Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

And that they might more certainly depend on his power, he addeth that the same is testified unto us in the Gospel: where thou seest, the gospel doth not only bring unto us present grace; but also doth bring unto us assurance of grace still to continue. For there, God doeth not only promise to be our father in present, but also that he will be unto the end. Yea, his adoption is extended beyond death, because it bringeth us unto the eternal inheritance. The residue are put to commend the virtue and dignity of the Gospel. He calleth the Gospel, the preaching of Christ, so that surely the whole sum thereof is contained in the ⟨p. 202⟩knowledge of Christ: he calleth his doctrine the revelation of the mystery: which ought not only to make us more attentive in hearing of it, but also impress an high reverence thereof in our hearts, and how high a secrete that is, he signifieth, when he addeth that from the beginning of the world by so many ages it was hidden. Verily it hath not a proud and haughty wisdom, such as the sons of this world covet, of whom also it is therefore contemned: but it declareth those unspeakable treasures of celestial wisdom, above every capacity: which if the angels also themselves do reverence with admiration, surely no man can sufficiently wonder at it. Neither ought this wisdom to be therefore less esteemed, because it lieth hid under a base & simple stile: because so it hath pleased the Lord, to subdue the arrogance of the flesh. And because great doubt might arise, how this mystery which by so many ages was hidden, did so suddenly appear forth: he teacheth, that that came not to pass through the temerity of men, nor by chance, but by the eternal ordinance of God: where also he shutteth the gate against curious questions, which the waywardness of mans wit is wont to move. For whatsoever cometh suddenly and besides their expectation, they think it is done at unawares: whereby they gather oftentimes wickedly, that the works of God are absurd, or at the least they entangle themselves, with many troublesome doubts. Paul therefore admonisheth, that that which appeared now suddenly, was decreed of God before the world were made.

And that they might more certainely depend on his power, he addeth that the same is testified vnto vs in the Gospell: where thou seest, ye gospel doth not only bring vnto vs presēt grace; but also doth bring vnto vs assurance of grace still to continue. For there, God doeth not onely promise to be our father in presente, but also that hee will bee vnto the ende. Yea, his adoption is extended beyonde death, because it bringeth vs vnto the eternall inheritance. The residue are put to commende the vertue and dignitie of the Gospell. He calleth the Gospell, the preaching of Christ, so that surely the whole summe thereof is cōteined in ye