Romans 11

Romans 11:1

HAth God,] ought one therefore to say or thinke that God hath taken away his grace, or cut off all his people Israel from his covenant, and for ever? God forbid,] that can not bee said, neither of all the people, whereof I am one and others with me chosen by God in whom his covenant is ratified: nor of the body of the people for ever for the time will come that they shall bee re-established, ver. 11.

Romans 11:2

Fore knew,] that is to say chosen, and ordained from everlasting to salvation, Romans 8:29.

Romans 11:6

And if,] this seemes to be inserted, against those Iewes who being become Christians, did notwithstanding repose some part of their righteousnesse and confidence in the workes of the Law: which Saint Paul sheweth could by no meanes be done, for these two wayes of righteousnesse and salvation are incompatible the one with the other, Romans 4:1-25; Romans 4:1-25; Romans 5:1-21 Gal. 5. 2. 4.

Romans 11:7

What then,] my discourse commeth to this that the body of the Iewish Nation, seeking their righteousnesse by the Law, have not obtained of God to be reputed just and to have right to everlasting life, Rom. 9. 31. and 10, 3 The election,] namely that small number from amongst them which is chosen by God; by vertue of this election hath bin endowed with the spirit of faith in the Gospel, which propoundeth Christs only righteousness, The rest,] the common people have taken occaon to harden them selves in their tebellion, being scandalized at the Gospel which is contrary to then fleshly understanding. See Rom. 9 18.

Romans 11:8

Of slumber,] the Greeke word signifieth the deadly slumber of those who have beene stung with some venemous beast.

Romans 11:9

Let their table,] may all blessings and chiefly the proffer of the Gospel, which they have hitherto abused prove an occasion of ruine and perdition to them for a iust punishment of their ingratitude.

Romans 11:10

Bow doune,] make them unable to lift up the eyes of the spirit to thee and to thy Gospel, or to rectifie themselves by conversion of heart, or to doe any thing that is right or good, and contrariwise burthen them with thy curse like to a heavie but then: or with fetters of bondage with which the Hebrew terme of the Psalme which saieth make their loynes continually to shake, a greeth very well.

Romans 11:11

Isay,] shall it then be said that the body of this nation, hath taken such a fals subiect of scandall a¦gainst the Gospel, that it is therby fallen irreparably into a finall apostasie, God so bid,] God hath revealed i otherwise to me, namly that he will yet on day call the Iewes againe, and restore them to his covenant, which in this meane tyme, as upon an occasion Acts 13:42. he will communicate to the Gentiles that in his appointed time he may make use of this favour bestowed upon the Gentiles, as aprick of holy realousy to the Iewes, to prick them on to take part in this everlasting benefit.

Romans 11:12

Now if the fall,] if God hath made use of the Iewes reiection, for an occasion of powering out the riches of his grace thorow out the world, and if the number of beleeving Iewes being much deminished, a great multitude of Gentils hath bin converted; how much more abundant shall Gods grace be, and the number of beleevers increased even amongst the Gentiles themselves, when the body of the Iewes, here called fulnesse, being re-established in Christ, shall fill the world with wonder, shall raise up all mens hearts to God, shall induce unbeleevers to believe, shall confirme beleevers, and shall sett the Gosple in its full lustre, and Christ into the fruition of his universall Empire of the world? He addes this to induce the Gentiles, to desire and seeke after this conversion of the Iewes, wishout fearing to be therfore reiected as the Iewes had bin for theirs.

Romans 11:13

For Ispeake,] Isay that as the fall, so the rising againe of the Iewes, shall bee. for the Gentiles advantage and in this manner doe I honour, those to whom mine Apostleship hath bin specially destined, not to cause them to grow proud, ver. 17. but to induce the Iewes to a holy concurrencie.

Romans 11:14

Them which are,] Namely the Iewes of which Nation I am And might save,] to bee even from this houre an instrument of their salvation, untill God recall the body of the Nation, 1 Cor. 7. 16. and 9. 22. 1 Timothy 4:16. Iam. 5. 20.

Romans 11:15

For if,] this re-establishment of the Iews ought to be desired of all beleevers, because that if upon occasion of their rejection, the Gentiles have had part in Gods grace by the Gospell, by their recalling, they shall obtaine a joy and glory, much like to the heavenly one, by the spirituall resurrection of this so noble part, accompanied with a glorious manifestation of CHRISTS Kingdome, and admirable effects.

Romans 11:16

For if,] God chusing and sanctifying Abraham for the first fruit, and stocke of the blessed race, hath also out of his free will, given his naturall progenie this priviledge, that they shall never wholly and for ever fall from his grace and covenant, See Ier. 31. 35, 36. and 33. 24, 25 The first fruit,] these similitudes have no relation to the proving of the ground of the forsaid priviledge, which is nothing but Gods free will: but onely to set down the effects of it, as in the Law the use of the fruits of the earth was sanctified and blessed by God, by meanes of the offering of the first fruits which were offered unto him, Leviticus 19:24. Deut. 26 2. and in the order of nature, the boughes follow the nature of the roote, Matth 7. 17. and 1. 2, 33. So God having consecrated Abraham, did doe it likewise for the benefit of his posterity, to have alwayes some respect of grace towards it, to restore it into his covenant, though he suffer many ecclipses and interruptions to happen in it.

