A17643:26
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.
Finally, Bucer having set forth his travails, did (as a man would say) make up the matter. For that man (as you know) besides the hidden learning, & abundant knowledge of many things, besides the sharpness of wit, great reading, & many other virtues, wherein ⟨image 8⟩he is almost inferior to none at this day, to be compared but with few, and excelleth many: is chiefly to be commended in this, that none in our time hath used more exact diligence in expounding the scripture then he. Therefore as I do confess, it were a token of too impudent emulation, to contend with such men, so it was never in my mind to take from them the least part of praise. Let them have that favour and authority, which by the confession of all good men they have deserved. Yet notwithstanding (as I hope) this will be granted unto me, that there was never at any time amongst men any thing so absolute, in polishing, garnishing, or setting forth whereof, there was not place left for the diligence of those came after. I dare say nothing of my self, but that I thought this my labour would not be unprofitable: whereunto nothing else did ever moon me, then the public benefit of the Church. Moreover, I well hoped that in a divers kind of writing, I should not be pressed with any spite of emulation, which thing I was chiefly to take heed of. Phillip hath obtained his purpose, which was to open the principal points, wherein whiles he bestowed himself, he let many things slip, which are not to be neglected, not forbidding others to declare those also.
Finally, Bucer hauing set foorth his trauailes, did (as a man would say) make vp the matter. For that man (as you know) besides the hidden learning, & abundant knowledge of many things, besides the sharpnes of wit, great reading, & many other vertues, wherein ⟨image 8⟩hee is almost inferiour to none at this day, to be compared but with fewe, and excelleth many: is chiefly to bee commended in this, that none in our time hath vsed more exact diligence in expounding the scripture then he. Therefore as I doe confesse, it were a token of too impudent emulation, to contend with such men, so it was neuer in my minde to take from them the least part of prayse. Let them haue that fauour and authoritie, which by the confession of al good mē they haue deserued. Yet notwithstanding (as I hope) this wil be graunted vnto me, that there was neuer at any time amongst men any thing so absolute, in polishing, garnishing, or setting forth wherof, there was not place left for the diligence of those came after. I dare say nothing of my selfe, but that I thought this my labor would not be vnprofitable: whereunto nothing els did euer moone mee, then the publique benefite of the Church. Moreouer, I well hoped that in a diuers kinde of writing, I should not bee pressed with anye spite of emulation, which thing I was chiefly to take heede of. Phillip hath obteined his purpose, which was to open the principall points, wherein whiles he bestowed himselfe, he let many things slip, which are not to be neglected, not forbidding others to declare those also.