A17643:467
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.
Hereupon we may gather, that we are not therefore freed from the servitude of the law, that we should sin: because the law doeth not loose his dominion or power, before the grace of God have taken us to it self, that it might restore righteousness in us: and therefore it is impossible we should be under sin, when the grace of God reigneth in us. For we showed before, that under this word is contained the spirit of regeneration, you have obeyed from the heart. Here also Paul compareth by the way of contrariety, the secrete virtue of the spirit, ⟨p. 78⟩with the external letter, as though he said, Christ inwardly frameth our hearts better, then if the law should force them by threatening, and terrifying. And so is that obloquy done away, namely, if Christ deliver us from the subjection of the law, he bringeth liberty of sin:1 Seeing he doth not deliver his, that they should live as they list, or that they should triumph without modesty, as loose horses through the fields: but leadeth them unto the best kind of life. Although Erasmus following the old interpreter chooseth rather to translate it form, I am constrained to leave this word type, which word Paul useth: except some peradventure had rather turn it example. For he seemeth unto me to note the express image of that righteousness, which Christ graveth in our harts. And that answereth to the prescript or determinate rule of the law, whereunto all our actions ought to be formed, that they lean not to the right or left hand.
Hereuppon we may gather, yt we are not therefore freed from the seruitude of the law, that we should sinne: because the lawe doeth not loose his dominion or power, before the grace of God haue taken vs to it selfe, that it might restore righteousnes in vs: and therfore it is impossible we should be vnder sinne, when the grace of God raigneth in vs. For we shewed before, that vnder this woorde is conteyned the spirite of regeneration, you haue obeyed from the hearte. Here also Paule compareth by the way of contrarietie, the secrete vertue of the spirite, ⟨p. 78⟩with the externall letter, as though he saide, Christ inwardly frameth our heartes better, then if the lawe shoulde force them by threatning, and terrifiyng. And so is that obloquie done away, namely, if Christ deliuer vs from the subiection of the lawe, he bringeth libertie of sinne: