The Triumph of a True Christian Described, Commentary on verse · Verse 4
VERSE 4.
That the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus, which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit.
IN this verſe our Apoſtle firſt makes knowne to vsus, to what end it was that God ſent his owne Sonne in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh, & for ſinne condemned ſin in the fleſh, that is, to what end it was that the Sonne of God taking fleſh on him, did vtterly aboliſh ſinne and corruption out of that fleſh, and out of that humane nature that he tooke on him: as namely, that it was to this end and purpoſe, That the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus: And ſo he concludes and ſhuts vp that ground of comfort, layd downe verſe the firſt, That there is a freedome from condemnation to them that are in Chriſt. Then ſecondly, he here falls againe on the qualification of the perſons to whom that freedome belongs, repeating it againe word for word, as he deliuered it verſe 1. That they are ſuch as walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit.
Interpretatiō.I will now as briefly as I can, cleare the words of this verſe touching the ſenſe of them. That the righteouſneſſe of the Law, or euen that righteouſneſſe of the Law, or that which the Law of right requires (for ſo the word ſignifies) The meaning is, that righteouſneſſe which the morall Law of God requires of men, that they may be found perfectly iuſt, holy, and pure in Gods ſight, being throughly conformed to the will of God reuealed in his Law, in their ſoules, in their bodies, inwardly and outwardly, in their minds, wills, and affections: that is the righteouſneſſe of the Law here meant and intended by the Apoſtle. For as reuerend Beza ſaith well, when to remiſſion of ſinnes, and perfect actuall obedience to the Law of God, there is added and adioyned perfect puritie and holineſſe of our nature, then are men perfectly iuſt and holy in Gods ſight, according to the moſt abſolute and exact rule of the Law of God. Might be fulfilled: That is, might be fully accompliſhed, or might be performed to the full, without leauing any thing vnperformed that it requires. In vsus. Theſe words hauehave ſome difficultie in them, they much trouble Interpreters: for indeed it is ſomewhat hard to conceiue, how the righteouſneſſe of the Law is fulfilled in vsus, who are, not onelyonly ſinfull by nature and before our regeneration, but hauehave ſinne ſtill abiding in vsus in part, though we be regenerate, euen after regeneration and new birth, and when we are truly ſanctified. Therefore it may ſeeme ſtrange that the Apoſtle ſhould thus ſpeake, That the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus: but for the right vnderſtanding of theſe words, we are to marke the context, and to conſider them together with that which goes before them, and that which followes after them. The Apoſtle ſaith, God ſent his owne Sonne in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh, and for ſinne condemned ſinne in the fleſh: that is, vtterly aboliſhed ſinne out of that fleſh and nature of ours that he tooke, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus, we being one with him by faith, and by the bond of his Spirit, euidenced and teſtified by this (as the Apoſtle ſubioynes) that we walke not after the fleſh but after the Spirit: ſo that theſe words, in vsus, are thus to be conceiued; in vsus that are one with Chriſt by faith, and members of Chriſt. Yea but there remaines a doubt: Obiect. Is the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled in vsus that are one with Chriſt? we are imperfectly holy, though we be members of Chriſt. I anſwer, We being one with Chriſt by faith, Anſw. and members of Chriſt, the righteouſneſſe of the Law is fulfilled in vsus, not by inherency, but by imputation and application, not by ſanctification inherent in our owne perſons, but by imputation of Chriſt his moſt perfect holineſſe to vsus. For we being one with him and he with vsus, that which is his is ours, and that which is in him as the Mediator, it is in vsus, he being made to vsus of God, wiſedome, and righteouſneſſe, and ſanctification, and redemption, 1. Cor. 1.30. So the meaning of the Apoſtle, in ſaying, That the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus, is this, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in the Son of God incarnate, in Chriſt, as inherent in him, and in his perſon, and in vsus that are one with him by faith, by imputation and by application. It is to be obſerued (as reuerend Beza well obſerues,) that the Apoſtle ſaith not, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled by vsus, or of vsus, or by any righteouſneſſe inherent in our owne perſons, but in vsus, becauſe it is to be found in Chriſt whoſe members we are, we truly beleeuing in Chriſt: Which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. Theſe words we had in the firſt verſe, where I ſhewed the meaning to be this; which liue not according to the motion and guidance of the corruption of our owne hearts, as we are acted and moued by the luſts of our corrupt hearts, but according to the motion and guidance of the Spirit of grace and ſanctification. Thus then conceiue we the meaning of the Apoſtle in the words of this verſe, as if he had ſaid:
That the righteouſneſſe which the morall Law of God requires of men, that they may be found perfectly iuſt, holy, and pure in Gods ſight, being eueryevery way conformable to the will of God reuealed in his Law, might be fully accompliſhed, and so the full performed in the Sonne of God incarnate, in Chriſt, as inherent in him, and in his owne perſon: and ſo in vsus by imputation and by application, we being his members and truly beleeuing in him, that being euidenced and teſtified by this, that we liue not according to the motion and guidance of the corruption of nature, but according to the motion and guidance of the Spirit grace and ſanctification.
