Romans 13

Romans 13:1

LEt every soul] That is, every man, though an Apostle, though an Evangelist, though a Prophet, saith Saint Chrysostom: therefore the tyranny of the Pope over all kingdoms must down to the ground. And as this Text overthrows the Popes temporall Monarchie, so also the exemption of Monks and Ecclesiasticall persons from the power of the civill Magistrate.

be subject] See Titus 3:1. 1 Peter 2:12. Not onely obeying them, but also dutifully acknowledging and honouring them.

unto the higher powers] Not onely to the supreame Magistrates, but also all those that are in authoritie under them, 1 Timothy 2:2. 1 Peter 2:13-14.

there is no power, &c.] See Wisd. 6. 3.

ordained of God] Or, ordered. That is, instituted of God among mankind to rule and govern men in order as an Gods stead. For God is the Authour of this order in the world: and all those which attain unto this dignitie or excellencie, do attain unto it either by is manifest will and approbation when the means are just and lawfull; or else by his secret providence, with permission and toleration, when the means are unlawfull: and it is just and equall that man should approve and tolerate that which God himself approves and tolerates; and that he approves and tolerates which we cannot by any lawfull means appointed by him decline or avoid. All therefore who resist authoritie make warre after a sort with God himself.

Romans 13:2

to themselves damnation] Or, judgement. The word in the Originall signifieth as well judgement as damnation, and thereby we are to understand punishment which they shall receive as well from God as the Magistrate, who resist the powers ordained of God, not onely by open rebellion, as Absolon, but also by not yeelding obedience to their commands in those things that are not against the word of God.

Romans 13:3

to good works] Gr. of good works.

to the evil] Gr. of the evill.

do that which is good] What the Apostle meaneth by doing that which is good here, is well expressed by the Emperour Justinian in the entrance to his laws: honeste vivere; alterum non laedere; suum cuique tribuere: to live honestly, to hurt no man by word or deed, and to give every man his due.

Romans 13:4

for good] Gr. to good.

Romans 13:5

but also for conscience sake] That is, out of the fear of God, that we may keep a good conscience before him, who hath set the Magistrate over us: but this our subjection out of conscience must be restrained to such their commands as are agreeable to Gods law. For if they command unlawfull things, we must answer as Peter teacheth us, That it is better to obey God then man.

Romans 13:6

pay you] Or, ye pay.

Romans 13:7

Render therefore &c.] See Matthew 22:21.

Romans 13:8

hath fulfilled the law] For the whole law commandeth nothing else but that we love God and our neighbour: but seeing Paul speaketh here of the dutie we owe one to another, we must restrain the word law to the second table.

Romans 13:9

Thou shalt not commit adulterie] See Exod. 20. Deut. 5.

comprehended in this saying] Gr. reduced to this head.

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self] See Leviticus 19:18. Matthew 22:39. Galatians 5:14. James 2:8.

Romans 13:11

And that] An application taken from the circumstance of time, which also it self putteth us in mind of our dutie, seeing the darknesse of ignorance and wicked affections by the knowledge of Gods truth is driven out of us; we ought now to order our life according to that sure and certain rule of all righteousnesse and honestie, being fully grounded upon the efficacie of the Spirit of Christ.

knowing the time] To wit, of the light of the Gospel, which is like the dawning of that great eternall day which groweth still more and more lightsome; and therefore it is now full high time to leave the sleep of sinne and ignorance wherein we were drowned as it were formerly.

our salvation] That is, the accomplishment of it in the life to come, the end of our faith, 1 Peter 1:9. The prize of our heavenly calling in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25. Philippians 3:14.

nearer then when we beleeved] That is, then when we first beleeved, or began to beleeve. An Hebraisme like to that we often find in the book of Kings, as Hosea reigned, Ahaz reigned, that is, he began his reigne. In these words the Apostle taketh a metaphor from those who run in a race, who the farther they have run from the stand, the nearer they draw to the mark. The beginning of our conversion, is like the entrance into that race, the continuation thereof and our growth in grace, is like our progresse in that race, and salvation is as the goale or prize. The meaning then is, we are now come nearer unto salvation by our Christian course, and even ready to lay hold on it. Philippians 3:12. 1 Timothy 6:12. and therefore we must not faint but continue our speed to the end, 2 Timothy 4:7. for it would be to great shame and damage also, being so neare the mark, that by faintnesse or turning out of the way we should not obtain: for the nearer we come to the prize, the harder we ought to put forward to attain it.

Romans 13:12

The night] Either the night of ignorance, 1 Thess. 5. 5. Acts 17:31. Or the time of this present worlds abiding, which is but as an obscure night compared to the world to come, and the better part thereof is spent already, the eternall day drawing on a min, 1 Corinthians 7:29.

the day is at hand] We are arrived unto the saving knowledge of Christ, but not perfectly as yet, so long as we continue in this life: but we enjoy such a light here as there is, when the day begins to breake.

cast off] As men when they see the glimmering of the day, cast off their night clothes; so we seeing a glimmering of the Gospel, ought to cast off the works of darknesse like night attire, and have no more to do with them, Ephesians 4:22.

the works of darknesse] That is, sinnes, which slie and shun the light: which may e tearmed works of darknesse in three regards. 1. Because, they proceed from darknesse, to wit, ignorance in the understanding. 2. Because, for the most part, such works are done in the dark, that the obscuritie of the night may shadow them. 3. Because, they tend and bring men, if they cast them not off in time, to utter darknesse, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

put on] As those that rise out of their sleep, put on their apparell to cover their nakednesse, and fit themselves for the businesse of the day: So now seeing the night of your ignorance is past, snake off your carnall securitie, and adorne your selves with divine vertues, which are both the habit and armour of a Christian.

the armour of light] Gr. Tec the works of light. The word signifieth whatsoever the body is covered withall against any hurts or wounds, and by it we are to understand all those graces of the Spirit, wherewith our souls are not only adorned, but armed and fenced against the hurts and wounds of the world and of the flesh, and the devils temptations, 2 Corinthians 6:7. Ephesians 6:11.

of light] That is, bright and glissening armour in perpetuall use, not rustie through disuse; or such armour as shines to the glory of God, and casts a lustre from the light of true knowledge, for such becomes those that are called to the light, and desire to walke honestly as in the light.

Romans 13:13

honestly] Or, decently.

not in rioting and drunkennesse, &c.] Luke 21:34.

Romans 13:14

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ] To put on Christ, is to be possessed and ruled by the spirit of Christ, to embrace his righteousnesse by faith, and follow all his vertues, adorning our soules with a tru and lively resemblance of him, in heart and life.

make ot provision for the flesh] See Galatians 5:16. 1 Peter 2:11. The Apostle forbiddeth not to provide for the bodies decent raiment, meat, drinke, physick, and the like necessaries for the sustenance of this present life. For that is commanded, Ephesians 5:29. 1 Timothy 5:8. 23. But to satisfie mens boundlesse desires, or provide such things as tend to excesse and pride, gluttony, drunknesse and uncleannesse.

fulfill the lusts thereof] Gr. Tec. to concupiscence thereof.