Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 7 · Dialogue 16
DIAL. XVI.
Verse 21, 22. I find then that when I would doe good, I am thus yoaked that euill is present with me. For I delight in the law of God; concerning the inner man.
Tim.
VVHat doth this Text containe?
Silas.
It containeth two things, according to the number of the verses, the former is the winding or shutting vp of the second paroxisme, or second fit of temptation: the latter is an entrance or beginning of the third or last fit. verse 22.
Tim.
What be the parts of this conclusion?
Silas.
Two: In the former he confesseth the readines of his will to doe that which is good; in the latter hee renders a reason why hee could not doe the good hee would, because euill was present with him.
Tim.
What is meant heere by [Yoaked?]
Silas.
The word in the originall, signifies law, [I finde this Law,] which some doe take in good part for the law of God, but others in euill part, for the law of sinne and corruption. This latter interpretation is the best, because of the words which follow, [Euill is present with me,] which words seeme to expound the former.
Tim.
What euill doth he speake of, when he saith, euill is present with me, and in what sort is it present with him?
Silas.
Not the euill of affliction, but of sinfull desires and lusts, which are said to be present, because they are euer with the godly at hand, to crosse and hinder their good purposes and desires. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirite, Gal. 5, and the law of the members rebelleth against the law of the minde.
Tim.
What is the instruction ariseth from hence?
Silas.
That this is the common condition of all regenerate persons, that their good motions which come from Gods spirite, are euer mingled with some euil motions which arise from their corrupt nature.
Tim.
What is the sum of the 22. verse?
Silas.
A profession of the Apostle, that his whole man (so farre as hee was renued by grace) it tooke especiall pleasure and delight in the knowledge and spirituall obedience of Gods Law.
Tim.
What Law is it that he speaketh of heere?
The morall Law, or the Law of the ten Commaundements, which teacheth perfect louelove of God, and of our neighbour, because it is set against the Law of sinne, to which no Law is so contrary, as the morall.
Tim.
What is meant heere by the Inner man?
Sil.
The Inner man, is the same with the new man, or spirit, and signifies al that within a man or without, from top to toe, which is by grace reformed: as by outwarde is meant all that in a man which is not renued.
Tim.
What is the instruction that wee are to learne from hence?
Silas.
That a regenerate man doth louelove Gods morall Law, and take great delight in it. This delight doth not so much declare and shew it selfe in the pleasure which godly men take to know the thinges contained in the Law (for that is common with the wicked) but to do it, and conforme their hearts and manners agreeable vntounto it; as he which seeth a curious artificiall picture, is so pleased with it, that he studieth how to expres it: so it fareth with Gods children.
Tim.
What reason hauehave Gods children to delight in the law, seeing it reueales sinne vntounto them, accuseth them, and condemnes them?
Silas.
First, vntounto the godly this is a great benefit which it brings that it doth discouer vntounto them euils, that they may see them, repent of them, and forsake them, as well as good, that they may practise it; and so driueth them neerer vntounto Christ, that they may be saued by his grace.
Tim.
What other instruction may bee drawne from this Verse?
Silas.
That seeing the children of God delight in the Law, they hauehave greater reason much more to be delighted with the word of the Gospell: because the doctrine of the Gospell healeth those diseases which the Lawe sheweth forth; and effectually comforteth, whome the Law hath terrified; being both seede of their new birth, and food to nourish them after they are borne againe.
Tim.
Is this a proper marke of regenerate men to delight in Gods word?
Silas.
Yea, it is so: forasmuch as none can delight in such wise, but those that hauehave the Spirit of … to engender in them a louelove of God, and of his word, and that Doctrine which is taught therein.
Tim.
But seeing it is written of …, that they doe heare the Gospell with ioy, what difference shall we put between the godly and vngodly in their delight?
Silas.
The difference is both in the matter, manner, and end of their delight and ioy. First, as for the matter & ground of delight vntounto the godly, it is the obedience yeelded to the Law, and Christ receiued by the Gospel; whereas bare knowledge of the Law and Gospell, is the ground of an Hypocrites delight. Secondly, they differ also in the manner of their delight; for the delight of a godly man is sincere and constant, as proceeding from the speciall grace of the Spirit; the delight of a Wicked man is vnsound and vnconstant, proceeding either from nature, or from a general grace of the Spirit: therefore, as it looketh not to God, so it lasteth not. Thirdly, they differ in the effect and end of it: for the delight of the godly leads them to an vniuersall practise of the Law inward and outward: so doth not the delight of the wicked, which content themselues with an outwarde reformation of life at the vtmost. This may be set foorth by the comparison of two skilfull Painters, who both togither behold one and the same portraiture or picture very artificially drawne; whereof the one contents himselfe to behold it and commend it, but endeauours not himselfe to make the like: the other so praiseth it, that he setteth his skill a-worke to make such an one. So it fareth betweene a man regenerate, and a man vnregenerate; the former so liketh and delighteth in the word, as he studieth to be a doer of it; the latter, resteth in contemplation of the word, neglecting action, and hating to be reformed. And lastly, their delight doth differ in the measure of their ioy; for euill men delight in riches and pleasures more then in the word, but godly persons hauehave more delight in the word, then in all manner of riches. O Lord how do I louelove thy Law? I more ioy in it then in Psalme 119.all spoyles, it is sweeter to me then the Hony-combe, &c.