A17643:1002
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.
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.
4 For hee is the minister of God, to thy wealth. Here, euen the Magistrates themselues may learne what is their calling. For they rule not for their owne cause, but for the common profite, neither are they indued with an infinite or vnlimited power, but such as is tyed to the health of their subiects. Finally, they are bound vnto God and men, in their principalitie. For because they are the substitutes of God, & doe his businesse, they shall giue account vno him.
Secondly that ministry which God hath committed to them, respecteth the subjects: wherefore they are also debtors unto them. And private men are admonished, that this is of the bountifulness of God, to defend them from the injuries of wicked persons, by the sword of princes. For they bear not the sword in vain. The other part of the office of Magistrates, is that they ought to repress the lasciviousness of wicked men, which willingly do not suffer themselves to be governed by laws: and to take such punishment as the judgment of God requireth for their wickedness: For he doth plainly denounce them armed with the sword, not for a vain show only, but that they might smite evil doers.
Secondly that ministerie which God hath committed to thē, respecteth the subiects: wherfore they are also debters vnto thē. And priuate men are admonished, that this is of the bountifulnesse of God, to defende them from the iniuries of wicked persons, by the sworde of princes. For they beare not the sword in vaine. The other part of the office of Magistrates, is that they ought to represse the lasciuiousnesse of wicked men, whiche wyllingly doe not suffer themselues to bee gouerned by lawes: and to take such punishment as the iudgemen of God requireth for their wickednesse: For hee doth plainely denounce them armed with the sworde, not for a vaine shewe only, but that they might smyte euyll doers.