A17643:379
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.
For wheresoever there is an advancing of health: there wanteth no matter of glorying. Here then we are taught, what is the end of our tribulations if we will show our selves the sons of God. For they ought to inure us unto patience: and except they do so, the work of God through our corruption is made void and of none effect. For whence proveth he that adversities hinder not the glory of the godly, but because ⟨p. 62⟩in bearing them patiently, they feel the help of God, which nourisheth and confirmeth their hope? therefore it is sure they profit but ill which learn not patience. Neither doeth it let, that there are extant in the Scriptures certain complaints of the godly full of desperation. For God sometimes for a while doeth so urge and repress his, that scarcely they can breath, or think upon consolation: but straightways he bringeth again unto life, those whom he had almost overwhelmed in the mist of death. So that is alway fulfilled in them which Paul saith. We are afflicted on every side,1 yet are we not in distress, in poverty, yet not overcome of poverty: we are persecuted, but not forsaken. Cast down, but we perish not. Tribulation patience. 2That cometh not of the nature of tribulation, whereby we see some men are provoked to murmur against God, yea even to curse GOD. But when as the inward meekness which be infused by the spirit of God, and consolation which is suggested by the same spirit, hath succeeded in the place of stubbornness or frowardness: tribulations are instruments to beget patience, which tribulations can procure nothing in the obstinate but indignation and murmuring.
For wheresoeuer there is an aduauncing of health: there wanteth no matter of glorying. Heere then wee are taught, what is the ende of our tribulations if wee will shewe our selues the sonnes of God. For they ought to inure vs vnto patience: and except they doe so, the worke of God through our corruption is made voyde and of none effecte. For whence prooueth hee that aduersities hinder not the glory of the godly, but because ⟨p. 62⟩in bearing them patiently, they feele the help of God, which nourisheth and confirmeth their hope? therefore it is sure they profite but ill which learne not patience. Neither doeth it let, that there are extant in the Scriptures certaine complayntes of the godly full of desperation. For God sometimes for a while doeth so vrge and represse his, that scarsely they can breath, or thinke vpon consolation: but strayghtwayes he bringeth againe vnto life, those whom hee had almost ouerwhelmed in the miste of death. So that is alway fulfilled in them whiche Paule saith. Wee are afflicted on euery side,