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FOr the Apostle desiring to shew ye hurt of sin being vnpreuented by grace, doub∣ted not to say that the law which forbids sinne, is the strength of sinne. The sting
〈◊〉〈◊〉 (saith he) is sinne, and the strength of sinne is the lawe. Most true: for (a) for∣bidding of vnlawfull desires, increase them in him, where righteousnesse is not * 1.1 of power to suppresse all such affects to sinne. And righteousnesse can neuer be l•…•…d without gods grace procure this loue. But yet to shew that the law is not euill, though hee calls it the strength of sinne, hee saith in another place, in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 question: The law is holy, and the commandement holy, and iust, and good. Was * 1.2 that then which is good (saith he) made death to me? GOD forbid: bu•…•… sinne that it might appeare sinne, wrought death in me by that which is good, (b) that si•…•…e might be out of measure sinfull by the commandement. Out of measure, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, because preuarication is added, (c) the lawe beeing also contemned 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the lust of sinne. Why doe wee recite this? Because as the lawe is not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…en it exciteth concupiscence in the bad, so earth is not good when it in∣•…•…th the glory of the good: neither the law when it is forsaken by sinners and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them Preuaricators: nor death when it is vnder-taken for truth, and ma∣•…•… them Martyrs. Consequently, the law forbidding sinne is good, and death 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the reward of sinne, euill. But as the wicked vse all things, good and euill, badly, so the iust vse all things, euil and good, well. Therefore the wicked vse the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is good, badly, and the vse death that is bad, well.
〈◊〉〈◊〉 (a) of] It is naturall vnto exorbitant minds, the more a thing is forbidden them * 1.3 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to affect it: as women (whose mindes are most vnstayed) desire that onely that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hibited. So that whereas men knew not what it was to goe to the stewes, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vpon it, in comes the lawe, and saith, thou shalt not goe, and so taught them all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to goe, setting their depraued natures vpon pursuite of those vnlawfull actes. I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (saith Paul) what concupiscence was, vntill the law told me, Thou shalt not couet. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that Sol•…•… set downe no lawe against parricide: which being vnknowne, hee was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to declare then punish. Pro Ros. Amerin. (b) That sinne] The old bookes read, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ner. Augustine ad Simplic. an. lib 1. quotes it thus: that the sinner might bee out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a sinner &c. but his quotations are both false: For thus it should be read indeed: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…er might bee out of measure sinfull, &c. Sinner, being referred to sinne. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ith the Greeke: vnlesse you will make sinfull a nowne, and no participle, as Salust •…•…tens, and Terence, Fugitans. (c) The law] All the terrors of the law being contem∣•…•… such as haue turned their custome of sinne into their nature.
1. Cor. 15. 50.
Rom. 7.
We follow things for∣bidden.