Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 11 · Dialogue 10
DIAL. X.
Verse 12. Wherefore if the fall of them be the riches of the worlde, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more shall their aboundance be?
Tim.
VVHhat doth this scripture containe in it?
Silas.
An illustration or larger setting foorth of the two ends of the fall of the Iewes, mentioned in ver. 11. viz. the adoption of the Gentiles, and the repentance and conuersion of the Iewes; this latter hee beginneth within this 12. verse, and the former he illustrateth in the 13. and 14. verses. The reason why he first dealeth with the latter end of Gods counsell by an hysterosis, it is because it seemeth to bee contrary to the former, and therefore hee is carefull to reconcile them.
Tim.
How may these two endes seeme to fight one with another, as mutuall enemies?
Silas.
Thus, as if the Iewes were cast out of the couenant and Church, to make roome for the Gentiles to come in; hereof the Gentiles might surmise, that the receiuing of the Iewes should be their reiection and cutting off. For it was likely and might bee feared, that as the falling away of the Iewes, was the occasion of the conuersion of the Gentiles; so the conuersion of the Iewe, should occasion the falling away of the Gentile. VntoUnto which obiection, the Apostle answereth negatiuely, denying the obiection; hee strengthneth his argument from the lesse to the more, thus: If the diminishing and pouerty of the Iewes, bee the riches of the Gentiles, much more shall their plentifull calling be: if their fall do further the saluation of the Gentile, their restoring shall not hinder but further it more. For if God can doe that which is lesse likely, to draw good out of euill; much more hee can turne that which is good, to the good of the Gentile. Againe, a thing which is good (as the restoring of the Iewe) hath a proper inbred vertue, to bring forth that which is good; but a thing which is euil (as the fall of the Iewes) bringeth forth good accidentally, not as a cause, but as an occasion onelyonly.
Tim.
Expound the wordes, and tell vsus what is meant by [fall.]
Silas.
The casting off of the Iewes from Christ in part,Interpret. and not wholly; therfore called (diminution, or minishing) by which worde wee are not to vnderstand the Apostles, which were but few and abiect, yet enriched the Gentiles by their preaching: but the falling away of the Iew vntounto a few & small number: for the most of them refusing Christ by vnbeliefe, the residue were but a few; and therefore fitly called a minishing, or a diminution, which is not an excision or cutting off the whole, but a decision or cutting a part from the whole.
Tim.
What is meant by [world and their riches?]
Silas.
[World] signifieth the Gentiles, so expounded in the wordes following: and the riches of the Gentiles implyeth both the great multitude of the Gentiles called to Christ by the Gospell, and the thing wherewith they were enriched, euen the plentifull knowledge of Christ, and the abundant graces of the Spirite.
Tim.
What signifies abundance?
Sil.
Two things: First, the great company of the Iewes which shall be called, towards the end of the world. And secondly, the encrease of spirituall graces bestowed on the Iewes in their generall conuersion: So as this is the summe of this whole verse, Seeing the Iewes being fallenSumme. away from God, and brought to a little number, did occasion the plentifull and generall vocation of the Gentiles vntounto grace, therefore the Iewes themselues beeing generally called, and abundantly blessed with the riches of Christ, there shall most certainely thereby come great good to the Gentiles.
Tim.
Let vsus now see what doctrines doe arise out of this 12. verse thus expounded.
Silas.
First, we learne the exceeding great seuerity and most sharpe wrath of God, in the great fall and misery ofDoctrine. the Iewes, his owne and onelyonly people, for many thousand years endowed with innumerable priuiledges, as in Rom. 9, 5, 6, 7. yet the greatest part of the whole Nation was fallen from God into extreame desolation. The reasonReason. heereof, is the malice and infidelity of the Iewes striuing against Christ the Sonne of God, and his Gospell preached by himselfe and his Apostles, and calling them sweetly vntounto saluation, see verse 20.
Tim.
What vse is to be made of this doctrine?
Silas.
It warneth all men to stand in awe of Gods seuerity,Vse. and to keepe from sinne, through feare of his iustice, Psal. 4, 5. How will he spare thee, when hee did not spare a whole Nation? how will hee pitty a wilde branch, which did cut off the true Oliue? Therefore feare him all yee people, because he iudgeth without respect of person, 1. Pet. 1, 17. The second vse is to exhort vsus to beware as of all sinne, so chiefely of vnbeleefe, which thrust Adam out of Paradice, the Iewes out of the Church and out of heauen too, and tumbled them downe to hell, Reue. 21, 8. Vnbeleefe most dishonoureth God, most hurteth men, beeing the roote of all sinnes, and cause of temporall and eternall torments: therefore we ought much mislike it, and mightily striue against it.
Tim.
What is the second doctrine?
Silas.
That the Iewes shall be restored to grace towards,Doctrine. the end of the worlde, and that not by two or three, or a few, but by great companies. As the whole nation in a manner departed from Christ, so in a manner shall the whole nation returne to him: the proofe heereof is in this verse, in the word [abundance,] and in verse 26.
Tim.
What profit is to be made heereof?
Silas.
It commends the immeasurable mercy of God in deliuering such a rebellious and forlorne people. Secondly, his incredible power, beeing able to call vntounto Christ a people that despised and strongly resisted him, as if he should raise the dead out of the graue. Lastly, seeing God is willing to pitty them, it behoues vsus so to doe, and earnestly to pray to God for their recouery, and not to despaire eyther of our selues or others, beeing very greeuous sinners before God.
Tim.
What is the third doctrine?
Silas.
That the true riches of a Christian is not in goldDoctrine. or siluer, &c. but in the multitude of the faithfull, and plentiousnesse of Gods graces in them, 1. Cor. 15. Ephe.Reason. 3, 16. Reue. 3, 18. The reason is, because all other riches are earthly and vanishing, but these are from heauen, and therefore euerlasting.
Tim.
What is the vse of this doctrine?
Silas.
It serues to call our mindes from corruptible riches,Vse. to fixe them vponupon incorruptible, to labour to bee rich in Christ, not to the world, as Christ counselleth, Mat. 6, 19. Lay not vp treasure, &c. Secondly, to strengthen those in their good resolution, which for the riches of Christ hauehave learned to contemne the world, for they hauehave with Mary chosen the better part, which shall neuer be taken from them.
Tim.
What is the fourth doctrine?
Sil.
That the conuersion of one hindereth not the conuersionDoctrine. of another, but rather much furthereth the same; as it is written of the Gentiles, that it shoulde much helpe their saluation, to see the Iewes generally conuerted. In the state of this worlde, the preferring of one often crosseth the preferment of another; but it is contrary in the state of grace. The reason is, because the more be conuerted,Reason. and the more full the body of the Church is, they doc the more abound in mutuall help. As in an army amongst many Souldiours, one succoureth another; and amongst many trauailers, one encourageth another.
Tim.
What fruite may wee reape by the knowledge of this trueth?
Sil.
It serues to prouoke all Christians to pray and seekVse. for the turning many vntounto God, that they may be the stron ger. Secondly, to praise God heartily for such as bee called out of darknes to light, as Paul often doth for the Gentiles, whereof see the proofe in his Epistles to the Philippians and Colossians. Lastly, to take heede wee enuy not the repentance of any, but rather to reioyce at it, after the Angels example, who are glad of the conuersion of a sinner. Luke. 15, 10.