A17643:358
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.
Let us also remember, how all of us are in the same predicament with Abraham. The things are about us, are all aduersaunte to the promises of God. He promiseth immortality: and we are clothed with mortality and corruption. He pronounceth that he accounteth us for just: we are covered with sins. He testifieth that he is merciful and benevolent to us: his external judgements threaten his wrath. What shall we do then? With closed eyes we must pass over our selves and all that is ours, that nothing hinder or let us, wherefore we should not believe that God is true. But he was strong. This is opposed against that sentence went before, where it was said, he was not weak in faith: as if he should have said, through constancy and firmness of faith he overcame incredulity. For none shall go a Conqueror out of this field, but he, which shall borrow weapons and strength out of the word of God. Whereas he addeth,1 that he gave glory to God, therein we are to note, there can no greater honour be given unto God, than whiles by faith we subscribe his truth: as again there is no greater contumely can be done against him, then whiles the grace he offereth is refused, or authority is taken from his word. Wherefore this is the chiefest point of his worship, obediently to embrace his promises: & true religion beginneth at faith.
Let vs also remember, howe all of vs are in the same predicament with Abraham. The thinges are aboute vs, are all aduersaunte to the promises of God. Hee promiseth immortalitie: and we are clothed with mortality and corruption. He pronounceth that he accounteth vs for iust: wee are couered with sinnes. Hee testifieth that he is mercifull and beneuolent to vs: his externall iudgementes threaten his wrath. What shall we doe then? With closed eyes we must passe ouer our selues and all that is ours, that nothing hinder or let vs, wherefore we shoulde not beleeue that God is true. But he was strong. This is opposed agaynst that sentence went before, where it was sayd, he was not weake in faith: as if he shoulde haue saide, through constancie and firmenesse of faith hee ouercame incredulity. For none shall goe a Conquerour out of this field, but he, which shall borrow weapons and strength out of the word of God. Wheras he addeth,1 that he gaue glory to God, therin we are to note, there cā no greater honour be giuē vnto God, thē whiles by faith wee subscribe his truth: as agayne there is no greater contumely can be done against him, then whiles the grace he offereth is refused, or authoritie is taken from his worde. Wherfore this is ye chiefest poynt of his worship, obediently to imbrace his promises: & true religion beginneth at faith.