Sermons Upon Romans 11:2-8, Sermon 1
Certaine Sermons vponupon the 2,3.4.5.6.7. and 8. Verses of the 11. Chapter of Saint Paule his Epistle vntounto the ROMAINES.
Verse 2.
¶ Know yee not what the Scripture saieth of Elias, how hee maketh request vntounto God against Israel, &c.
THe whole Doctrine and circumstances of this 11 Chapter (generally considered) consist of two especiall and principall parts. In the first whereof, the Apostle prooueth by many Arguments and authorities that there ought not to bee an vtter desperation of the Iewes, as if they were all generally reiected and forsaken. And in the second part, hee directeth his speech vntounto vsus Gentiles, that we should not too proudly esteeme of our selues, & despise them. In the first, his purpose and meaning is, to comfort and encorage the Iewes: and in the second, to perswade the Gentiles to modesty and humblenesse of minde. This is the generall scope. As touching a more particuler consideration, the Apostle in the latter part of the former chapter, hauing preuented two sundry obiections of the Aduersaries, which might seeme to hauehave beene gathered in defence of the Iewes: Now in the beginning of this Chapter (both for the more effectuall clearing of himselfe from al malice towards the same people, and for the better vnderstanding of his Doctrine) hee applyeth himselfe to the preuenting of a third Obiection, as though it should yet further be said vntounto him by some one of the Iewes, It must needes follow vponupon the Doctrine you hauehave deliuered before, that God is mutable, and hath now vtterly cast off the Iewes from the Couenant of his grace and mercy, whereas they hauehave alwaies hitherto beene his chosen and peculiar people. To which Obiection, the Apostle answereth by a very vehement deniall in the first Verse, saying; God forbid. As if he saide, although I hauehave spoken of the reiecting and casting away of the Iewes, yet I neuerthoght, much lesse saide, that they all generally are reiected and forsaken. God forbid (saith S. Paul) that any such cogitation shoulde enter into my heart, or be once vttered with my mouth, for it were a most wicked & damnable opinion to be so perswaded. This is the sence & purpose of this Obiection, and of the Apostles aunswere thereunto. The which answere, hee prooueth and amplifyeth in the next wordes, by three most excellent reasons. The first reason hee draweth from his owne example, in the latter part of the first verse. For I also (saith he) am an Israelite of the seede of Abraham, of the Tribe of Beniamin. His Argument lyeth thus: If God hauehave reiected all his people, without exception from the pertaking of his grace, then shoulde I bee reiected and cast off, (For I am an Israelite as they are.) But sure I am (saith S. Paule) that God hath not reiected nor forsaken mee: therefore all Iewes generally are not cast off. The second reason of his denial, he deriueth in the second Verse, from the fore-knowledge of GOD. God (saith he) hath not cast away his people which hee knew before. By the fore-knowledge of God in this place, not vnderstanding a generall knowledge, (for so should it comprehende as wel the wicked as the godly) but by fore-knowledge, he heere vnderstandeth a knowledge, ioyned with an election and acceptation of some by speciall fauour, whom he had ordained to eternall life; according as in this sence is the word so taken, Verse 1, 6. Rom. 8, 2. Ioh. 10, 1. and in diuers other places. As if he had said, God will neuer vtterly forsake those whom hee hath eternally elected. God hath eternally elected some of the Iewes; therefore all the Iewes generally are not forsaken. The thirde reason, which the Apostle produceth, for the proofe and confirmation of his former deniall, is contained in this Text which I hauehave read vntounto you. And it is drawn and deriued (as you see) from the example of that time wherein Elias liued: As if he should say, Euen as in the daies of Elias the Lord God reiected not all the people of Israel generally and without exception, but amongst an innumerable company of prophane & wicked Idolaters, reserued yet, and safely kept to him-selfe a certaine number, yea and not a fewe, but manie thousands; which men serued the Goddes of the Gentiles, nor were defiled with their abhominations: euen so of his infinite bountie and goodnesse hath he at this time also vndoubtedly preserued some of the Iewes from infidelity, and whom in due time hee will exalt to eternall life: Howsoeuer the greatest multitude, thorough the stubbornnesse of their owne hearts, and Tyrannous cruelty against the Son of God, and his faithfull seruants, doo most miserably remaine in the state of condemnation.
