A17643:477
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.
21 What fruit therefore, &c. He could not any way more substantially express his mind, then by appealing to their conscience, and as it were in their person to be ashamed. For the godly as soon as they begin to be illuminated by the spirit of Christ, and the preaching of the Gospel, all the former part of their life, which they have led out of Christ, they do willingly acknowledge to have been damnable: and they are so far from going about to excuse themselves, that rather they are ashamed of them selves. And also they do alway call to mind the remembrance of their ignominy, to the end they being so ashamed, might more truly, and more readily be humbled before the Lord. Neither is it in vain he saith, Now ye are ashamed. For he insinuateth, with how blind love of our selves we are taken, whiles we are plunged in the mists of sin, that we esteem not of so great uncleanness in us. It is only the light of the Lord, which can open our eyes, that they may see the corruption lurketh in our flesh.
21 What fruite therefore, &c. He could not anie way more substantially expresse his mynd, then by appealing to their conscience, and as it were in their person to be ashamed. For the godly assoone as they beginne to be illuminated by the spirite of Christ, and the preaching of the Gospell, all the former parte of their life, which they haue led out of Christ, they doe willingly acknowledge to haue beene damnable: and they are so farre from goyng about to excuse themselues, that rather they are ashamed of them selues. And also they doe alway call to mynde the remembraunce of their ignominy, to the ende they being so ashamed, might more truely, and more readily bee humbled before the Lord. Neyther is it in vayne he saith, Now yee are ashamed. For he insinuateth, with howe blynde loue of our selues we are taken, whiles we are plunged in the mistes of sinne, that we esteeme not of so great vncleannesse in vs. It is onely the light of the Lorde, which can open our eyes, that they may see the corruption lurketh in our flesh.
1To conclude therefore, he is endued with the principles of Christian philosophy, who indeed is displeased with himself, & hath learned well to be ashamed of his own misery. Finally by the consequent he showeth yet more plainly, how greatly they ought to be ashamed, when they understand, that they were even at the threshold of death & destruction: yea were already entered the gates of death, if they had not been drawn back by the mercy of God.