Commentary on Romans, Biblical exegesis 2 · Chapter 15 · Section 3 · Subsection 10
Quest. 10. How, whatsoeuer is written, is written for our learning.
1. Whatsoeuer is written, wherein there is manifest difference between humane writings, and diuine; for here is nothing superfluous, but eueryevery part thereof is for our instruction; whereas in the other, there are many idle things, and vnprofitable partes: Martyr.
2. A fore time: although this be specially vnderstood of the old Testament, because as yet the Apostolicall writings were not extant; yet it is true also of eueryevery part of the new Testament; quia spiritus semper sui similis, because the spirit is alwaies like it selfe; and therefore the new Testament beeing written by the same spirit, is profitable to the same endes, Calvin: how this place maketh against the old Marcionites, that condemned the old Testament, and against the new Libertines, which leaue the Scriptures, and cleaue vntounto reuelations, see among the Controversies following, Controv. 2.
For our learning. 1. The Scripture teacheth an other manner of learning, then the Philosophers writings, which are profitable for the obtaining of humane science, whereof also there is some necessarie vse, but here that doctrine is set forth which teacheth the way vntounto eternall life, Ioh. 17.3. 2. here are foure profitable vses of the Scripture deliuered; claritas intelligentiae, the clearenes of vnderstanding by doctrine, soliditas tolerantiae, the soliditie of patience, the third is suavitas internae laetitiae, the sweetnes of inward ioy by consolation, the fourth securitas obtinendae gloriae, the securitie of obtaining glorie by hope, Lyran. 3. neither are here rehearsed all the profitable parts of the Scripture, but he toucheth the principall ende, which is to confirme vsus in the hope of eternall life, Calvin: for the Scripture is profitable to worke in vsus eueryevery good grace whatsoeuer. 4. Origen here obserueth, that he which readeth the Scriptures onelyonly, can not attaine vntounto these profitable vses, sed qui credit & intelligit, but he which beleeueth, and vnderstandeth them.
That thorough patience and consolation. 1. As the doctrine of the Scripture is the foundation of the other fruits, that are reaped out of the Scripture; yet the end of doctrine is not knowledge, but the practise of life, vntounto the which these three belong, patience, consolation, hope. 2. patience is not to be broken or vanquished with adversitie, consolation is to receiue comfort by Gods promises, whereby we are assured of his gratious assistance, and of an happie ende, and both these doe confirme our hope: hope bringeth forth patience and consolation, as the immediate daughter of faith, and it is againe mutually confirmed, and encreased by them. 3. and thus doe the Scriptures worke in vsus these three, patience, consolation, hope, by examples patience, by the promises consolation, and by the proposed reward of eternall life, hope: and yet more generally the Scripture by foure meanes especially worketh these things in vsus: 1. by the event, when as de facto, the Scriptures doe thus reward the diligent readers of them with these heauenly graces. 2. by the examples of the patience and comfort of our blessed Sauiour, and his Apostles, and other holy men, which they had: whereby we trust, beeing the members of Christs bodie, to be partakers of the same grace. 3. by the doctrine of Scripture, which teacheth vsus, that our afflictions fall not out by chance, but by Gods providence, that they are not as punishments to the children of God, but as probations, and trialls, that God will not suffer vsus to be tempted aboue our strength, and such like. 4. and by the promises of Gods assistance, and of eternall life.
4. Here is a difference betweene Christian patience, which is alwaies ioyned with hope, and that of the Philosophers, which had no hope of the reward.