Nowe, for the Doctrines which may arise from hence for our comfort Doctr. 1 and instruction. The first point most necessarily concerneth all the faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ, as namely; That to the ende the Doctrines and exhortations which they teach and deliuer vntounto the people of God, in the publick Ministry & preaching of the Gospel, may cheerefully and without suspition bee heard, beleeued, embraced, and obeyed, they therefore bee euermore Religiously careful to approue and confirme that which they teach, & that wherunto they exhort, by the expresse testimonies and authorities of the Scripture. This (as you see) is heere necessarily gathered from this example of the Apostle S. Paule, who knowing well that the Iewes would be ready to cauell against his former Reasons, as though hee shoulde arrogantly conclude, that the promise of saluation was fulfilled in himselfe, and in a few others like vntounto him: he therefore in this 3. place, hath recourse to the authority of the Scripture, the which hee knew without manifest wickednesse could not be contradicted. Approuing thereby, that as in the daies of Elias, the Lorde preserued verie many frō Idolatry, which Elias knew not; euen so at this time, did many of them belong vntounto Goddes election, although they could not be discerned in the world. Heerin for further confirmation, we hauehave not onelyonly the example of the Apostle Paule in manie other places, together with the examples of all the rest of the Apostles, as we may see in their seueral Epistles and writinges: but euen the example also of our lord Iesus Christ himself, hauing relation for the confirmation of his Doctrine (as we may see in diuers places of his Gospell) somtimes to Moses, sometimes to Dauid, sometimes to one place of the Old-Testament, and somtimes to another. And now if the holy Apostles of Christ, who could not possibly erre, nor bee deceiued in any point of Doctrine, which they should teach and deliuer vntounto the people of God (as writing by the inspiration of Gods spirit, and speaking as they were moued by the Holy-Ghost.) If they thought it an necessary point of Christian Wisedom, both in regard of the discharge of their own duties, and for the good and saluation of Gods people, to approue and confirm their Doctrine by the authority of the Scripture. Nay, if our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe, the author of truth, and truth it selfe, submitted himselfe heere-unto: Much more then ought all the Ministers to doo the same at this day, as being of themselues subiect vntounto errour, and Reason 1 nothing so sure of any heauenly assistance, but that they may easily both deceiue and be deceiued. Other Reasons Reason 2 wherefore all Doctrine shoulde be prooued by the Scripture, are, because that alone it is, which all men (vnderunder paine of condemnation) are bound to beleeue, and whereunto all other writings, testimonies, and authorities from whomsoeuer they proceede, and by whomsoeuer they are vttered, ought wholly to yeelde and giuegive place. Many oftentimes shew great reading in the testimonies of Fathers and Poets, but assure your selues (my Brethren) the holy Scripture and written word of God is the onelyonly Fountaine and Treasure-house from whence al truth of faith & holinesse is to be drawn and deriued, and the onelyonly right Touchstone and perfect Directory, whereby all truth of Doctrine is to bee tryed and examined.Verse 11. And therefore notably. 1 Pet. 4. If any man speake, let him speake as the words of God. Verse 20.And Isaiah 8. To the law, and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is Reason 3 no light in them. A third reason is, because such is the Authority of the Scripture, and so hath the Lord sanctified the same for our vse, that whatsoeuer is approoued and confirmed, although it be but by one Testimony of the same, yet it excellently agreeeth, and hath a mutuall relation to al the rest, and no lesse reuerendly and religiously ought it to be beleeued & embraced, then if the Lord in an audible voice were plainly heard to vtter & pronounce the same from heauen. For surely if the Lorde should at this day speake vntounto vsus, and to our outward eares, as hee spake in times past vntounto the holy Patriarks and Prophets, yet would he speake no otherwise then is contained in the Scriptures. For God is no Chaungeling.Ia. 1.17. That which was his will when (thorough the inspiration of his spirit) the Scriptures were written: the same is his will now, and shal be for euer For these reasons most notably doth our Lorde Iesus Christ match him-selfe with the holye Patriarkes and Prophets which were before saying.Verse 11. Io. 3 We speake that we know, and testifye that we hauehave seene. Now he alone in the ministery of the Gospell, may rightly bee saide to speake and testifye that which he doth know, and hath seene, who confirmeth that which hee speaketh by the euidence of Gods worde. This did our Lord Iesus Christ, this did the Apostle S. Paul, and this must all the faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ do at this day, and from time to time, as being otherwise guilty euen of murthering & destroying the people that hear and rely vponupon them, in causing them to builde