Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 1 · Dialogue 19
DIAL. XIX.
Verse 30.
Doers of wrong, proud boasters, inuenters of euill things, disobedient to Parents.
Tim.
WHo be meant by doers of wrong?
Silas.
Such as be contumelious, or despitefull reproachers of others, in an insolent manner, insulting petulantly ouer others.
Tim.
How many wayes may wrong be offered and done?
Sil.
Sundry and many wayes: First, wrong may bee done in thought, word, and deed, also to soules, bodies, goods, or name, also by doing euill that we should not doe, and leauing vndo e some good that we should do: also, by fraud and violence: Moreouer, wrong may bee done in our particular callings, when the duties thereof be not well done; as also in priuate affaires, and in place of iudgement: this is vilest.
Tim.
What reasons may keepe vsus from doing of wrong?
Silas.
First, that we may bee like God, who doth no wrong to any, and shew our selues his Children. Secondly, that we may be vnlike Sathan, whose plotting and practise is continually how to doe some wrong. Thirdly, we would hauehave no wrong done to our selues. Fourthly, it is directly against Gods word. Fiftly, it dopriueth men of Heauen: 1. Cor 6, 9. vnrighteous persons shall not inherite Heauen. Sixtly, it bringeth iudgment euen in this life, as in Iesabels example, whereas the contrary, that is, to deale iustly, procureth many blessings as in the example of Iob. Lastly, it hurteth our name and woundeth our Conscience, and it is a cause that wrong is done to our selues: for with what measure wee meate to others, that shall be meate to vsus againe, Mat. 7, 2.
Tim.
What is pride?
Sil.
An high conceite of our owne excellency, cyther arrogating to vsus what we hauehave not and are not, or beeing too high minded for that we hauehave.
Tim.
What is the matter of Pride?
Sil.
The guifts of body and mind supposed, or in truth possessed.
Tim.
What be the remedies of this vice?
Sil.
First, to consider the danger which is great and certaine as it is written, God resisteth the proud, 1. Pet. 5, 5. And pride goeth before a fall, Prouer. 16, 18. Secondly, to remember Christs example, as Phil. 2, 5. Let the same minde be in you, which was in Christ. Thirdly, to thinke what promises be made to the vertue of humility, 1. Pet 5, 5. God giueth grace to the humble. Fourthly, to thinke whereof we are made, and whither we must goe; for dust we are, and to dust we must returne, Gen. 3, 19. Lastly, how vnfit we are to any good, and that al the good wee hauehave or doe, it is giuen vsus, 1 Cor. 4, 7. Finally, pride in the minde is the same, that a swelling is in the body.
Tim.
What call ye boasting?
Sil.
To glory or insult in any thing, whereas many proud men boast of that that they hauehave; the boaster is one who brags of that which he hath not.
Tim.
How many kinds be there of boasting?
Sil.
One necessary, vrged by importunity of euill men, such as Paul vsed 2, Cor. 11, 16. Secondly Christian boasting, which is a holy confidence in Christs merits. Thirdly, a vaine and foolish boasting, which is a boasting of things we think we hauehave done, or which others hauehave done by our means: or of wickednes this is the worst boasting.
Tim.
What reasons against this foolish boasting?
Sil.
First it breaketh a rule of the word, euen that rule which biddeth vsus to be modest and lowly. Secondly, it is a signe of a vaine and ambitious heart. Thirdly, it maketh vsus resemble the Diuell. Math. 4, 9.
Tim.
What do ye call inuenters of euill things?
Sil.
Such as are not content with the euils that bee already in vse and practise, doe study to finde out new euils; as the proud man he inuenteth new fashions, the couetous man hee inuenteth more wayes of gaine; the opressor, inuenteth new cruelties and torments; the Epicure inuents new deuices, new pleasures and delicates. Such were Tiberius, Sardanapalus, Phalaris, who rewarded such as found new delights and new torments.
Tim.
What Reasons against this vice?
Silas.
The euils which men do inuent, do commonly hurt the inuenters. Psalme. 7, 15. They shal fall into the pit which they digged for others.
Tim.
Wherein doth disobedience to Parents shew it selfe?
Silas.
First, in their impatient bearing of corrections. Secondly, in an vnwillingnesse to obey things commanded well and iustly.
Tim.
In what things chiefely, are Children to shew obedience to parents?
Silas.
In two things: First, in choise of their Calling or Trade of life. Secondly, in their marriage and choise of their yoake fellow. This may appeare by the example of our first Parents, whose marriage God their Father made. Secondly, by the example of Isaac, Iacob, Sampson, who were ruled by their Parents in their matches. Thirdly, by 1. Cor. 7. Fourthly, Children are more in power of their Parents, then their other goods. Fiftly, by the Law of Vowes, Num. 30, 4, 5. for if a promise made of a Childe to God, is of no force when parents dissent, much more may parents breake the promise which their children shall make of themselues to other men. Lastly, Marriages made without consent of Parents are against the Law of Nature, and of the Lord, & are commonly accursed of God.
Tim.
For what reasons is disobedience to parents, to be loathed of all Christians?
Silas
First, it is against the fift commandement, which saith, honour them, Ephes. 6, 1. Secondly, it is against the Instruments of our life, education, and learning. Thirdly, it is against thē which bear the image of Gods authority. Fourthly, it bringeth many curses, as short life to disobedient Children. Hee that despiseth his Mother (saith the Wise man) the Rauens shal pick out his eyes, Prou. 30, 17. Also Absolon came to a fearfull end, being a disobedient Childe.