A17643:1017
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.
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.
9 For that thou shalt not commit adulterie. Hence it cannot be gathered what commandements are in the second table: seeing in the end also he addeth, and if there be any other commandement. For he omitted the commandement of honoring parentes: And it may seeme very absurd, that that should be omitted, which chiefly apperteined to the purpose. But what if therefore he did omit it, least he should obscure his argument? but as I dare not affirme yt, so I see nothing wāting heere, yt might serue to his purpose: namely, seeing God would nothing els by all his commandments, then that he might instruct vs vnto charitie, and how by all meanes we are to striue thereunto. And yet the quiet reader will easily confesse, that Paule would proue by comparisons, how the whole law tendeth to this, that mutuall charitie might be maintained amongst vs: and this is to bee vnderstood which he omitted, that obediēce towards magistrate• is not the last part of nourishing peace, & conseruing brotherly loue.
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour. He showeth by the effect, that under charity are contained all things, which are delivered in all those precepts. For he that is endued with true charity will never study to hurt his brother. What else doth the whole law forbid, then that we should do no injury to our neighbour? Furthermore, this must be applied unto the present purpose: for seeing Magistrates are the governors of peace & equity: who so coveteth that every man may have his own, & would have all men live in safety, he must defend as much as lieth in him the estates of Magistrates. The enemies of government give liberty of hurting. Whereas he repeateth again that love is the fulfilling of the law, understand it (as before) of that part of the law, which respecteth the society of men. For the first table of the law which is concerning the worship of God, is not touched here.