A17643:288
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.
For his meaning is, that when we are once come unto the rule of faith, then all the glory of works is overthrown: as if he should say, the righteousness of works verily is commended in the law, but faith hath a law of his own, which leaveth no righteousness in works whatsoever they be.
For his meaning is, that when wee are once come vnto the rule of faith, then all the glorie of woorkes is ouerthrowen: as if hee shoulde saye, the righteousnesse of woorkes veryly is commended in the lawe, but faith hath a lawe of his owne, which leaueth no righteousnesse in workes whatsoeuer they be.
28 We have determined therefore. Now he gathereth the principal proposition, as though it were now out of all controversy, adding also an explication. For justification by faith is made very clear, whiles works are excluded by name. Therefore our adversaries at this day labour nothing more, then that faith might be entangled with the merit of works. They confess a man is justified by faith: but not by sole faith. Yea in very deed they place the power of justification in charity, howsoever in words they give it unto faith. But Paul in this place doeth make justification so free, that he maketh it evident how in no sort it can stand with any merit of works. I have showed before why he nameth the works of the law: and also I have declared those to be ridiculous which restrain it unto ceremonies. Their imagination also is childish which take the works of the law for external or literal works, which are done without the spirit of Christ But rather the Epitheton is as much of value as if he had called them meritorious:1 because he hath regard unto the reward promised in the law. Whereas James sayeth a man is not justified by faith only, but by works: it is nothing contrary to the former sentence. The reconciliation dependeth chiefly upon the state of that argument of the which James entreateth in that place. For in that place the question is not how men get unto them righteousness before God: but how they approve ⟨p. 45⟩