Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

14 For sin shall not have dominion. It is not necessary to abide long in reciting and refuting those expositions which have none or but little show of truth. There is one which may more probably be suffered then the rest: namely which taketh this word under the law. For, to be subject unto the letter of the law, which doth not renew the mind: as again, to be under grace, is as much, as by the spirit of grace to be freed from evil concupiscences. But that exposition is not simply allowed of me. For if we take that sense, whereunto shall that interrogation tend which followeth straight ways? Shall we sin because we are not under the law? The Apostle would never have subjected such a question, except be had meant, that we are freed from the rigour of the law, that God might no more deal with us according to extreme justice: wherefore, there is no doubt but his meaning is to show here some deliverance from the bondage of the law of the Lord. But all contention laid apart, I will briefly declare what I think. And first here seemeth unto me to be a consolation, wherewith the faithful are confirmed, that they faint ⟨image 90⟩not in the study of holiness, through the feeling of their weakness. He did exhort them that they should apply all their powers unto the obedience of righteousness. But so long as they carry about the relics of the flesh, they must needs halt somewhat. Therefore least they, being overcome with the knowledge of their infirmity, should despair, he preventeth this in time, comforting them in this, that their works are not to be examined according to the severe rule of the law, but their impurity being remitted, God doth favourably & mercifully accept of them. The yoke of the law cannot be borne, but it breaketh or crusheth those that bear it: it remaineth therefore that the faithful flee unto Christ, and desire him to be their deliverer. And so he offereth himself. For to this end took he upon him the servitude of the law, whereunto otherwise he was not a debtor, that he might deliver those were under the law, as the Apostle saith unto the Galatians.¹ Therefore, not to be under the law, signifieth, not only that by the dead letter is prescribed unto us, that which maketh us guilty, because we are unable to perform it:

14 For sinne shall not haue dominion. It is not necessary to abide long in reciting and refuting those expositions which haue none or but litle shew of truth. There is one which may more probably be suffered then the rest: namely whiche taketh this worde vnder the lawe. For, to be subiect vnto the letter of the lawe, which doth not renewe the mynde: as againe, to be vnder grace, is as much, as by the spirite of grace to bee freed frō euill concupiscēces. But that exposition is not simply allowed of mee. For if we take that sence, whereunto shall that interogation tende which followeth straight wayes? Shall wee sinne because wee are not vnder the lawe? The Apostle woulde neuer haue subiected suche a question, excepte bee had meant, that we are freed from the rigour of the lawe, that God might no more deale with vs according to extreeme iustice: wherefore, there is no doubt but his meaning is to shewe heere some deliueraunce from the bondage of the lawe of the Lorde. But all contention layde aparte, I will briefly declare what I thinke. And first heere seemeth vnto mee to bee a consolation, wherewith the faithfull are confirmed, that they faynte