Here firſt obſerue we, that the Apoſtle expreſſing the end of Chriſt his taking fleſh, ſaith: the end of it was, That the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus. The Sonne of God taking fleſh, our nature on him, did vtterly aboliſh ſin and corruption out of that nature, to this end, that thereby the perfect righteouſneſſe which the morall Law of God requires, might be fulfilled. Hence then it is cleare, the context plainly yeelds it,
Doct. 1 That the righteouſneſſe required in the morall Law of God,The morall Law of God requires puritie of heart & ſoule, and cō formitie to it, as wel in mans nature as in his thoughts, words, and actions. is not onelyonly outward conformitie and outward obedience, but it is alſo inward holineſſe and puritie: and the conformitie to the Law of God, which the morall Law of God requires, is a perfect conformitie to it, not onelyonly in the outward man, but in the very heart, and ſoule, and ſpirit, and as well in mans nature, as in his actions: it requires that the very nature of man be conformed to it in holineſſe and puritie, as well as his thoughts, words and actions. And to this purpoſe is that Deut. 6.5, 6.Deut. 6.5.6. Thou ſhalt louelove the Lord thy God, with all thine heart, and with all thy ſoule, and with all thy might. And theſe words which I command thee this day, ſhall be in thine heart. Which words are remembred by the expounder of the Law, Luke 10.27.Luke 10.27. Thou ſhalt louelove the Lord thy God, with all thine heart, and with all thy ſoule, and with all thy ſtrength, and with all thy thought. 1. Theſſ. 5.23.1. Theſ. 5.23. the Apoſtle prayes that the Theſſalonians may be holy, not onelyonly in body and ſoule, but alſo in ſpirit; there ought to be holineſſe and puritie in their very ſpirits. 1. Tim. 1.5. the Apoſtle ſaith, The end of the commandement is louelove out of a pure heart. The Law of God requires the puritie of heart and ſoule, and that the very nature of man be conformed to it in holineſſe and puritie, as well as his thoughts, words, and actions: and this is grounded on reaſon. The reaſons of it are theſe.
Firſt the Law of God, as breathed out from the Spirit of Reaſon. 1 God, is of perfect puritie and holineſſe, and it expreſſeth the mind and will of God touching all morall matters; and his will is moſt holy, pure, and heauenly, like to his moſt holy Maieſtie, and it muſt needs require a proportionable puritie. And
Againe, the morall Law of God, for the nature of it, is all one with that originall puritie and holineſſe that was placed in man in his firſt creation, euen with the image of God ſtanding in perfect holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, and therefore doubtleſſe it requires puritie of heart and ſoule, and that the very nature of man be conformed to it in holineſſe and puritie, as well as his thoughts, intentions, words and actions.
