A17643:468
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 But being freed from sin. The meaning is, it is absurd, that any after he is delivered out of bondage, should abide in the condition of servitude: for he ought to defend that state of liberty which he hath received. It is not meet then, that you should be brought again under the power of sin, from the which you were delivered by the manumising of Christ. This argument is taken from the efficient cause. There followeth also another, taken from the final cause, namely, to this end are ye exempted from the servitude of sin, that ye might pass into the kingdom of righteousness: therefore ye ought to be altogether unmindful of sin, and to turn your whole mind unto righteousness, into the obedience whereof ye are brought. And it is to be noted, that no man can serve righteousness, except by the power and benefit of God,1 he be first delivered from the power and tyranny of sin. As Christ himself testifieth: If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free in deed. What then shall our preparations, by the virtue of our free will, be, if the beginning of goodness depend upon this manumission, which the only grace of God accomplisheth.
18 But beeing freed from sinne. The meaning is, it is absurde, that any after he is deliuered out of bondage, should abide in the condition of seruitude: for he ought to defende that state of libertie which he hath receiued. It is not meete then, that you should be brought agayne vnder the power of sinne, frō the which you were deliuered by the manumising of Christe. This argument is taken from the efficient cause. There followeth also another, taken from the finall cause, namely, to this ende are yee exempted from the seruitude of sinne, that yee might passe into the kingdome of righteousnesse: therefore ye ought to be altogether vnmindefull of sinne, and to turne your whole minde vnto righteousnesse, into the obedience whereof ye are brought. And it is to bee noted, that no man canne serue righteousnesse, except by the power and benefite of God,1 he be first deliuered from the power and tyrannie of sinne. As Christ himselfe testifieth: If the sonne shall make you free, yee shall bee free in deede. What then shall our preparations, by the vertue of our free will, be, if the beginning of goodnesse depend vppon this manumission, which the onely grace of God accomplisheth.