Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 9 · Dialogue 13
DIAL. XIII.
Verse 23. And that be might declare the riches of his glory vponupon the Vessels of mercy, which hee hath prepared vntounto glory.
Tim.
VVHat is the drift and purpose of this Text?
Silas.
To illustrate or set foorth the ende of Scope.Gods counsell touching the reprobate (which is, the manifestation of iustice and power in their deserued destruction) by the contrary end, touching his counsell of election, which is two-fold. First, Gods owne glory, (this is the vtmost end.) Secondly, the eternall glorye and happinesse of the elect, (this is the neerest end.)
Tim.
Tell vsus what is meant by [he] as also by [declare?]
Silas.
By [he] is meant God, as verse, 22. and by [declare] Interpretation.is signified to make knowne to al reasonable creatures, to wit, Angels and men.
Tim.
What is signified by [his glory] as also by the riches of his glory?
Silas.
By his glory is meant the grace of God, wherein hee shewes himselfe glorious, see Ephe. 3 16. and by the riches of his glory, is meant his vnmeasurable and meruellous great mercy: see the like, Rom. 2, 4. Ephes. 1, 3, 8.
Tim.
Who are meant heere by the [vessels of his mercy?]
Silas
Elect men and women ordained to obtaine saluation in heauen, through the mercies of God in Christ.
Tim.
What doctrines arise out of these words thus expounded?Doctrine.
Sil.
First, that the elect (as well as the reprobate) are Reason.vessels or instruments framed of God to speciall vses; for God makes nothing in vaine: if reprobates bee for vse, much rather the elect.
Tim.
What vse of this point?
Silas.
It warnes vsus that whatsoeuer wee are or hauehave, Vse.we hold it of God, and are to referre it to him, euen as vessels are what they are by the will of the Potter, and serue to his pleasure.
Tim.
What is the next doctrine?
Sil.
That not mans merit but Gods mercy, puts a difference 2. Doctrine.betweene vessell and vessell, person and person. The godly in that they are vessels, this is by nature common to them with the wicked; but in that they are vessels to honour, this must be ascribed to mercy: whereas yet the reprobates are vessels of wrath by merit, for their wrath and punishment is not inflicted, till it bee deserued.
Tim.
What vse to be made of this point?
Silas.
It admonisheth Gods children that they hauehave nothing Vse.whereof to glory in themselues, seeing all they are or hauehave flowes from free and vndue mercy. Therefore let them that will reioyce, reioyce in this, that they know God to bee mercifull, Ierc. 9. Whereas God calleth, iustifieth, &c. hee sheweth not thereby what wee deserue, but how good and mercifull himselfe is.
Tim.
What other doctrine from hence?
Silas.
That the praise of Gods glorious mercy is the 3. Doctrine.furthest and chiefest ende why hee electeth and chuseth some. This doctrine may be proued by plaine texte of Scripture, as Prouer. 16, 4. Rom. 11, 36. Ephe. 1, 12. to the praise of his glory. The reason of this doctrine is, because there can bee no higher or further ende of his owne decree, then his owne praise. It is iust and equall that he doe seeke glory vntounto himselfe by his creatures.
Tim.
What vse is to be made of this doctrine?
Silas.
It stoppes the mouths of such as are ready to accuse Vse.the decrees of God to be vniust, whereas they tend vntounto most righteous endes, as they bee the decrees of a most righteous God. Secondly, it warneth vsus to make the glory of God the vtmost end of our counsels and actions, euen as God hath propounded it to himselfe for the scope of his owne counsels, 1. Cor. 10, 31. Col. 3, 17. 1. Tim. 4, 5.
Tim.
May not yet some other doctrine be drawne from the former part of this verse?
Sil.
Yes, this: That the merciemercy which God shewes the elect, is not common and ordinary, but exceeding abundant4. Doctrine. and plentifull: for to forgiue them so many sins,Reason. to deliuer them from so great wrath, to fulfill them with such exceeding graces, to call them to such exceeding and endlesse ioyes, to giuegive them his owne Sonne to purchase all this, and to do all this most freely (passing by others no worse then themselues) shewes his mercy and goodnesse to be exceeding rich and glorious towardes the chosen.
Tim.
What vse of this point?Vse.
Silas.
It affoords an exhortation to the godlie, to enlarge their hearts vntounto all possible louelove and thankefulnesse towardes this mercifull God, with continuall and great care to glorifie him by our obedience vntounto his word. Thus farre of the first end.
Tim.
What is the second end of election?
Silas.
The glory of the elect: by glory here is not onelyonlyInterpretation. meant the glorious and blessed estate of the Saints in heauen, but all the meanes also which bringes them thither, as Calling, Faith, Righteousnesse, Sanctification, &c. and finally, the whole woorke of theyr Redemption.
Tim.
In what sence is it sayde [That God prepareth vntounto Glorie?]
Silas.
That is to say, he hath made them fit and meet before hand, to be partakers of this glory: and this God doth three wayes. First by eternall predestination. Secondly, by an innocent creation. Thirdly, by an effectuall restauration, restoring them by Christ vntounto their lost Image.
Tim.
Speaking of the reprobate hee saith of them passiuely (prepared) but of the vessels of mercy (he prepared,) what are we to learne from this difference of the phrase?
Silas.
That the reprobates bring something of their owne to further their destruction (to wit, corruption of nature, and the fruites thereof,) whereas the elect hauing from God alone, whatsoeuer good belongs to their saluation, they also hauehave from God both the ende, and all the meanes, both grace, iustice, and glory. The reprobate in respect of nature and ende, are prepared of God; but prauity and naughtinesse they hauehave from Sathan and themselues.
Tim.
What is the doctrine from these latter words?5. Doctrine.
Silas.
That God hath vnseparably ioyned the saluationReason. of the elect, with the praise of his owne glory. The reason hereof is, to make his owne goodnes more renowned, and the elect more gratefull and obedient; for all men being alike sinfull by nature, if hee would hauehave condemned all, it had been but iust; therefore the more was his mercy, that he would saue some, whome he might hauehave worthily refused.
Tim.
What vse hereof?Vse.
Silas.
To assure the elect of their owne saluation, which they cannot misse off, since God will not loose the glory of his grace. Secondly, to stirre vp themselues to more ioyfulnesse, by considering the gracious ende of his counsell toward them, compared with the fearefull ende of others; this is more effectuall to mooue the godly to laude God, then if all men had beene ordained to glory.
Tim.
What other thing are wee to learne from these last words?
Silas.
That the elect in themselues are no whit better6. Doctrine. then others; for in that they must bee prepared, it shewesReason. that of themselues they are not apt. Againe, this ouerthrowesVse. the doctrine of free will and merite; for if God must needes prepare vsus, where is our power to doe any good, or what place for our owne deseruings, seeing wee hauehave nothing but what wee doe receiue? Lastly, this doeth greatly extoll Gods goodnesse towards the chosen, in that not onelyonly God giues them eternall glory, but prepareth them for it, to make them meete inheritours. He prepareth heauen for the elect, and the elect for heauen; yea and preserues thē to it also by his power throgh faith. To him be praise and glory for euer.