A17643:129
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.
24 Wherefore also GOD gave them. Because impiety is a privy or secrete mischief: least yet they should find some starting hole, by a more sensible demonstration, he showeth that they can no way escape but ⟨image 29⟩they are justly condemned, for because such fruits followed that impiety, as thereby might be gathered evident tokens of the wrath of the Lord. And if so be that the wrath of GOD be always just, then it followeth that there went somewhat before which made them damnable. From the tokens or signs of Gods indignation he now urgeth the Apostasy and revolting or slipping away of men:1 for GOD verily so revengeth these alienate them selves from his goodness, that he casteth them headlong into manifold perdition and confusion. And comparing the likeliness of the vices wherewithal they were pestered, with that impiety whereof he accused them before, he proveth that they were by the just judgement of GOD so plagued. For seeing nothing is more deer unto us then our own honour, this is extreme blindness, when we doubt not to be reproachful unto our selves. Wherefore it is a most convenience punishment for the blasphemy committed against the majesty of GOD. He prosecuteth this one thing unto the end of the Chapter, but yet he handleth it diversly, because the matter stood need of great amplification.
24 VVherefore also GOD gaue them. Because impietye is a priuye or secrete mischiefe: leaste yet they shoulde fynde some startinge hole, by a more sensible demonstration, hee sheweth that they canne no waye escape but ⟨image 29⟩they are iustelye condemned, for because suche fruites followed that impietye, as thereby might bee gathered euident tokens of the wrath of the Lorde. And if so bee that the wrath of GOD bee alwayes iuste, then it followeth that there went somewhat before whiche made them damnable. From the tokens or signes of Gods indignation hee nowe vrgeth the Apostasie and reuoltinge or slipping awaye of menne:1 for GOD verilye so reuengeth these alienate them selues from his goodnesse, that he casteth them headlong into manifolde perdition and confusion. And comparing the likelinesse of the vices wherewithall they were pestered, with that impietye whereof hee accused them before, hee prooueth that they were by the iust iudgement of GOD so plagued. For seeyng nothing is more deere vnto vs then our owne honour, this is extreeme blyndnesse, when wee doubte not to bee reprochefull vnto our selues. Wherefore it is a moste conuenience punishemente for the blasphemye committed aagaynst the maiestye of GOD. Hee prosecuteth this one thinge vnto the end of the Chapter, but yet hee handeleth it diuerslye, because the matter stoode neede of greate amplification.