A17643:429
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.
What shall we say then? In this whole Chapter the Apostle declareth, that they do wickedly rent Christ asunder, who imagine free righteousness to be given of him unto us, without newness of life. Although he goeth further, objecting, that then it seemeth there is place given unto grace, if men be plunged in sin. For we know there is nothing more ready, then that flesh should every way flatter it self, and that Satan should devise reproaches, wherewith he might slander the doctrine of grace, which thing to do is no hard matter for him.1 For seeing that is most strange unto mans reason, whatsoever is preached of Christ, it ought to be no marvel, if the flesh, after it hath hard the justification of faith, do so often (as it were) dash upon divers rocks. Howbeit we must go on, for Christ is not therefore to be suppressed, because he is unto many a stone of offence, and rock of stumbling. For look by what way he shall be unto the ruin of the wicked, the same way again he shall be to the rising of the godly. And yet notwithstanding we are alway to occur unreasonable questions, least the doctrine of Christ should seem to draw with it any absurdity.
WHat shall wee say then? In this whole Chapter the Apostle declareth, that they doe wickedly rente Christe asunder, who imagine free righteousnes to bee giuen of him vnto vs, without newnes of life. Although he goeth further, obiecting, that then it seemeth there is place giuen vnto grace, if men bee plunged in sinne. For wee knowe there is nothing more readie, then that fleshe shoulde euery way flatter it selfe, and that Satan shoulde deuise reproches, wherewith he might slaunder the docrine of grace, which thing to doe is no harde matter for him.1 For seeing that is most strange vnto mans reason, whatsoeuer is preached of Christe, it ought to bee no maruaile, if the flesh, after it hath hard the iustificatiō of faith, doe so often (as it were) dash vpon diuers rockes. Howbeit wee must goe on, for Christ is not therefore to be suppressed, because he is vnto many a stone of offence, and rocke of stumbling. For looke by what way he shalbe vnto the ruine of the wicked, the same way againe hee shal bee to the rising of the godly. And yet notwithstanding we are alway to occurre vnreasonable questions, least the docrine of Christ shoulde seeme to drawe with it any absurditie.