Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 4 · Section 2
2. The Argument, Method, and parts.
THis Chapter hath three parts. 1. the first is a proofe of the former proposition that we are iustified by faith without the workes of the lawe, by the example of Abraham, the testimonie of Dauid, with some other arguments, vntounto the 17. verse. 2. A commendation and description of the excellencie of Abrahams faith, to ….
2. The third is, the vse and explication of Abrahams imputatiue iustice.
In the first part the Apostle vrgeth 4. principall arguments to prooue, that we are iustified by faith without workes.
1. Argum. If any were iustified by workes, most like Abraham: But he was not iustified by workes, but by faith: Ergo: the assumption is diuersely prooued, 1. from the effects, then Abraham should hauehave had wherein to glorie with God, but he had not, v. 2. from a testimonie of Scripture propounded, v. 3. faith was counted to Abraham for righteousnesse then dilated and implyed by the contrarie: that which is counted is of fauour and debt… 4. but Abrahams faith was counted his righteousnesse by fauour, v. 5. therefore not by debts.
2. Argum. From the testimonie of Dauid: there is the same way of iustification, which is of blessednesse and happinesse: but we are counted happie, by the not imputing and forgiuing of sinne, v. 7, 8. therefore so also are we iustified, and consequently, not by any of our owne workes.
3. Argum. The father of those which beleeue, and the children must be iustified after the same manner: but Abraham the father of those which beleeue, was iustified by faith, and not by the workes of the lawe: Ergo: the proposition is insinuated, v. 11. from the end, why Abraham receiued circumcision as the seale of the righteousnesse of faith, that he should be the father, &c. the father then and children must be iustified by one and the same way the assumption is thus prooued: the first part thereof, that he was the father of all the faithfull is prooued by a distributiō: he was the father both of the vncircumcised, which is shewed by the time, v. 10. he was iustified by faith beeing yet vncircumcised: and of the circumcised, because he receiued circumcisiō, v. 12. the other part that he was iustified by faith, is proued by the effects, because he receiued the promise, not through the law, but faith, v. 13. … otherwise the promise had bin of no effect, if it had bin by the law: which were absurd, v. 14.
4. Argum. From the contrarie effects of the lawe and of faith: the promise ought to be firme and sure vntounto Abraham, and his seede, v. 16. but the lawe cannot worke any … assurance, but it rather causeth wrath, because it discouereth transgression, v. 15.
2. Then followeth a description of Abrahams faith. 1. by the foundation thereof, Go… omnipotencie shewed by the effects, v. 17. 2. the obiect of his faith, to beleeue to be the father of many nations, euen as the starres, or sand in multitude, v. 18. 3. the strength is his faith in ouercomming all impediments, v. 19. 4. the qualitie, it was without doubting, v. 20. which wrought in him assurance, v. 23. 5. by the effects, it was imputed to him for righteousnesse, v. 23.
3. The application of this example followeth. 1. from the ende of the Scripture, which was not written onelyonly for Abraham, but for vsus. 2. from the description of faith. 1. the foundation, God. 2. the obiect Christ Iesus crucified and raised vp. 3. the end, remission of sinnes, and our iustification, v. 25.