A17643:20
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.
John Calvin unto Gryney a man very worthy to be honoured, wisheth prosperity.
Iohn Caluine vnto Gryney a man very worthie to bee honoured, wisheth prosperitie.
I Remember, that three years ago, when we communed familiarly between our selves, of the best kind of expounding the Scripture, that reason which pleased you greatly, was also at the same time before all others approved of me. For we were both of this mind, that the principal point of an interpreter did consist in a plain briefness. And truly seeing this is in a manner his whole charge, to show forth the mind of the writer, whom he hath taken upon him to expound: look by how much he leadeth the readers away from the same, by so much he is wide of his mark, or rather after a sort wandereth out of his bounds. So we wished that amongst them, which at this day seek to further the study of divinity in this kind of labour, there might some one be found, that both studied for facility or easiness, & also gave his diligence not to trouble those are desirous of learning, above measure with long commentaries. And although I know all men are not of this mind: and they which are not of this mind, have also their reasons which induce them to judge so: yet notwithstanding I cannot be drawn from the love of compendiousness. But seeing through that, variety is grafted in the minds of men, some things please some men better then othersome: let every man herein use his own judgement, so that no one man covet to bring all other men under his rules, So it shall come to pass, that neither we, who are more delighted with brevity, shall refuse, or contemn their labours, who are more copious and large in expounding the holy scriptures: and they again shall bear with us, albeit they think we are brief and short. I could not choose but make a trial what good I might do herein to the ⟨image 7⟩church of god. Not as though I had already obtained that, which then seemed best unto us: either thought when I began that I could obtain it: but I endeavoured, so to order my stile or form of writing, that I might seem to apply my mind towards that example. How much I have profited herein, because it is not my part to judge, I leave that to you, and such as you are, to be esteemed. Sure I am many will condemn my policy, in that I durst make a trial, chiefly in this Epistle of Paul.