Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 10 · Dialogue 11
DIAL. XI.
Verse 15, 16. How beautifull are the feete of them which bring glad tydings of peace, & glad tydings of good things! But they hauehave not all obeyed the Gospel, &c.
Tim.
VVHat doth this Text containe?
Silas.
It proueth two things very needfull: First, that the Apostles were sent of God to preach the Gospel vntounto the Iewes and Gentiles, verse 15. Secondly, that it is not to bee maruailed at, although the most Iewes remained vnbeleeuers, Verse 16. Which is knit to the former by a preoccupatiō; for it mightCoherence. be obiected, if Christ sent his Apostles to preach Christ, and offer peace by him, howe comes it to passe that no more of the Iewes did beleeue and weere saued? Let not that offend any man (sayeth Paul) to make him thinke the worse of the Gospell or of the Preachers of it; for it was foretold by Esay the Prophet, that fewe woulde obey the word. Others giuegive the reason of the connexion otherwise, as that he should now shewe, that howsoeuer hearing was necessary to faith, yet that faith did not alwayes followe hearing. Some thinke that whereas it might be obiected, If the Apostles did declare peace, why did not all the Iews enioy peace and saluation? The answere is, because vntounto the enioying of peace and saluation, it is required not only to hauehave the message of peace brought, but to beleeue also; which seeing nūbers did not, as Esay prophesied, therefore they obtained not saluation.
Tim.
How doth Paul proue the Apostlos to be sent of God to preach the word?
Silas.
By the testimony of Esay the Prophet in his chap. 52. verse 7. Heere we may obserue that the Apostle doeth not in all poynts cite this place as Esay hath it, for hee leaueth out some words, as (… the mountaine) which had respect to the situation of Ierusalem: also hee changeth the number, turning the singular into the plurall, because God there speaketh of many that should be messengers of peace.
Tim.
But that place of Esay is meant of messengers sentDoubt. to publish the deliuerance of the people, from the bondage of the Asyrians?
Silas.
It is so, yet in this place it is fitly applyed vntounto theSolution. preaching of saluation by Christ, because it was the foundation of all temporall deliuerances whatsoeuer: for seeing all the oppressions and miseries of Gods people, were effects and fruites of their sinnes, it followes that their oppressions beeing taken away, their sinnes also did cease thorough forgiuenesse and reconciliation with God by Christ. Therefore all particular deliuerances, had euer their rootes and ground-worke, in the redemption purchased by the bloud of Christ.
Tim.
But this place might be meant by the Prophets, whichDoubt. did also preach of the sufferings of Christ, and the peace which was made with God thereby.
Silas.
Yet it is not onelyonly meant of the Prophets, because Paul heere applieth it to the Apostles which published the Gospell: also the Prophets in their preaching, with gladsome thinges did mingle very heauy thinges and terrible threatnings, but the preaching of the Apostles was most gladsome and wholesome. We beseech you be reconciled &c. 2. Cor.5.
Tim.
What is here meant by [feet?]
Silas.
One member is put for the wholeman, so as byInterpretation. feet is meant the Apostles themselues, and their comming with the Gospell. The reason why hee onelyonly mentioned the [feete] is, because they trauelled vppon their feete, to spread the Gospel both naked and weary, being poore and needy, see Math. 10. Secondly, to shewe thereby that the Gospel should not be spread abroad by force and strength but by a humble lowly kinde of teaching.
Tim.
Why are the Apostles feete called [beautifull?]
Sil.
To signifie that their comming was beautifull and desirable, preaching most sweet and comfortable matters. Their comming was thus beautifull, first, in respect of the manner of their teaching, which was with great alluring and delighting, their words being sweet as hony, and very gracious. Secondly, in respect of their sweet exhortations and holy life. Thirdly, because of their powerfull miracles, wherewith they confirmed their doctrine. Lastly, in respect of the message which they brought, which was glad tidings of peace and good things.
Tim.
What signifies [peace?]
Silas.
Atonement with God by Christ, who of enemies are made friendes to God by iustifying them, Rom.5. 1. Whereof followes a double peace, first of the conscience, in that sinne being now forgiuen it can no more vexe or torment the conscience, which cannot now accuse and furiously raile against vsus as it was wont to doe; neither can our wicked affections so disquiete vsus being renewed and led by the spirit. Secondly, a most louing peace with the brethren, hauing all one heart in the Lord and one soule.