Now then, this truth ſerues to diſcouer to vsus the abſolute Ʋſe 1 perfection of Gods Law;A diſcouerie of the abſolute perfection of Gods Law. and we may on this ground iuſtly ſay with Dauid, Pſal. 119.96. There is an end of all perfection, but the Law of God is exceeding large: it meets with all ſinnes, both actuall and originall, both the ſinnes of mens hearts and the ſinnes of their liues, yea with the very corruption of nature, and want of originall holineſſe and puritie. Euen the want of that holineſſe and puritie that ought to be in the nature of man, is againſt the Law of God, that requires holineſſe and puritie of heart, and ſoule, and in the very nature of man.An Anabaptiſticall conceit met withall. And it is a groſſe and erronious conceit which ſome Anabaptiſticall ſpirits hold, that the corruption of nature is neither againſt Gods Law, nor in it ſelfe ſinne; and that God giueth vsus not any Law in our conception and birth. That is the aſſertion of ſome idle braines, and that is vtterly falſe, it cannot ſtand with the truth now deliuered. The want of conformitie to the Law of God in a mans conception and birth, and the want of originall holineſſe & puritie, is againſt Gods Law: the Law of God requires conformitie to it, not onelyonly in mens actions, but in their nature, and the want of ſuch conformity is deadly and damnable in it ſelfe, and makes a man ſubiect and lyable to the curſe of the Law.
Ʋſe 2 Againe, is it ſo that the Law of God requires puritie of heart and ſoule,The Popiſh opinion that men may fulfill the Law of God in this life, confuted. and that the very nature of man be conformed to it in holineſſe and puritie, as well as his thoughts, words, and actions? who then is able in the time of this life, in his owne perſon, perfectly to fulfill the Law of God? who is able to reach to that perfect puritie the Law of God requireth? Surely none liuing, being but a meere man; for alas there is impurity and defilement of nature cleauing to the beſt and moſt holy, ſo long as they liue on the face of the earth. And it is a dotage of the Papiſts to ſay as they do, that men may fulfill the Law of God in this life: and they are ignorant of the righteouſneſſe of the Law, they know it not, or they are wilfully blind and will not ſee it and take notice of it. And it is groſſe ignorance in blind people to ſay, they can keepe the Commandements of God as well as God will giuegive them leaue, therein they ſhew themſelues groſly ignorant.
Ʋſe 3 Laſtly, on this ground of truth, that the Law of God requires puritie of heart and ſoule,An vniuſt imputation cō monly caſt on Gods children remoued. and that the very nature of man be conformed to it in holineſſe and puritie, take we notice of a wrong and vniuſt imputation that is commonly caſt on Gods children, and ſuch as truly feare God; the world commonly thinkes, that they are too ſtrict, and too preciſe, and too curious, and that they make more ado then they need. Yea worldly minded men ſticke not ſometimes to charge it on them as a foule fault, that they are too ſtrict, and too preciſe, and that they are ſingular. Why ſay they, cannot they content themſelues to be neighbour-like, and to liue a ciuill, honeſt, and orderly life, what need they make ſuch ado in keeping the Sabbath, and in doing holy duties, and what need they be ſo preciſe in their ſpeeches, geſtures, and apparell? they are more nice then wiſe, they make more ado then they need. Poore ſoules, they that thus thinke or ſpeake, they conſider not the righteouſneſſe of Gods Law, what that requires at the hands of men. Can men be too ſtrict in yeelding obedience to the Commandements of God? can men go too farre in following after holineſſe and purity? is it poſſible? No, no, it is not poſſible, the Law of God requires purity and holineſſe of heart and ſoule, and that the very nature of man be conformed to it in holineſſe and purity, as well as his thoughts, wordes, and actions; and that is the thing we are to labour for and to breath after, if we would hauehave true and ſound comfort in our obedience to the will of God reuealed in his word. It is not thy outward conformity to the Law of God, thy ciuill, honeſt, and orderly life, that wil yeeld thee true comfort in time of triall, in the houre of death, or day of iudgement: no, no, if thou truſt to that, it will deceiue thee when thou ſtandeſt in moſt need of comfort. If we would hauehave true and ſound comfort in our obedience to the will of God reuealed in his word, we muſt labour in truth, (though not in perfection) yet in truth to yeeld obedience to the Law of God, not onelyonly in our bodies, but but alſo in our hearts, ſoules and ſpirits, and that our very nature may be conformed to the Law of God in holineſſe and purity, and that we may be transformed and changed in our nature into the bleſſed image of God in true holineſſe and righteouſneſſe: and that will yeeld vsus true and ſound comfort both in life and death.
