A17643:1008
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.
5 Wherefore we must needs be subject, Now by the way of collection, yet with a kind of polishing, he repeateth that which he commanded in the beginning touching the obedience is to be given to Magistrates: namely, how they are to be obeyed, not only for the cause of mans necessity,1 but also that we may obey God. For he hath put this word wrath for vengeance or revengement, which the magistrate may take for the contempt of his dignity or calling: as though he had said, we must not therefore obey because we cannot freely resist the mighty and those are armed: as injuries are wont to be borne which cannot be repelled: but voluntarily we are to take upon us that subjection, whereunto our conscience is bound by the word of God. Therefore albeit the Magistrate were unarmed, and a man might provoke and contemn him freely, to wit, with out punishment for it, yet is it no more to be attempted, then if we saw present vengeance to be at hand for it. For it is not the part of a private man to take the regiment from him, whom the Lord hath placed with authority over us. This whole disputation is of civil government. Therefore in vain go they about by this place to establish their abominable tyranny, which exercise authority over mens consciences.
5 Wherefore wee must needes bee subiect, Nowe by the way of collection, yet with a kinde of polishing, he repeateth that whiche hee cammaunded in the beginning touchyng the obedience is to be giuen to Magistrates: namely, how they are to be obeyed, not onely for the cause of mans necessitie,1 but also that we may obey God. For hee hath put this worde wrath for vengeance or reuengement, which the magistrate may take for the contempt of his dignitie or calling: as though hee had saide, we must not therefore obey because wee cannot freely resiste the mightie and those are armed: as iniuries are wont to be borne which cannot be repelled: but voluntaryly we are to take vpon vs that subiection, whereunto our conscience is bounde by the worde of God. Therefore albeit the Magistrate were vnarmed, and a man might prouoke and contemne hym freely, to wit, with out punishment for it, yet is it no more to bee attempted, then if wee sawe present vengeance to bee at hande for it. For it is not the parte of a priuate man to take the regiment from him, whome the Lorde hath placed with authoritie ouer vs. This whole disputation is of ciuile gouernmente. Therefore in vaine goe they about by this place to establishe theyr abhominable tyrannie, whiche exercise authoritie ouer mens consciences.