A17643:1014
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.
10 Charity worketh no ill to his neighbour. Therefore the fulfilling of the law is charity.
10 Charitie worketh no ill to his neighbour. Therefore the fulfilling of the lawe is charitie.
8 Owe nothing to any man. There are some which think this is not spoken without a taunt: as though Paul answered to their objection, who contend that Christians are overcharged, as who should say other precepts then the precepts of charity were enjoined them. And surely I deny not but it may be taken ironicè, to wit, tauntingly: that he might grant unto those admit no other law, then of charity, their request. ⟨p. 175⟩But in another sense. Yet had I rather take it simply, because I think Pauls meaning is to refer this precept of the authority of Magistrates, (least it should be thought of any to be but weak) unto the law of charity, as though he had said, when I require you to obey, I require nothing else but that which all Christians ought to perform by the law of charity. For if you would have the godly to be safe (which thing not to will were cruel) you must study that laws and judgements may be of strength, and the governors of the laws, by whose benefit peace redoundeth to all, may have an obedient people. Therefore he violateth charity, if any bring in anarchia, liberty, such as when there is no magistrate every man doth his pleasure, after which doth straightways follow a perturbation of all things. For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. The counsel of Paul is to revoke all the commandments of the law unto love, that we may know, how we then rightly obey the commandments, when we keep charity: and this, that we refuse no labour which may make to the keeping of charity. So he confirmeth very well that he commanded touching the obedience is to be given to magistrates, wherein the greatest part of charity both consist. But here many are troubled, and cannot well unfold themselves out of this difficulty: namely, that Paul saith the law is fulfilled if we love our neighbour: for so there is no mention of the worship of God which ought not to be omitted. But Paul hath not respect unto the whole law: he speaketh here only of those duties which are commanded us of the law towards our neighbour. And surely that is true, the whole law is fulfilled, when we love our neighbours, because true love towards men, proceedeth not but from the love of God, and is a testimony as well as an effect thereof. Yet Paul here maketh mention only of the second table, for the question was only of that: