A17643:1001
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.
Therefore let us not cease to reverence the good ordinance of God: which thing we shall easily do, if we impute unto our selves whatsoever evil is in it. He therefore showeth here, to what end Magistrates are ordained of the Lord: whose effect should alway be extant, if through our fault, so noble and healthful an institution, were not corrupted. For seeing princes do never so abuse their power in vexing the good and innocent, but in their tyranny they retain some show of a just domination: there can be no tyranny, which in some respect is not a defence to conserve the society of men. Here also he hath noted two parts, of the which, yea even the Philosophers themselves have thought the best composed administration of a common wealth to ⟨image 188⟩consist: namely, the rewarding of good men, and the punishing of evil. The word praise hath here a large signification, after the manner of the Hebrews.
Therefore let vs not cease to reuerence the good ordinance of God: which thing we shall easily doe, if we impute vnto our selues whatsoeuer euill is in it. Hee therefore sheweth here, to what end Magistrates are ordeined of the Lorde: whose effect shoulde alway be extant, if through our fault, so noble and healthfull an institution, were not corrupted. For seeing princes doe neuer so abuse their power in vexing the good and innocent, but in their tyranny they reteyne some shewe of a iuste domination: there can bee no tyranny, which in some respect is not a defence to conserue the societie of men. Heere also hee hath noted two parts, of the which, yea euen the Philosophers themselues haue thought the best composed administration of a commō wealth to ⟨image 188⟩consist: namely, the rewarding of good men, and the punishing of euill. The worde praise hath heere a large signification, after the maner of the Hebrewes.
4 For he is the minister of God, to thy wealth. Here, even the Magistrates themselves may learn what is their calling. For they rule not for their own cause, but for the common profit, neither are they endued with an infinite or unlimited power, but such as is tied to the health of their subjects. Finally, they are bound unto God and men, in their principality. For because they are the substitutes of God, & do his business, they shall give account uno him.