8 2 An Expofition upon wherein he both proponndeth and pro- veth the quality, both of the Jew and Gentiles, in the cafe of fin and damna- tion. In the third and laft part he in- ferreth, and by unanfwerable reafòns demonlirateth this affirmative propo- fition [411 men be jujliffed by faith] from verlè 21. till the end of the Chapter. Tim. What Is the drift of this prefect Text? S I L. To bring the Jews the better to the fight of their own finites and wretchednel , by anfwering filch things as they objebted for their own defence. For, it might trouble them( which the Apoftle wifely forefaw) to hear Paul fo extenuate Circumcifion and other priviledges. TIM. What is the firfl objetlion, and bow Both the Apoflle antis ce it? SI L. The objetlion is this: If not - withl?and ing Circumcifion, yet theJew and Gentile be alike (inners, and mite- table ; wherein then is the preferment of the Jew ? In what doth he excel! the Gentile ? For, it were abfurd and inju- rious unto God himfelf, to egwall the Gentile unto_the Jew. To which the Apoftle fo anfwereth, as leaving them equall for guilt of fin, yet he giveth to the Jew his prerogative. Tim. What he the parts of this Text ? S s L. Two: Firft, a queftioh,in the;- firft verf. Secondly, an anfwer, in the fecond verfe. Tim. What learned we out, of the ,ue- flion ? S Three things ; Firft, how hard a thing it is to bring men toyeeld to their own convi &íon and condem- nation. Secondly, that men naturally doe afre& excellency, to be thought better then others. Thirdly, that fuch ceremonies as men are accuflomed to, they cannot abide to have them repro- ved. And adde this as a fourth, That Preachers muff wifely prevent and re- move what may be fcrupulous to the weak, or occafon of flander to the malicious. T t M. What learned we of this anfwer ? S I L. The iwifdome of the Apoile, who in reporting the preferment of the Chap.3, Jews, Both not onely !taut upon the vertues of the Jews, but onely reckons filch thingsas "were meet, and belonged to God , being his benefits, left they fhould be proud. For he dotti point at many things; in that he faith, [A1tech every every ixay] yetmentioned onely tits Oracles of God, as the chiefefl of his favours, which is lignified by the word [Firf1:] noting nct an older, but the dignity of this priviledge, as general!, containing the refi; and molt excellent, furpaffing the telt. Tint. Whence did hs fetch this word [Oracles ?] Ss e. Front the Gentiles , who ure to call the anfwers which were given by Apollo at Delphos, by the name of Oracle. . TIM. What did this teach ? S I L. That we fhould i.ot put Reli- gion in words,when we may utè them without any wrong unto the truth. TIM. What is meant here by the Oracles of God ? S s L. All the Scriptures of the Old Teftament, both Mofaicall,andProphe- ticall ; but efpecially, the free promifes of grace and titivation by Chrifl. There Oracles were committed to the Jewes, not as another niansehing laid topledg, but as their own treafure, to be enjoyed for their ufe, to intro& and comfort them, if they could have tiled it well. Howbeit through their own fault, they ferved not to this end, and fo they loft the right of this prerogative, fo as it nothing profited them. TI M. What inffrutliont were given from hence? S i L. Three, that to have the Word of God amongft us, is the greatett pri- viledge and.favour that God giveth to any people; becauf hereby Gods coon- fell for our falvation is revealed; and nien are called to the kingdom of hea- ven, and to other favours concerning the life to come : therefore we ought tíì elteem and love the Word above all other things, becauf'e God will not Jet the contempt of loch a precious treafure goe without revenge. Secondly, we learn that it is a figne that God ritaketh high
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