Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

9 What then? From his digression he returneth unto his purpose. For least the Jews perhaps should take it, that they were spoiled of their right, when he reckoned these title of dignity, whereby they advanced themselves above the Gentiles: now at the length he unfoldeth the question, whether they excel the gentiles or no in any thing. And albeit this answer in show may seem to be much contrary to the former (because he now taketh from them all preeminence to whom he gave much before) yet there is no variance. For those privileges whereby he confessed them to excel, consisted out of themselves, in the goodness of god & not in their own merit. And here he demandeth after their dignity, whether they could glory of any thing in them selves. Therefore these two answers agree so,¹ that this proceedeth out of the other. For when he extolled their prerogatives including them in the only benefits of God, he declared them to have nothing of their own, whereupon that which he now answereth, might forthwith be inferred. For if their principal preeminence he, that the Oracles of God were committed to them, and they have it not by their merit, there is nothing therefore left unto them, whereby they might be proud in the sight of God. And note the sacred workmanship or cunning, that when he gave unto them excellency or preeminence he spake ⟨image 49⟩in the third person. Now when he will take all from them, he putteth himself in the number that he might avoid offence. For we have already alleged or promised to prove. The Greek verb Atiastai, which Paul useth here, is a word appertaining to judgement: therefore it hath pleased us to translate it, We have alleged, determined, or purposed to prove. For the accuser in his action is said to allege the crime which he is ready to prove by other testimonies and proofs. And the Apostle had cited all mankind generally before the tribunal seat of God: that he might include all under the same condemnation. And in vain is it for any man to object, that the Apostle doth not only accuse here, but rather prove: for no accusation is true but that, which is grounded upon firm and sure proofs: as Cicero in a certain place distinguisheth between an accusation and a reproach.

9 What then? From his digression he returneth vnto his purpose. For least the Iewes perhaps should take it, that they were spoiled of their right, when he reckoned these title of dignitie, whereby they aduanced themselues aboue the Gentiles: now at the length he vnfoldeth the question, whether they excel the gentiles or no in any thing. And albeit this answere in shewe may seeme to be much contrary to the former (because he now taketh from them all preheminence to whom he gaue much before) yet there is no variance. For those priuileges whereby hee confessed them to excell, consisted out of themselues, in the goodnes of god & not in their own merit. And here he demandeth after their dignitie, whether they could glory of any thing in them selues. Therefore these two answeres agree so,