A17643:454
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.
13 And give not your members weapons of unrighteousness unto sin: but give your selves to God, as living from the dead: and your members weapons of righteousness unto God.
13 And giue not your members weapons of vnrighteousnesse vnto sinne: but giue your selues to God, as liuinge from the dead: and your members weapons of righteousnes vnto God.
12 Let not sin therefore reign. Now he beginneth an exhortation, which voluntarily ariseth out of the doctrine which he delivered of our communication with Christ: albeit sin abideth in us, yet is it absurd that it should be of power to reign in us, for the virtue of sanctification ought to have the superiority over it, that our life might testify, we are indeed the members of Christ. Of late I admonished that this word, body, is not to be taken for the flesh, skin, and bones,1 but (if I may say so) for the whole mass of man. And that may be gathered more certainly out of this present place: because another member which he will add straight ways concerning the parts of the body, is also extended unto the soul. And so Paul meaneth even grossly the earthly man. For the corruption of our nature causeth, that we show forth nothing worthy of our original. So God also whiles he complaineth that man is become flesh or carnal as the brute beasts, leaveth nothing unto him, but that is earthly.2 Hereunto appertaineth that saying of Christ. That which is borne of flesh is flesh.3 For if any object that there is another consideration of the soul: the answer is at hand, namely, as we are ⟨image 89⟩now degenerate, our souls are so fastened to the earth, and so addicted to our bodies, that they are fallen from their dignity or excellency. Furthermore, the nature of man is called corporal, because he being deprived of celestial grace, is only a certain deceivable shadow or image. And add, that this body is called mortal of Paul by contempt, that he might teach how the whole nature of man inclineth unto death and destruction. Now verily he calleth sin, that first corruption abiding in our souls, which draweth us to sin, whence properly all evil deeds, and abominations flow. Between that and us he putteth concupiscences in the middest, that that might be in steed of a king, concupiscences as statutes, and commandments.