Chapter 1. The Proaemium, or Introduction
Romans 8:28. We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
If the whole Scripture be the feast of the soul (as Saint Ambrose says) then this Chapter may be a dish at this feast, which with its sweet variety may very much refresh and animate the hearts of God's People. In the preceding verses the Apostle had been wading through the great Doctrines of Justification and Adoption; Mysteries so arduous and profound, that without the help and conduct of the Spirit, he might soon have waded beyond his depth. In this verse the Apostle touches upon that pleasant string of Consolation; We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God. Not a word but is weighty; therefore I shall gather up every filing of this Gold, that nothing be lost.
In the Text there are three general Branches. 1. A glorious Privilege, All things work for good. 2. The Persons interested in this Privilege; and they are doubly specified. 1. They are Lovers of God. 2. They are Called. 3. The Original and Spring of this effectual calling, set down in these works, according to his purpose. Of all these in order; and I begin with the first.
1. The glorious Privilege; wherein there are two things considerable: 1. The certainty of the Privilege, We know. 2. The excellency of the Privilege, All things work together for good.
1. The certainty of the Privilege: We know. It is not a matter pendulous or doubtful; the Apostle does not say; We hope, or conjecture, but it is like an Article in our Creed, We know all things work for good:
Whence observe, That the Truths of the Gospel, are evident and infallible.
A Christian may come not only to a loose opinion, but to a certainty of what he holds. As the Axioms in Logic, and Aphorisms in Physic, are demonstrated to Reason; so the Truths in Religion are demonstrated to Faith; We know, says the Apostle. Though a Christian has not a perfect knowledge of the Mysteries of the Gospel, yet he has a certain knowledge. We see through a glass darkly, 1 Corinthians 13:12. therefore we have not perfection of knowledge; but we behold with open face, 2 Corinthians 3:18. therefore we have a certainty. The Spirit of God does imprint Heavenly Truths upon the heart, as with the point of a Diamond. A Christian may know infallibly there is an evil in sin, a beauty in holiness: He may know that he is in the state of Grace, 1 John 3:14. We know that we have passed from death to life. He may know that he shall go to Heaven, 2 Corinthians 5:1. We know that if our earthly Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house made without hands, eternal in the Heavens. The Lord does not leave his People at uncertainties in matters of Salvation. The Apostle comes with his Probatum est, in the Text, We know; we have arrived at a holy confidence; we have both the Spirit of God and our own experience setting seal to it.
Let us not rest in Skepticism, but labor to come to a certainty in the things of Religion. As that Martyr woman said, I cannot dispute for Christ, but I can burn for Christ. God knows whether we may not be called forth to be witnesses to his Truth; therefore it concerns us to be well-grounded, and confirmed in it. If we are doubtful Christians, we shall be wavering Christians; whence is apostasy, but from incredulity? * Men first question the Truth, and then fall from the Truth. O beg the Spirit of God, not only to anoint you, but to seal you, 2 Corinthians 1:22.
