A17643:461
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.
18 And being freed from sin, ye are made the servants of righteousness.
18 And being freed from sinne, ye are made the seruants of righteousnesse.
14 For sin shall not have dominion. It is not necessary to abide long in reciting and refuting those expositions which have none or but little show of truth. There is one which may more probably be suffered then the rest: namely which taketh this word under the law. For, to be subject unto the letter of the law, which doth not renew the mind: as again, to be under grace, is as much, as by the spirit of grace to be freed from evil concupiscences. But that exposition is not simply allowed of me. For if we take that sense, whereunto shall that interrogation tend which followeth straight ways? Shall we sin because we are not under the law? The Apostle would never have subjected such a question, except be had meant, that we are freed from the rigour of the law, that God might no more deal with us according to extreme justice: wherefore, there is no doubt but his meaning is to show here some deliverance from the bondage of the law of the Lord. But all contention laid apart, I will briefly declare what I think. And first here seemeth unto me to be a consolation, wherewith the faithful are confirmed, that they faint ⟨image 90⟩not in the study of holiness, through the feeling of their weakness. He did exhort them that they should apply all their powers unto the obedience of righteousness. But so long as they carry about the relics of the flesh, they must needs halt somewhat. Therefore least they, being overcome with the knowledge of their infirmity, should despair, he preventeth this in time, comforting them in this, that their works are not to be examined according to the severe rule of the law, but their impurity being remitted, God doth favourably & mercifully accept of them. The yoke of the law cannot be borne, but it breaketh or crusheth those that bear it: it remaineth therefore that the faithful flee unto Christ, and desire him to be their deliverer. And so he offereth himself. For to this end took he upon him the servitude of the law, whereunto otherwise he was not a debtor, that he might deliver those were under the law, as the Apostle saith unto the Galatians.