Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 6 · Section 4
4. Places of Doctrine.
1. Doct. That baptisme is not to be iterated.
v. 3. HaueHave beene baptised into his death, &c. Hence it is inferred, that baptisme is not to be iterated, or more, then once to be administred, because as men are but once naturally borne, and are once to die, so because in baptisme our spirituall birth and death are represented, it sufficeth once to be baptised: this maketh against the Hemerobaptistae, which thinke it necessarie daily and often to be baptised: but as man hath but one naturall birth; so our supernaturall birth in baptisme is sufficient.
2. Doct. That infants hauehave sinne.
In that the Apostle saith of all, that they are baptised into the death of Christ, that is, to die vntounto sinne, that the bodie of sinne might be destroied, as he saith v. 6. hence Augustine concludeth, lib. 6. cont. Iulian. c. 1. that children hauehave sinne: for to what end else should they be baptised to die vntounto sinne?
3. Doct. Of the comparing and conferring of Scriptures together.
v. 3. All we which hauehave beene baptised vntounto Iesus Christ, &c. Hence Origen noteth, because the Apostle addeth not, all we that are baptised in the name of the Father, the Sonne, and holy Ghost, that it is his manner, when he citeth any Scripture, not to alleadg the whole text, but those things onelyonly, quae praesentis causae requirit assertio, which the state of the present cause requireth: Pareus further addeth, that, what is breefely touched in some place of Scripture, is more at large handled in another, as here the misterie of baptisme is opened, which is but breefely set forth in the first institution of baptisme, where Christ onelyonly biddeth to preach and baptise in the name of the Trinitie:
4. Doct. Of the misteries set forth in baptisme.
v. 3. Here are three misticall points expressed in baptisme: 1. in that we are said to be baptised into Christ: whereby is signified, our implanting and grafting into Christ, which word the Apostle vseth v. 5.2. there is a communicating of the death and resurrection of Christ: his death with all the fruites thereof, is applied vntounto vsus: 3. our renouation, and newnes of life, with our spirituall dying vntounto sinne, is also shadowed forth in baptisme, Pareus.
5. Doct. Of the distinction of sinne raigning, and not raigning.
v. 12. Let not sinne raigne, &c. All sinne in the wicked and vnregenerate is peccation regnans, raigning sinne, whether it be originall or actuall, because they giuegive the reine vntounto sinne, and obey the lusts thereof: In the regenerate, though to speake properly there be no absolute kingdome of sinne, because it cannot possesse them totally and finally, but at length they wrestle forth; yet eueryevery sinne in the regenerate committed against their conscience, and depriuing them for the time of the hope of remission of sinnes, is a raigning sinne, when they doe not resist it, but obey the lusts thereof, such was Dauids adulterie: sinne not raigning in them is their originall concupiscence, their infirmities, sinnes of ignorance, omission, and such like, which they doe daiely mourne for, and striue against.
6. Doct. What manner of seruice must be performed to righteousnesse.
v. 19. As you hauehave giuen your members servants to vncleannes, &c. so, &c. We must serue righteousnesse, as before we serued sinne. 1. libenter, willingly and cheerefully: 2. vigilanter. 3. celeriter, speedely, not putting off our seruice. 4. potenter, mightily, with all our strength, and power. 5. ardenter, earnestly, zealously, not coldly, or slackely. 6. indesinenter, constantly, without ceasing, intermission, or giuing ouer, Gorrhan.