A17643:103
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.
for look how much our faith increaseth in us, & how much we have profited in this knowledge, by so much the righteousness of God together with them is augmented in us, & after a sort the possession thereof is established. ⟨p. 11⟩As soon as we do taste of the Gospel, we see the countenance of GOD, but a far off, favourable and pleasant towards us: the more that the knowledge of piety groweth in us,1 as it were by coming nearer, we behold the grace of God more clear and more familiarly. Whereas many think there is under these words a secrete comparing of the old with the new Testament, that is more subtle then firm. For Paul doeth not here compare the fathers which lived under the Law with us, but noteth the daily progress and proceeding in every faithful man. As it is written. By the authority of the Prophet Habakkuk he proveth this righteousness of faith. For he, when he prophecieth the destruction of the proud, addeth also, that the life of the just consisteth in faith. And we live not in the sight of GOD but by righteousness: Therefore it followeth that our righteousness also doeth depend upon faith. And the verb future noteth the continual perpetuity of that life whereof he speaketh: as if he had said, it is not momentany, but shall endure for ever. For the wicked also are proud through a false opinion of life: but whiles they say peace and all is well,2 suddenly destruction cometh upon them.3 It is therefore but a shadow which continueth but a moment: and it is faith only which bringeth eternal life. Whence is that, but because faith doeth bring us unto GOD, and settleth our life in him? For unless this were the meaning of the Prophet, that then, and not before, we stand, when by faith we lean upon GOD, Paul had not aptly applied this testimony. And undoubtedly he hath not otherwise ascribed the life of the Godly unto faith, but so far as, the pride of the world being condemned, they gather them selves under the safeguard of one God. He doeth not now upon set purpose handle this cause: and therefore he maketh no mention of free righteousness: but even by the nature of faith it is sufficiently apparent, that this testimony is fitly applied unto the present cause.