Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 9 · Dialogue 10
DIAL. X.
Verse 17. For the Scripture saith to Pharaoh, for this purpose hauehave I stirred thee vp, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Tim.
VVHat is the Apostles drift in these words?
Silas.
Hauing cleared God before of iniusticeScope. in respect of his electing some out of lost mankinde,No reason why God did this to Pharaoh rather then to another King. Chrysost. because hee did it out of the prerogatiue of his absolute and most free mercies, as Paul confirmeth by testimony of Scripture; so now he like-wise proueth by Scripture, that God is not vniust, in the matter of reprobation, out of Exodus, 9, 16.
Tim.
What argument doth Paul take out of this Scripture to proue his purpose?
Silas.
From a particular example of Pharaoh, whomPaul might by an example of the Iew hauehave confirmed his purpose, but wisely he did it by an heathenish king. God did not chuse, but reiect very iustly, as appeareth two wayes: First, from the quality of Pharaoh, beeing a man hardened by sinne, noted in this word, raised vp, as Paul expounds it in the next verse: for seeing Pharaoh was hardened and became obstinate before hee was destroyed, therefore God could not be vniust in appointing him vntounto destruction; for sinners doe perish iustly, therefore God is not vniust when he doth appoint them vntounto destruction. Secondly, from the end which hee propoundeth to himselfe of his owne counsell, namely, the declaration of his owne power and iustice, to the praise of his name. Now that cannot bee vniust which is done of God to so good an end, if withal it be considered that Gods glory is the cheefest good thing, and that he hath an absolute right in all his creatures, to dispose of them as he thinkes best for his owne glory.
Tim.
But how fitly doth Paul gather a generall doctrine touching all reprobates, from this one example?
Silas.
Very fitly, because the cause and case of all reprobates is one and the same, for none of them perish but in regard of their foregoing sinne, and God is glorified in the destruction of eueryevery one of them: therefore if God dealt iustlye in reprobating Pharaoh vponupon these grounds, hee is also iust in the reprobating and refusing all other appointed to damnation.
Tim.
What are the parts of this Text?
Silas.
Two: First a preface, and secondly a testimony of Scripture.
Tim.
What is meant by Pharaoh?
Silas.
It was a name common to the Kings of Egipt & signifieth an auenger, as afterwards their Kings were called: And the Kings of Gezar, Abimelech, and the Emperors of Rome, Caesar.
Tim.
What is meant by [Scripture?]
Silas.
Generally eueryevery thing that is written, but more especially the holy writings of Moses, and yet more particularly the booke of Exodus, and therein this one sentence. And further by Scripture wee may vnderstand God speaking in the Scripture, as appeareth by comparing this place with verse 25. as also by reason, for the Scripture is the word of God.
Tim.
What instruction doth arise from hence?
Silas.
That eueryevery clause and sentence of holy Scripture must be spoken of, and heard and vsed with all religious reuerence & firme beleefe. The reason heereof is because the most glorious God is the author of it and hath inspired them, 2 Tim. 3, 16. 2 Pet. 1, 21.
Tim.
What vse is to be made of this point?
Sil.
It reprooues such as faile in excesse of reuerence to the Scriptures, ascribing diuine force to the Letters and Syllables pronounced, as if God had enclosed his vertue in them, which is a meere inchantment and sorcery. Secondly, such as faile in defect and want of reuerence, receiuing Gods words as the worde of a man, prophanely denying authority and obedience to them. Thirdly, it warnes vsus in the hearing of the word, to remember that we hauehave to do with God, whosoeuer bee the Instruments to deliuer this vntounto vsus, Acts 10, 33.
Tim.
What other doctrine will arise from this Preface?
Silas.
