Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

I have said a while ago, that this was expounded by some, of the cause or end why God did send his Son: namely, that he might make satisfaction for sin. Chrysostom & divers after him, understand it somewhat more hardly: namely, that sin was condemned of sin, because it slew Christ unjustly & unworthily. Indeed I confess, because he being just and innocent, undertook punishment for sinners, by this means was the price of redemption paid:¹ yet I cannot be brought to think the word sin to be put here in any other sense, then for a sacrifice of satisfaction, which of the Hebrews is called Asham, as the Grecians call Catharma, a Sacrifice whereunto malediction or curse is annexed. So the same Paul saith, Christ who knew not sin became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. And the preposition Peri, of or for, is taken here causally, as though Paul had said, upon that sacrifice, or else, for the burden of sin which was laid upon Christ, sin was cast down from his power, that now it might not have us in subjection. For he saith, that sin was condemn ned metaphorically, as they who are cast in a matter & loose their process: because God dealeth no more against those guilty persons, ⟨image 109⟩who are cleared by the sacrifice of Christ. If we say, the kingdom of sin wherewithal we were oppressed, was abrogated, it is all one. Therefore Christ took unto him that was ours: that he might power upon us that was his. For having taken upon him our curse, he hath endued us with his blessing. Here Paul addeth, in the flesh. that our confidence might be more sure, whiles we see sin was conquered & abolished even in our own nature, for so it cometh to pass, that our nature is truly made partaker of that victory: which thing he also declareth straightways.

I haue said a while agoe, that this was expounded by some, of the cause or end why God did send his sonne: namely, that he might make satisfaction for sin. Chrysostome & diuers after him, vnderstande it somwhat more hardly: namely, that sin was condemned of sin, because it slewe Christ vniustly & vnworthily. Indeed I confesse, because he being iust and innocent, vndertooke punishment for sinners, by this meanes was the price of redemption paid:¹ yet I cannot be brought to thinke the word sinne to be put heere in any other sense, then for a sacrifice of satisfaction, whiche of the Hebrews is called Asham, as the Grecians cal Catharma, a Sacrifice whereunto malediction or curse is annexed. So the same Paul saith, Christ who knew not sin became sin for vs, that wee might be made the righteousnes of God in him. And the preposition Peri, of or for, is taken here causally, as though Paul had said, vpon that sacrifice, or els, for the burden of sin whiche was laid vpon Christ, sin was cast downe from his power, that now it might not haue vs in subiection. For he saith, that sin was condē ned metaphorically, as they who are cast in a matter & loose their processe: because God dealeth no more against those giltie persons,