A17643:335
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.
15 For the law &c. This is a confirmation of the former sentence, taken from the contrary effect of the law. For seeing the law begetteth nothing but vengeance, it cannot bring grace. To those were good and perfect it would show the way of righteousness:1 but in as much as it commandeth those are sinful & corrupt, what they ought to do, and ministereth not strength to perform the same, it proveth them guilty before the judgement seat of God. For such is the corruption of our nature, that the more we are taught what is just and right, the more plainly is our iniquity discovered,2 and chiefly our disobedience: and so the greater judgement of God is procured. By wrath understand the judgement of God, in which signification it is often used. They which understand it, that the wrath of the sinner is inflamed by the law, because he hateth and curseth the Lawgiver, whom he seeth to be aduersant to his lusts: They say that wittily, but yet unfitly in respect of the present place. For, that Paul would not any thing else but show, how nothing except condemnation ⟨p. 54⟩cometh unto us all by the law, both the common use of the word, and also the reason which he addeth straightways doth declare. Where there is no law. The second proof whereby he confirmeth that which he said. For otherwise it would have been obscure how the wrath of God should be kindled against us by the law, unless the reason were more apparent. And that is, because we having tasted the knowledge of the justice of God by the law,3 offend so much the more grievously against God, as there remaineth less excuse unto us. For they are worthy to sustain more grievous punishment, which despise the known will of God, then they sin of ignorance. The Apostle speaketh not of the simple transgression of righteousness, from the which no man is exempted: but he calleth that transgression, when a mans mind, being taught what doth please or displease God, doth wittingly and willingly burst the bounds prescribed unto him by the word of God. And that I may speak in a word, transgression here doeth not signify a simple offence, but a purposed stubbornness in violating justice. I take this particle ou adverbially, to wit, for where. Others turn it, whereof, as though it were a pronoun relative: but the first reading agreeth best, which is also most received.