8 Owe nothing to any man. There are some which think this is not spoken without a taunt: as though Paul answered to their objection, who contend that Christians are overcharged, as who should say other precepts then the precepts of charity were enjoined them. And surely I deny not but it may be taken ironicè, to wit, tauntingly: that he might grant unto those admit no other law, then of charity, their request. ⟨p. 175⟩But in another sense. Yet had I rather take it simply, because I think Pauls meaning is to refer this precept of the authority of Magistrates, (least it should be thought of any to be but weak) unto the law of charity, as though he had said, when I require you to obey, I require nothing else but that which all Christians ought to perform by the law of charity. For if you would have the godly to be safe (which thing not to will were cruel) you must study that laws and judgements may be of strength, and the governors of the laws, by whose benefit peace redoundeth to all, may have an obedient people. Therefore he violateth charity, if any bring in anarchia, liberty, such as when there is no magistrate every man doth his pleasure, after which doth straightways follow a perturbation of all things. For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. The counsel of Paul is to revoke all the commandments of the law unto love, that we may know, how we then rightly obey the commandments, when we keep charity: and this, that we refuse no labour which may make to the keeping of charity. So he confirmeth very well that he commanded touching the obedience is to be given to magistrates, wherein the greatest part of charity both consist. But here many are troubled, and cannot well unfold themselves out of this difficulty: namely, that Paul saith the law is fulfilled if we love our neighbour: for so there is no mention of the worship of God which ought not to be omitted. But Paul hath not respect unto the whole law: he speaketh here only of those duties which are commanded us of the law towards our neighbour. And surely that is true, the whole law is fulfilled, when we love our neighbours, because true love towards men, proceedeth not but from the love of God, and is a testimony as well as an effect thereof. Yet Paul here maketh mention only of the second table, for the question was only of that:
8 Owe nothing to any man. There are some whiche thinke this is not spoken without a taunte: as though Paule answered to their obiection, who contende that Christians are ouercharged, as who shoulde say other precepts then the precepts of charitie were inioyned them. And surely I denie not but it may bee taken ironicè, to wit, tauntingly: that he might graunt vnto those admit no other lawe, then of charitie, their request. ⟨p. 175⟩But in another sense. Yet had I rather take it simply, because I thincke Paules meaning is to refer this precept of the authoritie of Magistrates, (least it should be thought of any to bee but weake) vnto the lawe of charitie, as though he had said, whē I require you to obey, I require nothing els but that which all Christians ought to performe by the law of charitie. For if you woulde haue the godly to bee safe (which thing not to will were cruell) you must studie that lawes and iudgementes may bee of strength, and the gouernours of the lawes, by whose benefite peace redoundeth to al, may haue an obedient people. Therefore he violateth charitie, if any bring in anarchia, libertie, such as when there is no magistrate euery man doth his pleasure, after which doth straightwaies follow a perturbation of al things. For he that loueth another hath fulfilled the lawe. The counsaile of Paule is to reuoke all the commandementes of the law vnto loue, that we may know, how we then rightly obey the commandements, when we keepe charitie: and this, that we refuse no labour which may make to the keeping of charitie. So he confirmeth very well that he commaunded touching the obedience is to be giuen to magistrates, wherein the greatest part of charitie both consist. But here many are troubled, and cannot wel vnfold themselues out of this difficultie: namely, that Paul saith the law is fulfilled if we loue our neighbour: for so there is no mention of the worship of God which ought not to bee omitted. But Paule hath not respect vnto the whole lawe: hee speaketh here only of those duties which are commanded vs of the lawe towards our neighbour. And surely that is true, the whole law is fulfilled, when we loue our neighbours, because true loue towards men, proceedeth not but from the loue of God, and is a testimonie as wel as an effect thereof. Yet Paule here maketh mention onely of the seconde table, for the question was onely of that:
