DIAL. XVI.
Verses 20, 21. Moreouer the law entred thereuppon that the offence should abound, neuerthelesse where sinne abounded, there grace abounded much more. That as sinne hath raygned to death, so might grace also raygne by righteousnes vnto eter∣nall lyfe through Iesus Christ our Lord.
WHat doe these words contayne?
The Conclusion of the whole treatise of Iustification by faith.
What is the matter of the conclusion?
In the conclusion he doth meet withall, and make answere to a secret obiection made in the behalfe of the law. The obiection is this, that if the obedience of Christ be our full righteousnes before God, without the works of the lawe, then to what end doth the law serue? To which the Apostle doth first propound his answere barely (verse 20.) and nakedly; that the law was giuen, first, to encrease our guiltinesse. Secondly, that the grace of Christ thereby becomes more glorious; the which the Apostle doth en∣large by a comparison of contraries, (verse 21.) sinne and death set against righteousnesse and life, as contrarie one to the other; the sum of which comparison is thus much: that as sin preuailes to make all guilty of death, so the righ∣teousnesse of Christ beeing freely giuen to the beleeuers, doth preuaile much more to make them partakers of eter∣nall life.
Now expound the words, what is meant by the Law?
The morall Law, contained in the ten comman∣dements.
In what meaning is it said, it entred thereuppon?
The Apostle meaneth that it came in and entred vpon Adams offence, which had made vs guilty of death, that wee might become more guilty. Some expound