A17643:1016
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.
as though he had said, he hath done his duty towards all the world, which loveth his neighbour as himself. That cavil of Sophisters is childish which go about to draw justification of works out of this sentence. For Paul saith not what men do, or do not, but he speaketh under a condition, which thou shalt no where find to be fulfilled. And when we say men are not justified by works, we deny not but the keeping of the ⟨image 190⟩law is true righteousness: but because no man doeth nor hath performed it, we say all men are excluded from it, and therefore the only refuge is in the grace of Christ.
as though he had saide, he hath done his dutie towardes all the worlde, which loueth his neighbour as himselfe. That cauill of Sophisters is childish which goe about to draw iustification of workes out of this sentence. For Paule saith not what men do, or doe not, but hee speaketh vnder a condition, which thou shalt no where finde to be fulfilled. And when wee say men are not iustified by workes, we denis not but the keeping of the ⟨image 190⟩law is true righteousnesse: but because no man doeth nor hath performed it, we say all men are excluded from it, and therefore the onely refuge is in the grace of Christ.
9 For that thou shalt not commit adultery. Hence it cannot be gathered what commandments are in the second table: seeing in the end also he addeth, and if there be any other commandment. For he omitted the commandment of honouring parents: And it may seem very absurd, that that should be omitted, which chiefly appertained to the purpose. But what if therefore he did omit it, least he should obscure his argument? but as I dare not affirm it, so I see nothing wanting here, that might serve to his purpose: namely, seeing God would nothing else by all his commandments, then that he might instruct us unto charity, and how by all means we are to strive thereunto. And yet the quiet reader will easily confess, that Paul would prove by comparisons, how the whole law tendeth to this, that mutual charity might be maintained amongst us: and this is to be understood which he omitted, that obedience towards magistrate is not the last part of nourishing peace, & conserving brotherly love.