Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

19 For as much as that, which may be known of God. Thus he termeth that, which is lawful or expedient for us to know of GOD. And he understandeth all that which appertaineth to the setting forth of the glory of the Lord: or (which is all one) whatsoever might move or stir us to glorify God. By which word he signifieth that GOD can not be conceived of us,¹ how great he is: but there is a certain measure, within the which men ought to keep them selves: even as God applieth to our capacity what so ever he testifieth of him self. Those dote therefore whosoever they be, contend to know what God is: because it is not vain that the Spirit, the Teacher of true wisdom doeth call us unto To gnoston to say, which may be known of God. And how it may be known he will show straight way in that which followeth. For the greater Emphasis, he sayeth rather, in them, then simply, them. For although the Apostle, doeth every where use the Phrases of the Hebrew tongue, wherein Beth is often superfluous, yet here it is thought he would show such a manifestation of God, whereby they might be urged more nearly then that they could make any evasion: as undoubtedly every one of us doeth feel it graven in his heart. Whereas he sayeth, God hath showed it. the meaning is, that man was therefore made, that he might be a beholder of the frame of the world, and ⟨p. 13⟩that therefore were eyes given unto him, that by the beholding of so goodly a spectacle,² he might be carried unto the author him self.

19 For as muche as that, whiche may bee knowen of God. Thus hee tearmeth that, whiche is lawefull or expedient for vs to knowe of GOD. And hee vnderstandeth all that whiche appertayneth to the setting foorth of the glorye of the Lorde: or (whiche is all one) whatsoeuer might mooue or stirre vs to glorifie God. By whiche woorde hee signifyeth that GOD can not bee conceyued of vs,¹ howe greate hee is: but there is a certayne measure, within the whiche men ought to keepe them selues: euen as God applyeth to our capacitye what so euer hee testifieth of him selfe. Those dote therefore whosoeuer they bee, contende to knowe what God is: because it is not vayne that the Spirite, the Teacher of true wisedome doeth call vs vnto To gnoston to saye, whiche maye bee knowen of God. And howe it maye bee knowen hee will shewe straight way in that which followeth. For the greater Emphasis, hee sayeth rather, in them, then simply, them. For although the Apostle, doeth euery where vse the Phrases of the Hebrewe tongue, wherein Beth is often superfluous, yet heere it is thought hee woulde shewe suche a manifestation of God, whereby they might bee vrged more neerelye then that they coulde make anye euasion: as vndoubtedly euery one of vs doeth feele it grauen in his heart. Whereas he sayeth, God hath shewed it. the meaning is, that man was therefore made, that he might be a beholder of the frame of the world, and