The Papiſts conclude from theſe words,The Popiſh opinion that Gods Commandements may be kept, further confuted. That the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus: that Gods Commandements may be kept, and that men may fulfill the Law of God by the grace of Chriſt. Yea Bellarmine ſaith, that if the Law of God cannot be fulfilled, then Chriſt hath not compaſſed or attained that which he intended; for therefore ſaith he, Chriſt died, that the iuſtice or righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled: and he would ground it on this context, becauſe it is here ſaid, that God ſent his owne Sonne in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh, and for ſinne condemned ſinne in the fleſh, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus. But they are eaſily anſwered: they miſtake and miſconſtrue the text; the Apoſtle ſaith not, that the iuſtice or duplicate page duplicate page righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled by vsus, or of vsus, as by any righteouſneſſe inherent in our perſons; but in vsus, namely by Chriſt as inherent in him, and ſo in vsus by imputation, he being made righteouſneſſe to vsus who are one with him by faith, and by the bond of his Spirit. And whereas they ſay, that by the grace of Chriſt men may fulfill the Law of God,A propoſition not found in Gods booke. we find not that propoſition in all the booke of God, neither can it be gathered from thence: indeed by the grace of Chriſt men are enabled to yeeld obedience to the Law of God in ſome meaſure, but not perfectly to fulfill it in the time of this life. The beſt and moſt holy that liue on the face of the earth, hauehave a corruption ſtill abiding in them, and they are not able in the time of this life in their owne perſons perfectly to keepe and fulfill the Law of God. And though true beleeuers cannot perfectly fulfill the Law of God in their owne perſons, in the time of this life, yet that will not follow that Bellarmine infers on it, that Chriſt obtained not that which he intended: for he can neuer proue that Chriſt intended any ſuch thing. When Chriſt ſatisfied the Law for the faithfull, his intent and purpoſe in fulfilling the righteouſneſſe of the Law was, that true beleeuers might hauehave that righteouſneſſe of his imputed to them to their iuſtification. So that the Papiſts cannot faſten it on this text rightly vnderſtood, that men may fulfill the Law of God in their owne perſons in the time of this life.
In the next place obſerue we, that the Apoſtle here ſaith, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus, meaning that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fully accompliſhed in Chriſt as inherent in him, and in his perſon, and ſo in vsus by imputation and application, we being members of Chriſt, and one with him by faith, by the bond of his Spirit. Now from hence we may eaſily take vp this concluſion.
Doct. 2 That the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled and fully accompliſhed in the perſon of Chriſt,The perfect fulfilling of the Law of God performed in the perſon of Chriſt, is truly and really theirs who beleeue in Chriſt, by imputation & by application. is as truly and as really ours, we beleeuing in Chriſt, as if it were in our ſelues. The perfect fulfilling of the Law of God performed and done in the perſon of Chriſt Ieſus, is as truly and as really ours by imputation and by application, we being members of Chriſt, as if we our ſelues had done it in our owne perſons. And this truth is not only grounded on this text, but in other places of Scripture. We hauehave further euidence and teſtimony of Scripture for the confirming of it. Rom. 5.19.Rom. 5.19. the Apoſtle ſaith, that by the obedience of one, meaning of Chriſt, many are made righteous. Euen by the obedience of Chriſt, the obedience of his life and death, his perfect fulfilling of the Law of God, and by his ſuffering of death, as many as truly beleeue in him, are made as iuſt and righteous, as if they themſelues had done & ſuffered the things that he did and ſuffered. Rom. 16.14. the Apoſtle ſaith,Rom. 10.4. that Chriſt is the end of the Law for righteouſneſſe to eueryevery one that beleeueth: as if he had ſaid, Chriſt hath not onelyonly determined and put an end to the ceremoniall Law of God, both for ſignification and promiſe, but he is alſo the end and perfection of the morall Law of God: he hath perfectly in his owne perſon accompliſhed the morall Law, and that not for himſelfe, but for righteouſneſſe to eueryevery one that truly beleeues in him. His fulfilling of the morall Law of God for righteouſneſſe of eueryevery one that truly beleeues in him: 1. Cor. 1.30.1. Cor. 1.30. the Apoſtle ſpeaking of himſelfe and other true beleeuers, he ſaith, Christ is made to vsus of God righteouſneſſe, and ſanctification, and redemption. And againe, 2. Cor. 5.21.2. Cor. 5.21. he ſaith, God made him (that is Chriſt) to be ſinne for vsus who knew no ſinne, that we truly beleeuing in him, might be made the righteouſneſſe of God in him. And to theſe we might adde other euidences of Scripture if it were needfull, clearing and confirming this truth, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled and fully accompliſhed in the perſon of Chriſt, is as truly ours, we truly beleeuing in Chriſt, as if it were in our ſelues, and as if we our ſelues had done it and fulfilled it in our owne perſons.
