A plaine exposition vpon the whole thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes Wherein the text is diligently and methodically resolued, the sense giuen, and many doctrines thence gathered, are by liuely vses applied for the benefit of Gods children. Performed with much varietie, and conuenient breuitie, by Elnathan Parr Bachelor in Diuinity, and preacher of Gods word. To which is prefixed an alphabeticall table, containing the chiefe points and doctrines handled in the booke.

VERSE 8.—For he that loueth another, hath fulfilled the Law.

MAster Caluin saith, That these words are a confirma∣tion of our obedience to the Magistrate, in which is placed not the least part of charitie.

Master Musculus annecteth these words thus; Pay your debts, otherwise you doe against law; for whatsoeuer is a∣gainst oharitie, is against law.

These things are true, yet because it appeareth that the principall scope of this eight verse, and the two following is to perswade to charitie; I take it to be without question, that these words are a Reason, of the exception, or affirmatiue Pre∣cept in the former part of the verse: Owe loue, or loue one an∣other.

The Argument is taken from the excellency of loue, or from the definition of it, set downe in the concrete in stead of the Abstract.

In it are to be considered, the Thing or Person defined, and the Definition.

The Person defined, Hee that loueth another: where wee haue the action, louing; the obiect, another.

What loue is, See Chap, 12. vers 9.10. It is a beneuolous affection, shewing it selfe in word and deed.

Another, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, hee meanes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Neighbour: Ma∣ster Beza obserues that there is little difference among the Grecians, betweene 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, sodalis, a companion or fellow: in the letters there is, I confesse, not much diffe∣rence, but in sense a great deale: for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is such a one who eateth at the same table with vs, a familiar; and therefore the feastings of friends were called among the Heathen, Sodali∣tia, and Sodalitates, fellowships; * 1.1 and the meeting of the Saints to worshippe God, were in the primitiue times called Hetaeriae, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which is Pauls word here, signifies any, which is another from our selues, be he friend or foe.

Another, not meaning that if a man loue one or two o∣ther then himselfe, it is any thing; but that whosoeuer is ano∣ther

must be loued; so that the bounds of the Earth are not larger then loue. Loue is naturall, as betweene parents and children. Or Sociall, as betweene friends; but the loue of vn∣cleane persons, and of drunkards, and other wicked men and women, one toward another, is not here meant, neither is their mutuall affection worthy the name of loue, being a dissoluing of all law, and not a fulfilling the same. Or Super∣naturall, when the affection is renued, sanctified and directed to the right obiect, according to the word of God.

This loue is a fulfilling of the Law.

Hath fulfilled: The Law is emptie, till we doe it: God hath giuen it that wee should doe it, and then is it fulfilled, accor∣ding to Pauls word here; or finished and perfected, according to Iames his word, * 1.2 Iames 2.8. The Law is as an vnperfect thing, till we obey it.

The Law: of God: the second Table, as in the next verse; yea and the first Table; for the law is copulatiue: the lawes of man also.

Hath fulfilled the law. The fulfilling of the law, is eyther actually, in regard of the singular precepts Affirmatiue and Negatiue; and so he that loueth fulfilleth it not. Or it is modo generali, after a generall manner; and that as I take it in foure respects.

1 In regard of the root, and inward beginning of obedi∣ence, which is loue, so that he stealeth not, but liueth iustly by an inward beginning, and so virtually fulfils the law, being able by such principium, within himselfe, vpon occasion, to keepe any branch of it.

2 In respect of that on which the whole Law and the Pro∣phets depends, * 1.3 which is loue.

3 In respect of that vnto the which the law is ordained, which is mutuall loue and societie: The end of the Commande∣ment is charitie, 1. Tim. 1.5.

4 In respect of that whereby euery thing is perfectly done which the Law requires; which is, that it be done in loue, as Saint Paul exhorts the Corinthians, * 1.4 Let all your things bee done in charitie. By loue are things done perfectly, for not on∣ly that such things should bee done, and others vndone, hath

God commanded, but that they should be so out of loue.

Charitie is the fulfilling of the law, Luk. 10.25, 26, 27. [Doctr.] eter∣nall life is attributed to loue, which is not attained but by ful∣filling the law, either in our persons, or by our surety: the same is also confirmed in the next verse.

The fatherly goodnesse of God herein appeareth toward vs, [Vse 1] who hauing absolute power to command vs what hee pleased, yet hath commanded nothing but loue, then which, nothing is more diuine; for God is loue, and loue is of God, 1. Ioh 4.7, 8. and nothing more profitable to vs and comfor∣table. What more sweet then to loue and be beloued? ex amo∣re, amicitia, from loue comes friendship, which to take out of the world, were a greater damage then to take the Sunne out of the firmament.

O our vile nature, which is prone to hatred and enuy, the destroyers of mankind: let vs lament that we are so backward to keepe this diuine, profitable, and comfortable law.

If the Lord had commanded things hard, burthensome, and vnprofitable, we must haue obeyed; how much more ought wee, when hee sayes only, Loue, and inherite eternall life?

That our obedience should be acceptable and perfect, [Vse 2] it must be done in loue: The Lord requires a pure affection, as well as the outward act.

Thou doest not steale, defile thy neighbours wife. It is well: but wouldest thou not if thou haddest opportunitie? Doth feare only, or shame, or the sword of the Magistrate re∣straine thee? Then thou doest not such things, because thou darest not: doe if thou darest; this is not to keepe the law.

Hee that loueth will not doe such things, though it were in his power, and though he were sure neuer to be called in∣to question, euen for the loue he beareth to God and to his neighbour.

If thou giuest all thy goods to the poore, &c. and hast not loue, it is nothing. 1. Cor. 13.3.

True loue seasoneth all things, and maketh them well taken, being the life of vertue, as prudence is the light of it.

As therefore there is great difference, betweene the speech

of a Parrot, and of a wise man; so betweene the obedience of him that loueth, and of him that loueth not.

Balaams Asse speakes, so a wicked man sayes ouer prayers, heares the Word, giues almes, abstaineth from some euils, yet fulfilleth not the law, because he loueth not.

Let vs labour then for loue, * 1.5 which is the worke of a true disciple of Christ: for as the Grecians are distinguished by their clokes, Romans by their gownes, Graduats by their habits, so we by Charitie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tertul. lib. 2. ad vxorem. Cicero in lib de Senect. Plin. Epist. l. 10. epist. 79. ad Tra∣ianum.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Matth. 22.40.
• * 1.4

  1. Cor. 16.14.
• * 1.5

  Iohn 13.35.