Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 8 · Section 6
6. Morall obseruations.
Observ. 1. Sanctification must not be seuered from iustification.
v. 1. There is no condemnation, &c. which walke not after the flesh, &c. The Apostle here euidently sheweth, that they which walke after the flesh, are not in Christ Iesus, not iustified by him, and freed from condemnation: although our sanctification be not any meritorious or efficient cause of saluation, yet it is such a cause as sine qua non, without the which there is no saluation: 1. because regeneration is inseperably ioyned with iustification. 2. sanctification is a testimonie and euidence of our faith, without the which it is dead. 3. it is a fruite of the spirit. 4. and it doth necessarily follow true repentance.
Observ. 2. Sinne maketh vsus enemies to God.
v. 7. The wisedome of the flesh is enmitie: We see how Sathan hath poisoned the whole nature of man by sinne, not onelyonly the sensuall and carnall parts, but euen the mind, wisedome, and vnderstanding; that eueryevery part of man by nature is rebellious vntounto God; so that iustly by nature we are the children of wrath: for how can the Lord else doe, but shew his anger and indignation vponupon his enemies, the consideration therefore hereof, should worke in vsus a detestation of sinne.
Observ. 3. The sonnes of God must be like their heauenly father.
v. 14. As many as are led by the spirit, are the sonnes of God: the Apostle vseth this as a forceable motiue to perswade vsus to holinesse and pietie, because we are the sonnes of God: as children doe beare the image of their parents, so the sonnes of God must expresse the image of their heauenly father in holines and righteousnesse: their children men are, whose workes they doe: if they doe not the workes of God, but of Sathan, Gods children they are not, but Sathans. Ioh. 8.44.
Observ. 4. Of the contempt of all worldly things.
v. 17. If children, then also heires, &c. If we then doe hope for such a glorious inheritance in the kingdome of life, we should contemne, and trampie vnderunder our feete the glorie and pompe of the world, vnlesse onelyonly vsing them as transitorie things for our necessarie vse: as S. Paul counted all things as dung in comparison of Christ. Phil. ….8.
Observ. 5. No suffering in this world can be answerable to the glorie to be reuealed.
v. 18. I count that the afflictions, &c. This difference there is, betweene the sufferings of Christians, and the labours which the heathen endured for their countrie: their labours were greater, then the end, which they propounded: Brutus killed his owne sonnes for the libertie of his countrie: Torquatus put his owne sonne to death, for transgressing militarie discipline: Curtius cast himselfe into the pit for the safetie of his countrie: these by their vtmost daungers onelyonly sought the praise of men, and a terrene libertie of their countrie: much more ought we to endure the like for our euerlasting libertie, which farre exceedeth the weight and measure of all afflictions in this life;homil. 2. de fest. omnium sanct. yea Augustine doubteth not to say ipsam Gehennam paruo tempore tolerare oportet, we should for a short time endure hell it selfe, to see Christ in the land of the liuing.
Observ. 6. Predestination excludeth and remooueth all presumption.
v. 30. Whom he iustified, he glorified, &c. glorification followeth not immediately vponupon predestination, but vocation, faith, iustification, sanctification, must come betweene: be that without these presumeth of election, peruerteth the reuealed counsell of God to his destruction.