Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 1 · Dialogue 7
DIAL. VII.
Verse 16.
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God vntounto Saluation to eueryevery one that beleeueth, to the Iew first, and also to the Grecian.
Tim.
WHat is the sum of thu Scripture?
Silas.
That we ought to glorie in the Gospel, because thereby God is truly powerfull to saue all that beleeue it. Heere doth end the holy Apostles …; and his Tract of Iustification by Faith, beginneth at the 16. verse: where he entereth vponupon the Treatise by a Prolepsis, making answere to a secret Obiection. For Paul hauing written in the latter end of the 15. verse, [I hat he was readie to preach the Gospell at Rome,] it might be obiected vntounto him, the Gospell is eueryevery where spoken against, the Precepts therof be scorned, and thy selfe accounted little lesse then mad, which thinkest to teach the wise more wised ome by the Gospell? To which the Apostle answereth, ptofessing, that [He is not ashamed of the Gospell] though it seeme neuer so contemptible and base vntounto the worlde. Whereof, hee rendereth two reasons: One, because it is not his owne Gospell, but of Christ as Author; and concerning (no friuolous or fruitlesse matter) Christ, as Matter & Subiect. The second (from the Fort and … thereof) because it is a most healthfull and powerfull Organe or Instrument of … to saue beleeuers. So as this Text consisteth of two parts: First, a profession, [I am not ashamed:] Secondly, a Reason [For.] And whereas he saith [He is not ashamed it is a Liptote or Meiosis, because more is meant, then is spoken. For, it is as if hee had saide, I am so farre from being ashamed, and I do glory and reioyce in it so, as I esteeme nothing so honourable: Insinuating to the Romanes, that they ought likewise so to do, as he their Apostle did: according to that which he spake plainly (and without any figure) vntounto the Galathians, Chap. 6, 14. Now when he tearmeth the Gospell (1. the Doctrine of free Iustification by Christ) [the power of God] he meaneth not of his Creating power, or his reuenging power vntounto destruction; but of a power ioyned with fauour and louelove for saluation; not of his Essentiall power, but of his Organicall Ministerial power; or (by a …) of the declaration of his power, when it is manifested in the preaching of the Gospell, to make it effectuall. For, by the Gospell, God mightilie moueth the hearts of the elect (when the houre of their conuersion commeth) infusing the Holy-ghost, which stirreth vp the vnbeleeuing heart, and makes it able to beleeue, whereby righteousnesse and saluation is obtained thorow Christ.
Tim.
What is the profession made in this present Verse?
Si.
That Paul is not ashamed of the Gospell howsoeuer: for in all Ages since the Gospell did first come abroad, manie hauehave bin ashamed of it; & from the shame which accompanieth it, hauehave they forsaken it, or coldly professed it. Yet Paul professeth, that for no cause wold he be ashamed thereof. A Confession worthy of such an Apostle.
Tim.
How many wayes may we be ashamed of the Gospell of Christ?
Silas
Two wayes especially. First, if we be ashamed of the Doctrine or duties of the Gospell; or secondly, of the Preachers and professors of it.
Tim.
What things vsually make men ashamed of the Gospell?
Sil.
Foure things. First, the strangenesse of the Doctrine, being aboue naturall reason. Secondly, the simplicity and meannesse of the Gospell, being without earthly pompe and glory. Thirdly, the troubles and crosses of such as are the Disciples and hearers of the Gospell. Fourthly, the plainenesse of the Gospell, being voide of humane wisedome, and excellency of words. From whence we may obserue, that great is the corruption of mans hart, which is not ashamed of things shamefull; and yet doe shame at things, wherein they ought to glory.
Tim.
What reasons should preserue vsus from being ashamed of the Gospell?
Sil.
Fiue: First, the example of Paul such an Apostle which had abid much shame for the Gospell, and yet saw no cause to be ashamed of it. Secondly, the Nature of the Gospell, being a gladsome and ioyfull message. Thirdly, the subiect of the Gospell, which is Christ: of whom, if we be ashamed before men, he will be ashamed of vsus before God. Fourthly, because it is the Instrument of Gods power, to beget Faith. Fiftly, the effect of the Gospell, which is saluation, the greatest of all benefits; or rather it hath all safety in it, comprehending deliuerances of all sorts, both Temperall and Spirituall. For, whereas there be sundry and many kinds of saluations or safeties; as of our goods and persons, by good lawes and iust Magistrates; against sicknesle and diseases, by Phisitions and wholesome medecines, from violence and iniuries of enemies; by valiant Captaines and Souldiors, from extremity of weather; by builders of houses or Masons, from colde, by Garments: as all these enemies, dangers, effects, and …, came by sinne, and be effects of transgression, so our deliuerance and safety from them, is a fruit of Christ his redemption, and of that faith which embraceth it: but heere is chiefely meant, that saluation which is spirituall, and is of the soule, from sinne and eternall death, whereof there be two parts; the first part, is deliuerance from guilt and punishment of sinne, by remission; the second, is blessednesse and eternall life in the possession of Gods fauour and louelove, whereof there be three degrees. First, in this life, at the time of regeneration, when sinne being pardoned through Faith, and the soule renewed by the HolyGhost, it beginneth to liue that life which is eternall. The second at death, when the Soule seuered from the body, is receiued into Abrahams bosome, to rest in heauen, with the Spuits of iust men. The third, at the day of Resurrection, when the whole man shall be glorified with Christ euerlastingly. This is that Saluation, whereunto the Gospell bringeth the embracers of it. Moreouer, whereas it is preached to some vntounto destruction, it happeneth by the infidelity of men. For the Gospell of it owne Nature, and by the counsell of God, is appointed to bee cause of Saluation. Wherein it diftereth from the Law, whose effect is to reueale wrath for sinne, not to iustify and saue sinners, propounding life indeed, but it is vntounto the perfect keepers: whereas the Gospell offereth and performeth Saluation to the beleeuer, euen to eueryevery beleeuer, without difference of Nationꝭ and so the promises of the Gospell are vniuersall, both in respect of al beleeuers which receiue it; and also, because no Age, Sex Nation, Estate or condition, is excluded from perticipation of Christ, & life eternall, so they belieue. Lastly in the tenth Chapter of this Epistle, verse, 13, 14, 15. Paul frameth the Ladder (as I may so speake) by which, the Gospell causeth men to ascend, and climbe vntounto the marke of eternall Saluation in Heauen; whereof, the first steppe is sending of Teachers to preach the Gospell. The second, is preaching. The third, is hearing of the Gospell preached. The fourth, Faith by hearing. The fift, Confession and Inuocation of God. The sixt and last, is Saluation it selfe.
Tim.
What reasons may moue men to beleeue?
Silas.
First, the commandement of God. Mark. 1, 15. Secondly, the promises, euen of eternal life, and of all other good things, bee made to Faith. Thirdly, examples of good men in Scripture, who hauehave …. Fourthly, the danger of vnbeliefe, which is eternall death, besides manifold temporary miseries. Fiftly, the profit of beleeuing. Sixtly, the truth of God the promiser, who cannot lye or deceiue. Seauenthly, his almighty power; being most able to keepe his promises. Lastly, we belieue men which are lesse faithfull then God, by many thousand degrees: and if we belieue the witnesse of men, how much more ought we to receiue the testimony and record of God? 1. Iohn. 5, 9. By these reasons, we must fight against all motions of vnbeliefe, and inforce our selues to vse all good meanes to preserue and increase Faith.