Tim.
What are the good things heere spoken of?
Silas.
Not earthly and perishing, but celestiall and eternall good things, as remission of sinnes, righteousnesse, the holy Ghost, regeneration and eternall life, the least of them greater then a world.
Tim.
What doctrine doth arise from the words thus opened.
Silas.
First, that the substance of the Gospell is to declareDoctrine. the enmity of God with man in regard of sinne, and that reconciliation is to be attained only in Christ through faith. Secondly, that the Gospell ought to be much loued2. Doctrine. & respected of vsus aboue all other things, because it brings vsus tydings sure and sweete of the chiefest good thinges, as that our sinnes are forgiuen vsus, &c. Thirdly, that all outward blessings and deliuerances are tokens of God reconciled to true beleeuers. Fourthly, that all afflictions whatsoeuer, hauehave not now the nature of punishments, but are for chastisment vntounto amendment, and remembrances, &c. O how ioyfull tydings are these, especially to contrite and troubled soules, which are feared with their sinnes and Gods iudgements? How should we esteeme of that Gospell which declareth such desireable and gladsome matters, how dull and heauie be those soules which be not affected? which leape not for ioy?
Tim.
What vse of this point?
Silas.
To reproue such as neglect the Gospell, orVse. prefer ought before it, or contemne it, or do not duly consider the excellency of it. Secondly, to exhort all men to bee much more aboundantly thankefull for the Gospell, which offers and opens a treasure of most worthy and rare good things, liuing well and godlily, that God may long graunt vsus the possession of it; least for vnbeliefe and vnthankfulnes, we deserue to loose it, as the seauen Churches of Asia did, Reue.2. & 3.5. Doctrine.
Tim.
What other doctrine gather you hence?Reason.
Silas.
That the true and diligent Minister of the Gospel ought greatly to bee had in reuerence. The reason is because they are the messengers that bring vntounto vsus these excellent and needfull things; and God hath here commanded vsus to admire their very [feete] which are their basest members. For if such as bring vsus good newes though but of temporall things, are welcome to vsus, and wee gladly respect them: then how much more are the messengers of eternall saluation to be had in honour: againe, if we thinke them worthy to be esteemed that offer vntounto vsus but a world ly treasure, how much more are they to bee accounted off, which brings vsus a spirituall and heauenly treasure? Lastly, if in eueryevery profession, the Ministers thereof vse to bee honoured, as the idolatrous Pagans honour their sacrificing Priests, the Papistes their massing priestes, the Turkes their praying Priests: therefore a shame were it to Christians, if they should not honor their preachers, which preach peace to thē, being messēgers of reconcilement to the K. of heauē.
Tim.
What vse of this poynt?
Sil.
It exhorts all godly Christians, to hauehave their Ministers in singular louelove, and to acknowledge them thankefully, to prouide for them not grudgingly, to exchaunge their temporall for spirituall good things, their earthly for celestiall, 1 Cor. 9. Galat. 6. 1 Thes.5. 12. 13. Secondly, a sharp reprehension of such as vse their well deseruing Ministers vnkindly, or vnreuerently, falsly accusing them, wilfully resisting them, cowardly forsaking them; these shew themselues vnwoorthy of the Gospell, which so badly entreat the Ministers of it.
Tim.
What other doctrine?
Silas.
That it is the duty of Gods Ministers to preach good things to the people, which reproues the vnsufficient,Ezek. 3, 18. or vnwilling, which will not or cannot; there is an1. Cor. 9, 16, 17. heauy and eternall waight of vengeance due to such. Also it bewraies the Pope to be no true Minister of Christ, because he doth nothing lesse then bring peace and the message of saluation; nay hee is a maine enemy to the doctrine of the Gospell, & disturbes the peace of kingdomes and common-wealths by his ambition and tyranny: and yet he dareth to appropriate this text to himselfe, offering his feete couered with Buskins of gold to be kissed of Kings and Princes, because it is written, How beautifull are the feete that bringeth glad tidings? applying that vntounto his proud pompous shooes, which the HolyGhost vnderstood of sounde and painefull preaching, which the Pope flyes from as the Owle abhorres the light.