A17643:1010
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.
Tributes therefore are well and worthily paid, for the maintenance of so necessary charges. Concerning the manner of customs and tributes, this is no place for any large discourse: ⟨image 189⟩neither is it our parts to prescribe princes, how much they should bestow on every thing, or call them to a reckoning: Yet is it meet they should remember, whatsoever they have of the people, it is as it were common goods, not an instrument of private lust and riot. For we see to what use Paul appointeth those tributes are paid: namely, that princes might be furnished with strength to defend their subjects.
Tributes therefore are well and worthilie paid, for the maintenance of so necessary charges. Concerning the maner of customes and tributes, this is no place for any larg discourse: ⟨image 189⟩neither is it our partes to prescribe princes, how much they shoulde bestow on euery thing, or call them to a reckoning: Yet is it meete they should remember, whatsoeuer they haue of the people, it is as it were common goods, not an instrument of priuate lust and ryot. For we see to what vse Paule appointeth those tributes are paid: namely, that princes might be furnished with strength to defend their subiects.
7 Give to every man therefore his duty. The Apostle seemeth to me here to go about to comprise summarily in what things the duties of subjects towards Magistrates consist: namely, that they have them in estimation and honour, that they obey their statutes, laws, and judgements: that they pay tributes and customs. Under the name of fear, he noteth obedience: by customs and tributes, he meaneth not only, freight paid for carriage and taxes, but also other revenues. And this place confirmeth that I said before, we must obey kings and every other superior, not because we are constrained, but because it is an acceptable obedience to GOD. For he will not only be feared, but also be honoured with a voluntary obedience.