Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 9 · Dialogue 14
DIAL. XIIII.
Verse 22. What and if God would to shew his wrath, and to make his power knowne, suffer with long patience the vessels of wrath, which he hath prepared to destruction?
Tim.
IS the reading of this verse full, or is there somthing lacking to perfect the reading?
Silas.
There must be a supply of a word or two, as thus; (who shall accuse God,) or (what hast thou to obiect against him?)
Tim.
Tell vsus now the drife and purpose of this text?
Silas.
The purpose is to cleare the counsell of Gods reprobation from al tyranny, by rehearsing the true causes & Scope.reasons why God electeth some, and reiecteth others, all being equall both by creation, and coruption of nature: this is the argument; Whosoeuer hath absolute right, wilSumme. doe nothing but vponupon good causes and reasons, can be no tyrant. Such an one is God (our celestiall Potter,) therefore hee is not guilty of iniustice or cruelty, though he appoint some to glory, and others to punishment eternally; for all his endes bee as righteous, as his power is soueraigne.
Tim.
Declare vntounto vsus these finall causes in respect of the reprobate.
Silas.
There be three mentioned in this Text. First, to shew his wrath against their sinnes. Secondly, to make knowne his power by breaking them, not withstanding their obstinacy against him. Thirdly, the abuse of his long suffering and lenity. VponUpon these grounds, and for these ends God reiecteth some, and is auenged on them. Therefore his dealing is not tyrannicall, but most iust.
Tim.
Expound the words, and first tell vsus what is meant here by wrath?
Silas.
First, Gods iust displeasure conceiued against theInterpretation. reprobate for sinne. Secondly, the paine or vengeaunce due thereunto.
Tim.
What meaneth this, to shew wrath?
Sil.
First, to ordaine them to this punishment. Secondly, in due time to inflict it vponupon them most iustly.
Tim.
What doctrine … from …?
Silas.
That God is most iustly offended with the reprobateDoctrine. for sinne, and wil most seuerely reuenge it in them. The reason heereof is, because sinne is … to theReason. nature of God. Secondly, it is the office of diuine iustice to take vengeance on sinne, else in vaine were God called the iudge of the world, Gen. 18, Rom. 3.
Tim.
What vse are Christians to make of this doctrine?Vse.
Silas.
First, it strengthens our Faith concerning the righteousnesse of God. For sithence he neither punisheth the wicked, nor euer meant to doe it but in regard of their sinnes deseruing it, we are therefore to beleeue him to bee righteous, whatsoeuer corrupt reason obiect against it. Secondly, it stirreth vp to repentance, and to hatred of sinne, because God so abhorreth it, that he wil eternally plague it euen in his own and most noble creature, Act 17, 30. Thirdly, it should moue all to dread the fearefull iustice of God: if Beasts dread the roaring of a Lyon, Amos …. 4. how much should flesh dread that iust and terrible God?
Tim.
What is the second end or finall cause, why God reiecteth and destroyeth some?
Silas.
To make his power knowne, which is a thing most iust, that God should declare and manifest his power to his owne praise and glory.
Tim.
But how is Gods power shewne vponupon the Reprobate?
Silas.
Heerein, that howsoeuer they be many and of great might, yet God is mightier then they, being able to put them downe, and throwe them to destruction; which turneth as to the praise of his iustice, so of his power treading downe all thinges which resist it, as it is written; All the Aduer sar es of Iehouah shall perish, & none shall stand before him when he is angry, 1 Sam. 2, 10. Psa. 37. And Now is the Axe laide, &c. Mat. 3, 10.
Tim.
What is the doctrine which ariseth from hence?
Silas.
This: that the vtmost end of reprobation is the manifestation of Gods power: and not simply the destruction of the Reprobate, which is the nearest end in respect of the men themselues, and is no further respected of God, then as it tends to the declaration of his power and Iustice. The reason of this doctrine is, because else in vain had God created the world, if it had not bin to manifest his glorious properties, whereof his power is one. Secondly, it was his will by this meanes to shewe forth his power, and why might he not?
