Exposition of Romans 8-11, Chapter 9
THE NINTH CHAPTER OF THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANES.
CHAP. IX.
WHile we were conuerſant in the former Chapter, we dwelt amongſt many comforts: Now wee are to deale in a ſubiect of another nature: Then we camped as it were in Elim, in a place of Palme trees and water: now we are to paſſe into a wilderneſſe of much difficulty and trouble. There we lodged in a ſweet Harbour of conſolation; here we muſt put into the Ocean, and almoſt bottomleſſe depth of abſtruſe and hidden myſteries.
If it be as a wilderneſſe, we hope for the holy Spirit as that piller, to guide our way, and to lead vsus into the Truth, which is more nouriſhable then the honey and milke of Canaan. If it be as an Ocean, we hope by the benefit of our Card, which is the Word, and the Pylot, which is the Spirit, with the wind of Prayer, and Oares of diligence, to arriue ſafely vntounto the Land; yea, with Moſes to walke thorow the Bottom vntounto the deſired ſhore of Truth: he that gaue vsus aſſiſtance to ſpeak of comfort, will alſo enable vsus to ſpeake of theſe ſecrets.
Qui dedit quod locuti ſimus, dabit, ſicut eredimus quod loquemur. Leo ſerm. 1. de paſſ. Dom.This and the two next Chapters following pertaine to one Argument, about the coherence whereof Interpreters ſpeake diuerſly, yet almoſt all agree in this, that Paul here remooues a great obiection of the Iewes, againſt the doctrine of Iuſtification before deliuered, which was made after this manner:
If none be iuſtified but by faith in Chriſt, then the Iewes are not iuſtified, but in the ſtate of condemnation: for they hate Chriſt, hauehave crucified him, and perſecute ſuch as belieue in him.
But it is abſurd to affirme that the Iewes ſhould not be iuſtified.
Therefore men may bee iuſtified, though they belieue not in Chriſt.
The Minor aſſumed hath three fortifications as the Iewes thinke impregnable.
Firſt, the promiſes are made to them and theirs: But if Pauls doctrine of Iuſtification bee true, then the promiſe faileth, and God is made leſſe then his word: which is blaſphemy to auouch.
Secondly, No people vnderunder the Sunne are ſo zealous of righteouſneſſe; which their righteouſneſſe and zeale that it ſhould be of no reckoning, and the Gentiles that neuer intended the Law, to be receiued for their faith in Chriſt; ſeemes contrary to Reaſon and Iuſtice.
Thirdly, then hath God caſt off his people whome he hath choſen? which is not to be thought: and therefore they conclude that Iuſtification by faith, is a doctrine of Pauls deuiſing, and not the Truth of God.
For anſwere to the Argument, the Minor is to be denied. For it is not abſurd to affirme but the truth; that the Iewes, becauſe they beleeue not in Chriſt, are not Iuſtified. The fortifications raiſed for defence, are eaſily razed: The firſt in this 9. Chapter; the ſecond in the tenth; and the laſt in the eleuenth.