A17643:260
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.
20 Because by the works of the law. It is a great question, yea even amongst the learned, what works be called the works of the law, whiles some extend them unto the observation of the whole law, other some restrain them unto the ceremonies only. The annexing of this word law, did move Chrysostom, Origen, and Hierome to be of the first ⟨p. 38⟩opinion, for in that addition they thought there was• peculiar advisement that the speech should not be understood of all works generally. But this doubt is easily loosed. For seeing works are so far forth just in the sight of the Lord, as we do study by them to give unto him worship and obedience: to the end he might more precisely take from all works the force, virtue, or strength of justification, he hath named those works which specially might justify, if there were any that could justify.1 For it is the law that hath the promises, without the which our works are of no value before God. Thou seest therefore the cause why Paul expressed the works of the law: Namely, because by the law there is a reward appointed unto works. Neither were the very Schoolmen ignorant hereof: amongst whom it is an old and common saying, that works are not meritorious in respect of any internal or real worthiness, but for the covenant. And although they are deceived, for that they see not our works always to be defiled with vices, which do take from them merit: yet that principle is true, namely, that the reward of works dependeth upon the voluntary promise of the law.
20 Because by the workes of the lawe. It is a great question, yea euen amongst the learned, what workes bee called the workes of the lawe, whiles some extende them vnto the obseruation of the whole lawe, other some restrayne them vnto the ceremonies onely. The annexing of this worde lawe, did mooue Chrisostome, Origen, and Hierome to bee of the first ⟨p. 38⟩opinion, for in that addition they thought there was• peculier aduisement that the speeche shoulde not bee vnderstoode of all woorkes generally. But this doubt is easily loosed. For seeing woorkes are so farre foorth iust in the sight of the Lorde, as wee doe studie by them to giue vnto him woorshippe and obedience: to the ende hee might more precisely take from all woorkes the force, vertue, or strength of iustification, hee hath named those woorkes whiche specially myght iustifie, if there were any that coulde iustifie.