A17643:165
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.
And note, that of the four which are reckoned, the two latter are as it were effects of the former. For they which perceive or feel God to be against them, and angry with them, forthwith are confounded. Nevertheless when he might briefly in two words have showed as well the blessedness of the godly, as the destruction of the reprobate, he amplifieth them both in many words: To the end he might better and more effectually move men with the fear of Gods wrath, and stir up the desire of obtaining grace by Christ. For we never fear the judgement of God sufficiently, unless it be by a lively description, as it were set before our eyes. Neither do we seriously burn with the desire of the life to come, except we be stirred up by many provokements.
And note, that of the foure which are reconed, the two latter are as it were effectes of the former. For they which perceiue or feele God to bee against them, and angrie with them, forthwith are confounded. Neuerthelesse when hee might briefly in two woordes haue shewed as well the blessednesse of the godly, as the destruction of the reprobate, he amplyfieth them both in many woordes: To the ende hee might better and more effectually mooue men with the feare of Gods wrath, and stirre vp the desire of obtayning grace by Christ. For we neuer feare the iudgement of God sufficiently, vnlesse it bee by a liuely description, as it were set before our eyes. Neyther do wee seriously burne with the desire of the life to come, except wee be stirred vp by manie prouokements.
9 To the Jew first. I doubt not, but he simply opposeth the Gentile to the Jew. For, whom he now calleth Grecians straight ways he calleth the same Gentiles. And the Jews are first in the action of this cause, for that they specially had the promises and threatenings of the law: as if he should say, this is the universal law of Gods judgement, which shall begin at the Jews, and comprehend the whole world.
9 To the Iewe first. I doubt not, but he simplie opposeth the Gentile to the Iewe. For, whom he nowe calleth Grecians straight wayes hee calleth the same Gentiles. And the Iewes are first in the action of this cause, for that they specially had the promises and threatnings of the lawe: as if hee shoulde say, this is the vniuersall lawe of Gods iudgement, which shall begin at the Iewes, and comprehend the whole worlde.