That the doctrine of reprobation, ought by theDoctrine. Ministers of God to be taught vntounto the Church, but warily and with circumspection, as the mindes of the people be not estranged from God by the rash handling of it. For the doctrine of reprobation, is a part of the holieReason. Scripture, and is reuealed therein, therefore it belongeth to vsus, to take knowledge of it, Deut. 29, 29. Also this doctrine is profitable and necessary to be knowne: for it serueth well to commend Gods merciemercy toward the elect, and to encrease their thankefulnesse, finee they know that he freely elected them to life, … they were no lesse corrupt and miserable, then those whom he refused. Also it teacheth all men to iudge and speak aright of God, to wit, that he hath absolute power ouer men to appoint them to what ends it pleaseth him, without any vnrighteousnesse at all.
Ti.
Is there any other things to be collected out of this Preface?
Silas.
Yea, two things: First, that not only the whole Bible, but eueryevery particular sentence therein, is to be accounted the word of God. Lastly, it confutes such papists as say, that the Scriptures be mute and dumbe: for God speaketh in them, it is a speaking Iudge. Let Christ iudge (saith Augustine) and the Apostles with him, for in them Christ speakes.
Tim.
What are we to learne out of the testimony, being the second part of the Text?
Sil.
Three things: First, that God is the author of reprobation. Secondly, by what degrees and meanes that counsell is fulfilled. Thirdly, the vtmost end of this decree of God.
Tim.
How is the first gathered from this Text?
Sil.
Because it is saide [I,] that is, I God hauehave stirred thee vp, also that God hated Esau, verse 13. and that God prepareth vessels to wrath, verse 22. Adde heereunto 1. Thess. 5, 10.
Tim.
What profit of this?
Sil.
First, it confutes such as will not hauehave reprobation depend vponupon the will of God, but vppon the workes and will of men. Secondly, such as affirme that there is no decree of reprobation at all.
Sil.
But if God for his wil sake reprobate men, is he not herein vniust?
Silas.
No, because betweene the decree of his reprobation, and the execution of it, there alwaies goes the sinne of the party, as the meritorious cause of theyr destruction. Also God refuseth for most holy ends: and lastly, his will is the rule of righteousnesse.
Tim.
What is meant by the stirring vp of Pharaob?
Silas.
It containes those degrees and meanes, by the which Gods counsell was performed vponupon Pharaoh. The degrees be these: First, that he was created of God iust in Adam, but in him suffered to fall. Secondly, that God had aduanced him to the kingdome. Thirdly that amids the great plagues of Egypt, he preserued him aliue when others were destroyed, Exod. 9, 15. Fourthly, that GOD withdrew grace from him that hee could not profit by those wonderful plagues. Fiftly, that by a secret but iust iudgement, he inclined his will to rebell against his Iustice, yet without infusing or putting into him any motion of sinne, for God tempts no man to euill, Iames 1. Sixtly, that for his former wickednesse and malice, hee was deliuered vp to Satan, and his owne lusts to be more obdurated; which God did as a most iust Iudge, executing wrath for former sinnes.
Tim.
What doth all this concerne the counsell of reprobation?
Sil.
Verie much, because all these are so many consequents which follow vponupon the decree of reprobation, & therefore strongly proue it. For if God had chosen him, hee could not hauehave continued in his naturall blindnesse and corruption, but must hauehave had his heart mollified & changed, as Iacob and Paul had.
Tim.
What is the end of Gods decree of reprobation in Pharaoh and others?
Silas.
The manifestation of his power in their iust destruction to the praise and honor of his name, that fierce and mighty Kings could not stand, but fell before him, rebelling against him.
Tim.
What vse of this?
Silas.
It serues to mooue vsus to honour God in all hisAs Pharaoh omitted nothing which might bee for his owne destruction, so God lefte nothing vndone which might be for his correction, …. iudgements and workes whatsoeuer: withall, wee may learne from this example, that Gods invitation of sinners to repentance, by benefites or corrections is not of efficacie, sauing in the elect alone. For there lacked not bounty in blessing, and lenity in forbearing and differring punishment, yet they being not elect, it no whit auailed them to amendment.