A17643:313
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.
How shall God take punishment of those sins he doth not impute? therefore there remaineth sound unto us,1 this most excellent sentence, he is justified by faith, who is purged or cleansed before God by the free remission of his sins. Moreover hence may be gathered the perpetual continuance of free righteousness or justification through the whole life. For when David being wearied with the continual sting of his conscience, burst forth into this saying, he spake surely by his own experience. And now also he had served God many years. Therefore after great proceedings, or goings forward, at the length he proved it by experience true, that all they are miserable which are cited before the judgement state of God: crying out there is none other way to obtain blessedness, then if the Lord receive us into favour by not imputing ⟨image 63⟩our sins. Whereby the imagination of those is very well refuted, which dream that the righteousness of faith, is but the entrance, so that the faithful by works retain the possession of righteousness,2 which righteousness they did not obtain by any merits. Where as some times works are said to be imputed unto righteousness, and also other beatitudes are reckoned, that doth nothing prejudice the sentence of Paul. The psal.. 106.30. 3saith it was imputed for righteousness unto Phinehas the priest of the Lord, that in taking punishment upon the adulterer and the harlot, he took away the reproach of Israel. In deed we hear in this place how a man did a good work: but we know a man is not justified for one deed. For there is required a perfect and most absolute obedience, as the promise saith: He that shall do these shall live in them.4 Howe then is this punishment of Phinehas imputed unto him for righteousness? surely it must needs be, he was justified before by the grace of God. For they which have put on the righteousness of Christ, have God not only favourable to them selves,5 but also to their works: whose spots & moles are covered with the purity of Christ, that they come not into judgement: whereby works being infected with no corruptions are counted just: and that no work of man can any otherwise then by this favour please God, it is evident. And if the righteousness of faith be the only cause why our works are counted just: