A17643:327
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.
13 For the promise, &c. Now he doeth more clearly repeat that antithesin or contrariety of the law and faith, with he touched before, with also is diligently to be noted: because if faith borrow nothing of the Law that it might justify, thence we understand, it hath respect unto nothing but the mercy of God.
13 For the promise, &c. Nowe hee doeth more clearely repeate that antithesin or contrarietie of the lawe and faith, wt he touched before, wt also is diligently to bee noted: because if faith borrow nothing of the Lawe yt it might iustifie, thence we vnderstande, it hath rsepect vnto nothing but the mercie of God.
Furthermore the imagination of those, which would have this to be spoken of ceremonies, is easily refuted: because if works brought any thing unto justification, then he should rather have said not by the written law, but by the law of nature.
Furthermore the imagination of those, which would haue this to bee spoken of ceremonies, is easely refuted: because if workes brought any thing vnto iustification, then hee shoulde rather haue sayde not by the written lawe, but by the lawe of nature.
But Paul doth not oppose spiritual holiness of life against ceremonies, but faith and his righteousness. The sum therefore is, the inheritance was promised to Abraham, not because he had deserved it by keeping the law, but because by faith he had obtained righteousness. And surely (as Paul straightways declareth) then do the consciences of men enjoy perfect peace, when they feel that to be freely given them, which is not due unto them by right.1 Hereupon also it followeth, that the benefit is no less common to the Gentiles then to the Jews, the cause of which benefit doth equally appertain unto both. For if mens salvation be founded upon the only goodness of God, they restrain and hinder the course thereof as much as in them lieth, who exclude the Gentiles from it. That he might be the heir of the world. Seeing eternal salvation is now in hand, the Apostle seemeth out of season to carry the readers unto the world. But generally under this word he comprehendeth, the instauration or restoring which was looked for in Christ.