Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

Bucer is both larger then that hastily he may be read of those, are tied to other business: and also higher, then that easily he can be understood of the simple, & those are not very circumspect. For what argument soever he taketh upon him to entreat of (through that plentiful wit, wherein he passeth) he hath such store of matter, that he knoweth not where to leave of. Seeing therefore the one of them hath not pursued all, and the other is more large then that he can be read in short time: me think mine attempt hath no show of emulation. Yet I doubted with my self a good while, whether I were better make (as it were) certain gleanings after them, and others, wherein I might gather those things which I thought profitable for the meaner sort: or else should make an whole Comment, wherein of necessity I must repeat many things, which either of all, or at the least of some of them had been said before. But because they many times vary amongest them selves, which thing, greatly troubleth the simple reader, who doubteth to whether of them he might the rather lean unto: I thought also it were ⟨image 8⟩not amiss, if by showing the best interpretation, I did ease them of the pains of judging, who of themselves are not sufficiently able to judge aright: specially seeing I determined to comprise all things so briefly, that the Readers should not spend much time, to read those things with me, which are contained in others. Finally, I had great regard, that no man should justly complain, there were many superfluous things here. Concerning the profitableness hereof I will say nothing: and yet perhaps the godly, after they have read, will confess that they have gotten more hereby, then modesty will suffer me in words to promise. And whereas I do sometimes disagree from others, or rather am somewhat contrary unto others, therein I am to be excused. For verily the word of God ought to be of such reverence with us, that through the diversity of interpretations, it might not be drawn asunder of us, no not one hay•e breadth. For so the Majesty thereof is (I cannot tell how) diminished, and so much the more if the same be not done with great choice, and sobriety. For if it be a sin to pollute any thing that is dedicate unto God:

Bucer is both larger then that hastily hee may bee read of those, are tyed to other businesse: and also higher, then that easily he cā be vnderstood of the simple, & those are not very circūspect. For what argument soeuer hee taketh vppon him to intreate of (through that plentifull wit, wherein he passeth) he hath such store of matter, that hee knoweth not where to leaue of. Seeing therefore the one of them hath not pursued all, and the other is more large then that hee can bee read in short time: mee thinke mine attempt hath no shew of emulation. Yet I doubted with my self a good while, whether I were better make (as it were) certaine gliemings after them, and others, wherein I might gather those thinges whiche I thought profitable for the meaner sort: or els shold make an whole Comment, wherin of necessitie I must repeate many thinges, which eyther of all, or at the least of some of them had beene saide before. But because they many times varie amongest them selues, whiche thing, greatly troubleth the simple reader, who doubteth to whether of them he might the rather leane vnto: I thought also it were