A17643:1166
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.
Therefore the vehemency is in this obtestation, beareth witness how greatly the godly mind was troubled, whiles unto the name of the Lord, he addeth the love of the spirit, whereby the Saints ought to embrace one another: but yet in so great fear he ceaseth not to go on, neither doth he so fear danger, but he was ready to die willingly.
Therefore the vehemencie is in this obtestation, beareth witnesse howe greatly the godly minde was troubled, whiles vnto the name of the Lorde, he addeth the loue of the spirite, whereby the Saintes ought to imbrace one another: but yet in so great feare hee ceaseth not to goe on, neyther doth hee so feare danger, but he was readie to die willingly.
Howbeit he armeth him self with the remedies given unto him of God. For he calleth for the help of the Church, that being holpen by their prayers, he might thereby feel some ⟨image 211⟩comfort, according to the promise of the Lord: Where two or three shall be gathered together in my name,1 there am I in the middest of them: and of whatsoever thing they shall consent in earth, they shall obtain it in heaven. And least any should think this were a remiss or light commendation, he beseecheth them by Christ and the love of the spirit. And that is called the love of the spirit,2 wherein Christ doth join us together: because it is not of flesh, nor of the world, but of the spirit, which is the bond of our unity. Seeing then it is so great a benefit of God, to be holpen by the prayers of the faithful, that even Paul himself, an elect vessel of God, thought it was not to be neglected of him: what intolerable bthernesse shall it be: if we wretches, and men of no price do contemn it? Howbeit out of such places, to take occasion to maintain intercessions unto dead Saints, is a token of too much impudency. That ye might strive with me. Erasmus hath translated it well, that ye might help me labouring: but because the Greek phrase hath more force, I chose rather to translate it word for word. For both by the word strive, he signifieth with what perplexities he was pressed: and when he biddeth them help him in this fight, he teacheth what affection the prayers of the Godly for their brethren ought to have: namely that they take upon them their person, as though they were plunged in the same necessity: lastly also it showeth what effect they have. For he which commendeth his brother to the Lord, by taking unto him part of his necessity, doth ease him so much. And surely if our strength consist in the invocation of the name of God, we can no way better confirm our brethren, then by calling upon the name of God for them.