A17643:1064
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.
14 I know &c. That he might prevent the objection of such, as had profited so far in the Gospel, that they put no difference between meats: he doth first set down, what is to be thought of meats, as they are to be considered in themselves:1 secondly, he addeth, what offence may grow in the circumstance of the use of them. He pronounceth therefore, that to aright and pure conscience, no meat is impure, and that there is no impediment, why we may not purely use the same, if ignorance and error did not let us: because, if any man imagine an uncleanness in his meat, he cannot freely use the same. But a little after he addeth, that we are not only to respect the meats themselves, but also our brethren, before whom we eat. For we are not to count the use of Gods benefits so common, that it should not be subject unto charity. His words therefore are as much in value, as if he said, I know all meats are clean, and therefore I leave them free unto thee, I suffer thy conscience to be loose from all scruple: finally, I do not simply drive thee from the meats themselves: but the regard of meats being laid a part. I would not have thy neighbour to be neglected of thee.
14 I knowe &c. That hee might preuent the obiection of suche, as had profited so farre in the Gospel, that they put no difference betweene meates: he doth first set downe, what is to bee thought of meates, as they are to be considered in themselues:1 secondly, he addeth, what offence may grow in the circumstance of the vse of them. He pronounceth therfore, that to aright and pure conscience, no meate is impure, and that there is no impediment, why we may not purely vse the same, if ignoraunce and errour did not let vs: because, if anye man imagine an vncleannesse in his meate, he cannot freely vse the same. But a little after hee addeth, that wee are not onely to respecte the meates themselues, but also our brethren, before whom we eate. For we are not to count the vse of Gods benefites so common, that it shoulde not bee subiect vnto charitie. His wordes therefore are as muche in value, as if hee sayde, I know all meats are cleane, and therefore I leaue them free vnto thee, I suffer thy conscience to bee loose from all scrupell: finally, I doe not simplye driue thee from the meates themselues: but the regard of meats beeyng layde a parte. I woulde not haue thy neighbour to be neglected of thee.