A17643:130
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.
This therefore is the sum of that he goeth about, namely, that hereby it doeth appear, the ingratitude of men towards GOD is inexcusable: because by sure testimonies they show forth the fierce wrath of GOD against them. For they should never have been plunged in so filthy lusts after the manner of beasts, unless the Majesty of God had been marvellously displeased and provoked against them. Wherefore, seeing they every where abounded in most detestable abominations, he gathereth that the testimonies of Gods wrath were extant in them.1 Now if this wrath of GOD never rage against any temerously or unjustly, but always it holdeth fast the moderation of equity: hereby he showeth it is a plain case that no less just then sure destruction hangeth over all men. Of the manner how God doeth give men over unto wickedness, it is not necessary I should make any large discourse in this place. For it is ⟨p. 16⟩certain he doeth permit men to fall, not only by suffering and winking at them: but also by his just judgement he so ordaineth it that they should be led and carried both of their own concupiscence and the Devil into such madness. Therefore he useth the word delivered, according to the perpetual manner of the Scripture: which word they rack too violently who think we are carried unto sin only by the sufferance of God. For as Satan is the minister of Gods wrath and as it were his tormentor, so he is armed against us not by the dissembling or sufferance, but by the commandment of the Judge.2 And yet is neither God cruel, nor we innocent, seeing Paul declareth plainly, that we are not otherwise delivered under his power, then if we have deserved such punishment. This only we except, that the cause of sin cometh not from God:3 seeing the roots thereof remain still in the sinner. For this must alway be true: Destruction is thine O Israel, thy help is only in me. When he joineth the lusts of mans heart with uncleanness,4 privily he giveth us to understand what fruit our heart bringeth forth when it is once left unto it self. This clause between them selves, hath his Emphasis or force, for it expresseth more significantly how deep and uncurable notes of infamy they had printed in their bodies.