Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

11 Who are of the friends of Narcissus. It had been a thing too bad, that Peter should be omitted in so long a catalogue if he had been then at Rome. But he must needs have bin there, if we believe the Romans. Howbeit if in doubtful things there is nothing better, then to follow a probable conjecture: no man of indifferent judgement, will believe that is true they affirm. For he had never bin omitted of Paul. But it is worth the noting, that none of those glorious and honourable titles are hard here, by the which it might be gathered that noble men were christians: for whomsoever Paul reckoneth, they were obscure & unnoble at Rome. I take the Narcissus whom Paul nameth here, to be the freeman of Claudius, a man famous for many mischievous ⟨image 214⟩& naughty deeds. Whereby the goodness of God is more wonderful, which pierced into that impure house, & abounding withal wickedness: not that Narcissus himself was converted unto christ: but this was a great matter, that a house as it were like unto hell, should be visited with the grace of Christ. And seeing they did worship Christ sincerely, who lived under a huge Lion, under a most cruel spoiler, and corrupt man, there is no cause why servants should tarry for their masters, but every one should follow Christ for himself. Yea, the exception added by Paul doth declare that his family was divided, so that there were but a few which believed.

11 Who are of the friendes of Narcissus. It had been a thing too bad, that Peter shold be omitted in so long a catologue if he had been then at Rome. But he must needes haue bin there, if wee beleeue the Romanes. Howbeit if in doubtfull thinges there is nothing better, then to followe a probable coniecture: no man of indifferent iudgement, will beleeue that is true they affirme. For he had neuer bin omitted of Paule. But it is worth the noting, that none of those glorious and honourable titles are harde heere, by the which it might be gathered that noble men were christians: for whōsoeuer Paule reckoneth, they were obscure & vnnoble at Rome. I take ye Narcissus whō Paul nameth here, to be the freeman of Claudius, a man famous for many mischieuous ⟨image 214⟩& naughtie deedes. Whereby the goodnes of God is more wonderful, which pearced into that impure house, & abounding withall wickednes: not yt Narcissus himselfe was conuerted vnto christ: but this was a great matter, yt a house as it were like vnto hell, should be visited with the grace of Christe. And seeing they did worship Christ sincerely, who liued vnder a huge Lion, vnder a most cruell spoyler, and corrupt man, there is no cause why seruants should tary for their masters, but euery one should follow Christ for himselfe. Yea, the exception added by Paule doth declare that his familie was diuided, so that there were but a few which beleeued.