Annotations upon the Holy Bible — Volume 2 — Section 1355

(nct to ſpeak any thing of the Freface, or concluſion) is partly Do&rinal , and partly Praftical. I» the Dogijny part, the Apoſtle handles (and that purpoſely, and at large) that fundamental Article of @ ſinners Juſtification x the ſight of God: So that this Epittle (as one ſaith) is the proper Seat of that Dodtrine ; and from hence i: j; Prince pally to be learned, Here we are taught the way and manner of our Tuſtihcation before God, that we are TuRtifed by Faith, without the deeds of the Law, by a Righteouſneſs which is imputed to us, and not by any Riphtews! inherent in us This 1s proved in the four firſt Chapters by many irrefragable Arguments, and windicatcd (11 al Objections. nd then it is Amplified in the ſeven following Chapters. The Amplification is firſt from the gl; Effects, and ſweeteſt Privileges of Tutification by Faith, viz. Peace with God, which no Tribulation can bin m:errup:, Che 5. prin. Then there is Rejoycing with God, as reconciled m—_ Jeſus Chriſt the [c-0n4 Adin, who doth abandantly tranſcend the firſ® Adam, m many particulars, Ch. 5. ad tinem. Then there is Sandiificyich 7m both the parts of it, as Mortification, and Death to Sm and V ivification, or Newneſs of Life, Ch. 6, per rotum. The next is Freedom from the Law, as the firſ® Husband now dead, Ch. 7. per totum. And i» | eig9:h Chapter, you have divers other Privileges cloſely couched, as Non-Condemnation, Adoption , th [n- dw-lling of the Spirit, the Co-operations of all things for Good, the Certainty of the Love of God, :g:þr ith the Triumph we have over all our Enemies upon that Account. Further this Do&trine of Juſtification is Am- plified, from the remote Cauſe of it; and that is Gods Predeſtination or Eternal Counſel. This is brouglt in obviate an Objeftien againſt this Dottrine, as not true, becauſe the Jewiſh Nation (Gods ancient People) received it nt, Thereyupen the Apoltle ſhews that Juſtification belonged not to the whole Nation of the Jews , but only t 4 Ele amenyſt them ; the ret being rejefted of God till the Fulneſs of the Gentiles was come in ; and thn th Jews ſhcnl4 more generally Believe and be Converted. This you have at large in the 9, 10, 1t. Chap. The Ps Ctical pert of this Epiſtle follows, in which you have many uſeful Exhortations from the beginning of the 12 >, 70 the 14 Ver. of the 15 Chap Theſe are either more general, or more particular, ſhewing Chriſtians how the ſhould behave themſelves with Reſpc&# ro the Church of Chriſt, and the Fellewſhip thererf 5, ewery one attending «gn rhe Calling and Minifiry wherem God hath piaced him, Ch. 12: with Reſpect to the Civil Society, and the Goren: ment which Ged had ſer over them in the World, yiclding all Subje&tion thereunto, Ch. 13. and with Reſpe&f to thir Brethren and Neighbours, exeyciſomg Chriſtian Charity rowards all ; avoiding Cenſoriouſueſs on the one bm and Offences on the other, ch. 14. 15. Theſe Duties he largely preſſeth, interweaving now and then many Ethical al Theological Arhori/ms, of which in their proper Place, ;