A17643:232
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.
5 Now if our unrighteousness. Although this is a digression from the principal cause: yet was it necessary the Apostle should add it:1 least he should seem to have given unto the wicked that occasion of speaking evil, which he knew to be voluntarily sought for of them. For seeing they were ready to take every occasion that might make to the defamation of the Gospel, they had in the testimony of David, which they might catch to the framing of their false detraction. If God seek nothing else at the hands of men then to be glorified of them: Wherefore doth he punish them when they offend, seeing by their offence they glorify him? Undoubtedly he is angry without cause, if he take occasion at that to be angry whereby he is glorified. Neither is it to be doubted but this surmised accusation was vulgar, and very common,2 as shall straightways be said again. Therefore Paul might not pass it over obscurely. And least any should think he speaketh here according to the persuasion or censure of his own mind, he• first showeth how he taketh on him the person of the wicked. And withal he nippeth or sharply reproveth mans reason, whose property he noteth to be, always to chat and ⟨image 47⟩prate against the wisdom of God. For he saith not, I speak as the wicked, but I speak as a man. And it is certainly so, seeing all the mysteries of God are strange or absurd unto the flesh: it is so bold, that it doubteth not to rise up against them and which of them it cannot conceive, those it wantonly pursueth. Whereby we are admonished, if we will become capable of the mysteries of God, first of all we must labour that our own sense or sensual judgement being laid apart, we may yield and give our selves wholly over into the obedience of the word. This word, wrath, which is used for judgement, here hath respect unto the punishment: as if he had said, is god unrighteous in punishing iniquities, which set forth his righteousness?
5 Now if our vnrighteousnesse. Although this is a digression from the principall cause: yet was it necessarie the Apostle shoulde adde it:1