Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 7 · Dialogue 3
DIAL. III.
Verses 5.6. For when we were in the flesh, the affections of sin which were by the law, had force in our members to bring forth fruites to death. But now ye are delmered from the law, he being dead in whome ye were holden, that we should serue in newnes of spirit, and not in the oldnes of the letter.
Tim.
VVHat is the drift of this Scripture?
Silas.
To confirme the exhortation of bringing forth fruites to God by the comparison of contraries,Comparatio ml noris à contrario. Paraeus. wherein our old and first mariage with sin, is compared with our latter & new mariage to Christ. The summe where of is this: If in our first mariage sin was effectuall in vsus by the law to bring foorth euill woorkes, as fruites to death; now that we are freed from sin and the law, and be married to Christ, let his spirit be effectual in vsus to bring forth good workes as fruits to God: if before we brought forth euil fruites vntounto destruction, much more now let vsus bring forth fruite pleasing to God, and wholesome to our selues.
Tim.
What then be the parts of this text?
Silas.
Two, the first hath the condition of our first mariage with sinne, in the 5. verse. The second part hath the condition of our second mariage with Christ, in the sixth verse.
Tim.
Nowe expound the word, and tell vsus what is meant here by the flesh, and by being in the flesh?1 Part. To be, liue, and walke after the flesh here & Rom, 8, 12. 2 Cor, 10 3, 15. To follow carnal lustes greedily as vnregerate persons do.
Silas.
By the flesh is meant our sinfull corruption, such as we bring with vsus into the world, through carnall generation: and by beeing in the flesh is meant to remaine or abide securely in the estate of corruption, our sin and our nature being vnited together as husband and wife. And this is here to bee noted, that it is one thing to hauehave flesh in vsus, and another thing to be in the flesh. For the regenerate hauehave flesh, that is, some sinfull corruption in them, because their sanctification is vnperfect; but they are not in the flesh, because their sinfull nature is mortified and reformed: before their new birth they are in the flesh, being eueryevery way obnoxious vntounto sin: after new birth the flesh is in them because sin stil dwels in them.
Tim.
What are we to learne from this kind of speech?
Silas.
That all the elect before their conuersion, are so necrely linkt to sinne, as they and sinne are but one, euen as the woman coupled in marriage vntounto the man, they are no more twaine but one. And note heere, that in this comparison sinne answereth the Husband, & we our selues the wife, married first vntounto sinne, and then to Christ.
Tim.
What is meant heere by affections, and why are they called the affections of sinne?
The word signifies passions, which with great force affect the soule, and generally all euil motions. But more particularly by affections, is meant not onelyonly the lustes which be in the inferiour part of our soule, as in our wil, but they comprehend our reason and minde, as it is corrupt by sinne; and so our euill thoughts, counsels, purposes, deuises, immagination, discourses are all contained vnderunder this word affections. And they are called the affections of sinne, because they 1. come from sinne, 2. they are themselues sinfull, and 3. eggers vntounto sinnefull workes, begetting in vsus those workes of the flesh mentioned, Gal. 5, 19, 20.
Tim.
How are these sinnefull affections, saide to bee by the Law, seeing eueryevery man by Nature, hath them engrafted in him, before euer he heare and know the Law?
Silas.
It is true, we hauehave these affections by Nature, before we heare the Law, for they are borne with vsus, yet they are saide to bee by the Law. First, because thereby they are laide open, and made more knowne vntounto vsus. Secondly,Rom. 3, 20. by it sinnes are accused, condemned, and made more greeuous, insomuch as he that offends against theRom, 7, 7. will of God once knowne, hath the greater sinne. Thirdly, by the Law our sinneful affections are more irritated.Rom. 7, 8. For the Law (as a let in the way) forbidding and withstandingAs the Sunne on a Dunghill maketh a greater stench, by fault not of sun but of the dung. them, maketh them become more fierce & vehement, through the fault of our corrupt Nature, which endeauoureth to do that which is forbid vntounto it, and to rebell when it is crossed by prohibitions and comminations of the Law.
Tim.
What are we to learne from hence?
Silas.
That sinfull lusts are most venomous and poysonfull things, being encreased by the Law, which God appointed as a meane and remedie to restraine them. Secondly, the vse of the Law towards all vngodly men, is to encrease and manifest their sinnes, to cause them to know their sinnes, and more eagerly to run after them.
Tim.
What vse heereof?
Silas.
It admonisheth al, what cause they hauehave to bee humbled in regard of their accursed Nature, which causeth so good a thing as the Law, to be occasion of more sinnes.
Tim.
What is meant heere by members?
Silas.
The powers and faculties of soule and body; in which, sinfull affections worke mightily by an inwarde secret force, not onelyonly in the eares, eyes, hands, mouth, &c. but in senses, appetite, will, and in the vnderstanding and minde.
Tim.
What are we to learne from hence?
Silas.
That the affections of sinne are no weake and feeble thinges, but mighty and forceable to engender wicked works: which may be declared by comparison of that force which mans seed hath in generation, which al see to be operatiue and fruitful; and by that seede which is cast into the earth, which also is effectuall and full of force. Secondly, by the example of Gods children after their new byrth, in whom their lustes had force to effect fearefull things, as in Sarah, Rebecca, Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter. Thirdly, by the example of men vnregenerate, who by the force of their lustes, hauehave beene carried vntounto monstrous iniquity, as Caine, Esau, Ahab, Iudas, Seminarie Priests, Iesuits, Gunpowder Traitors.
Tim.
What profit is to be made heereof to our selues?
Silas.
By consideration of the strength of sinne, men should be much moued to get all the strength they can, to resist such a mighty enemy. Secondly, it reproues secure Christians which striue not against it, because they neuer thinke nor know how forcible a thing is: and by their security, are miserably oppressed by the tiranny of sin, which keepeth them vnderunder as vassals.
Tim.
What is meant heere by fruite to death?
Silas.
Sinfull workes, which do deserue death, and leade to death; without repentance, all sinneful desires, thoughts, wordes, and workes, be in their owne nature mortall, and become veniall by grace onelyonly.
Tim.
What be our Lessons from hence?
Silas.
First, that sinne hath eternal death yoaked to it. Secondly, the vnhappy estate of men vnregenerate; all whose workes are mortiferous and deadly: and this is the condition of our first marriage with sin, that all the fruites that come of this marriage, bee as Children dead borne. Lastly, this should moue in vsus an earnest desire and care to be diuorced from the flesh, that wee may passe ouer vntountoLucrum tune sacit mors … peccatur. Ambros. Christ, as vntounto a new husband. For howsoeuer carnall secure sinners doe not directly intend destruction as the end of their course, yet Sathan intendeth it, and the sinners themselues can reape no other fruite, as Chap. 6, 22, 23.