Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 9 · Section 4
4. Places of Doctrine.
Doct. 1. Concerning oathes.
v. 1. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not. 1. hence it is euident, that it is not lawfull to sweare by any creatures but onelyonly by God: for whereas an oath is nothing else but an appealing vntounto the testimonie and iudgement of God, who both searcheth the heart, and punisheth periurie, for the confirmation of the truth in a doubtfull matter: and so two things are requisite in him, whom we sweare by, both knowledge to discerne the heart, and power to iudge, because both these are peculiar to God, to be a searcher and knower of the heart, and to be able to punish: therefore it followeth, that God onelyonly is to be called to witnesse in an oath; and beside it is a part of inuocation, which onelyonly belongeth vntounto God. 2. hence also we hauehave an euident argument of the diuine nature of Christ, because the Apostle here sweareth by his name. 3. As also here we learne how oaths may be distinguishe… and the diuers kinds of them: as there is an oath called promissorium, a promising oath, which is of the time to come, when one promiseth and vndertaketh by his oath, to doe this or that: as Eliah sware vntounto Obadiah, that he would shew himselfe, that day vntounto the King, 1. king. 18.15. there is assertorium, an affirming oath, which is of the time present or past, as when one sweareth, that such a thing was done or not, or such a thing is true: and this kinde of oath is either iudiciale, in publike iudgement, when an oath is required of the parties, or voluntarium, when one taketh a voluntarie oath, such is the Apostles here.
Doct. 2. Of the moderation to be vsed by Preachers.
v. 2. I hauehave great heauines, &c. S. Paul, thought in this chapter he be to entreate of the reiection and reprobation of the Iewes for their vnbeleefe, yet he first sheweth his louing affection vntounto them: neither concealing the truth for affection, not yet exasperating them with rigorous speach: so the Preachers of the word, should vse such moderation, that neither in their silence and forbearing to speake the truth, they should incurre the iust suspition of flatterie, nor yet in their sharpe invectiues against those, whom they doe reprooue, they should be iustly blamed for their vndiscrete seueritie: Mar.
Doct. 3. That Christ is God and man.
v. 5. Who is God ouer all, &c. 1. Christ is God, because the Apostle sweareth by his name, v. 1. and he is called God blessed ouer all, &c. 2. he is also perfite man, because he is said to come of the fathers concerning the flesh, &c. 3. and yet these two natures concurre to make but one person, because it is said of Christ, who is God ouer all blessed for euer, &c.
Doct. 4. Of the diuerse kindes of diuine promises.
v. 8. Children of promise &c. some promises are generall to all, as that the world should no more be destroied with water, that the seasons of the yeare, as seede time and haruest, and the rest should continue: or peculiar to the Church of God, which are either concerning things temporall, comprehended vnderunder the name of bread in the Lords praier, which the Lord promiseth so farre sorth as he seeth it to be meete and conuenient: or spirituall, which are either peculiar vntounto some speciall callings, as were the gift of tongues, knowledge of secrets, elocution and vtterance to the Apostles: or generall, belonging to the whole Church, and the same externall, as the promise of the word and Sacraments, or internall, as of faith, hope, iustification, remission of sinnes: The Apostle speaketh here of spiriuall and speciall promises, which were shadowed forth in those times by temporall blessings.
Doct. 5. Of election.
v. 11. That the purpose of God might remaine according to election, &c. Concerning election these points are hence concluded: 1. that God hath decreed some to be elected vntounto saluation before the beginning of the world. 2. That the decree of election is the purpose of God to shewe merciemercy on some in, bringing them vntounto glorie. 3. that the free and gracious purpose of God is onelyonly the cause of election, without the foresight of faith or workes. 4. that it is certaine and immutable. 5. the effects thereof are vocation, iustification, sanctification, c. 8.30. whom he predestinate them he called, &c. 6. the ends two, the happines of the elect, and the glorie and praise of God, in the setting forth of his mercy.
Doct. 6. Of reprobation.
v. 18. Whom he will he hardeneth: Concerning reprobation, these points also are here set forth. 1. that some are reprobate from the beginning, as God hated Esau before he was borne. 2. what reprobation is, the purpose of God in leauing some in the masse of corruption, and in ordaining them to be damned for their sinnes. 3. the cause of reprobation, is the purpose of God to leaue some in their naturall corruption. 4. the effects are, desertion, hardening of heart, the subtraction of the grace of God. 5. the ends, the iust condemnation of the wicked, and the demonstration of the power of God. See more hereof among the Controv. following.
Doct. 7. Of scandals and offences.
v. 33. Rocke of offence. 1. A scandale is any thing done or said, whereby one is made the worse, either of himselfe or by some accident. 2. it is of two sorts, giuen iustly, or vniustly taken, as the offence at Christ was taken and not giuen. 3. the cause of offences, is first the malice of Sathan, and obstinacie of vnbeleeuers, and the iust iudgement of God concurring there withall, as the Iewes by their owne blindnes stumbled at Christ, and receiued that as a punishment of their vnbeleefe.