their Fayth and hope vponupon erors and lies to their fearefull condemnation. It beeing no better vndoubtedly then verie errors and lyes, whatsoeuer swarueth from, or is in any measure repugnant or contrary to the word of God, dangerous to the saluation of all such as beleeue or resolue vponupon it. And nowe as heerby the whole summe and substance of all Popish Doctrine is euidently approued not to be of God, as being so farre from hauing the Testimonies and authority of the holye Scripture to warrant and confirme the same, as that it is flatly repugnant thereunto, as wee shall see God willing in that which followeth: Vse. euen so it teacheth vsus not only to esteem and account such alone, for the true and faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ, who are Religiously carefull to approue and confirme that which they teach, and whereunto they exhort by the expresse Testimonies of Gods word: but also that in the fear of God we heare and receiue such Doctrines and exhortations from time to time, not as mans word, but as it is indeed the true and holy word of God,1 Thes, 2, 13 Iam. 1, 21. with feare and trembling, and with ioy and chearefulnesse, as the word that is able to saue our soules. According as also belongeth heerunto the notable exhortation of Salomon. Eccl. 4.Verse 17 Take heede to thy foote when thou enterest into the house of God, and bee more neare to heare, then to offer the sacrifice of fooles: for they know not that they do euill. And surely this is a notable exhortation, according wherunto if men and women would be religiously carefull to look to themselues when they come to the hearing of Gods worde, farre more comfortable effects of sounde knowledge, faith, repentaunce, and such like, would vndoubtedly ensue, then are now to be found. The greatest part of people for want of due preparation to heare Gods word (by Prayer before hand) offering no better (as Salomon speaketh) when they are at the Church, then the sacrifice of fooles, receiuing little or no benefit by that which is spoken, but returne home againe from the Sermo… as ignorant and sencelesse, and as fa… from all true feare of God, as whe… they came thither: & this is through want of grace, and of the gr…cious assistance of Gods spirit (which shoul… before hauehave beene prayed for.) Th… voice of the Minister without this (let him preach neuer so wel, and cry neuer so loud) sounding onelyonly in th… eare, and vtterly vnable to pierce th… heart. So true is that saying of th… Apostle,1 Cor. 3, 6. I hauehave planted, Apollos watered but God gaue the encrease. Thu… much from the example of the Apostle Saint Paule, in prouing and confirming his Doctrine by the authority of the Scripture. Now, in the next place, the Apostle (as you see) in this phrase of speech, taking it as a thing granted and out of al question, that the faithfull to whom hee wrot were not ignorant, but well grounded and instructed in the historie of the Scripture. Know ye not (saith he) what the scripture saith? As if he saide, I doo nothing doubt, but that you very well knowe and vnderstand the same. We necessarily learne, that it Doctr. 2 is a notable thing, when not onelyonly the Minister, but also the people be men of knowledge, knowing and vnderstanding in some acceptable measure what the word of god propoundeth to be knowne, beleeued, embraced and obeyed. Such well grounded Christians were the faithfull Romanes vntounto whom the Apostle wrote this Epistle, as wee may see not onelyonly in the Inscription, but in diuers other places. And amongest the rest especially chap. 15. where he hath these words.Verse 14 And I my selfe also am perswaded of you, my brethren, that yee are full of goodnesse, and filled with al knowledge, and are able to admonish one another. Which words do plainly import, that although it bee vtterly vnpossible to attaine a full and perfect measure of heauenly wisedome and vnderstanding during this life, the perfection thereof, as also of al other spirituall gifts and graces, beeing reserued for the life to come (at what time wee shall knowe, euen as wee are knowne, 1 cor. 13, 12) yet notwithstanding so excellently furnished therewith, according to the glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ, ought all true Christians to be, as that they may be able thereby, not onelyonly to approoue and confirme their owne faith, and the faith of others, but also to iustify and maintain the credite of the truth against all errors and false opinions, which may any way tend to obscure or deface the same. And for want of such knowledge,Verse 3, wee may see Esa. 1. and other places, how sharply the Lord reproueth the people of Israel, and compareth them euen to dumbe and vnreasonable creatures. The Oxe (saith he) knoweth his owner, and the Asse his maisters Crib, but Israel hath not knowne; my people hath not vnderstood. And Ier. 8, 7. Euen the Stork in the ayre, knoweth her appointed times, and the Turtle, and the Crane, and the Swallow, obserue the time of their comming, but my people knoweth not the iudgement of the Lorde. Also Chap. 4, 22. My people is foolish, they hauehave not knowne me, they are foolish children, and hauehave none vnderstanding: they are wise to do euill, but to doo well they hauehave no knowledge.
