A17643:261
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.
Therefore Paul wisely and very well doeth not dispute of bare works: but precisely and namely he allegeth the keeping of the law, of the which properly the question was. As for those things which are brought in of other learned men for the defence of that sentence, they are weaker then were meet.
Therefore Paul wisely and very well doeth not dispute of bare woorkes: but precisely and namely hee alleageth the keeping of the lawe, of the which properly the question was. As for those thinges which are brought in of other learned men for the defence of that sentence, they are weaker then were meete.
By the naming of circumcision, they think an example to be propounded, which proveth that it appertaineth unto the ceremonies only. But we have already declared why Paul hath named circumcision. For neither do any other swell with the confidence of works then hypocrites. And we know how they glory only in eternal shows. Secondly, circumcision in their judgement was a certain entrance unto the righteousness of the law: therefore it seemed also to be a work of great dignity. And whereas they fight out of the Epistle to the Galatians: where, when Paul handleth the same cause, yet he directeth his stile unto ceremonies only: ⟨image 52⟩that also is not firm enough to obtain that they would. Sure it is, Paul had to do with such as did incense the people with a false believe or confidence of ceremonies. That he might remove or take this away he doeth not contain him self within the compass of ceremonies, neither disputeth he specially of what value they are: but he comprehendeth the whole law, as may appear by the places which are all of them derived from that fountain.1 Such also was the state of that disputation which was holden at Jerusalem amongst the disciples. And it is not without cause we labour to prove Paul in this place without exception to speak of the whole law. For the very stile and manner of disputation which he hath hither to followed and doeth still prosecute, doeth sufficiently favour us: and many places do not suffer us to think otherwise. It is therefore a sentence notable amongst the chiefest, that no man shall be justified by the keeping of the law. He hath showed the reason before, and repeateth it again straightways: because all men together being convicted of transgression, are reproved of unrighteousness by the law.