A17643:209
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.
For this thing is wont always to follow, that they which dare set their merits against the righteousness of God, glory more in external observations, then in sound virtues For who so is truly touched and moved with the fear of God: dare never lift up his eyes to heaven, for the more he shall strive unto true righteousness, the better he shall see how far he is from it. As for the Pharisees, who think it enough to shadow their holiness with external hypocrisy, it is no marvel though they so easily flatter themselves. Therefore Paul when he had left the Jews nothing but this poor shift, that they should boast them themselves to be justified by circumcision, he now also taketh from them this vain visor.
For this thing is wont alwayes to follow, that they which dare set their merites against the righteousnesse of God, glory more in externall obseruations, then in sounde vertues For who so is truely touched and moued with the feare of God: dare neuer lift vp his eyes to heauen, for the more hee shall striue vnto true righteousnesse, the better hee shall see howe farre he is from it. As for the Pharisees, who thinke it enough to shadowe their holinesse with externall hypocrisie, it is no maruel though they so easily flatter themselues. Therefore Paule when hee had left the Iewes nothing but this poore shift, that they should boast them themselues to be iustified by circumcision, he nowe also taketh from them this vaine visour.
26 If therefore uncircumcision, &c. This is a most strong argument. Every thing is inferior to his end, and is set under it. Circumcision hath respect unto the law: therefore it ought ⟨image 43⟩to be inferior to it. It is more therefore to keep the law then circumcision, which for the cause thereof was ordained. Whereupon it followeth that the uncircumcised if he keep the law, doeth far excel the Jew being a transgressor of the law, with his barren and unprofitable circumcision. And so albeit by nature he is polluted, yet by the observation or keeping of the law, he shall be sanctified, that his uncircumcision may be imputed unto him in stead of circumcision. This word uncircumcision, in the second place is to be understood properly in his proper signification. In the first place improperly for the gentiles, the thing for the person.