A17643:307
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.
4 For to him that worketh. He calleth him a worker, not every one that is addicted unto good works, which study ought to flourish in all the sons of God:1 but him that deserveth some thing by his merits: likewise he counteth him a non worker, or one that worketh not, to whom nothing is due by the merit of works. Neither is his meaning that he would have the faithful uprofitable, or idle Loiterers: but he forbiddeth them only to be hirelings, who whatsoever they ask of God, they crave it as of right due unto them. And we have already admonished, how the question is not here, after what sort we should frame our life, but the question is of the cause of salvation. And he reasoneth from the contrary, that God doth not pay unto us righteousness as of debt: but doth frankly give it unto us, that we might ascribe it to him. And I truly am of Bucers mind, who showeth the form of reasoning, not to be drawn from one word, but from an whole sentence, after this manner, if there be any that meriteth any thing by his work, the thing merited is not imputed unto him of grace: but is paid unto him as of debt or duty. Faith is counted unto righteousness, not as though it brought any merit from us,2 but because it apprehendeth the goodness of God. Therefore is righteousness no debt unto us, but given us freely. For because Christ at our prayer or suit doth justify us by faith, Paul doeth always therein consider our evacuation or emptiness. For what do we believe, but Christ to be the satisfaction for our sins, that he might reconcile us to God? The same, though in other words,3 is in the Epistle to the Galath. ⟨image 62⟩that no man is justified by the law it is evident, for the just by faith shall live. But the law is not of faith: but he that shall do these, shall live in them. For because the law promiseth wages unto works, thereupon he concludeth the righteousness of faith which is free, not to agree with ye of works. Which cannot hold if faith do justify in respect of works. These comparisons are diligently to be observed wherein all merit is utterly done away.
4 For to him that worketh. He calleth him a worker, not euery one that is addicted vnto good woorkes, whiche studie ought to floorish in all the sonnes of God: