A17643:1035
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.
He calleth those therefore believers, who are endued with the assurance of conscience: to these he granteth the indifferent use of all things. In the mean while he that is weak eateth herbs, and abstaineth from those things whose use he thinketh not lawful for him. If the common reading be better liked, the sense shall be: It is not right that he which freely eateth all meats, because he believeth he may do it, should examine, those are yet weak and tender in faith, by the same rule. To translate them sick (as some have done) is ridiculous.
He calleth those therefore beleeuers, who are indued with the assuraunce of conscience: to these he granteth the indifferent vse of all thinges. In the meane while hee that is weake eateth hearbes, and absteyneth from those thinges whose vse hee thinketh not lawfull for him. If the common reading be better liked, the sence shalbee: It is not right that hee whiche freelie eateth all meates, because hee beleeueth hee may doe it, should examine, those are yet weake and tender in faith, by the same rule. To translate them sicke (as some haue done) is ridiculous.
3 He which eateth, let him not despise. Wisely, and fitly he meeteth with the faults on both sides. For they which are strong have this fault, that they despise and also deride, as superstitious persons, those are scrupulous in things of no great importance: on the contrary these can scarcely stay themselves from rash judgement, that they should not condemn that which they embrace or conceive not: whatsoever therefore they see to be done against their own opinion, they count it for evil. Therefore he dissuadeth those from contempt, and these from too much frowardness. And the reason which he addeth, because it appertaineth unto both sorts of men, it is to be applied unto both members. When you see (saith he) a man lightened with knowledge, thou hast testimony enough that he is received of the Lord: if thou dost then either contemn or condemn him, thou doest reject him whom the Lord hath received.
3 He which eateth, let him not despise. Wisely, and fitly he meeteth with the faultes on both sides. For they which are strōg haue this fault, that they despise and also deride, as superstitious persons, those are scrupulous in things of no great importance: on the contrarie these can scarsely stay themselues from rashe iudgement, that they shoulde not condemne that which they imbrace or conceiue not: whatsoeuer therfore they see to be done against their own opiniō, they coūt yt for euil. Therfore he dissuadeth those from contempt, and these from too much frowardnes. And the reason whiche hee addeth, because it apperteineth vnto both sortes of men, it is to be applied vnto both members. Whē you see (saith he) a man lightened with knowledge, thou hast testimony inough yt he is receiued of the Lord: if thou dost then eyther contemne or condemne him, thou doest reiect him whom the Lorde hath receiued.