A17643:286
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.
28 We determine therefore, that a man is justified by faith without the works of the law.
28 VVee determine therefore, that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the lawe.
27 Where then is the glorying? After that the Apostle hath sufficiently by firm reasons beaten men down from the confidence of works, he now taunteth their vanity. This exclamation or acclamation to the thing already declared and proved was necessary: for in this cause it did not suffice to teach except by greater vehemency of the holy Ghost, he should lighten and thunder against our pride to overthrow it. And undoubtedly he saith that glorying is excluded, because we can bring nothing of our own, which is worthy to be approved, or commended of God. If merit be the matter of glorying, whether you terme it de congruo, which is, apt, fit, or convenient, 1or whether you call it, de condigno, that is, worthy, whereby man reconcileth God unto himself: here thou seest they are both overthrown. For here he speaketh of no diminishing, or moderating: but Paul verily leaveth no drop of merit. Moreover, if the glorying of works be so taken away by faith, the faith cannot purely be preached, but in giving all unto the mercy of God, man must needs be spoiled of all praise: it followeth then, that we are not holpen by any works to the obtaining of righteousness. Of works? How doth the Apostle here deny our merits to be excluded by the law, seeing before he proved our damnation out of the law? For if the law make us subject to death, what glory shall we get out of it? Or rather doeth it not cover us, being deprived of all glory, with shame or reproach? But then he showed, how our sin is laid open by the detection of the Law, because we are all fallen from the observation of it. And here he meaneth, if righteousness were in the law of works, our glorying were not excluded: ⟨image 58⟩but because it is of faith only, therefore we cann• challenge nothing to our selves: for faith receiveth all from God, it bringeth nothing but a humble confession of need or want. And the Antithesis or contrariety of faith and works is to be noted: wherein without addition works are put universally. Therefore, he neither entreateth of ceremonies only, nor yet of the external show of works: but comprehendeth all the merits of works which can be imagined. The name Law is given unto faith improperly: but yet this darkeneth not the sense of the Apostle.