A17643:496
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.
He addeth again, so long as the affections of the flesh were ruled under the law, they brought forth fruit unto death, that they might show, how the law by it self killeth, whereby it followeth that they are foolish, who so greatly covet after that service, bringeth death.
He addeth againe, so long as the affections of the fleshe were ruled vnder the law, they brought foorth fruite vnto death, that they might shew, how the lawe by it selfe killeth, whereby it followeth that they are foolish, who so greatly couet after that seruice, bringeth death.
6 But now we are freed from the law. He pursueth his argument from contraries, if the band of the law did so little prevail to bridle the flesh, that it was rather an increment of sin: then of necessity must we be loosed, that we may cease to sin. If then we be freed from the bondage of the law, that we might serve God: they do wickedly, which take from hence liberty of sinning. And they speak wickedly, which say by this means the reins are loosed to concupiscence. Note therefore, we are then loosed from the law, when God doth indue us, being freed from the severe exaction, and curse thereof, with his spirit, that we might walk in his ways. Being dead to it. This part containeth a reason, or rather showeth the manner whereby we are delivered: namely, whiles the law is ⟨image 97⟩so far forth abrogated from us, that we be not oppressed with the burden thereof: or least that the severe rigour thereof overwhelm us in the Curse. In the newness of the spirit. He opposeth the spirit against the letter, because, before that our will by the holy Ghost, be formed unto the will of God, we have nothing in the law but the outward letter:1 which in deed bridleth our external actions, but it restraineth not the fury of our concupiscence at all. He attributeth newness unto the spirit, because it succeedeth in the stead of the old man: as the Letter is called old, which perisheth by the regeneration of the spirit.