Verf. 30,31. the Epifile to the Romans. but as an event and confequent of Gods providence and counfell, fo purpoing and difpofing matters to the praife of his Name. Elfewhere (that) noteth ehe event, and not the moving of the finali cauce, t Cor. r 2. Atis 12 T t Nt. 2iCroproceed to the 3 2 verfe, and tell us the Jumme of the argument contained therein. S t L. God hath equally fhut up both Jew and Gentile(as it were in a prifon) to this end, that the ele& among them might equally obtain mercy unto fal- vation. T r m. In what fenfe may it be Paid of God that he (buts men in unbeleefe? S t L. Not by dropping and powring unbeleef into their hearts, (for God is not the author of finne,) nor yet onely by (offering men to be blinded with ig- norance,and to become unbeleevers, or by withdrawing the Spirit and word of faith from men, and by declaring and convi&ing men of infidelity, in which (Cute the Scripture is Paid to flint up men under fin, Gal. 3.2 2. becaufe fin is revealed by the Law, Rom. 3. 20. But God as a righteous Judge delivering men np to blindneffe and hardnefíe of heart, doth hold them fat fettered in the gyres of their unbeleefe. Like as a judge doth infli& imprifonment upon offenders, and refrained; their liberty ; fo all men (till the time of their effe &u- all calling) are keptin the prifon ofin- credulity, by thejuffice of God, their fin fo deferring to have it.This is there- fore a Metaphor or fpeech borrowed from earthly affaires, and applied to fpirituall things. T t M. What is our leffon from the fill part of the verfe? S t L. That God ufeth to punifh one finne by another, wherein yet he is not 1 the anthour of the fin,but ofthé punifh- ntent, the judgement is from God, the fault is from men ; therefore let all men (and in fear of him, who can firike the fpirir as well as the flefh. Secondly,that the condition both of cleft and reprobate by nature is alike,all being incredulous, difobedient to God, and miferable: and therefore none ought to be put up above'another,our cafe be- ing all one;and the ele& being no better then others by birth, have the more cauCe to praile Gods goodneffe for cal- tug them to the faich,and leaving others in unbelecf, which were no worfe then themfelves were. I T r min the next parrof the fentenee,what is `meant by the word [ All? ] S t L. Not every particular perfon, but lome of all forts, as Augu[tine ex- pounds it; Tome Jewes, Come Gentiles, even all the faithfull of every Nation. This may appeare to be the fenfe, by comparing this place with Rota. so. t t, r 2. Gal. 3.20. a 2. where that is "called [fin]which is called [unbeleef]here:and that tearmed the [promife] there,which is here termed [mercy,] and the univer- fall particle [All,] refrained or limited unto beleevers. T t M. What inffruilionr have we from thefe loft words ? S t t. That we are not to defpaire of the converfion of any, be they never fo great unbeleevers : for Gods power and mercy are greater then mens fins; there - I fore none mutt cat away hope of o- thers, or their owne falvation. Second- ly, it isGod alone that is able to open the eyes of fuck as are blinded by unbe- leefe : as none delivereth the offender out of prifon,but the Judge whichcom- mitteth him, fo none can efcapa out of the Fetters of unbeleef, but through the mercy of God which !hut them up in the prifon. Therefore, let all pray unto him,to pardon their unbeleef,and to give . them faith to beleeve in his only begot- ten Son our Redeemer : for they only are free, whom the Son maketh free; all others remain fall tied and bound in the chums and manacles of naturall blind - neffe and infidelity,having not fo much by any ftrength of their owne will as to defire liberty. DIAL 0008 XXIV. Verf. 33,34335,36. 0 the deepenefe of the riche both of the wifedome and knowledge of God, how U u an- 495 Do¿lrine.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=