A17643:422
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.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offence should abound: for where sin abounded, grace super abounded.
20 Moreouer the lawe entred that the offence shoulde abound: for where sinne abounded, grace super abounded.
21 That as sin reigned by death, so might grace also reign by righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
21 That as sinne raigned by death, so might grace also raigne by righteousnes vnto eternal life through Iesus Christ our Lord.
20 Moreover the law entered. This question dependeth of that he said before: namely, that sin was before the law were published: for that being once heard, this followed straightways, to what end then was the law needful? Wherefore of necessity this difficulty was to be unfolden: but because then it was not meet to make any longer digression, he differed it unto this place. And now also by the way he doth dispatch it,1 saying, the law entered, that sin might abound. He doth not here show the whole office & use of the law: but toucheth one only part, which served for the present purpose. For he teacheth, that to the end the grace of God might have place, it was expedient men should better see their own destruction. They were verily before the law castaways: yet because they did seem unto themselves to swim in their own destruction, they are thrust down into the deep, that their deliverance might be the more excellent, whiles beyond all mans judgement they escape thence. Neither was it absurd that the law should partly be given for this cause, that men already once condemned, it might twice condemn: for there is nothing more just, then that men by all means might be brought, yea being convicted might be drawn to feel their evils. That sin might abound. It is known how some after Augustine are wont to expound this place: namely, that concupiscence is so much the more provoked, whiles it is restrained by the bars of the law: because it is natural unto man to strive after that is forbidden. But I understand no other augmentation to be noted here, then of knowledge and obstinacy. For by the law, sin is laid open