A17643:439
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 For if we be grafted. By plainer words he proveth the argument, which he hath put down before. For, the similitude he bringeth in, taketh away all ambiguity because grafting doth not only note the conformity of example, but a secret conjunction, whereby we grow up together with him: so that he quickening us with his spirit; poureth his virtue into us. Therefore as a graft hath the condition of life and death ⟨image 86⟩common together with the tree in the which it is grafted: so it is reason we should no less be partakers of the life then of the death of Christ. For if we be grafted into the similitude of the death of Christ, and that is not without his resurrection: then no more shall our death be without a resurrection. But the words may have a two fold exposition, either that we are grafted in Christ into the similitude of his death: or simply we are grafted into his similitude. The first acception would require the greek Dative homoiomati, that is, to the similitude, to be referred to the showing of the manner. And I deny not but that hath a fuller sense, yet because the other agreeth better to the simplicity of the word, I have thought good to prefer it. Albeit it is but a small matter seeing both come to one sense.1 Chrysostom thinketh Paul said, the similitude of death, for death: as in another place,2 being made in the similitude of men. But me think I see some greater Emphasis in this word. For besides that it availeth to infer the resurrection, it seemeth to tend unto this, not that we should die like Christ by a natural death: but that we have this congruency with his death: that as he dyed in the flesh which he received of us, so we should die in our selves, that we may live in him. Then is it not the same death, but the like: for the resemblance or proportion between the death of this present life and spiritual renovation is to be noted. Grafted. This word is very significant, for it declareth plainly that the Apostle doth not exhort only, but rather delivereth the doctrine of the benefit of Christ. For he requireth not any thing of us, which is to be done by our study or industry:3 but he preacheth that grafting which is done by the hand of God. Neither is it convenient a man should go about to apply the metaphor or comparison to every part.