A17643:381
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.
5 Hope maketh not ashamed. That is to say, it hath a most sure issue of health. Whereby appeareth we are exercised of the Lord in adversities to this end, that our salvation might be promoted by these degrees. Then can not miseries which after a sort are helpers to blessedness, make us miserable. And so is that proved he said, namely, that the godly have matter of glorying in the middest of afflictions. Because the love of God. I do not refer this only unto the word went last before, but unto the whole sentence: therefore I say we are provoked or quickened by tribulations unto patience, and patience is an experiment unto us of the help of God, whereby we are the rather encouraged unto hope: for how so ever we be pressed, and seem such as should straightways be overthrown: yet we cease not to feel the favour of God towards us, which is a most fruitful consolation, and far more ample then if all things happened prosperously.1 For, as when God is angry, that is misery it self, which in show seemeth to be felicity: so when he is pleased, sure it is that even calamities shall have a prosperous and happy success. Seeing all things must serve the will of the creator: who according to his fatherly favour towards us (as Paul will repeat again in the eight chapter) tempereth all the exercises of adversities to our salvation. This knowledge of the love of God towards us is put into our hearts by the spirit of God. For the good things which God hath prepared for his worshippers, are hidden both from the ears, and eyes, and minds of men: it is the spirit only which can reveal them. And this participle, shed abroad.
5 Hope maketh not ashamed. That is to say, it hath a most sure ishewe of health. Whereby appeareth wee are exercised of the Lorde in aduersities to this ende, that our saluation might bee promoted by these degrees. Then can not miseries which after a sort are helpers to blessednesse, make vs miserable. And so is that prooued hee saide, namely, that the godly haue matter of glorying in the middest of afflictions. Because the loue of God. I do not referre this onely vnto the worde went last before, but vnto the whole sentence: therefore I say we are prouoked or quickened by tribulations vnto patience, and patience is an experiment vnto vs of the helpe of God, whereby wee are the rather incouraged vnto hope: for howe so euer wee bee pressed, and seeme such as shoulde straightwayes bee ouerthrowen: yet wee cease not to feele the fauour of God towardes vs, which is a most fruitfull consolation, and farre more ample then if all thinges happened prosperously.