[Godly and most necessary annotations in the .xiij. chapter too the Romans][Godly and most necessary annotations in ye .xiij. chapyter too the Romaynes]

¹If thou do evil, then fear for he beareth not a sword for nought: but he is the minister of god, to take punishment of them that do evil.

¹If thou do euyl, then fear for he bearith not aswerd for noughte: but he is the minister of god, to take punishment of them that do euyll.

1. 1The text.The texte.

Even as Saint Paul saith here, that the cause of fear too an evil man, is that the Magistrate beareth a sword: Even so doth he declare that it is not enough for the Magistrate ⟨image 21⟩to bear a sword, but to use and execute the sword, as the since of the people require, too punish and kill them, if the law so find them guilty: and for fear of the use of y• sword which is not in vain, they should keep evil doers in obedience and fear, and so much the more, because he is the minister of God, and his punishment is the very hand and will of god, when he punisheth evil doers. And it is not he y• killeth, but god, whose place he occupieth, being a magistrate & higher power. For god commandeth¹ him to punish, & not to favour such evil and naughty persons.

Euen as Sainte Paul saith here, that the cause of feare too an euyll man, is that the Magistrate beareth a swearde: Euen so doth he declare that it is not ynoughe for the Magystrate ⟨image 21⟩to beare a swerd, but to vse and execute the sweard, as the synnes of the people requyre, too punysshe and kyll them, yf the lawe so fynde them gyltye: and for feare of the vse of y swearde whyche is not in vayne, they should kepe euyll doers in obedyence and feare, and so muche the more, because he is the mynyster of God, and hys punyshmente is the verye hande and wyll of god, when he punissheth yuell doers. And it is not he y kylleth, but god, whose place he occupieth, being a magistrate & higher power. For god cōmaundyth