A17643:115
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 the intent that they should be without excuse. Hereby it doeth easily appear, what men get by this demonstration: namely that they can allege no excuse before the judgement of GOD, but they are justly condemned. Let this distinction therefore stand: the demonstration of God, whereby he maketh his glory apparent in his creatures,1 in respect of the brightness thereof is clear enough: but in respect of our capacity is not so sufficient. Yet we are not so blind, that we can pretend ignorance, to quite us from the blame of naughtiness or perversity. First we conceive with our selves there is a God: Secondly, that the same whosoever he be, is to be worshipped. But here our reason faileth, before it can obtain either who is GOD,2 or what he is. Wherefore the Apostle to the Hebrews ascribeth this light unto faith, that a man should profit truly in the creation of the world. And not without cause: for through blindness we are so hindered that we can not come unto the mark, we see so far that we can not pretend any excuse. Paul declareth both these things notably when he sayeth, that God in times past suffered the Gentiles in ignorance: Nevertheless he left not himself without witness,3 because he gave ⟨image 27⟩unto them rain, and fruitfulness from heaven. Therefore this knowledge of God, which availeth only to take away excuse,4 differeth greatly from that knowledge bringeth salvation, whereof Christ speaketh and wherein Jeremiah teacheth we are to rejoice.
To the intent that they shoulde bee without excuse. Heereby it doeth easilye appeare, what menne gette by this demonstration: namelye that they can alleadge no excuse beefore the iudgement of GOD, but they are iustlye condemned. Let this distinction therefore stande: the demonstration of God, whereby hee maketh his glorie apparaunt in his creatures,1 in respecte of the brightnesse thereof is cleere enough: but in respecte of our cacitie is not so sufficient. Yet wee are not so blynde, that wee canne pretende ignoraunce, to quite vs from the blame of naughtinesse or peruersitie. First wee conceyue with our selues there is a God: Secondly, that the same whosoeuer hee bee, is to bee woorshipped. But heere our reason fayleth, before it canne obtayne eyther who is GOD,