Romans 16

Now the style by which seducers use to deceive is, 1. By wisdom of words (Romans 16:18). By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple. They have fine elegant phrases, flattering language, whereby they work on the weaker sort; as being Christed with Chris…

Child-like obedience is that which is consonant to our Father's revealed will. 2. It must be done from a right principle; that is, the noble principle of faith (Romans 16:26). The obedience of faith.

Faith is a heavenly plant which will not grow in an impure soil. 3. Faith is an obediential grace (Romans 16:26). The obedience of faith.

Answer 1: Our keeping the Commandments must be fiducial. Our obedience to God's commands must Profluere à Fide, spring from faith, therefore it is called the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26). Abel by faith offered up [illegible], a better sacrifice than Cain (Hebrews 11:4).

Railing often ends in reviling, and so men bring themselves into a praemunire, and are in danger of hell-fire (Matthew 5:22). 13. The seducing tongue is an evil tongue. The tongue that by fine rhetoric decoys men into error (Romans 16:18). By fair speeches they deceive the heart…

Thus we should be as the dove, without fraud and craft. There is a holy simplicity commendable; (Romans 16:19) I would have you simple concerning evil; to be a bungler at sin, not to have the art to beguile; this is a good simplicity; as Nathanael, in whose spirit there was no g…

The way of peace have they not known, they sport in mischief; these are they who are of a persecuting spirit, as Maximinus, Dioclesian, Antiochus, who (as Eusebius) took more tedious journeys, and ran more hazards in vexing and persecuting the Jews, than any of his predecessors…

(5.) True faith is obediential. Romans 16:26. The obedience of faith. Faith melts our will into the will of God.

We worship God, [in non-Latin alphabet], in the Spirit. To serve God spiritually is to do duties ab interno principio, from an inward principle: the Pharisees were very exact about the external part of God's worship; how zealous were they in the outward observation of the Sabbat…

But more evidently it is in all those damnable heresies which have been broached in all ages: as in the primitive times among the Romans, the broachers whereof are made the emissaries of Satan. Therefore (Romans 16) Paul, having branded them to the Romans who taught false doctri…

And the church which we here profess to believe, is called Catholic, that we may distinguish it from particular churches, which are not believed, but seen with the eye, of which mention is made often in the scriptures. Romans 16:5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, the church in their house:…

Now therefore Paul prays that this wonderful power of God, which did show forth itself in the head Christ, might likewise show itself in the members of Christ. First, in treading Satan and sin under their feet (Romans 16:10). Secondly, in raising them from sin, as out of a grave…

It is but one house, one family, which is in earth and heaven; they differ but as elder and younger brothers. Paul (Romans 16:7) puts a note of respect on Andronicus and Junia, who (says he) also were in Christ before me. There is more honor put on them that are in glory before…

4. While we are striving against temptations, let us remember our general. We do but follow the Captain of our salvation, who has vanquished the enemy, and will give us the victory if we keep striving, The God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16:2). No…

The matter which we believe is of a practical concernment, and does not require only a simple faith, or bare belief, which were enough in points merely speculative, but a ready obedience. It is said (Romans 16:26): the mysteries of the Gospel are made manifest to all nations for…

The danger of the battle will increase the joy of the victory; as the dangers of the way make home the sweeter. There will a time come, when he that is now a soldier will be a conqueror (Romans 16:20): The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. 6. Where Satan g…

He reproves here the flattery of the false apostles. For Satan is wont by his ministers, through wonderful subtlety and crafty sleights to beguile the simple: As Paul says (Romans 16) With fair speech and flattering they deceive the hearts of the simple. For first of all they ma…

The second answer is that to preach otherwise is to preach contrary, because (as they say) precepts and doctrines may be delivered if they be diverse and not contrary. As the Gospel of John and the Apocalypse were written after this epistle to the Galatians, which are diverse to…

After the ascension of Christ, this distinction ended: because the mystery of man's redemption was then more plainly revealed; and it began then to be revealed to the whole world. (Colossians 1:26-27) and (Romans 16:25). Thus we see that the law served for transgressions: becaus…

Or thus, Consider yourself, that is, your own frailty, how you may easily be overtaken with the same, the like, or a greater sin, seeing you may be taken in the devil's snare, and deceived with his pleasant baits, as well as he was: therefore deal as mildly with him, as you woul…

But we are to observe what he says in the beginning of the verse; to wit, In that day. For thereby he means, that God permits Satan to uphold and continue his kingdom for a time; but so, that it shall fall in the end; as Saint Paul says (Romans 16:20), The Lord will shortly trea…

However it be, he boldly pronounces that they were patiently to wait with meek and quiet spirits, until it pleased God to stretch forth his hands. Saint Paul in his Epistle to the Romans 16:26, and to the Galatians 4:4, calls this year the fullness of time. We have also seen pre…

We read in the Gospel that Christ kissed his disciples, which was a custom then in those countries. Of this kiss Saint Paul also makes frequent mention (Acts 20; 1 Corinthians 16; 2 Corinthians 13; Romans 16). Peace be with you all, which are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! And again, To God only wise be glory, through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Romans 16:27) To the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the only wise God be honor and glory forever, etc. (1 Timothy 1:17)

Among all treasures, spiritual treasures are most hidden; they are so hidden, that they are called mysteries, or secrets. The knowledge of Christ was a hidden treasure for some thousands of years; the Apostle in his time calls it, the mystery which was kept secret since the worl…

Use. Hence we also learne, that in temptation Satan can goe no further then God permits him: hee could not touch Iobs goods, his children, nor his bodie, till God gaue him lea[]e, Job. 1. 12. and 2. 6. neither could the legion of deuils enter into the heard of swine, til Christ…

