A17643:164
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.
8 But to those are contentious. The speech is somewhat confused. First, because the tenor, form, or fashion of the talk is broken. For the course of speech required that the second part of comparison should cleave unto the first after this sort, the Lord will give eternal life to those, which by perseverance in good works seek glory, honour, and immortality: but to the contentious and disobedient eternal death. Then should be added the illation or conclusion, namely that there is prepared for those, glory, honour, and incorruption: but for these there is laid up wrath and affliction. Secondly, because these words: indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish, are applied unto two divers members:1 yet this troubleth not the sense of the speech, which ought to suffice us in the writings of the Apostles. For out of others we must seek for eloquence: here is spiritual wisdom to be sought for, under a base and simple stile of words. Contention here is put for rebellion, and stiffneckedness: because Paul hath to do with hypocrites who through gross and reckless cockering, make a mockery of God. Under the name of trueth, is simply understood the rule of Gods will, which is the only lantern of trueth. For this is a common thing to all the wicked, that they had rather subject them selves in service to iniquity, then take upon them the yoke of God. And ⟨image 36⟩what obedience so ever they pretend, yet they cease not stubbornly to murmur, and strive against the word of God. For as they which are openly wicked,2 scoff at this trueth, so the hypocrites doubt not to oppose their counterfeit servings and worshippings against it. Moreover, the Apostle hereby putteth in mind, that such stubborn people do serve iniquity: For there is no mean, whereby they should not presently fall into the servitude of sin, who will not be ruled by the law of the Lord. And this also is a just reward of frantic licentiousness, that they are made the bondslaves of sin, who thought it much to obey God. Indignation and wrath. The property of the words hath caused me to turn it thus: For Thumos with the Grecians signifieth that, which Cicero teacheth Excandescentiam to note with the latins:3 namely, a sudden inflammation of wrath. In the others I follow Erasmus.