4 Being buried then with him. Now he beginneth to show, although he do not plainly declare, whereunto it appertaineth that we are baptized into the death of Christ: namely, that we being dead unto our selves, might become new men. For from the participation of his death, he passeth conveniently unto the participation of life: because these two hang together by an inseparable connection:1 namely, the old man to be abolished by the death of Christ, that his resurrection might restore righteousness, and make us new creatures. And surely seeing Christ is given us unto life, to what end should we die with him, except we might rise again unto a better life? And therefore to no other end hath he flayed that is mortal in us, but that he might truly quicken us. Furthermore, let us note that the Apostle doth not simply here exhort us to imitate Christ, as if he said the death of Christ is in steed of an example, which all Christians ought to follow. For he surely goeth higher, delivering doctrine, out of the which afterward he draweth exhortation, as it is easy. And this is the doctrine, that the death of Christ is effectual to extinguish and banish the pravity of the flesh: and his resurrection to raise up the newness ⟨p. 72⟩of a better nature: and that by baptism we are received into the participation of this grace. This foundation being laid, a man may very aptly exhort Christians, that they strive to answer their calling. Moreover, it forceth not that this virtue doeth not appear in all those are baptized. For Paul after his manner, because he speaketh unto the faithful, conjoineth the substance & effect with the external sign. For we know that by their faith is established & ratified whatsoever the Lord offereth by the visible pledge. To be brief he teacheth what is the verity of baptism rightly received. So to the Galatians he testifieth,2 that all they whosoever are baptised in Christ have put on Christ. For so a man must say so long as the institution of the Lord, and the faith of the godly agree together, For we never have bare and idle signs, but when our unthankfulness and wickedness hindereth the working of Gods bountifulness. By the glory of the father: That is, through his notable power, whereby he hath declared himself truly glorious, and hath (as it were) manifested the greatness of his glory.
4 Being buried then with him. Now he beginneth to shew, although he doe not plainely declare, whereunto it apperteineth that we are baptized into the death of Christ: namely, that we being dead vnto our selues, might become new men. For from the participation of his death, he passeth conueniently vnto the participation of life: because these two hang together by an inseparable connexion:1 namely, the old man to bee abolished by the death of Christ, that his resurrection might restore righteousnes, and make vs new creatures. And surely seeing Christ is giuen vs vnto life, to what end shold we die with him, except we might rise againe vnto a better life? And therfore to no other ende hath he flaine that is mortal in vs, but that he might truly quicken vs. Furthermore, let vs note that the Apostle doth not simply heere exhort vs to imitate Christ, as if he said the death of Christ is in steed of an example, which all Christians ought to follow. For he surely goeth higher, deliuering doctrine, out of the which afterward he draweth exhortatiō, as it is easie. And this is the doctrin, that the death of Christe is effectuall to extinguish and banish the prauitie of the flesh: and his resurrection to raise vp the newnes ⟨p. 72⟩of a better nature: and that by baptisme we are receiued into the participation of this grace. This foundation being laide, a man may very aptly exhort Christians, that they striue to aunswere their calling. Moreouer, it forceth not that this vertue doeth not appeare in all those are baptized. For Paule after his manner, because he speaketh vnto the faythful, conioyneth the substance & effect wt the external signe. For we know that by their faith is established & ratified whatsoeuer the Lord offereth by the visible pledge. To be briefe he teacheth what is the veritie of baptisme rightly receiued. So to the Galathians he testifieth,2 that all they whosoeuer are baptised in Christ haue put on Christe. For so a man must say so long as the institution of the Lord, and the faith of the godly agree together, For we neuer haue bare and idle signes, but when our vnthankfulnes and wickednes hindereth the working of Gods bountifulnes. By the glory of the father: That is, through his notable power, whereby hee hath declared himselfe truely glorious, and hath (as it were) manifested the greatnes of his glory.
- 1Mortification & newness of life go together.Mortificatiō & newnes of life go together.
- 2Gal. 3.27. When the sacraments are effectual pledges and when the• be but bare signs.Gal. 3.27. When the sacraments are effectuall pledges and when the• be but bare signes.
