Commentary on Romans, Treatise · Chapter 8 · Dialogue 4
DIAL. IIII.
Verse 10. And if Christ be in you, the bodye is dead, because of sin: but the Spirit is life for righteousnesse sake.
Tim.
VVHat doth this Text containe?
Silas.
A comfortable conclusion, drawne from the spirituall vnion, which the beleeuers hauehave with Christ, as thus: The faithfull which hauehave Christ dwelling in them by his spirit, may bee certaine of the saluation of their souls, without all perplexed doubting, wauering, and feare of condemnation.
Tim.
In what manner, and how is this conclusion of comfort brought in?
Silas.
By a Prolepsis or preoccupation, by the preuenting a secret Obiection, which he propoundeth and answereth. The Obiection is this; To what end is it to bee Christs, and to hauehave his Spirit in vsus, sithence we must die as others? VntoUnto which obiection the Apostle answereth, that our bodies indeed because of sinne stil remaining in them, are dead or mortall; but the Spirit is life, because of righteousnesse. This text then hath two parts, an obiection and an answer to it.
Tim.
Now to the words, and tell vsus what is meant by this particle [If?]
Silas.
This particle [If,] signifieth forsomuch; it doubteth not, it reasoneth, affirmeth, or demonstratiuely concludeth. An argumentatiueparticle or word, and not dubitatiue.
Tim.
What is it for Christ to be in vsus?
Sil.
It is all one with our beeing in him: both these speeches signifie the most secret spirituall ioyning or vnion of Christ and his members.
Tim.
What is heere meant by [Body,] and by [Dead.] As also why is this added, [Because of sin?]
Silas.
By body, some vnderstand the flesh, or vnregenerate part of man figuratiuely: but it would bee taken properly for that part of man, called the body. The reason is, because body is neuer found put for sinne, without some addition; also by (dead) is signified mortall or subiect to death, Rom. 6. 12. or fraile & corruptible, Phil. 3. 21. 1 Cor. 15. moreouer (sin) is added to shewe the true cause of mortality; to wit, sin which brought in death. Gen. 3, 19. Rom. 5. 12. nowe the bodies of the Saintes being not voyd of sinne, therefore they be obnoxious and lyeable to death.
Tim.
What doth righteousnes signifie?
Silas.
It well may be interpreted either of Christs righteousnesse imputed to faith; or of righteousnesse inherent and begun in our hearts by the regenerating Spirit. If wee take it of the former, the sence will be thus much, viz. The soule or spirit shall liue through righteousnesse imputed to the beleeuer, because hee being iustified and freed from guilt of sin, is also thereby to be absolued and set free from death eternall; which being remooued, life eternall must needs come in the roome as a necessary fruite and consequence of righteousnesse imputed, Rom. 1. 17. The iust by faith shall liue, Rom. 5. 18. But if wee take the latter sence, then it will hauehave this sēce, not as any meritorious cause of it: but because it is a certaine vndeceiueable signe of imputed righteousnesse, to which life eternall belongs: also of Christ his spirite dwelling in vsus, and of our communion with Christ; al which are soundly witnessed by our vnperfect righteousnesse or holinesse of life; as trees known by the fruite.
Tim.
What instructions do arise from hence?
Silas.
The first is this, that all men, euen the godly are fraile and mortall, which is prooued, Heb. 9, 27. also by experience, and reason, which is dwelling sin; wherof seeing none be free, therefore all be fraile and vnderunder death.
Tim.
What vse of this instruction?
Silas.
It serueth much to shake off pride and security, and to prouoke all to watchfulnesse and humblenesse. Should dust be proud? should man be secure, seeing he must die and come to iudgement?
Tim.
What is the answere to this obiection?
Silas.
The Spirit is life because of righteousnes.
Tim.
What is meant here by the Spirit?
Sylas.
Some by the spirite will hauehave meant the Holy Ghost, the spirit of God and Christ dwelling in vsus; & then the meaning is, though we carry about vsus mortall bodies, yet the holy Spirite of Christ dwelling in vsus, is euen in this mortality, the earnest and pledge of immortall life in heauen. But by Spirite heere is meant the spirituall part of man, to wit, the soule being … by the spirit of God. The opposition betweene the spirit and the body, do require this sence.
Tim.
What vse is to be made of this point?
Silas.
A singular comfort against the terror of death, & the horror conceiued from the putrifaction and rottennesse of the body in the graue, that howsoeuer the body must die by the decree of God: yet the soule being sure of eternall life, shall liue for euer with Christ in heauen, the better part shall be well, euen most happie; and the worst part the body, must follow in time: for being both the members of Christ, and temples of the Spirite, both must be vessels of celestiall glory.
Tim.
What other instruction from hence?
Silas.
Whosoeuer is righteous indeed by inherent and imputed righteousnesse, he may bee vndoubtedly sure, that he shall liue for euer eternally with God: first in his soule, then in his body. The reason is, because such hauehave the beginning of eternall life, and therefore are sure of the possession. For God will finish that which hee begins, also he will keepe his promise.
Tim.
What vse of this point?
Silas.
It should cause eueryevery one to search whether he be iustified and sanctified. He that findes these vponupon due examination, findes strong testimony of his eternall saluation; whereof the lesse we doubt, the more sure we are of righteousnesse.
Secondly, it affoordes a sharpe reproofe to such as are vnrighteous, as their liues do shew; yet promise to them selues life eternall, and professe the hope of it: these lye and deale not truely, whosoeuer saith that he shall liue happily, & yet hath no care to liue holily. He that walks in darkenesse and saith, that hee hath communion with light, doth deceiue himselfe.