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

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 ⟨image 7⟩so many things quite contrary to thy affections, and altogether repugnant to thy nature. Hereupon it is that in the 7. chap. he saith: The law is spiritual: as if he should say, If the law were carnal or moral doctrine only, then it would be satisfied by the external work. But seeing that now it is spiritual, that is, requiring the affect and spirit: it followeth, that no man can fulfil it, unless he doeth those things which the law commandeth, with a cheerful heart, with a certain ardent fervency of mind, and with all his affection. Such a new heart, and such a fervent and cheerful affection of the heart, thou canst not obtain of thine own strength, or by thine own merits: but ⟨image 7⟩only by the operation and secret instinct of the holy Ghost.

This word Law, must not heere bee taken after the vsual• manner of the Philosophers,¹ or according to common reason: namely, to be defined a doctrine which teacheth men what to doe, and what to leaue vndone,