Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 5 · Dialogue 6
DIAL. VI.
Verse 6. For Christ, when we were yet of no strength, at his time died for the vngodly.
Tim.
VVHat is the drift and end of this text?
Sil.
To confirme that which hee had said, of the louelove of God towards vsus, by an effect and fruite of his louelove, which is, the death of his Sonne Christ Iesus. Here beginneth the demonstration, which is the second part of this Chapter, as before.
Tim.
How is this set foorth?
Sil.
It is set foorth by a double circumstāce of time; first in that the Sonne of God was giuen to death for vsus at that time when we were yet weake, vngodly, sinners, and enemies. Secondly, in that he dyed for vsus at the time appoynted of his Father, called (his time.)
Tim.
What be the parts of this sixt verse?
Sil.
Foure; first, what ones God loued, (weake and vngodly ones.) Secondly, by what guift hee expressed his louelove (his Sonne Christ.) Thirdly, at what time the guift was bestowed (at his time.) Fourthly, to what thing he was giuen, (to death.)
Tim.
Now come to the interpretation of the words, and first tell vsus what is meant by [weake] in this place?
Sil.
The word here vsed, is applyed sometime to the body; then it signifieth either weaknesse, which commeth by some disease or sicknesse, after which, men bee feeble; or else it noteth the want of al might, as in that text of 1 Cor. 15, 43. The body is sowne in weakenesse: or it is affirmed of the minde, and then it is either put for small strength, as Rom. 15, 1. or for no strength, as here in this text: that this is here meant, may appeare by this, that they which are called weak, the same are called vngodly, sinners, enemies; such are voyd of all spirituall and sauing power, to beleeue or repent.
Tim.
What doe these termes teach vsus?
Sil.
That they for whome Christ was giuen to death, were such as had no force of their own to help themselues, but needed all manner of helpe vntounto saluation. Secondly that such as Christ died for, doe not onelyonly neede all helpe, but being vngodly, refuse helps being offered; and beeing sinners encrease their euils more and more, and which is most of all, they grow in hatred of the remedy, being open enemies to God: heere is a singular gradation to amplify Gods louelove to lost mankind.
Tim.
What is the vse to be made of this truth?
Sil.
It sheweth the wretched estate which men liue in without faith in Christ. Secondly, it condemneth the madnesse of such as affime that the elect beeing in this estate, were yet Iustified, and the sonnes and heires of God: this their madnesse may appeare in this, that the selfe same persons at one time, shal be actually and indeed both enemies and friends to God, sinners and righteous, vngodly and sonnes, to need all helpe, and yet to hauehave all helpe; this is to confound heauen and hell grace and corruption, Sathan and God, death and life togither. Thirdly, it confuteth the Pelagian and Papist, who ascribe some strength to nature to prepare, at least to dispose it selfe to grace. This the Pelagian sets forth by a similitude of waxe fitte for any impression, of white paper, or a naked table ready to take any forme: so is our nature (say they) apt to learne, if it be but taught vsus: also the Papists they expresse it by the similitude of a man sore wounded or much enfeebled, or laden or borne downe with bolts and fetters, which with a little helpe of another mans hand, will raise vppe himselfe, and make shift to stand vppon his feete: So say they, nature is but wounded, enfeebled, or ouerburthened, and with litle helpe of grace, can reare it selfe to heauenwards. These their corrupt opinions appeare to be false, by Ephes. 2. 1. where it is written that wee are dead in trespasses and sins, and therefore as touching God and godlinesse, wee are by nature dead corps; and in this our text, we are said to bee of no strength. Fourthly, it prouoketh Gods children to great humility and thankfulnes towards God, to consider what they were before their conuersion; for the more miserable our former estate, the more amyable present grace: also it must moue them to compassionate others, which yet be in this woeful estate, seeing themselues once were such. And lastly, it must stirre vp a feruent louelove to God, who in this most pittifull case loued vsus, and gaue such a guist and remedy to vsus, and for vsus.
Tim.
What was that gift whereby God doth expresse his louelove vntounto vsus, being so sinfull and wretched?
Sil.
No lesse then Christ, his owne and onelyonly begotten Sonne, which is the greatest and best guift that the mostAs God could not sweare by a greater then himselfe so he could not giuegive a greater then himselfe in the person of Christ. great and good God could bestow vppon mankinde: the reason is, because it is more worth then all the world: for it is himselfe in the person of his Sonne, therfore the greatest. Also through this gift all other gifts are made good and profitable to vsus, which else would bee so many curses. Therefore the best cause that moued him to bestow such a gift vponupon vsus, was the good pleasure of his will, which here and elsewhere is called his louelove, Iohn 3, 16. 1 Ioh. 4.
Tim.
What did we learne by this, that God would witnes his louelove by such a fruit of it and gift?
Sil.
That our louelove must be like the louelove of God, that is, an effectuall and fruitfull louelove, not in purpose onelyonly and goodwill, but in effect as wee are able to expresse it. Secondly, that as God declareth his great louelove, and that to his enemies: so after his example, wee should out of louelove do good to our enemies, whereby we are knowne to be Gods Children, Luke 6. For euen Infidels and the most wicked persons, they will louelove such as louelove them, Math. 5.
Tim.
What doth this meane, which is added [According to the time, or at his time?]
Silas.
It meaneth thus much: euen that fit and conuenient time appointed of his Father, called fulnesse of time, Gal. 4, 4. and his houre, John 5, 25. for God hath his times appointed for all his workes, Eccl. 3, 1.
Tim.
What followes of this?
Silas.
That Christ could come neither sooner nor later then hee did. Secondly, it commendeth the more Gods louelove vntounto vsus, to send him at a time when a floode of wickednesse had ouerflowed all. Thirdly, that there is a fit time for euerie work of God, which should teach men to waite vponupon God, Eccles. 3, 1.
Tim.
Where unto gaue he Christ for vsus?
Sil.
VntoUnto death, which was a dissolution of his bodieHe suffered the first death and the pangs of the second death. and soule, ioyned with the curse of God, Galath. 3, 13. Of this death there was great neede. For Gods Iustice had decreed it, his word foretolde it, the sacrifices prefigured it, the foulenesse of mans sin deseruing it, Christ willingly suffered it, man was sufficiently redeemed by it, and God greatly glorified by it.
Tim.
What vse heereof?
Silas.
It sheweth vsus the greatnesse of mans sinne, and of Christs louelove, of Satans malice, and of Gods Iustice, & of Popish blindnesse and corruption, which teach some sinnes so light and veniall, as asprinkling of holy-water and ashes will purge them.