A17643:279
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.
And are justified freely. The Participle after the manner of the Grecians is put in stead of the verb. The meaning ⟨p. 42⟩is, because there remaineth nothing else unto men in themselves, but that they being smitten through by the just judgement of God should perish: therefore they are justified freely by his mercy. For Christ helpeth this misery, and doeth communicate himself to the faithful, that in him only they may find all things which are wanting unto them. As it falleth out, there is no place in all the Scripture more notable to set forth the power of this righteousness.1 For it showeth the mercy of God to be the efficient cause: Christ with his blood to be the matter or material cause: Faith conceived by the word, to be the formal or instrumental cause: Lastly, the glory both of the justice & goodness of God to be the final cause. Concerning the efficient cause, he sayeth we are justified freely, and that verily by his grace. Therefore by this he showeth how all is of God and nothing of our selves. It might have been sufficient to have opposed grace unto merits: but least we should imagine an half righteousness, having added a repetition he doeth more clearly show forth his mind: and hath ascribed the true effect of righteousness to the only mercy of God, which righteousness the Sophisters rent in pieces and maim, least they should be constrained to confess their own poverty.
And are iustified freely. The Participle after the manner of the Grecians is put in steede of the verbe. The meaning ⟨p. 42⟩is, because there remayneth nothing els vnto men in themselues, but that they beeyng smitten thorow by the iuste iudgement of God shoulde perishe: therefore they are iustified freelye by his mercie. For Christ helpeth this misery, and doeth communicate himselfe to the faithfull, that in him onely they maye finde all thinges whiche are wanting vnto them. As it falleth out, there is no place in all the Scripture more notable to set foorth the power of this righteousnesse.1 For it sheweth the mercy of God to be the efficient cause: Christ with his blood to be the matter or materiall cause: Faith conceyued by the woorde, to be the formall or instrumentall cause: Lastly, the glory both of the iustice & goodnes of God to be the final cause. Concerning the efficient cause, hee sayeth wee are iustified freely, and that verely by his grace. Therefore by this he sheweth howe all is of God and nothing of our selues. It might haue beene sufficient to haue opposed grace vnto merites: but least wee shoulde imagine an halfe righteousnesse, hauing added a repetition hee doeth more clearelye shewe foorth his mynde: and hath ascribed the true effect of righteousnesse to the onelye mercy of God, which righteousnesse the Sophisters rent in peeces and mayme, least they should be constrayned to confesse their owne pouerty.