1But they that are not under the Law, that is, are not so against their wills in subjection under the dominion thereof, they of their own accord do good works, and abstain from evil, being neither terrified with the threatenings of the Law, nor allured with the promises thereof, but even for that they do of their voluntary will bear a love to honesty, and hate that which is dishonest, and are also from their heart delighted with the Law of God, so that if there were no Law made, notwithstanding they would desire to live no otherwise then the Law commandeth: as, to shun those things that be evil, and apply themselves to honest studies and exercises. They that are such, are ⟨p. 303⟩sons, whom not nature, but that only blessed seed of Abraham, that is, Christ, could make such, renewing by his grace and spirit the hearts of them that believe in him.2 Wherefore not to be under the Law, is not, to be free from the Law, that they may do those things that are contrary thereunto, and omit those things that are good, but it is to do good things and abstain from wicked things, not through compulsion or necessity of the Law, but by free love and with pleasure, even as if no Law commanded them, and their own nature brought them hereunto, as in deed it doth, howbeit the new nature of the spirit,3 not that old nature of the flesh. For as there is need of no Law for the body, which may compel it to eat, to drink, to digest,4 to sleep; to go, to stand, to sit, and to do the other works of nature, for that it is ready to do them of it own nature, when the case so requireth, and when it is meet, without all respect either of reward or punishment: and may not unfitly be said, as concerning these things, not to be under a law, notwithstanding thereupon nothing less followeth, then that it doth therefore abstain from such works, unto which in deed it so much more applieth if self as they are less commanded, and are more natural unto it: After the same sort altogether doth the godly man behave himself concerning the works of godliness, he is carried to the doing of them by that his new nature of the spirit, albeit there were no law at all, and all both hope of reward, and fear of punishment were away. This only is the true liberty of a Christian man, and the deliverance of him from the law, whereof Paul speaketh 1. Tim. 1:
1But they that are not vnder the Lawe, that is, are not so against their wills in subiection vnder the dominion thereof, they of their owne accord do good workes, and abstaine from euell, being neither terrified with ye threatninges of the Law, nor allured with the promises thereof, but euen for that they do of their voluntarie will beare a loue to honestie, and hate that which is dishonest, and are also from their heart delighted with the Lawe of God, so that if there were no Lawe made, notwithstanding they would desire to liue no otherwise then the Lawe commaundeth: as, to shun those thinges that be euell, and applie themselues to honest studies and exercises. They that are such, are ⟨p. 303⟩sonnes, whom not nature, but that onely blessed seede of Abraham, that is, Christ, could make such, renuing by his grace and spirit the heartes of them that beleeue in him.2 Wherefore not to be vnder the Lawe, is not, to be free from the Lawe, that they may do those things that are contrarie thereunto, and omit those thinges that are good, but it is to do good thinges and abstaine from wicked thinges, not through compulsion or necessitie of the Lawe, but by free loue and with pleasure, euen as if no Law commaunded them, and their owne nature brought them hereunto, as in deede it doth, howbeit the new nature of the spirit,3 not that olde nature of the flesh. For as there is neede of no Lawe for the body, which may compell it to eate, to drinke, to digest,4 to sleepe; to go, to stand, to sit, and to do the other workes of nature, for that it is ready to do them of it owne nature, when the case so requireth, and when it is meete, without all respect either of reward or punishment: and may not vnfitly be said, as concerning these thinges, not to be vnder a law, notwithstanding thereupon nothing lesse foloweth, then that it doth therefore abstaine from such workes, vnto which in deede it so much more applieth if selfe as they are lesse commaunded, and are more naturall vnto it: After the same sort altogither doth the godly man behaue himselfe concerning the workes of godlines, he is caried to the doing of them by that his new nature of the spirit, albeit there were no lawe at all, and all both hope of reward, and feare of punishment were awaye. This onely is the true libertie of a Christian man, and the deliueraunce of him from the lawe, whereof Paul speaketh 1. Tim. 1:
- 1They which are not under the Law described, of what sort they be.They which are not vnder the Lawe described, of what sort they be.
- 2What it is, not to be under the Law.What it is, not to be vnder the Law.
- 3A similitude.
- 4A similitude.
