A17643:100
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans
A commentary upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans, written in Latin by M. John Calvin, and newly translated into English by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessary table for the better and more ready finding out of certain principal matters contained in this workA commentarie vpon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes, written in Latine by M. Iohn Caluin, and newely translated into Englishe by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessarie table for the better and more readie finding out of certayne principall matters conteyned in this worke
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison and George Bishop, 1583London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison and George Bishop, 1583
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
16 I am not ashamed. This is a Preoccupation, or preventing of the adversaries objections, wherein he foresheweth that he cared not for the scoffings of the wicked, wherein also by the way he maketh unto him self a passage unto the setting forth of the dignity of the Gospel, least it should be contemptible to the Romans. Whiles he saith he is not ashamed, thereby he giveth to understand that it is contemptible in the sight of the world.1 And so he prepareth them now to the bearing of the reproach of the cross of Christ, least they should esteem less of the Gospel, whiles they see it subject to the scoffings and reproaches of the wicked: but on the contrary he showeth in how great price it is with the godly. First, if the power of God ought to be in high estimation with us, that shineth in the Gospel. If the goodness of God be worthy to be sought for and loved of us, the Gospel is an instrument of that goodness: worthy therefore is it to be reverenced, and honoured, if the power of God be to be reverenced: and as it is an instrument of our salvation, it is to be loved of us. And observe how much Paul attributeth unto the ministry of the word, when he testifieth, that therein God showeth forth his power unto salvation: for he speaketh not here of any secrete revelation, but of the vocal preaching of the Gospel.
16 I am not ashamed. This is a Preoccupation, or preuenting of the aduersaries obiections, wherein he foresheweth that he cared not for the scoffinges of the wicked, wherein also by the waye hee maketh vnto him selfe a passage vnto the setting foorth of the dignitie of the Gospel, least it should be contemptible to the Romanes. Whiles he saith he is not ashamed, thereby he giueth to vnderstande that it is contemptible in the sight of ye worlde.1 And so he prepareth them now to the bearing of the reproche of the crosse of Christ, least they shoulde esteeme lesse of the Gospel, whiles they see it subiecte to the scoffinges and reproches of the wicked: but on the contrary hee sheweth in howe great price it is with the godly. First, if the power of God ought to bee in high estimation with vs, that shyneth in the Gospel. If the goodnesse of God be woorthie to be sought for and loued of vs, the Gospell is an instrument of that goodnesse: woorthy therfore is it to bee reuerenced, and honoured, if the power of God bee to be reuerenced: and as it is an instrument of our saluation, it is to be loued of vs. And obserue howe muche Paule attributeth vnto the ministery of the worde, when he testifieth, that therein God sheweth foorth his power vnto saluation: for he speaketh not here of any secrete reuelation, but of the vocall preaching of the Gospel.