And the reaſon and ground of this is, Reaſon. that neare vnion and coniunction that is betweene Chriſt and true beleeuers. Chriſt and true beleeuers are moſt nearely vnited and knit together; true beleeuers are fleſh of his fleſh and bone of his bones. Epheſ. 5.30.Epheſ. 5.30. that by vertue of that neare vnion true beleeuers hauehave fellowſhip and communion with Chriſt in all his benefits, and in all things done by him as the Mediator of the new couenant: and that which is his is theirs, they partake in it; and that he hath done as Mediator is accompted as done by them. And therefore doubtleſſe this is a certaine truth, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled and fully accompliſhed in the perſon of Chriſt, is as truly and as really ours, we beleeuing in Chriſt, as if it were in vsus, in our ſelues, and as if we had fulfilled it in our owne perſons.
Ʋſe 1 Now then this being a truth, in the firſt place it diſcouers to vsus,A ſcornefull terme giuen by the Papiſts to the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt imputed to true beleeuers, met withall. that the Papiſts are deceiued, and that they are blinded in their owne conceit, in that they thinke, and ſticke not to vtter it, that the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt imputed to true beleeuers, is but a putatiue iuſtice, an imaginarie and a phantaſticall righteouſneſſe, for ſo they ſpeake of it ſcornefully and diſgracefully: They ſay, it is but an idle thing, and a meere fancy that we hold; that true beleeuers are iuſtified by Chriſt his righteouſneſſe imputed to them. They are deceiued, the doctrine now deliuered ſhewes plainly, that the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt imputed to true beleeuers, is a true reall righteouſneſſe, euen the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, which is as truly and as really theirs that truly beleeue in him, as if it were in themſelues, and as if they themſelues had fulfilled it in their owne perſons.
Obiect. Obiect. Why then ſay they, you make true beleeuers as iuſt and as righteous as Chriſt himſelfe, if the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt be as truly and as really theirs, as if it were in themſelues, and as if they themſelues had fulfilled it in their owne perſons, then it ſeemes that they are as iuſt and as righteous as Chriſt himſelfe?
Anſw. Anſwer. We anſwer them: It followes not, that becauſe the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, is as truly theirs as if they themſelues had fulfilled it, therefore they are as iuſt and as righteous as Chriſt himſelfe: for though the ſame righteouſneſſe that is in Chriſt be theirs that truly beleeue in him, yet it is not theirs in the ſame meaſure, or in the ſame manner. It is in Chriſt by inherency, it is inherent in him, and in him as a roote and fountaine: but it is theirs onelyonly by imputation and by application.
And againe, it is in the perſon of Chriſt in that meaſure, as it is ſufficient and able to iuſtifie many, euen many thouſands, but it is theirs being imputed to them, onelyonly ſo farre as it ſerues to iuſtifie their particular perſons in the ſight of God; and therefore this makes nothing againſt the truth of the doctrine now deliuered.
Againe, is it ſo that the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God Ʋſe 2 fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, is as truly and really ours,How we may truly ſay, that we fulfill the Law of God, and do merit life and ſaluation. we truly beleeuing in Chriſt, as if it were in vsus, in our ſelues, and as if we our ſelues had fulfilled it? ſurely then we may be bold to ſay, that in Chriſt (we beleeuing in him) we fulfill the Law of God, and we merit life and ſaluation, though in our ſelues, and as of our ſelues, there is nothing but matter deſeruing the wrath of God, and our beſt actions, if the Lord ſhould examine them by the ſtrict rule of the Law, deſerue the curſe of the Law, and our iuſtification and ſaluation is meerely of grace; yet in Chriſt his righteouſneſſe being imputed to vsus, we are accounted worthy of eternall life and ſaluation.Note. And the doctrine of free iuſtification by the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, and by his perfect holineſſe and puritie imputed, doth not ouerturne the Law of God, they may well ſtand together, true beleeuers are iuſtified by the righteouſneſſe of the Law, not inherent in themſelues, or done and performed by them in their owne perſons, but by the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, and inherent in him, and made theirs, of the meere mercy, and of the free grace and fauour of God, by imputation and by application. And ſo the truth now deliuered may further ſerue as a ground of ſweet and excellent comfort to all and eueryevery one that truly beleeues in Chriſt: for why.
