Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

Furthermore, whereas Paul maketh the law consent with faith, and yet opposeth the righteousness of that,¹ against the righteousness of this, the reason thereof must be known. The law hath a twofold acception. For sometime it signifieth all that doctrine was delivered by Moses, sometimes but that part which was proper to his ministry: namely, which is contained in precepts, rewards, and punishments. For Moses generally ⟨image 149⟩had this office, that he might instruct the people in the true rule of godliness. Which thing if it be true, it behoved him to preach repentance and faith: but faith is not taught, unless the promises of Gods mercy, and the same free promises be propounded or set before the people: therefore it behoved him to be a Preacher of the gospel: which thing he did faithfully as appeareth by divers places. And to the end he might inform the people unto repentance, it was his part to teach what manner of life were acceptable to God: & that he hath comprised in the precepts of the law. Now to the end he might put into the minds of the people a love of righteousness, and again, insert a hatred of sin, promises and threatenings were to be added: which might declare, how there are rewards laid up for the just, and horrible punishments for the wicked. Now also it was the duty of the people to consider by how many ways they were accursed, and how far they were from that, that they could merit God by their works: so they being in despair of their own righteousness might flee unto the haven of Gods goodness, and that is unto Christ himself. This was the end of Moses ministry.

Furthermore, whereas Paule maketh the lawe consent with faith, and yet opposeth the righteousnesse of that,¹ against ye righteousnesse of this, the reason thereof must be knowen. The lawe hath a twofolde acception. For sometime it signifieth all that doctrine was deliuered by Moses, sometimes but that part which was proper to his ministerie: namely, which is conteined in precepts, rewardes, and punishments. For Moses generally ⟨image 149⟩had this office, that he might instruct the people in the true rule of godlinesse. Which thing if it be true, it behoued him to preach repentance and faith: but faith is not taught, vnlesse the promises of Gods mercy, and the same free promises be propounded or set before the people: therefore it behoued him to bee a Preacher of the gospell: which thing hee did faithfully as appeareth by diuers places. And to the ende he might informe the people vnto repentance, it was his part to teach what maner of life were acceptable to God: & that he hath comprised in the precepts of the lawe. Now to the ende hee might put into the mindes of the people a loue of righteousnes, and againe, inserte a hatred of sinne, promises and threatnings were to bee added: whiche might declare, how there are rewardes laid vp for the iust, and horrible punishments for the wicked. Now also it was the dutie of the people to cōsider by how many wayes they were accursed, and howe farre they were from that, that they could merite God by their workes: so they being in dispaire of their owne righteousnes might flee vnto the hauen of Gods goodnesse, and that is vnto Christe himselfe. This was the ende of Moses ministerie.