Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

In deed I confess that the faithful are admonished here, how much more liberally God hath now dealt with them, then he did in old time with the fathers under the old Testament: yet he respecteth the external dispensation, in respect whereof only we excel: because howsoever the saith of Abraham, Moses, and David, was more excellent then ours: yet for as much as God in a manner kept them under a schoolmistress, they were not yet come unto that liberty, which is opened unto us. And also it is to be noted, that I have purposely (because of false Apostles) put an antithesis or contrariety between the literal disciples of the law, and the faithful, whom Christ the heavenly master doeth not only speak unto with sound of mouth, but also inwardly doeth teach effectually by his spirit. And although the covenant of grace is contained in the law, yet he removeth it thence: because opposing the Gospel, he considereth nothing but that which was proper to the law, namely to bid and forbid▪ and by the denouncing of death to bridle sinners: and so he giveth unto the law,¹ that quality whereby it differeth from the Gospel. Or if any had rather, he propoundeth the bare ⟨image 115⟩law, as God therein covenanteth with us in respect of works. Thus therefore we are to think of the persons amongst the people of the Jews, when the law was published, & also after it was published, the godly were illuminated with the same spirit of faith: & therefore the hope of eternal inheritance (whereof the spirit is a pledge & seal) was sealed in their heart. Here only is the difference, that the spirit is poured out more abundantly & plentifully in the kingdom of Christ. But if thou hast regard unto the dispensation of doctrine, salvation shall seem to have been then for a surety first manifested, when Christ was exhibited in the flesh, with such obscurity were all things covered under the old Testament, in comparison of that light is under the Gospel.

In deede I confesse that the faithfull are admonished here, howe muche more liberally God hath nowe dealte with them, then hee did in olde time with the fathers vnder the olde Testament: yet hee respecteth the externall dispensation, in respecte whereof onely wee excell: because howesoeuer the sayth of Abraham, Moses, and Dauid, was more excellent then ours: yet for as muche as God in a maner kept them vnder a schoolemistresse, they were not yet come vnto that libertie, which is opened vnto vs. And also it is to bee noted, that I haue purposely (because of false Apostles) put an antithesis or contrarietie betweene the litterall disciples of the lawe, and the faithfull, whome Christ the heauenly maister doeth not onely speake vnto with sounde of mouth, but also inwardely doeth teache effectually by his spirite. And although the couenaunt of grace is conteined in the lawe, yet he remoueth it thence: because opposing the Gospell, hee considereth nothing but that which was proper to the lawe, namely to bidde and forbidde and by the denouncing of death to bridle sinners: and so hee giueth vnto the lawe,