Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 2 · Section 5
Certaine additions to the former doctrines.
Addit. 1. Concerning the iudgement which a man giueth against himselfe, which is called foreign, thus much may further be obserued out of the 1. verse: 1. What it is: namely the testimonie of ones conscience, of his owne guiltinesse before God. 2. Whence it is: partly by the prouidence of God, which striketh into a mans conscience this sense of sinne, partly by the force of the conscience it selfe, conuincing one of sinne. 3. Of whom it is: namely, of all men. 4. It is necessarie and profitable to diuerse ends. 1. to humble vsus in respect of Gods iudgement: for if our conscience condemne vsus, God can much more, who is greater then our conscience, 1. Ioh. 3.20. 2. It is for our comfort, working in vsus bouldnesse, if our hearts condemne vsus not, 1. Ioh. 3.21. 3. it will make vsus not to be too seuere in iudging of others, our owne heart condemning vsus.
Addit. 2. Out of the 5. v. concerning foreign, the hardnesse of the heart: we are to consider, 1. What it is: namely the contumacie and rebellion of the heart against the lawe of God. 2. Whence it is: originally by the corruption of mans nature: Sathan concurreth as the efficient: the occasion are the externall obiects: and God by his secret iudgement yet most iust hath an ouerruling hand herein. 3. the effect, is the treasuring vp of the wrath of God. 4. it is curable, not by mans free will, for it is not subiect to the lawe of God, neither can be, Rom. 8.8. but by the grace of Gods spirit, as Dauid prayeth, Psal. 51.12. Create in me a newe heart.
Addit. 3. The accepting or respect of persons called foreign is when things equal are giuen to them which are vnequall, or contrariwise things vnequall to them which are equall, onelyonly for their person: and the person, is the state, condition, or qualitie of a thing: now to knowe whether all accepting of the person be vnlawfull: first the diuerse kinds of persons and qualities must be considered, whereof there are 3. sorts. 1. some personall conditions there are which are annexed, to promises or comminations diuine, and humane: as faith, obedience in the elect, impenitencie, impietie, vnbeleefe in the wicked, this accepting of persons is not vniust: as Abraham was respected of God for his faith, so also Dauid, and Saul reiected for his hypocrisie. 2. Some personall respects are so annexed to the cause, as thereby it is aggravated or extenuated: as he that striketh a magistrate is worthie of greater punishment, then he, that striketh an other: and this respect of persons is also iust. … some personall respects are beside the cause: as riches, pouertie, in the case of adulterie, theft, and such like: and such accepting of the person is vniust: Secondly, the accepting … persons, is either in iudgement, when it is in the two first senses lawfull: but not in the thu… or extra iudicium, out of iudgement: and it is of three sorts: 1. dilectionis, of louelove, which in common duties is vnlawfull, as when a rich man is preferred before a poore man for his riches: which is condemned by S. Iames, c. 2. v. 2.3. but in speciall and proper duties it is lawfull: as in preferring the louelove of our parents before others. 2. electionis, of election … choice, as when men of qualitie and gifts are advanced to places of office, before them, which are not so qualified: this respect of persons is lawfull, as beeing agreeable both vntounto nature and to positiue lawes. 3. donationis, in matters of gift and donation; as one for giueth his debt to one, not to another: this also is lawfull, because here is no wrong done: a man may dispose of his owne, as it pleaseth him: see more hereof before, quest. 23.