A17643:191
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.
Furthermore it is uncertain when that name first began: But that undoubtedly it began after the dispersion.1 Josephus thinketh that it was taken up of Judas Maccabeus: by whose conducts and dispositions the liberty and dignity of the people, when it had been a long time fallen, and almost buried, revived again. Albeit I see this sentence is probable, yet if there be any whom it satisfieth not, I will bring also of my self another conjecture. It seemeth verily unto me to be like, that when they were so wasted and scattered, they could not conserve any certain distinction of tribes. For neither could the cessing, valuing or mustering of the people be done in season: neither did the policy or decent form of governing their common wealth stand, (which was necessary for conserving such order) they both dwelt, spearced, and scattered out of order: and also being worn with adversities:2 they were not so careful for the reckoning of their kindred. But howsoever you will not grant these things unto me, yet you can not deny but there was likelihood of such danger, in such disturbance of things. ⟨image 40⟩Whither therefore they would foresee that was to come, or they would salve the present evil, I think they altogether went unto the name of that tribe, wherein purity of religion had abidden longest, which tribe by singular prerogative excelled all the rest, and out of the which they looked for the redeemer to come. For this was their refuge in extremities, to comfort themselves with looking for the Messiah. Howsoever it be, under the name of Jews they professed themselves to be the heirs of the covenant which GOD made with Abraham and his seed. And restest in the Law, 3and gloriest in GOD. He meaneth not that they rested in the study of the law, as though they applied their mind to the keeping of it: but rather he upbraideth them, that they not considering to what end the Law was given, having left the care of keeping it, were proud of this one thing, because they were persuaded that the Oracles of GOD appertained to them. Likewise they gloried of GOD, not as the Lord commandeth by the Prophet Jeremiah, that being humbled in our selves, we should seek our glory in him only:4