Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 1 · Chapter 7 · Section 7
6. Morall obseruations.
1. Observ. EueryEvery one must descend into himselfe.
v. 7. I knew not sinne, but by the law: As Paul here giueth instance in himselfe, and examineth his sinnes by the law; so eueryevery one is taught by his example to enter into himselfe, and call his life and acts to account: as Dauid saith, Psal. 32.5. I acknowledged my sinne vntounto thee, &c.
2. Observ. Against phanaticall spirits, that excuse sinne.
v. 17. It is no more I, that doe it: men that are giuen ouer to all carnall lusts, must not thinke to excuse themselues thus, that it is sinne, that doth it, and not themselues: for they must also say with the Apostle, v. 16. I doe that which I would not: they cannot then apply this to themselues, qui non pugnant, which doe not fight or striue against sinne.
3. Observ. Of delighting in the lawe of God.
v. 22. I delight, &c. Hypocrites may seeme to conforme themselues often to the obedience of the lawe, as Herod, that a while heard Iohn gladly, but it is not in louelove, or with delight, which is onelyonly in them that are regenerate: as the Prophet Dauid saith, that the lawe of God was sweeter vntounto him, then the honie or honie combe, Psal. 19.
Observ. 4. Of the fight and combate betweene the spirit and the flesh.
v. 23. I see an other lawe, &c. OnelyOnly the righteous doe feele this strife in themselues, the spirit drawing them one way, and the flesh an other: as the Apostle here sheweth in himselfe, and so, as Gregorie saith, fit certo moderamine, &c. this is done in such moderation, that the Saints while they are in spirit carried one way, and hindered by the flesh, nec desperationis lapsum, nec elationis incurrunt, they neither fall into despaire, nor yet are lifted vp in mind: the like combate betweene the spirit and flesh we may finde to hauehave been in Dauid, Psal. 73. 2.17. in Elias, 1. King. 19.4. in Ieremie, c. 20.7. the like temptations Hierome felt in himselfe, pallebant or a iciunijs, & mens desiderijs ardebat in frigido corpore, my face was pale with fasting, and yet my minde burned with desire euen in a chill bodie, epist. 22. this is much to the comfort of Gods children, not to despaire when they are likewise tempted.