A17643:490
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.
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:1 but somtimes it signifieth the mutual right of wedlocke, sometimes the authoritie of the husband, to whom the wife is subiect, sometimes the doctrine of Moses. And we are to remember, that Paule doth here touch that part only, which is proper vnto the ministerie of Moses. For as concerning the tenne commandements wherein God hath deliuered what is right, & hath ordered our life, wee are not to dreame of any abrogation of the lawe: because the will of God ought to stand for euer. Therefore we are diligently to remember, that this deliuerance, is not from that righteousnes is taught in the law: but from the seuere exaction of the law, and that curse proceedeth thence. Thē ⟨p. 82⟩the rule of life, which the law prescribeth is not abrogated: but that qualitie which is opposed to the liberty purchased by Christ, namely, whiles it requireth absolute perfection: because we perfourme it not, it holdeth vs bounde vnder ye gilt of eternal death. But because his meaning was not, heere to decide what the right of matrimonie is: he was not greatly carefull to reckō vp the causes, which make a woman free from her husband. Vnaptly therefore should sure doctrine in that respect be sought for here.