The Reasons wherefore all men Reason 1 should be thus well acquainted with the Scriptures, are, first because they are profitable not onelyonly to teach and instruct, but also to make vsus absolute Christians; yea perfect vntounto all good Workes.2 Tim. 3, 16, 17. And secondly, forasmuch Reason 2 as to this ende and purpose they were committed to writing,Rom, 15, 4. that by a Religious meditation and exercise of them, we might bee trained vp in the vndoubted hope of eternall life. The knowledge and vse of the Scripture therefore necessarily appertaineth to the instruction of all the Saints of God. It was written, as the Apostle saith, For our learning, whether we be learned or vnlearned, men,Gal 3, 28. or women, olde or young, For there is no respect of persons with GOD, but as the Apostle saith. 1 Tim. 2.1 Tim. 2, 4 He would hauehave all men to bee saued, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Gather the people together (saith the Lord by Moses, Deut 31.Deut. 31, 12 13. Men, women, and Children, and the Stranger that is within thy gates, that they may heare, & that they may learne and feare the Lorde your God, and keepe and obserue al the wordes of this Law. What can be spokē more plainly for the confirmation of this truth, that it is the Lords good will and commandement, that not onelyonly men, but, that men, women, and children, should be taught and instructed in his Statutes and iudgements. The Prophet Dauid thought it meet also, that the people generally should com to the knowledge of the scripture; & therefore Psal. 1. he pronounceth him blessed whose delight is in the law of the Lord, Verse 2, 3.and in his Law doth meditate day and night. And Ps. 119.Verse 2, 3, 9 Blessed are those that are vpright in their way, and walke in the Law of the Lord, &c. And a little after, Wherwith shal a yong man redresse his way? in taking heed therto according to thy word. He is blessed by the sentence of Dauid, that meditateth in the word of God: whereupon it followeth on the contrary, that hee is euen cursed that taketh no delight to exercise himselfe therein. Concerning this thing, it is also to bee obserued, what the Lord saith by Moses to the people of Israell. Deut. 6.Verse 6, 7, 8 9, 20, 21, 22 &c. These words (saith the Lord) which I command thee this day, shall bee in thy heart, and thou shalt rehearse them continually vntounto thy children, and thou shalt talke of them, &c. as you may see at large in that Chapter,Verse 26, 27 as also Exod. 12. Psal. 7 8.Exo. 13, 14, 15, Psa. 78, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, This might be further amplifyed by many other authorities, euerie place plainly prouing, how highly God requireth that eueryevery Father, and euerie housholder, should be so perfect and skilfull in the word, in the lawes and ordinances of the Lord, as that thereby they may not onelyonly be comforted in their owne soules, but also be able to teach and instruct their children & families from generation to generation, in the right vnderstanding of the same. For which godly zeale and endeuour, to the practise whereof doth the Lorde himselfe verie highly set foorth the commendation of Abraham. Verse 17, 18 19.Genes. 18. I know him (saith the Lord) that he wil commaund his sonnes and his houshold after him, that they keepe the way of the Lord, to do righteousnesse and iudgement. Also Iohn 17.Verse 3. This is eternal life (saith Christ) that they know thee to be the onelyonly very God, and whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ. Nowe no where is this Fountaine Knowledge to be had, but onelyonly in the scripture and written word of God. It is eternall life therefore truly to know and vnderstand the scripture, and the direct way to eternall death, to remaine ignorant of the same knowledge, of necessity going before faith, without which faith there is no saluation. For hee