fame knowledge. Ti M. How many things may be confz- dered in this Text? S i L. Five things : Firft, that the Heathens had the knowledge of God, that &c.Secondly,that they had it from God, for God (hewed it them.Thirdly, what things they knew touching God his eternall divine power. Fourthly, out of what bookes they learned it, not Scriptures but Creatures ; from his workes,not from his word. Laily,what was the event of their knowledge. Ts e. Did the Gentiles knout all that mat to be knowne of God? S I L. No, but knew fo much as they were capaable to know, according to fuch meanes as they had ; yet the Philo- fophers and wife men knew much of God, which they did not reveale to the common people. There are Come things to bee knowne of God, which are in- comprehenfiblefimply, and cannot bee knowne of Gods regenerated Children, muchleffe of Philofophers;as his perfe& divine effence, and moth glorious Ma- jefly,which dwels in a light that none bath acceffe or approach unto, s Tim. 6.16. Alto the reafons of his will and counfell touching the government of the world, and efpecially of mankind, for they ought not to be fearched, nor can be traced & found,Roma i.33.And other things there bee, which though they be comprehenfible, yet are not knowne without revelation of the word and fpirit, (which Heathens lack- ed) as the Do&rine of the Trinity, of Chrift his incatnation, free Jollification by fait h,Remi(fion of finnes by a cruci- fied Chriu, Refurre&ion, &c. By that therefore which may bee knowne, is meant thatwhich by in-bred principles of truth, remaining in man after the fall; as fotne fparkles and fire -brands af- ter a great fire; and by ftrength of natu- rall reafon, as alto by fight of the crea- ture,the Gentiles couldattaine unto,viz. that there was a God, and he infenfible and fpirituall, and for properties molt mighty,moft just, moft wife, and good; which
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=