[A methodical preface prefixed before the epistle to the Romans ...] Made[A methodicall preface prefixed before the epistle to the Romanes ...] Made

First of all we must diligently search out & labour to know the nature of words, and figurative speeches which the Apostle useth. And before al• things we must learn to know what St. Paul meaneth by these and such like words: The Law▪ Sin, Grace, Faith, Righteousness, Flesh, Spirit, &c Otherwise though thou read diligently, thou looseth all thy labour.

First of all we must diligently search out & labour to know the nature of words, and figuratiue speaches which the Apostle vseth. And before al• things we must learne to know what St. Paul meaneth by these and such like words: The Law▪ Sinne, Grace, Faith, Righteousnesse, Flesh, Spirit, &c Otherwise thogh thou read diligently, thou looseth all thy labour.

This word Law, must not here be taken after the usual• manner of the Philosophers,¹ or according to common reason: namely, to be defined a doctrine which teacheth men what to do, and what to leave undone, […] ⟨image 6⟩eternal work for the most part will break out at length, though it be for a time dissembled: this oftentimes followeth in such hypocrites. Wherefore (as he saith) thou which teachest another, teachest not thy self, that is, thou art ignorant thy self what thou teachest, because thou art ignorant of the meaning of the law, how that it is not satisfied but with the inward affection and motion of the heart. The Law being done in the outward work only, is so far from justifying, that it rather increaseth and augmenteth our sin,² as Paul saith in the 5. chapter of this Epistle Wherefore the better thou understandest the Law, the less thou lovest the law: because it doth exact and require of thee