A17643:272
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.
1In few words he declareth what manner of righteousness this is, namely, that it resteth or abideth in Christ, and is apprehended by faith. Although whiles he inferreth again the name of God, he seemeth to make God the author and not only an approver of that righteousness of the which he entreateth: as though he should say it cometh from him only, or it hath his original from heaven, and is made manifest to us in Christ. Therefore when we reason of this righteousness, we must proceed this way. First, the cause of our righteousness ⟨p. 41⟩must not be referred unto the judgement of men, but unto the tribunal of God, where no righteousness is accounted of, but the perfect and absolute obedience of the law: which thing may easily appear by the promises and threatenings. And if that no man can be found, that hath attained unto such exact holiness: it followeth all are void of righteousness in them selves. Then must Christ needs help: who as he is only just,2 so by transferring his righteousness unto us he maketh us righteous. Now thou seest how the righteousness of faith, is the righteousness of Christ. That we may therefore be justified, the efficient cause is the mercy of God: Christ is the matter or material cause: the word and faith is the instrument or instrumental cause. Wherefore, faith is said to justify: because it is the instrument to receive Christ, in whom righteousness is communicated unto us. After that we are made partakers of Christ, not only we our selves are just, but our works are reputed just before God: namely because whatsoever imperfection is in them it is abolished or taken away by the blood of Christ. The promises which are conditional, by the same grace also are fulfilled unto us, in as much as God doeth reward our works as perfect, because the defect or imperfection of them is covered through free pardon.
1In fewe wordes hee declareth what maner of righteousnesse this is, namely, that it resteth or abideth in Christ, and is apprehended by fayth. Although whiles hee inferreth agayne the name of God, he seemeth to make God the authour and not onely an approuer of that righteousnesse of the which he entreateth: as though hee shoulde say it commeth from him onely, or it hath his originall from heauen, and is made manifest to vs in Christ. Therefore when we reason of this righteousnes, we must proceede this way. First, the cause of our righteousnes