A17643:494
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.
6 But now we are delivered from the law, being dead unto it, wherein we were holden: that we should serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.
6 But now we are deliuered from the law, being dead vnto it, wherein we were holden: that we should serue in newnes of the spirite, and not in oldnesse of the letter.
5 For when we were. By the contrary he showeth yet more plainly, how ill those, that are zealous of the law, deal, to detain the faithful yet under the power thereof. For so long as the literal doctrine of the law ruleth and beareth sway, the lasciviousness of the flesh is not bridled, but rather it increaseth. Whereby it followeth that the kingdom of righteousness is not established, till Christ have freed us from the law. And withal Paul admonisheth what works do become us being loosed from the law. So long therefore as a man is holden under the yoke of the law, by sinning continually, he can bring nothing unto himself but death. If the service of the law begetteth sin only, then deliverance which is contrary must tend unto righteousness: if that lead unto death, then this unto life. But let us consider the very words of Paul. Whiles he goeth about to describe that time, wherein we were under the dominion of the law, he saith we were in the flesh. Whereby we understand, that all they which are under the law, ⟨p. 83⟩reap nothing else thereby, then that without fruit and efficacy their ears are beaten with the external breath thereof: seeing they are inwardly destitute of the spirit of God. Therefore they must needs abide altogether corrupt, & perverse, until a better remedy come to heal their disease. And note the usual phrase of the Scripture, to be in the flesh, for,1 to be endued only with the gifts of nature, without that special grace, wherewith God vouchsafeth his elect. Furthermore, if this whole state of life be corrupt it is apparent that naturally there is no part of our soul sound: neither is there any other power of free will, but that it may send forth evil affections as darts into every part. Affections of sins which are by the law. That is, the law did stir up evil affections in us, which did declare their efficacy in all our members. For there is no part, which did not serve the evil affections. This is the work of the law: namely, to inflame our hearts the more, that they should burst forth into such lusts, if that inward master of the spirit be not present. But observe here, that the law is matched with the corrupt nature of man: whose perversity and lust, the more it is restrained by the bars of the law, the more furiously it bursteth forth.