A17643:489
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.
After the death of the law, Christ took us, that is, joined us being freed from the law, unto himself. Therefore we being joined unto Christ risen from the dead, ought to cleave unto him only: and as the life of Christ after his resurrection is eternal, so after this there shall be no divorcement.
After the death of the lawe, Christe took vs, that is, ioyned vs being freed from the law, vnto himselfe. Therefore wee beeing ioyned vnto Christ risen from the dead, ought to cleaue vnto him only: and as the life of Christ after his resurrection is eternall, so after this there shall be no diuorcement.
Moreover, the word law is not alway here put in one and the same sense:1 but sometimes it signifieth the mutual right of wedlock, sometimes the authority of the husband, to whom the wife is subject, sometimes the doctrine of Moses. And we are to remember, that Paul doth here touch that part only, which is proper unto the ministry of Moses. For as concerning the ten commandments wherein God hath delivered what is right, & hath ordered our life, we are not to dream of any abrogation of the law: because the will of God ought to stand for ever. Therefore we are diligently to remember, that this deliverance, is not from that righteousness is taught in the law: but from the severe exaction of the law, and that curse proceedeth thence. Then ⟨p. 82⟩the rule of life, which the law prescribeth is not abrogated: but that quality which is opposed to the liberty purchased by Christ, namely, whiles it requireth absolute perfection: because we perform it not, it holdeth us bound under the gilt of eternal death. But because his meaning was not, here to decide what the right of matrimony is: he was not greatly careful to reckon up the causes, which make a woman free from her husband. Unaptly therefore should sure doctrine in that respect be sought for here.
Moreouer, the word law is not alway here put in one and the same sence: