A17643:1049
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.
To live unto the Lord, doeth not signify here as in the sixth Chapter, to be led by his spirit:1 but to apply himself to his will and beck, and to dispose all those things he hath unto his glory. And we are not only to live unto the Lord, but also to die: that is, as well our death as life is to be resigned to his will. Hereunto he addeth a notable reason, because whither we live or die, we are his. For thereupon it followeth, that he hath power over life and death. The use of this doctrine is very large. For so the Lordship of life and death is ascribed unto GOD, that every man might the better bear his estate, as the yoke imposed by him, for it is meet he should assign to every one his standing and course. And so we are not only forbidden, rashly to take in hand this or that without the commandment of God, but also we are commanded to be patient in all griefs and losses. If therefore at any time the flesh start aside in adversity, let us remember, that he, who is not free, neither hath power over himself, doeth pervert right and order, if he depend not upon the beck of his Lord. By this means also is delivered unto us a rule to live and dye, so that if he prolong our life by continual miseries and sorrows, yet we covet not to depart before our time. And again, if suddenly in the middest and flower of our age he call us away, we be alway ready to depart.
To liue vnto the Lorde, doeth not signifie here as in the sixte Chapter, to bee ledde by his spirite:1 but to apply himselfe to his will and becke, and to dispose all those thinges he hath vnto his glorie. And we are not onely to liue vnto the Lorde, but also to die: that is, as well our death as life is to be resigned to his wil. Heereunto hee addeth a notable reason, because whither wee liue or die, wee are his. For thereuppon it followeth, that hee hath power ouer life and death. The vse of this doctrine is very large. For so the Lordshippe of life and death is ascribed vnto GOD, that euery man might the better beare his estate, as the yoke imposed by him, for it is meete hee shoulde assigne to euerye one his standing and course. And so wee are not onelye forbidven, rashely to take in hande this or that without the commaundement of God, but also wee are commaunded to be patient in all griefes and losses. If therefore at anye time the fleshe starte aside in aduersitie, let vs remember, that hee, who is not free, neither hath power ouer himselfe, doeth peruerte right and order, if hee depende not vppon the becke of his Lorde. By this meanes also is deliuered vnto vs a rule to liue and dye, so that if hee prolonge our life by continuall miseries and sorowes, yet we couet not to departe before our time. And againe, if sodainely in the middest and flower of our age hee call vs away, wee bee alway readie to departe.