A17643:1188
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.
19 For your obedience. This is a Preoccupation or preventing, whereby he showeth that he doth not therefore admonish them, as though he thought amiss of them, but because it is easy to fall here: as if he said, surely your obedience is commended every where, so that there is cause why I should be glad of you. Yet seeing that oftentimes men fall here, through simplicity, I would have you rude and simple to commit evil, but in that is good, that is, so often as is expedient, for the conservation of integrity,1 I would have you very prudent. Here we see what simplicity is commended in Christians: least they who at this day count sottish ignorance of the word of God for a high virtue should pretend this title. For although he praise the Romans, that they were obedient and tractable, yet he would have prudence and choice, to be added, least their lightness of belief should be a pray to every deceit. Therefore he so rejoiceth of them that they are without fraud, that yet he would have them wise to beware. That which followeth, namely, God shall tread Satan, is rather a promise to strengthen them, then a prayer. For he exhorteth them that they fight courageously against Satan, promising they should shortly have the victory. ⟨p. 201⟩In deed he is once overcome of Christ, but yet not so, but he may continually renew war: he promiseth therefore the last putting of him to flight, which appeareth not in the midst of the battle. Although he speak not only of the last day, wherein assuredly Satan shall be trodden under feet: but seeing Satan at that time, as it were his reins being loose or burst, did proudly disturb all things, he promiseth that shortly it would come to pass, that the Lord would subdue him, and as it were give him to be trodden under feet. Straightways followeth his prayer, that the grace of Christ might be with them: that is, that they might enjoy all those blessings which are provided for us by Christ.
19 For your obedience. This is a Preoccupation or preuenting, whereby he sheweth that he doth not therefore admonish them, as though he thought amisse of them, but because it is easie to fall here: as if he said, surely your obedience is commended euery where, so that there is cause why I should be glad of you. Yet seeing that oftentimes men fall here, through simplicitie, I would haue you rude and simple to commit euill, but in that is good, that is, so often as is expedient, for the conseruation of integritie,