that beleeueth in Christ shal not bee condemned, but he that beleeueth not, Iohn 3, 18.is condemned already. And Rom. 10, 14. How shal they beleeue in him of whō they hauehave not heard? Thus you see, that God (whose wisedome shineth euen in the least of his creatures) hath not ordained his word to be an idle thing or to serue onelyonly for a fewe, but for all; yea,Psal. 19, 7 Prou. 1, 4 euen to giuegive the simple wisedome, and to the childe knowledge & discretiō. And that as it is his wil that his Ministers should teach his people, euen all his counsell which he hath reuealed:Acts 20, 21. so is it his wil, that his people should learne it all, to the ende they may hauehave hope and consolation by it, in the gouerning of their liues, and in the strengthening of their faith. Whosoeuer hath a religious care & delight to meditate & exercise themselues in the holy scripture and written worde of God, their soules shall thereby be notably fed, strengthned, confirmed, and comforted. They shal hauehave true peace of Conscience, ioy in the Holy-Ghost, assurance of Gods louelove, and of eternall life. But as for such as hauehave no true delight heerein, they can hauehave no true peace of cōscience, no sound ioy in the holy ghost, no assurance of Gods louelove, nor of eternal life. Al which notable effectes are not attributed to the word of god by any deuise of man, but vponupon sufficient warrantize from the same. As in Amos 8. wher the want of Gods word (in the preaching and hearing of it) is cōpared to an intollerable famine,Vetse 11. famishing not only the body, but both soule & body. Whereas the Apostle S. Peter also saith,1 Pet. 1, 23. Verse 25. that we are borne anew, not of mortall seed, but of immortal, by the word of God, who liueth and endureth for euer. And a litle after, this is the word that is preached among you: whereas our Lord Iesus Christ saith also in his Gospell,Ioh. 15, 3, 7 Now are ye cleane through the worde which I hauehave spoken vntounto you. And a little after, If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, Aske what ye wil, & it shalbe done to you. And in another place, If a man louelove me hee wil keepe my words, & my father will louelove him, Ioh. 14, 23, 24.& we wil come vntounto him, and dwel with him. Hee that loueth mee not, keepeth not my words. Many are the places that might bee alledged, but by these it is cleare, how plentifull the scripture is in setting forth the notable commendatiō & effects of the word of God: & al to encourage vsus from the highest to the lowest, to a zealous regarde of the same, as being necessary to be known of vsus in eueryevery part, and eueryevery way to be practised, for the aduancement of Gods glory in our mortall bodies, & for the comfortable sealing and assurance of our saluation.
Vse 1 Now the euident trueth of this point, first, notably tendeth to the confutation of the Papists, whereas by their Doctrine and practise they maintaine, that ignorance is the Mother of deuotion, that inuincible ignorance is not sinne, and so no hinderance of it selfe to saluation, if men be Christened. For which cause, like the Pharises (whom Christ reprooueth for it Luke 11.Verse 52.) They take away the Key of Knowledge from the common people, and wil neither enter into the Kingdome of God themselues, nor suffer others to enter. Obstinately affirming, that the knowledge and vnderstanding of the Scriptures, appertaine onelyonly to great Learned men, and not to the common multitude of men and women: which is asmuch in effect, as if they should say in plaine termes, that the blessednesse of the heauenly kingdome appertaineth only to great lerned men, and not to the multitude of men and women. For if the kingdom of heauen belong vntounto them, then (without exception) all those means withall, which the Lord hath sanctifyed for the building of them vp to that heauenly glory.
