And he doeth not here as yet precisely unfold that manner of correction: but simply he teacheth there is a greater measure of grace purchased by Christ, then of condemnation contracted by the first man. Whereas some think the Apostle disputeth or frameth an argument here, I know not whither all will approve of it or no. In deed it might (& that not unaptly) be inferred, if the fall of Adam were of such force to the destruction of many, much more effectual is the grace of God to the benefit of many: seeing it is granted, that Christ is of far greater power to save, then Adam to destroy. But because they can not be refuted, if any will take it, without an illation or conclusion: for me they shall choose whither sentence they will. Albeit that which next followeth cannot be counted an illation or conclusion: & yet is it of the same nature. Whereby it is like, that Paul doth simply correct, or by exception moderate ye, which he said of the similitude of Christ & Adā. And note, that here, mo are not compared with many (for the question is not of the multitude of men) but he reasoneth thus, seeing the sin of Adam did destroy many, the righteousness of Christ hath no less power to save many. Where as he saith we perished by the offence of one, understand it thus: because corruption is descended from him to us. For we do not so perish through his fault, as though we were without fault our selves:1 but because his sin is the cause of our sin, Paul ascribeth our destruction to him. I call that our sin, is grafted in us, & wherewith we are borne. ⟨image 81⟩The grace of God, and the gift of God in grace. Trace properly is opposed against offence,2 & the gift which proceedeth from grace, against death. Therefore grace signifieth the mere goodness of God, or his free love, whereof he gave a testimony in Christ, that he might help our misery. And the gift is the fruit of mercy, which hath come unto us, namely, reconciliation whereby we have obtained life & health, righteousness, newness of life, & whatsoever is like. Whereby we see how sottishly the schoolmen define grace, whiles they will have it to be nothing else than a quality infused into the harts of men. For grace properly is in God, the effect of grace is in us. And he saith the same grace was of one man Christ, because the father hath made him the fountain, of whose fullness all men must draw.
And hee doeth not heere as yet precisely vnfoulde that maner of correction: but simply hee teacheth there is a greater measure of grace purchased by Christ, then of condemnation contracted by the first man. Whereas some thinke the Apostle disputeth or frameth an argument here, I know not whither all will approue of it or no. In deed it might (& that not vnaptly) be inferred, if ye fall of Adam were of such force to the destructiō of many, much more effectuall is the grace of God to the benefit of many: seeing it is graunted, yt Christ is of far greater power to saue, then Adam to destroy. But because they can not be refuted, if any will take it, wtout an illation or conclusion: for me they shall chuse whither sentence they wil. Albeit yt which next foloweth cānot be coūted an illation or conclusion: & yet is it of ye same nature. Whereby it is like, yt Paul doth simply correct, or by exceptiō moderate ye, wc he said of ye similitud of Christ & Adā. And note, yt here, mo are not compared wt many (for ye questiō is not of ye multitud of men) but he resoneth thus, seeing ye sin of Adā did destroy many, ye righteousnes of Christ hath no lesse power to saue many. Where as he saith we perished by ye offēce of one, vnderstād it thus: because corruptiō is descēded frō him to vs. For we do not so perish thorowe his fault, as though we were wtout fault our selues:1 but because his sin is ye cause of our sin, Paul ascribeth our destructiō to him. I cal yt our sin, is graffed in vs, & wherewith we are borne. ⟨image 81⟩The grace of God, and the gift of God in grace. Trace properly is opposed against offence,2 & the gift which proceedeth frō grace, against death. Therfore grace signifieth ye mere goodnes of God, or his free loue, whereof he gaue a testimony in Christ, yt he might helpe our miserie. And ye gift is ye fruit of mercie, which hath come vnto vs, namely, reconciliation whereby we haue obteined life & health, righteousnes, newnes of life, & whatsoeuer is like. Whereby we see how sottishly the scholemen define grace, whiles they wil haue it to be nothing els thē a quality infused into the harts of mē. For grace properly is in God, the effect of grace is in vs. And he saith the same grace was of one man Christ, because the father hath made him the fountaine, of whose fulnes all men must draw.
- 1Howe we are said to perish through the fall of Adam.Howe wee are said to perishe through the fall of Adam.
- 2What is meant by grace, & what by the gift of grace.What is ment by grace, & what by the gift of grace.
