A17643:440
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 between the grafting of trees and this our spiritual grafting, there will straightways appear a diversity: for, in that, the graft doth draw his nourishment from the root, but yet retaineth his natural property of bearing fruit: but in this insertion or grafting of ours, we do not only draw the juice and strength of life from Christ, but also we pass from our nature into his. Howbeit the mind of the Apostle is to note nothing else, then that efficacy of the death of Christ which showeth it self in the ⟨p. 73⟩mortification of our flesh: and that of his resurrection, to renew in us a better nature of the spirit.
For betwene the graftinge of trees and this oure spirituall graftinge, there will straightwayes appeare a diuersitie: for, in that, the graft dothe drawe his nourishment from the roote, but yet reteineth his naturall propertie of bearing fruite: but in this insertion or grafting of ours, wee doe not onely drawe the iuice and strength of life from Christe, but also wee passe from our nature into his. Howbeit the mynde of the Apostle is to note nothing els, then that efficacie of the death of Christe which sheweth it selfe in the ⟨p. 73⟩mortification of our fleshe: and that of his resurrection, to renew in vs a better nature of the spirit.
6 That our old man. It is called the old man, as the old testament is so called in respect of the new. For it beginneth to be old, when our regeneration being begun,1 it is by little and little destroyed, and he meaneth the whole nature, which we bring out of our mothers womb, which is so uncapable of the kingdom of God, t•• must needs perish so far forth, as we may be restored into […] life. He saith this old man is fastened to the cross of Christ, because through his virtue it is slain. And he hath precisely alluded unto the Cross, that he might expressly show,