A17643:1003
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.
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.
Moreover, this saying the revenger of wrath, is as much as if it were said, the executor of the wrath of God. And that he proveth by the use of the sword which the Lord hath given into their hands. A notable place to prove the authority of the Magistrate. For if God in arming the Magistrate hath also commanded him to use the sword: so often as he punisheth the guilty with death, by exercising the vengeance of God, he obeyeth his commandments. Therefore they contend with God, who think it an abomination that the blood of wicked men should be shed.
Moreouer, this saying the reuenger of wrath, is as muche as if it were saide, the executour of the wrath of God. And that hee proueth by the vse of the sworde which the Lorde hath giuen into their handes. A notable place to proue the authoritie of the Magistrate. For if God in arming the Magistrate hath also commaunded him to vse the sworde: so often as hee punisheth the giltie with death, by exercising the vengeance of God, he obeyeth his commandements. Therefore they contend with God, who thinke it an abhomination that the blood of wicked men should be shed.