A17643:178
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.
15 Which show the effect of the law. &c. That is to say, they testify that there is graven in their hearts a certain discretion and judgement, whereby they discern between right and wrong, honest and unhonest. For he meaneth not that it was printed in their will that they should covet, and studiously seek after it: but because they were so overcome of the virtue of trueth that they could not, but needs they must approve it. For why should they institute religions, but because they judge that God is to be worshipped? why should they be ashamed of adultery and theft, but that they think them both evil? unadvisedly therefore is the power of our will drawn out of this place:1 as though Paul should say, the observation of the law were subject to our power: seeing he speaketh not of the power of fulfilling the Law, but of knowledge. Neither is this word heart taken for the seat of the affections, but for the intellect only, or understanding: as Deut. The Lord hath not given thee a heart to understand. Also in an other place,2 O foolish men and slow of heart to believe. Furthermore,3 neither is it hereby to be gathered, that there is in men a full knowledge of the Law,4 but only that there are certain seeds of justice abiding in their wit: such as these be, that all Gentiles in differently institute religions, by laws punish adultery, thefts, and murder: that they commend a good faith in bargains and contracts. For so they declare how they are not ignorant that God is to be worshipped: adultery, theft, and murder, are evil: and honesty is commendable. Neither is it material what kind of god they imagine to be, or how many gods they make: it is sufficient that they understand there is a God, and that the same is to be honoured and worshipped. It forceth not whether they permit the concupiscence of another mans wife and possession, or any other thing: whether they can ⟨p. 25⟩bridle the affections of wrath and hatred: For that which they knew was evil for them to do, the same was not lawful for them to covet. Their own conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts. &c. He could not have urged them more straitly then with the testimony of their own conscience, which is in stead of a thousand witnesses. By the conscience of good deeds men support and comfort themselves: