Moreover, as the law hath his time how long to reign, so also it hath his proper place, where to reign. By the reign of the law here is meant the condemnation of the law: for as the time of the law ceaseth, when the faith of Christ, in a true repenting heart, beginneth so hath the law no place in such, as be good and faithful, that is, in sinners repenting and amending,1 but only in them which be evil and wicked. Evil men here I call all such, which walking in sinful flesh, are not yet driven by earnest repentance, to fly to Christ for succour. And therefore saith S. Paul: To the just man there is no law set, but to the unjust and disobedient, &c. 1. Tim. 1. By the just man here is meant, nor he which never had disease, but he, who knowing his disease, seeketh out the Physician, and being cured, keepeth himself in health as much as he may, from any mo surfeits: notwithstanding, he shall never so keep him self but that his health (that is, his new obedience) shall always remain frail & unperfect, and shall continually need the Physician. Where, by the way, these iij. things are to be noted. 1. the sickness it self. 2 the knowing of the sickness. 3. the Physician. The sickness is sin. The knowing of the sickness, is repentance, which the law worketh. The Physician is Christ. And therefore, although in remission of our sins, repentance is joined with faith, yet it is not the dignity or worthiness of repentance, that causeth remission of sins, but only the worthiness of Christ whom faith only apprehendeth:2 no more then the feeling of the disease is the cause of health, but only the Physician. For else when man is cast and condemned by the law, it is not repentance that can serve or deserve life, but i• his pardon come, then is it the grace of the prince, and not his repentance that saveth.
Moreouer, as the law hath his time how long to reigne, so also it hath his proper place, where to raigne. By the raigne of the law here is ment the cōdemnation of the law: for as the time of the law ceaseth, when the faith of Christ, in a true repenting heart, beginneth so hath the law no place in such, as be good and faithful, that is, in sinners repenting and amending,1 but only in them which be euill and wicked. Euil men heere I call all such, which walking in sinful flesh, are not yet driuē by earnest repentāce, to flie to Christ for succour. And therefore sayth S. Paule: To the iust man there is no law set, but to the vniust and disobedient, &c. 1. Tim. 1. By the iust man here is ment, nor he which neuer had disease, but he, who knowing his disease, seeketh out the Physition, and being cured, kepeth himselfe in health as much as he may, from any mo surfets: notwithstanding, he shall neuer so kepe him self but that his health (that is, his new obedience) shal alwaies remaine fraile & vnperfect, and shall continually nede the Physition. Where, by the way, these iij. things are to be noted. 1. the sicknes it self. 2 the knowing of the sicknes. 3. the Physitian. The sicknes is sinne. The knowing of the sicknes, is repentance, which the lawe worketh. The Physitian is Christ. And therfore, although in remission of our sinnes, repē taunce is ioyned with faith, yet it is not the dignity or worthines of repentāce, that causeth remission of sinnes, but only the worthines of Christ whom faith onely apprehēdeth:2 no more then the feeling of the disease is the cause of health, but only the Phisition. For els when man is cast and condemned by the lawe, it is not repentance that can serue or deserue life, but i• his pardō come, then is it the grace of the prince, and not his repentance that saueth.
- 1Gal. 3. Justis nō est lex posita, sed iniustis et in obsequentibus. 1. Tim. 1. In remission of sins, 3. things to be noted. 1. the disease. 2. The knowing of the disease. 3. The Physician.Gal. 3. Iustis nō est lex posita, sed iniustis et in obsequentibus. 1. Tim. 1. In remission of sinnes, 3. things to be noted. 1. the disease. 2. The knowing of the disease. 3. The Phisition.
- 2Repentance is joined with faith: yet is it no cause of salvation. The third point to be noted in the doctrine of the law.Repentance is ioyned with faith: yet is it no cause of saluation. The third point to be noted in the doctrine of the lawe.
