Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

For regeneration is only begun in this life: the remnant of the flesh which remaineth, doeth alway follow his corrupt affections, and so moveth war against the spirit. The unlearned which consider not whereabout the Apostle goeth, or what kind of dispensation he holdeth, do think that the nature of man is here described. And certainly such a description of humane wit there is amongest the Philosophers. Howbeit the scripture setteth down a more ⟨image 102⟩deep philosophy, because since the time that Adam was spoiled of the image of God, it saw nothing to remain in the heart of man, besides perversity or frowardness. So Sophisters when they go about to define free will, or to estimate of what value the strength of nature is, seize upon this place: howbeit Paul (as I said) doeth not here propound the bare nature of man: but under his own person, Paul describeth, what, and how great the infirmity of the faithful is. Augustine was some time in this common error: yet when he had more nearly sifted the place, he did not only retract that, which he had taught amiss, but in his first book unto Boniface, by many strong arguments he proveth, that it can not otherwayes be understood, but of the regenerate. And we will do our endeavour that the readers may clearly see it is so. I know not. His meaning is, that he did not acknowledge those works, which he did commit through the infirmity of the flesh, for his: because he did detest them. Therefore it is not amiss that Erasmus hath used the word approve: but because that might be ambiguous, I chose rather to retain the word, know, or understand. Whereby we gather that the doctrine of the law is so agreeable, unto right judgement, that the faithful refuse the transgression thereof, as a brutish thing. And because Paul seemeth to confess, that he taught otherwise then the law commanded, many interpreters have been deceived, which have thought that he took upon him the person of another: hence came that common error, that some have supposed the nature of an unregenerate man to have been described in this whole chapter. But Paul under the transgression of the law includeth all the offences of the godly,¹ who, neither shake off the fear of God, nor study of well doing.

For regeneration is onely begunne in this life: the remnante of the fleshe which remayneth, doeth alwaye followe his corrupte affections, and so mooueth warre agaynst the spirite. The vnlearned whiche consider not whereaboute the Apostle goeth, or what kinde of dispensation hee holdeth, do thinke that the nature of man is heere described. And certainly suche a description of humane witte there is amongest the Philosophers. Howebeit the scripture setteth downe a more