4 By the body of Christ. First of all, Christ having erected the banner of his cross, did triumph over sin: which could not be, unless the hand writing were cancelled, wherein we were bound. That hand writing is the law, which, whiles it standeth in force, maketh us debtors unto sin, & therefore is called the strength of sin. From the power therefore of this hand writing we are delivered in the body of Christ, whiles it is fastened to his cross.1 But the Apostle goeth further, namely, saying, that the bond of the law was loosed. Not that we should live according to our minds, as a widow woman is left to her own mind whiles she is a widow: but we are now bound to another husband: yea, from hand to hand (as they say) we are passed from the law unto Christ. In the mean while he mitigateth the austerity of the sentence, when he saith, that Christ delivered us from the yoke of the law, that he might graft us into his own body. For although Christ did voluntarily subject himself unto the law for a time, yet is it not meet the law should have dominion over him. Furthermore, that liberty which is proper to him, he communicateth also to his members. Therefore it is no marvel if he deliver those from the yoke of the law, whom he coupleth unto himself by a sacred connection, that they might be one body with him. His, who was raised from the dead, We have already said, that Christ is put in the place of the law, least any liberty should be imagined without him, or least any should dare to make a divorcement from the law,2 not being yet dead to himself. Now he useth this circumlocution to note the eternity of that life, which christ hath purchased by his resurrection: that Christians might know, this copulation is perpetual. Finally, he speaketh more clearly of the spiritual matrimony of Christ with his church, to the Ephe. That we might bring forth fruit to god. ⟨image 96⟩3He alway addeth the final cause, least any under this pretence, that Christ hath delivered us from the servitude of the law, should cocker the flesh and the lusts thereof, For he offered us with himself in sacrifice to the father, and to this end he regenerateth us,4 that we might fructify to God in newness of life. And we know what fruits our heavenly father requireth of us: namely, holiness and righteousness. Neither is it prejudicial to our liberty, if we serve God.
4 By the body of Christ. First of all, Christ hauing erected the banner of his crosse, did triumph ouer sin: which could not be, vnlesse ye hand writing were canceled, wherin we were boūd. That hand writing is the law, which, whiles it standeth in force, maketh vs debters vnto sin, & therefore is called the strength of sin. From the power therfore of this hand writing we are deliuered in the body of Christ, whiles it is fastened to his crosse.1 But the Apostle goeth further, namely, saying, that the bond of the law was loosed. Not that we shold liue according to our minds, as a widow woman is left to her own mind whiles she is a widdow: but we are now bound to another husband: yea, from hande to hand (as they say) we are passed from the law vnto Christ. In the meane while he mitigateth the austeritie of the sentence, whē he saith, that Christ deliuered vs from the yoke of the law, that he might graft vs into his own body. For although Christe did voluntarily subiect himself vnto ye law for a time, yet is it not meete the law should haue dominion ouer him. Furthermore, that libertie which is proper to him, he cōmunicateth also to his members. Therefore it is no maruel if he deliuer those from the yooke of the law, whom he coupleth vnto himself by a sacred connexion, that they might be one body with him. His, who was raised frō the dead, We haue alredy said, that Christ is put in the place of the law, least any libertie shold be imagined wtout him, or least any should dare to make a diuorcement from the law,2 not being yet dead to himself. Now he vseth this circumlocutiō to note the eterniti of yt life, which christ hath purchased by his resurrectiō: yt Christians might know, this copulatiō is perpetual. Finally, hee speaketh more cleerely of ye spirituall matrimonie of Christe wt his church, to the Ephe. That we might bring forth fruit to god. ⟨image 96⟩3Hee alway addeth the finall cause, least any vnder this pretence, that Christe hath deliuered vs from the seruitude of the lawe, shoulde cocker the flesh and the lustes thereof, For hee offered vs with himselfe in sacrifice to the father, and to this ende he regenerateth vs,4 that wee might fructifie to God in newenesse of life. And wee knowe what fruites our heauenly father requireth of vs: namely, holinesse and righteousnesse. Neither is it preiudiciall to our libertie, if we serue God.
- 1How the law is the strength of sin.How the law is the strength of sinne.
- 2The life purchased by Christ, is eternal.The life purchased by Christ, is eternall.
- 3Ephe. 6.
- 4What fruits we should bring forth in Christ.What fruites we should bring foorth in Christ.