And of both these properties ioyntly S. Paul speaks, Rom. 16. 17. I beseech you brethren, marke them diligently which cause diuision and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have received, and auoyde them; for they that are such, serve not the Lord but their own bellies,…

The doctrine of Christ's satisfaction and righteousness, his ascension and glory, and the way of salvation, under the Old Testament, were in a great measure hid under the veil of types and shadows, and more obscure revelations, as Moses put a veil on his face to hide the shining…

Then shall he also stand at the bar of the saints, whom he has so hated, and afflicted, and molested: for the saints shall judge him with Christ: 1 Corinthians 6:3 "Know ye not that we shall judge angels?" Now shall he be as it were subdued under the church's feet, agreeable to…

A Mystery hidden from Ages and Generations, Ephesians 3:3, 5. The Mystery which in other Ages was not made known unto the Sons of Men. Romans 16:25. The Mystery that was kept secret since the World began, hidden in God himself, Ephesians 3:9.

He that's now a soldier, shall be a conqueror, when the crown of righteousness shall be put upon his head (2 Timothy 4:8). And mark that (Romans 16:20): And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. 'Tis troublesome to be in the world, but shortly God shall br…

It is a great Sacrament, says Saint Paul, that is to say, a great mystery or secret. And hereof there is no doubt, no more than when he says, it is a great Sacrament, that God was manifested in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16): It is a great Sacrament that the Gospel was published thr…

Paul calls Aquila and Priscilla, fellows or helpers in Christ Jesus. And Apollo, a mighty man in the Scriptures, had a great deal of help by Aquila and Priscilla (Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 12:21). The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor the head to the feet,…

You lose many a comfortable sight of Christ because you were so late acquainted with him. And it is said of Andronicus and Junias (Romans 16:7), they were in Christ before me. Certainly he that is first in Christ, and sooner called to grace, has the advantage of us.

If the pleasing [reconstructed: of] the flesh be their work or scope, they are said to serve their own bellies. (Romans 16:18) "They that are such, serve not the Lord Jesus but their own belly." 3. Cheerfully, having so good a master, let us take pleasure in our work.

He who so believes the glory of heaven, as to have his endeavors thereby quickened to use his utmost diligence for the obtaining of it: he who so believes the torments of hell, as thereby to be terrified from doing anything that might expose him to so great and fearful a condemn…

There is no temptation that can befall us, but God has made a suitable promise to relieve us; that so we might not sinfully deliver ourselves, but patiently rest on him for deliverance. He has promised to tread Satan under our feet, to bind the strong man, not to suffer us to be…

Say therefore, though my prayers, my endeavors, my heart, my hopes fail me, yet God [illegible] do it; though my soul cannot leave my sin, [illegible] my [illegible] will not, cannot leave my soul, yet God can force away my sin from my soul, and command my soul to return from in…

Heretics destroy the truth of the church by error; schismatics destroy the peace of it by division. The apostle sets a brand upon such (Romans 16:17): Mark those who cause divisions and avoid them. Have no more to do with them than with witches or murderers.

Let us get the fear of God into our hearts; as one wedge drives out another, so the fear of God will drive out all other base fear. 3. Take heed of a facile spirit; a facile-spirited man will be turned any way with a word; he will be worked as wax; he is so tame, that you may le…

The third ingredient into obedience is faith (Hebrews 11:6): without faith it is impossible to please God. Therefore it is called the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26). Abel is said by faith to offer up a better sacrifice than Cain.

What are ordinances, but a dumb show, without the breathings of faith in them? Therefore in Scripture it is called, the prayer of faith (James 5:7), the hearing of faith (Hebrews 4:2), and the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26); dead things have no beauty in them — it is faith th…

The household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16) was baptized. And this 3. is held forth as the Church, as the household of Narcissus which are in the Lord (Romans 16:11). Aquila and Priscilla, and all the Church at their house (Romans 16:5).

Saving grace is not in vain, but effectual (1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Timothy 1:14). And we are saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 15:11), and no greater mercy can be wished to any, than the grace of our Lord Jesus (Romans 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 22:21…

Obj. 1. Then shall Gospel-obedience be of less worth than law-obedience, which flows not from grace, which Christ has merited by his death? Ans. It's not denied, but it is obedience, so the Scripture (Hebrews 5:9; Romans 1:5; Romans 6:17; Romans 16:19; 2 Corinthians 10:5; 1 Pete…

Ans. He was not obliged to despair, but to rely, by virtue of the first Commandment of the Decalogue, upon God infinitely powerful, merciful, gracious, and wise to save, for that was revealed and written in his heart, and that is far from despairing. But in the interval between…

Love being above and (in a manner) not stronger than the grave only, and than death and hell, but some way (with reverence to his holiness) mightier than the Most High, and brought God down to sick clay: that you may (says Bernard) see, if you take heed, joy saddened, faith fear…

And the life of a Saint is nothing else but a life of Faith; his prayer is the breathing of Faith, James 5:15. His obedience is the result of Faith, Romans 16:26. A godly man by Faith lives in Christ, as the beam lives in the Sun, Galatians 2:20. I live, yet not I, but Christ li…

Now whereas you saw, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that you were almost choked with it; this is to show you, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, does revive,…

Christiana then wished for an inn to refresh herself and her children, because they were weary. Then said Mr. Honest, There is one a little before us, where a very honorable disciple, one Gaius, dwells (Romans 16:23). So they all concluded to turn in there; and the rather, becau…