Tim.
What vse of this Doctrine?
Silas.
First, Gods Children must in the ruine of the reprobate, finde cause to magnifie God. As Moyses and Mirian did praise God, Exod. 15. for the temporall calamity of Pharaoh and his hoast in the redde Sea: so the godly must praise him much more for the eternall destruction of the Reprobate in hell: insomuch as out of it hee worketh his owne praise, Reuel. 11, 17, 18. Secondly God being stronger then man, he is more to be feared then all men. This reproues the fearefull, and iustifyeth Gods iudgements against them, and it comforteth the faithfull, to consider that they hauehave such a strong patron to vphold them, and put downe their enemies, were they as strong as Pharaoh and all Egypt.
Tim.
What is the third cause why God takes vengeance on the Reprobate?
Silas.
Because they abuse his suffering and long patience, whereby he spared them when hee might strike them dead.
Tim.
What is the Doctrine from hence?
Silas.
That God is very patient (not onelyonly towardes his Children, 2 Pet. 3.) but euen towardes his verie enemies, Acts 13. Psal. 103. The reason heereof, is, to giuegive them space of repentaunce, and to take all excuse from them, il they be obstinate, Rom 2, 4, 5. & Rom. 3.
Tim.
Shew vsus what vse we are to make of this point?
Sil.
Gods Ministers and Children must by the example of their Father learne patience towards those that be euill, 2 Tim. 2, 24. Col. 3, 12. So long as there is any cause to hope, that by our sufferance there is any good to bee done vponupon them: but if they growe more obstinate by our lenity, then obey that in Math. 7, 7.
Tim.
What other doctrine from hence?
Silas.
It is a fearefull marke of a reprobate alwaies to abuse Gods patience, to the hardning of themselues in their euils; because none but they do it: as none but Gods children can profit by it to amendment of life.
Tim.
What vse of this point?
Silas.
It serues for a trial and examination of our selues, whether we be our of the ranke of reprobates, namely, if we finde that we hauehave profited by the patience and long sufferance of God towards vsus, to the reformation of our wayes: also it serues for terror vntounto such as are not made the better by the patience of God towards them. And lastly, it serues for comfort to such as are bettered by his long-suffering and kindnesse, thereby learning more to fear the offending of such a gracious God. This is a good token, and very comfortable.
Tim.
Shew vsus why reprobates are called vessels of wrath?
Silas.
Vessels they are called in respect of Gods preordination and creation. He fore-appointed and made them to some speciall vse, (as vessels be) euen to the setting foorth of his power and iustice, as was saide before. (Vessels of wrath) in regard of their owne sinnes, whereby they corrupted and made themselues worthy of his wrath and punishment.
Tim.
What is meant by prepared, and by whom are they prepared to destruction?
Silas.
To be prepared, signifies to be made fit & meet before hand, and this is done partly by God, eternally reiecting them; creating them in time, permitting them to fall in Adam, and iustly hardening them for resisting his will. Secondly, by Sathan, solliciting them to sin and inspiring into them sinne-full motions, obdurating them also in sinfull courses. Lastly, by themselues in regard of their naturall corruption and voluntary deprauation, following the lustes of their ignorance with greedinesse. Thus in regard of creation, and the end to the which they are ordained, reprobates are prepared of God; as also in regard of sinne (as it is a meanes to bring them to that end:) but respecting sinne (as it is sinne) which they bring of their owne, so they are prepared by themselues, and by Sathan.
Note that it is good diuinity taught from God, by the pen of the Apostle Paul, in plaine expresse tearmes, that there be some men which be vessels of wrath and prepared to destruction; & that they know no diuinity, which deny this vponupon pretence, least God be found vniust and tyrannicall. It is a safe thing in speaking, writing, or preaching, to follow the phrase and speech of the HolyGhost, rightly taken in the true sence; men may not labour to bee wiser then God, nor thinke to defend Gods iustice by a lye. Such be miserable patrons of God and his righteousnesse. Bonum non indiget malo, nor truth hath no neede of falshood to prop and support it.