Is it ſo, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled Ʋſe 3 in the perſon of Chriſt, is as truly and as really ours,Comfort to true beleeuers. (we truly beleeuing in Chriſt) as if it were in vsus, euen in our owne perſons, and as if we our ſelues had fulfilled it. Then take notice of this to thy comfort whoſoeuer thou art; thou truly beleeuing in Chriſt, thou art as iuſt and as righteous in the ſight of God, as the Law of God can make thee, or as the holy Law of God can require at thine hand: thou haſt abſolute and perfect holineſſe and righteouſneſſe to thy iuſtification in Gods ſight; thou haſt ſuch holineſſe and righteouſneſſe as will abide the triall, and will beare thee out before the iudgement ſeate of the Lord, and againſt which the Lord himſelfe cannot take exception. For why, the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, is moſt abſolute and perfect, and free from all exception. Now that is as truly and as really thine, thou truly beleeuing in Chriſt, as if it were in thy ſelfe in thine owne perſon, and as if thou thy ſelfe hadſt fulfilled it: and that may be a ground of ſweet comfort to thee. If the righteouſneſſe ſeruing to thy iuſtification in Gods ſight, were that which is inherent in thy ſelfe, or the good workes done by thy ſelfe, as the Papiſts teach, thou mighteſt iuſtly doubt of the ſufficiency of it, and feare whether thou hadſt done enough to that purpoſe or no, but being the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, and inherent in him, thou haſt no cauſe of any ſuch doubtings or feare. No, no, thou haſt moſt abſolute holineſſe, and puritie, and righteouſneſſe, thou wanteſt no righteouſneſſe to thy iuſtification in the ſight of God, nor any merit to thy eternall ſaluation: yea know it to thy comfort, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law of God fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, being as truly thine as if thou hadſt fulfilled it, thy righteouſneſſe to thy iuſtification in Gods ſight can neuer be loſt, it is laid vp in Chriſt Ieſus, it is in a ſafe and ſure hand, where thou ſhalt be ſure to find it, and to hauehave it when thou haſt moſt need of it. The holineſſe and righteouſneſſe that is inherent in thine owne perſon may decay, and may be weakened, and may be loſt in part, but the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt, imputed to thee for thy iuſtification in Gods ſight, that can neuer decay nor be loſt in any meaſure, but that remaines whole and entire to thee for euer: and that is a ground of vnſpeakable comfort to eueryevery child of God, euen to eueryevery one that that truly beleeues in Chriſt.
Now the words the Apoſtle here ſubioynes, Which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, we had verſe 1. I will not therefore ſtand on the particular doctrines they affoord to vsus, onelyonly note we thus much. The Apoſtle here ſaith, God ſent his owne Sonne in the ſimilitude of ſinfull fleſh, and for ſinne condemned ſinne in the fleſh, that the righteouſneſſe of the Law might be fulfilled in vsus, that is, in the Sonne of God incarnate, as inherent in him, and in vsus by imputation and application, we being one with Chriſt: and for euidence of that he ſubioynes. Which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. Whence we may gather.
That onelyonly they that walke after the Spirit,Who they be for whom the righteouſnes of the Law was fulfilled in the perſon of Chriſt. onelyonly they that liue according to the motion and guidance of the Spirit of grace and ſanctification, hauehave the righteouſneſſe of the Law fulfilled for them in the perſon of Chriſt: and on the contrary, they that walke after the fleſh, they that liue as they are acted and moued by the luſts of their owne hearts, they hauehave no righteouſneſſe performed for them, Chriſt was not conceiued holy and pure for them, nor fulfilled the Law of God for them, nor died fot them, they hauehave no aſſurance of it. Come we now to the fift verſe.