A17643:196
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.
21 Thou therefore that teachest another. Although those praises of the Jews which he hath hitherto reckoned, were such as might worthily have garnished and set them forth, if they had not wanted the truer ornaments: yet because they contained such indifferent gifts, as both might be in the godless, and be corrupted by wicked abuse, they are not sufficient unto true glory. Paul also not thinking it enough to refute, and taunt their arrogance that they trusted only in those things,1 doeth also return even those again upon them to their reproach. For he deserveth great reproach and infamy, who maketh the gifts of God which otherwise are noble and excellent, not only unprofitable, but also by his pravity doeth contaminate, and defile them. And he is a perverse counsellor, who not providing for himself, is wise only to the profit of others: he showeth therefore how that was their dishonour, ⟨image 41⟩which they take to be their praise. Thou that preachest a man should not steal. He seemeth to have respect unto the place in the psalm. God said unto the wicked, wherefore doest thou preach my statutes and takest my testament into thy mouth?2 seeing thou hatest discipline, and hast cast my words behind thee: if thou doest see a thief thou consentest with him, and takest part with the adulterers. Which objurgation or chiding as it agreed unto the Jews in old time, who trusting to the bare knowledge of the law, lived never a whit the better, then if they had had no law at all: so we must beware least at this day it be turned against us. And surely it is too true in a great many, who whiles they boast themselves to have a certain singular knowledge, as though the Gospel were not a rule of life, they are given over unto all kind of uncleanness. Let us not therefore dally so securely with the Lord, let us remember what judgement hangeth over such prattlers, who show forth the word of God only in jangling.
21 Thou therefore that teachest another. Although those praises of the Iewes which hee hath hitherto reckoned, were such as might worthily haue garnished and set them foorth, if they had not wanted the truer ornamentes: yet because they contayned such indifferent giftes, as both might bee in the godlesse, and be corrupted by wicked abuse, they are not sufficient vnto true glory. Paul also not thinking it inough to refute, and taunte their arrogancie that they trusted onely in those thinges,