A17643:1077
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.
23 He which judgeth if he eat, is condemned: because he eateth not of faith. For whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.
23 Hee which iudgeth if hee eate, is condemned: because hee eateth not of faith. For whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne.
22 Thou hast faith. That he might conclude, he showeth wherein the commodity of Christian liberty doth consist: whereby appeareth that they do falsely brag of liberty, who can not govern themselves in the use of it. He saith therefore, that the knowledge of liberty, seeing it is of faith, doth properly respect God: so then, he who is endued with such certainty, he must con tent himself with the peace of conscience before God: neither is it necessary to come into possession before men. It followeth then, that of set purpose it cometh to pass, if we offend our brethren in eating flesh: because no necessity enforceth us thereto. Besides this, it may easily appear how wickedly this place is wrested of many, who gather from hence, that it is not greatly material how any doth behave himself in observing foolish and superstitious ceremonies, so that he keep a pure conscience before God. For Paul would nothing less, as the text it self doth testify: and ceremonies are ordained to the worship of God, and also they are part of our confession. Finally, they which pull faith from confession, do take from the sun his heat. Howbeit Paul here handleth no such matter, but only disputeth of the free use of meat and drink.
22 Thou hast faith. That hee might conclude, hee sheweth wherein the commoditie of Christian libertie doth consist: whereby appeareth that they doe falsly brag of libertie, who can not gouerne themselues in the vse of it. He saith therfore, that the knowledge of libertie, seeing it is of faith, doth properly respect God: so then, he who is indued with such certaintie, he must cō tent himselfe with the peace of conscience before God: neither is it necessary to come into possession before men. It followeth then, that of set purpose it commeth to passe, if we offend our brethren in eating flesh: because no necessitie inforceth vs thereto. Besides this, it may easily appeare how wickedly this place is wrested of many, who gather from hence, that it is not greatly materiall howe any doth behaue himselfe in obseruing foolish and superstitious ceremonies, so that he keep a pure conscience before God. For Paule would nothing lesse, as the text it self doth testifie: and ceremonies are ordeined to the worship of God, and also they are part of our confession. Finally, they which pull faith from confession, do take from the sunne his heate. Howbeit Paule here hādeleth no such matter, but onely disputeth of ye free vse of meate and drinke.