Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 1 · Dialogue 3
DIALOGVE. III.
Verse 4, 5, 6.
4 And declared mightily to be the Sonne of God, touching the spirit of Sanctification, by the Resurrection from the dead.
5 By whom we hauehave receiued Grace and Apostleshippe, that Obedience might be giuen vntounto the Faith for his name, among all the Gentiles.
6 Among whom, ye be also the Called of Iesus Christ.
Tim.
VVHat is the … of this fourth Verse?
Silas.
That Iesus Christ is God Omnipotent, of the same power & Maiesty with his father: so declaredIoh. 5, 26. and 2, 19. to the world by his glorious resurrection, which was a worke of Diuine power.
Tim.
What is meant by the spirit?
Silas
His diuine Nature, as the flesh against which it is set, signifieth his humaine nature. See Spirit vsed in like sence, 1 Tim. 3. 16, 1 Pet. 3, 18. Heb. 9, 14.
Tim.
Why doth he put [Sanctification] to spirit?
Silas
To expresse the worke of his Diuinitie, sanctifying his manhood, with al graces aboue measure, and quickning that flesh which he assumed, vntounto a life which is no more subiect to death. Thus both Chrysostome and … expound it of Christes owne rising.
Tim.
By how many wayes did hee manifest himselfe to be the Sonne of God?
Silas
By these seauen wayes: The first is, his Diuine and effectuall Doctrine, for no meere man could teach as he taught: also, by his most innocent Life. Secondly, by his powerfull Myracles, which were euidences of his Godhead, beeing done by his proper power. Thirdly, by his fore-telling things to come. Fourthly, by his knowledge of mans thoughts. Math: 9, 4. Fiftly, by ordaining of the Sacramentes of his Church. Math: 26 & 20. Sixtly, by institution of Ministers,Eph 4, 10, 11 for the teaching and ruling his Church, Mat.Acts 26, 8. 10, and 28. Seauenthly, by raising himselfe from the dead, which is a worke sarre passing humaine power;Rom. 4, 17. and therfore fitly brought heer to proue his Diuinity.
Tim.
But Elisha and Paule raised the dead, and wrought other Myracles, yet were but men?
Silas
True, this was by a borrowed power euen in Christs name, but Christ did raise himselfe, which is more then to raise others, as Prophets did, and shall raise others by his owne proper power (which argueth him to be more then a man) not as an instrument, but as a principall Efficient.
Tim.
For what reasons was it needfull for him to bee aSon of God. verie God, that should be our Sauiour?
Silas
For these Reasons: First, that he might giuegive full merit to the dooinges and sufferings of his manhood, for a meere creature cannot merit of the Creator God. Secondly, that in his sufferinges, which of it selfe hee might support his man-hoode, could not beare such a waight of wrath as fell vppon him. Thirdly, that hee might giuegive his spirit to the elect to sanctifie them, for the spirit being God, none but God could giuegive him. Fourthly, that he might raise vp himselfe from the dead, and all his members with him, at the last and great day. Fiftly, that hee might bee a maintainer of that saluation which hee hath purchased, and a Protector of his people for euer: therefore, his members trust in him, and call vponupon him, which were a grieuous sinne, if he were but a meere man: for cursed is hee, that maketh Flesh his arme.
Tim.
What Vse is to be made of this truth?
Silas
First, it serueth to stirre vp our thankfulnesse towards God, who hath giuen vsus such a mightie Redeemer, Luke 1, 32. Secondly, it should cause vsus to put our whole affiance in him against all dangers and enemies, bodily and spiritual. Psal: 2. verse last. Lastly, to be obedient to his voice, speaking to vsus in his word, seeing he is that mighty God able to punnish all disobedience. Acts 3, 13. Heb. 2, 2. and 4.
Tim.
What is meant by the Apostleship?
Silas
The guift or faculty of that calling, to be an Apostle: & secondly, to be able to teach the church:Apostleship. both which, he had immediately from Christ.
Tim.
Why is it called Grace?
Sil.
Because it is freely giuen him, not onelyonly without, but against all desert and merit, from the meereEphel. 3, 8. goodwill and fauour of God, at the time of his conuersion1. Cor. 15, 8. by grace, and togither with it.
Tim.
Of whom did he receiue this Grace?
Sil.
Of Christ immediately, who both called and furnished him with authority and guifts, euen then when hee went about to persecute and oppresse the Church, that hee might be to the praise of his glorious grace.
Tim.
To what end did he receiue it?
Silas
To a twofold end and purpose: First, it is in respect of men, to draw them by the inward work of the spirit (ioyned to his preaching) to beleeue and obey the Gospell of Christ. Secondly, in respect of Christ, that his name may be glorified, by the calling and submission of many soules to his Doctrine, acknowledging him for their Sauiour and GOD, who before serued dumbe Idols as they were led.
Tim.
Towards whom did Paul exercise his Apostleship?
Silas
Especially towards the Gentiles; amongest whom, Christ was mightie by his Ministerie: as by Peter, he was mightie amongst the Iewes. Gal. 2. 7.
Tim.
What do ye learne out of all this?
Silas
That the guift and function of the Ministery, are Christs free guift: secondly, that the vse of them, is to be referred vntounto the honour of Christ; by winning men to beleeue and acknowledge him for they Sauiour, by calling vponupon his name, and being called after his name [Christians] of Christ: thirdly, that Christ is a common Sauiour of Iewes and Gentiles which beleeue, so as the difference of nations is taken away, Acts 10, 31, 32.
Tim.
What are we to learne for our instruction and aedification out of the 6. Verse?
Sil.
These foure things: first, that Paul doth wisely draw the Romanes with compasse and ranke of them to whom his commission (as an Apostle) did appertaine: both to put from himselfe the suspition of a curious busie bodie, and to make them more willing to receiue him, being sent to them with authority to be their Instructer. Also to humble the pride of the Romanes, being ranged in the number of other Beleeuers, howsoeuer they were Lords of the worlde. In naming the [Called of Christ] he giueth to witte, that they belonged to Christ, and his grace belonged to them; and teacheth how they belonged to Christ, & became (namely) by an effectuall and special calling, drawing them to the faith of Christ, freely and firmely.