Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

5 For when we were. By the contrary he showeth yet more plainly, how ill those, that are zealous of the law, deal, to detain the faithful yet under the power thereof. For so long as the literal doctrine of the law ruleth and beareth sway, the lasciviousness of the flesh is not bridled, but rather it increaseth. Whereby it followeth that the kingdom of righteousness is not established, till Christ have freed us from the law. And withal Paul admonisheth what works do become us being loosed from the law. So long therefore as a man is holden under the yoke of the law, by sinning continually, he can bring nothing unto himself but death. If the service of the law begetteth sin only, then deliverance which is contrary must tend unto righteousness: if that lead unto death, then this unto life. But let us consider the very words of Paul. Whiles he goeth about to describe that time, wherein we were under the dominion of the law, he saith we were in the flesh. Whereby we understand, that all they which are under the law, ⟨p. 83⟩reap nothing else thereby, then that without fruit and efficacy their ears are beaten with the external breath thereof: seeing they are inwardly destitute of the spirit of God. Therefore they must needs abide altogether corrupt, & perverse, until a better remedy come to heal their disease. And note the usual phrase of the Scripture, to be in the flesh, for,¹ to be endued only with the gifts of nature, without that special grace, wherewith God vouchsafeth his elect. Furthermore, if this whole state of life be corrupt it is apparent that naturally there is no part of our soul sound: neither is there any other power of free will, but that it may send forth evil affections as darts into every part. Affections of sins which are by the law. That is, the law did stir up evil affections in us, which did declare their efficacy in all our members. For there is no part, which did not serve the evil affections. This is the work of the law: namely, to inflame our hearts the more, that they should burst forth into such lusts, if that inward master of the spirit be not present. But observe here, that the law is matched with the corrupt nature of man: whose perversity and lust, the more it is restrained by the bars of the law, the more furiously it bursteth forth.

5 For when we were. By the contrarie hee sheweth yet more plainely, howe ill those, that are zealous of the law, deale, to deteine the faithfull yet vnder the power thereof. For so long as the litterall doctrine of the lawe ruleth and beareth swaye, the lasciuiousnesse of the fleshe is not brideled, but rather it increaseth. Whereby it followeth that the kingdome of righteousnesse is not established, till Christe haue freed vs from the lawe. And withall Paule admonisheth what workes doe become vs beeyng loosed from the lawe. So long therefore as a man is holden vnder the yoke of the lawe, by sinning continually, he can bring nothing vnto himselfe but death. If the seruice of the lawe begetteth sinne onely, then deliuerance which is contrary must tende vnto righteousnesse: if that lead vnto death, then this vnto life. But let vs consider the very wordes of Paul. Whiles he goeth about to describe that time, wherein wee were vnder the dominion of the lawe, hee saith we were in the fleshe. Whereby we vnderstand, that all they which are vnder the law,