Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

28 As they regarded not to know God. ¹In these words we are to observe a resemblance or comparison, which notably showeth the equal relation of the sin, and the punishment. Because they regarded not to abide in the knowledge of God, which only directeth our minds unto true wisdom, the Lord gave unto them a perverse mind, which now can allow of nothing. Whereas he saith they approved not, it is as much as if he should say, they followed not the knowledge of God with such study as they ought, but rather purposely they turned their cogitation from God: He signifieth therefore that through their wicked election they preferred their own vanities before God: and so that error wherewith they were deceived, was voluntary. To do those things which are not convenient. Because hitherto he hath mentioned only that one execrable example, which though it were common amongst many, yet it was not common unto all, he beginneth to reckon such vices as no man could be found to be free of. For albeit (as it is said) they appear not all at once in every one, yet all men know themselves to be guilty of some of them, that every man for his own part might be reproved of manifest pravity. First of all, whereas he calleth them not convenient, understand that they abhorred from all judgement of reason, and were far from the duties of men. For he declareth the tokens of a confounded mind, that without all difference men addicted themselves to those vices, which common sense ought to have refused.

28 As they regarded not to knowe God. ¹In these wordes wee are to obserue a resemblance or comparison, which notably sheweth the equall relation of the sinne, and the punishmente. Because they regarded not to abide in the knowledge of God, whiche only directeth our mindes vnto true wisedome, the Lorde gaue vnto them a peruerse minde, which nowe can alowe of nothing. Whereas hee saith they approued not, it is as much as if hee shoulde say, they followed not the knowledge of God with such studie as they ought, but rather purposely they turned their cogitation from God: Hee signifieth therefore that through their wicked election they preferred their owne vanities before God: and so that errour wherewith they were deceiued, was voluntarie. To doe those things which are not conuenient. Because hitherto he hath mentioned onely that one execrable example, which though it were common amongst many, yet it was not common vnto all, hee beginneth to recken suche vices as no man coulde bee founde to bee free of. For albeit (as it is saide) they appeare not all at once in euery one, yet all men knowe themselues to bee giltie of some of thē, that euery man for his owne part might bee reproued of manifest prauitie. First of all, whereas he calleth them not conuenient, vnderstande that they abhorred from all iudgemente of reason, and were farre from the duties of men. For hee declareth the tokens of a confounded minde, that without all difference men addicted themselues to those vices, which common sense ought to haue refused.