Secondly, this Doctrine notably Vse 2 meeteth with such (as many such there are) who will be readie to say (when they are either exhorted to labour for knowledge, or reproued for their ignorance) although I hauehave not so much knowledge and vnderstanding in the Scripture, as you & others, yet I carry as good a mind, I hauehave as good intents, zeale, hope, affections, and desires, nothing at all considering that whatsoeuer minde, intent, zeale, hope, affection, or desire, is not grounded vponupon Gods worde, it is an vnsound minde, an ill intent, a false zeale, a deceitfull hope, a vaine affection, and a corrupt desire, in no sort profitable to those that hauehave them, but directly tending to the dishonour of God, and prouoking of his wrath. The Israelites had zeale, yea euen the zeale of God (as the Apostle calleth it) Rom. 10. but being not according to knowledge,Verse 2. it profited them nothing. Vzza had a good mind and intent in staying the Arke when he saw it shaken.Verse 9, 10. 1 Chron. 13. but dooing it without the warrant of Gods word, he was fearefully punished with sodaine death. S. Paule before his conuersion had a good intent in persecuting the Church of Christ,Acts 9, 12, &c. and shall we say that hee did well? Thus wee may see that God will accept no seruice at our handes, let it carry neuer so fair shewes of Deuotion and good intents, vnlesse it be performed with sound knowledge and vnderstanding according to his word.
Thirdly, this directly tendeth to Vse 3 the reproofe of all such (as many such there are) who although they hauehave heard the word of God many daies & yeares together, and enioy liberty and opportunity to exercise themselues therin, do yet remain but as little children that are to be fedde with Milke, and not able to digest strong meate. If such be asked any question concerning their worldly affairs, they can easily giuegive an answere, and readily render a sound reason of that which they say. But if they be examined of their estate before God, and how the case standeth with them touching knowledge of heauenly things, faith, repentance, peace of conscience, assurance of Gods louelove, & such like, they are found mute, & know not what to say; yea & which is most of al lamentable to consider, nothing at all ashamed (are the greater part) to consider their ignorance in this behalfe. This olde Popish poyson hath so infected mens hearts, as if ignoraunce were better then knowledge. And that i… they say the Lordes prayer, come to the Church, carry the names of christians and Protestants, it is sufficient, and more precisenesse then necessary to labor for further perfection: wherin they most wretchedly deceyue themselues.
Vse 4 But nowe as the Papistes by this which hath been spoken, are euidently discouered to hauehave hard harts, and to be deadly enemies to the saluation of Gods people, in thus denying the the Bread of life in their own tongs, without speciall license, without the which, there can be nothing but assured death: and as it discouereth the wretched and miserable estate and condition of the rest, as being no other but the very state of condemnation; so it teacheth vsus, not onelyonly to glorify God, and to praise his name for vouchsafing vsus the free passage & pure preaching of his word and Gospell, with liberty and opportunity to exercise our selues therin; but also to pray vntounto him for the gracious assistance of his blessed spirite, that wee may not enioy so great a blessing in vaine, but may take the occasion and opportunity (whiles it is offered) to be builded vp from one degree of holinesse vntounto another, according therunto, euen vntill we become perfect members of Iesus Christ, and enioy eternall life.
¶ Know ye not what the scripture saith of Elias?
The place of Scripture whereunto in these words he hath relation, is 1. King. 19, 10. where it is recorded, how after Elias had caused al the Prophets of Baal to be slain at the brook Kishon, Iezebel the wife of King Ahab hearing thereof, sent a messenger vntounto Elias saying; The Gods do so to me, and more also, if I make not thy Life like one of their liues, by to morrow this time. The whic… newes when Elias heard, he arose … went for his life, and came to Bersheba which is in Iudah, and from thenc… went a daies iourny into the wilde… nesse, wher being refreshed and comsorted of the Lorde with meate an… drinke, and with the presence of hi… holy angel, he walked in the strengt… of that nourishment forty dayes an… forty nights together, vntounto Horeb th… Mount of God: and being there entered into a Caue, the Lord saide vnt… him, What doost thou heere Elias? vnt… whom he answered the first and th… second time, I hauehave bin very iealous, fr… the Lord God of hosts, for the children … Israel hauehave forsaken thy couenant, br… ken downe thine Altars, slain thy prophe… with the sword, and I onelyonly am left, an… they seeke my life to take it away. Vnt… which cry and complaint of the Prophet, the Lord replyeth (as the Apostle doth heere alledge it) that he ha… reserued to himselfe seauen thousan… men, &c.