A17643:1068
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.
Yet notwithstanding (as I said,) he hath applied these few to the present argument: for he that is made partaker of true righteousness, he enjoyeth a most excellent, and inestimable benefit, namely, the quiet joy of conscience. For he who hath peace with God, what can he desire more? Whereas he joineth peace with joy, he seemeth unto me, to express the manner of that spiritual joy, for howsoever the reprobate droop, or lift up them selves, yet the conscience is not otherwise pacified and quieted, then whiles a man feeleth that GOD is reconciled, and merciful to him: neither indeed is there any sound or true joy, but which proceedeth from that peace. And although it is necessary, when mention is made of so great things, to preach the spirit for the Author of them: yet in this place he would secretly oppose the spirit against external things: that we might know, how without the use of meats, those things appertain unto the kingdom of GOD, may abide perfect and sound unto us.
Yet notwithstanding (as I saide,) hee hath applied these fewe to the present argument: for he that is made partaker of true righteousnesse, hee inioyeth a most excellent, and inestimable benefite, namely, the quiet ioy of conscience. For hee who hath peace with God, what canne hee desire more? Whereas hee ioyneth peace with ioye, hee seemeth vnto mee, to expresse the manner of that spirituall ioye, for howesoeuer the reprobate droupe, or lifte vppe them selues, yet the conscience is not otherwise pacified and quieted, then whiles a manne feeleth that GOD is reconciled, and mercifull to him: neyther indeede is there any sounde or true ioye, but whiche proceedeth from that peace. And although it is necessarie, when mention is made of so greate thinges, to preache the spirite for the Authour of them: yet in this place hee woulde secretely oppose the spirite agaynst externall thinges: that wee might knowe, howe without the vse of meates, those thinges apperteyne vnto the kingdome of GOD, maye abyde perfecte and sounde vnto vs.
19 For who so by these. This reason is taken from the consequent, for it cannot be, when a man is accepted of God, & approved of men, but the kingdom of God should live & flourish in him. Who so with a quiet and peaceable conscience serveth Christ in righteousness, approveth himself as well before men as God. Wheresoever then is righteousness, peace, and spiritual joy, there is the perfect kingdom of God: so then it standeth not upon corporal things. Furthermore, he saith, that that man is acceptable to God, who obeyeth his will. And testifieth that the same man is also approved of men, because they cannot, but give testimony to that virtue they see with their eyes: Not that the wicked do alway spare the sons of God: yea rather when there is none occasion, they pour out reproaches against them, & with feigned calumniations slander them unworthily: finally by misconstruing their good deeds, they turn them to reproach. But Paul speaketh here of sincere judgement, which is mixed with no morosity, hatred, nor superstition.