A17643:1181
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.
16 Salute one another in an holy kiss. It is every where apparent by the scriptures, that a kiss was an usual & common token of good will amongst the Jews. Perhaps less usual amongst the Romans: neither was it altogether strange amongst them, save that it was not lawful to kiss women, other then their kinswomen only. Howbeit that grew into a custom with them in old time, that Christians before the communication of the Supper, did kiss one another, to testify their good will by that sign: then afterward they gave alms, that they might confirm it in deed & effect,1 which they represented by a kiss: as appeareth out of a certain homily of Chrysostom. Hence came that rite which is at this day among the Papists; of kissing the Pax, & making oblation. The one whereof is mere superstition with out fruit: the other serveth to no end, but to full up the covetousness of the Priests, if yet it may be filled. Nevertheless paul seemeth not here precisely to exact a ceremony, but only exhorteth them to maintain brotherly love, which he discerneth from profane friendships of the world, which for the most part are either hypocritical, or are brought to pass by naughty deeds, or are retained by evil means, and they never tend to a right end. And wishing health as much as in him lay from the churches, he studieth to bind all the members of Christ among them selves with the mutual bond of love.
16 Salute one another in an holy kisse. It is euerye where apparant by the scriptures, that a kisse was an vsuall & common tokē of good will amongst the Iewes. Perhaps lesse vsuall amongst the Romanes: neither was it altogether strange amongst thē, saue that it was not lawefull to kisse women, other then their kinswomē only. Howebeit that grewe into a custome with thē in old time, yt Christians before the communication of the Supper, did kisse one another, to testifie their good will by that signe: thē afterward they gaue almes, yt they might cōfirm yt in deed & effect,1 which they represented by a kisse: as appeareth out of a certaine homilie of Chrysostome. Hence came that ryte which is at this day among the Papistes; of kissing the Paxe, & making oblation. The one whereof is meere superstition with out fruite: the other serueth to no ende, but to full vp the coueteousnes of the Priests, if yet it may be filled. Neuertheles paule seemeth not here precisely to exact a ceremonie, but onely exhorteth them to maintaine brotherly loue, which hee discerneth frō prophane friendships of ye world, which for the most part are either hypocritical, or are brought to passe by naughtie deeds, or are reteined by euill meanes, and they neuer tend to a right ende. And wishing health as much as in hym laye from ye churches, he studieth to bind all the members of Christe among them selues with the mutuall bond of loue.