Romans 11:17

The branches,] the roote is Abraham, the Olive tree is the Iewish nation and Church, the broen branches are the unbeleiving and reprobate Iewes: the wilde branches which are grafted in, are the Gentiles, graffed into the body of the Church, and admitted into the covenant made with Abraham, the fulnesse and sap, are the blessing and promises made to Abraham and his seed.

Romans 11:18

Boast not,] doe not attribute this benefit to thine owne merits, and doe not insult, over the Iewes, for if thou doest it in respect of the Nation, know that thou art thorow grace incorporated into Abrahams blessed race, and not it into the Gentiles: if thou doest it in respect of thine election, and their reprobat on: humble thy selfe rather, seeing that all thy substencie, is but only out of Gods grace: and be instructed to persevere in faith, with holy sollicitude, and dffidencie of thy selfe to crave continuall assistance at Gods hands, 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Romans 11:22

In his goodnesse,] Namely in the state of grace in which thou hast beene set, and if thou heaest the fruits thereof, and art accordingly thankefull unto the Lord for it Otherwise,]all this ought to be understood of the externall incorporation into the Church by profession, of which many hypocrisie have part, and not of that lively, internall, and perpetually and effectuall, into the mysticall body of Christ, by a lively faith and communion of the spirit, according to Gods election, which is alwayes accompanied with perseverance. See Ma〈…〉15. 13.

Romans 11:23

Shall hee graffed,] shall be restored into the communion of the Church.

Romans 11:24

Of the Olive true,] Namely of the heathen race, who were not regenerate by the spirit, 〈◊〉 manured by Gods word, without sweetnesse of grace, or fruit pleasing to God, Ephes. 2, 3, 12 Contra to,] by the voluntary worke of grace The 〈◊〉rall,] the native off-spring of Abraham, who is their stocke.

Romans 11:25

Mistery,] namely of the last conversion of the Iewes, obscurely touched by the Prophets, Isaiah 11:11. Zechariah 12:10. and more clearely manifested in the Gospell, Matth. 23, 39. Luk. 21. 24. 2. or. 3 16. Revelation 12:6. and fully revealed to Saint P〈…〉, as well as many other secrets In part,] in respect of the greater part of the people out of which hath only beene excepted a small number of Elect. ver. 1. 5 The fulnesse,] Namely the great number, opposite to those few Iewes, who then and since, have joyned themselves to the Christian Church.

Romans 11:26

All Israel,] Namely the body of the people in generall shall be put againe into the way of salvation, and re-established in the Church. Others understand this of the whole Church, composed of Iewes and Gentiles. Which seemes to remaine unperfect, so long as the Iewes are excluded out of it Out of Sion] Isaiah speaking of the first comming of Christ in the flesh, saith he shall come into Son. But the Apostle applying that passage, to the second manifestation in grace and power towards the Iewes saith out of Sion, that is to say, out of the middest of the Church, where hee makes his abode in spirit, he shall call and gather together the Iewes.

Romans 11:27

For this is,] the Apostle relates none 〈◊〉 the beginning of the 20. ver. of that 59. chap. Isay without setting downe all the rest, which is of the substance of this covenant, and makes more for this present subject When I shall,] this seemes added 〈◊〉 of Isa. 7. 9. very sittingly for this matter.

Romans 11:28

They are,] that is to say, the Iewes for the present time are alienate from God, by reason of their rebellion against the Gospell, which onely can unit soules to God 1 Thessalonians 2:15 For your sakes,] Namely for your benefit, because the Iewes apostacle hath given occasion for your vocation, ver. 11. and moreover because God hath redoubled his grace towards the Gentiles by the fall of the Iewes, as a Father will love one of his children more dearely after the death of the other As touching the,] God doth yet beare some love to this people, for hee hath freely chosen them: and by a singular priviledge above all other people, appointed never to reject them totally, v. 16. Ier. 31. 36 For the Fathers,] for the speciall favour 〈◊〉 bore to the ancient Fathers.

Romans 11:29

For the gifts,] God never recalls his grace which by absolute decree hee will communicate to some person or nation to call them to him, and to have right to his covenant. Now the election of this people hath beene such above all others in the world. Who being once called, have and may fll totally and irreparably whish this people cannot Without repentance,] that is to say irrevocable, of which God never repents, Psal. 〈◊〉 10. 4.

Romans 11:30

For as,] wee must supply The intersection of the fruition of this gift, by their all, doth not hinder the foresaid priviledge from subsisting For God shall also recall the Iewes, in his appointed time, making use of his grace best〈…〉wed upon the Gentiles, to provoke the Iewes to conversion, verse 11, 14.

Romans 11:32

For God,] the Soveraigne cause of these things which have happened is Gods absolute will, Who hath suffered the Iewes, to fall into the same state of ebellion against him as the Gentiles were in, because he might likewise shew towards them at the appointed time the some mercy, that it may appeare that all Nations of themselves are in an equall condition before God, and are all equally saved by the only meanes of his grace Upon all,] Namely to the generality of those two Nations Iewes and Gentiles.

Romans 11:33

Of the riches,] Namely of Gods grace to sinners, Romans 9:23 Ephes. 1. 7. and 2. 7 Of the wisedome,] i the meanes and times appointed by him His judgements,] the rule and proceeding of all his actions and government.

Romans 11:35

Or who,] this is added to stoppe the mouthes, of all those whom the Lord forsakes, from complaining.

Romans 11:36

Of him,] he alone is the Soveraigne cause of all things; he himselfe creates all and disposeth all the meanes and secondary causes 〈◊〉 and finally hee and his glory are the onely ayme of all great things.