Exposition of Romans 8-11, Chapter 8 · Verse 8
VERSE 8. So then they that are in the Fleſh, cannot pleaſe GOD.
THis Verſe is a Confectary, following out of the ſeuenth verſe; and containes a concluſion of all that goes before in this Chapter.
So then: For, they therefore. The Aduerſatiue being put for an Illatiue.
Which are in the Fleſh: Not which are married, as one fondly expounded; Syriemus Papa.for the beginning of the next verſe confutes it. But which are Carnall and vnregenerate. The phraſe is ſignificant, noting a man drownd in corruption. Wee ſay of a man ouercome of Anger; Hee is heat. Of a Drunkard; Hee is in Beere, or Wine. Acts 8.23.So Simon Magus is ſayd to bee in the Gall of Bitterneſſe.
Cannot pleaſe God: Nor their perſons, nor their thoughts, words, or Actions, till they be renewed. As Snow can neuer be made hot while it is Snow: for Fire, or heat will diſſolue it into Water; but then it may be made hot. So the Carnall man in that eſtate cannot pleaſe God, but change him into a ſanctified eſtate, and then he can.
doctrine The meaning, which is the Doctrine. A Carnall man cannot pleaſe God, becauſe hee is not ſubiest to his Law, Heb. 11.6. Rom. 14.18. Gal. 6.16.
Q. Why ſhould wee bee puniſhed for that wee cannot doe?
A. Yes great reaſon. For wee cannot, becauſe wee will not, and wee will not, from our owne corruption, which wee hauehave not from GOD, but from our ſelues.
Vſe 1.A Man may be Prudent, Learned, Liberall, do many beautifull things in Nature, and yet not pleaſe God: An euill Tree (ſuch is eueryevery vnregenerate) cannot bring forth good Fruit. The ſubſtance or matter of the worke may bee good: but the worke cannot be ſo called, vnleſſe it bee done modo, & forma. Veluet is good matter to make a Garmēt, yet it may be ſo mard in the cutting, that it ſhall neuer obtaine the name of a good Garment. Pieces of Timber are good matter for a Houſe: but they muſt be Artificially framed. An vnregenerate man giues Almes, and in giuing ſins; not becauſe hee giues, but becauſe he giues not in the manner he ſhould.
Some may then ſay, it's good not to giuegive at all. Nay, not ſo: they are good vſu, though not cultu, there is good vſe of their Almes, though they be no pleaſing ſeruice to God. He ſins that giues not as he ſhould, but he ſins more that giues not at all. Reſt not then in this, becauſe the matter of thy works is good, but adde alſo, the right manner: In Faith. And the right end: The glory of GOD. The matter of Cains Sacrifice for ought wee know, was a good as Abels: But Abel offered in a better manner, and to the right end. The Diuell can bee content thou ſhouldeſt doe good for matter: but if thou wilt pleaſe GOD, the matter and manner alſo muſt bee according to his will.
Vſe 2.An vnregenerate man is moſt miſerable, becauſe he cannot pleaſe God: Prou. 20.2.For, if the diſpleaſure of a King be the death of his Subiect: how fearefull is the diſpleaſure of God?
It's a moſt ſweet thing to pleaſe God: This is the happines of the Regenerate: though they deſerue it not, yet their Perſons and Actions pleaſe in CHRIST through Faith. Deare is the affection of Parents to their Children; ſo is the fauour of GOD a precious thing, and to be deſired. Dauid preferres the louing Countenance of GOD before all earthly things. Pſal. 4.6.7.And good reaſon: for it brings peace of Conſcience, breeds confidence in Prayer, and is the fountaine of all good things vntounto vsus.
Thouſands of Rams and Riuers of Oyle will not pleaſe God; Micah. 6.7,8.but ſubiection to his Law will: If thou beleeueſt. Vnregenerate regenerate men pleaſe the Diuell: Pray thou for Renouation, that thou mayſt pleaſe thy GOD.
Vſe 3.Let this ſpur thee on to Obedience, becauſe therein thou pleaſeſt GOD. If thou beeſt a ſeruant, diſpleaſe thy Maſter, and ſee what thou ſhalt get by it: for they which pleaſe are preferred. If thou haſt a contrite heart, thou pleaſeſt. Be more contrite. If thou giuegive Almes, thou pleaſeſt. GiueGive more. If thou Prayeſt, heareſt the Word, beeſt Obedient, thou pleaſeſt: exerciſe thy ſelfe in theſe things the more; ſo ſerue GOD, that thou mayſt pleaſe him in reuerence and feare.Heb. 12.28.