A17643:119
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.
For it is evident that this mischief hath reigned in all ages, that men should take unto them selves all liberty in coining superstitions. This arrogance therefore is reprehended: that when men ought in their humility to have given the glory to God, they would be wise in themselves, and pull GOD down unto their humility. For Paul holdeth this principle fast, that it is his own fault, if any man be estranged from the worship of God. As if he should say, because they have proudly lift up them selves, therefore through the just vengeance of God they have been infatuated or made foolish. Concerning that interpretation which I ⟨image 28⟩refuse, my reason is at hand that maketh against it: because this error of feigning an Image to GOD, had not his original from the Philosophers, but they having received it of others with their sentence did approve it.
For it is euident that this mischiefe hath raigned in all ages, that men should take vnto them selues all libertie in coyning superstitions. This arrogancie therefore is reprehended: that when men ought in their humilitie to haue giuen the glorie to God, they would bee wise in themselues, and pull GOD downe vnto their humilitie. For Paule holdeth this principle fast, that it is his owne fault, if anye man bee estraunged from the woorshippe of God. As if hee shoulde saye, beecause they haue proudelye lifte vppe them selues, therefore through the iuste vengeaunce of God they haue beene infatuated or made foolishe. Concerning that interpretation which I ⟨image 28⟩refuse, my reason is at hande that maketh agaynst it: because this errour of fayning an Image to GOD, hadde not his originall from the Phylosophers, but they hauinge receyued it of others with their sentence did approoue it.
23 And they turned. After they had feigned God to be such one, as they could apprehend by their carnal sense, it was far from them to acknowledge the true God: but they made a feigned and new GOD, or rather an image in the stead of God. That is it he sayeth, They turned the glory of the Lord: because like as if a man should suborn, or put a strange child in the place of the natural, so they departed from the true God. Neither doeth this pretence excuse them, that yet notwithstanding they believed GOD dwelled in heaven: and that they counted not the wood for God, but for an Image: For even this same is contumelious against God,