A17643:524
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.
Finally, by the text it may sufficiently appear, and partly it hath been already declared, that under the name of flesh, is comprehended what so ever men bring with them out of their mothers womb. And men being taken for such as they are borne, and for such as they be so long as they retain their own wit, are called flesh: for as they are corrupt, so they neither savour nor breathe any thing, but that is gross and earthly.1 On the contrary the spirit is called the renewing of our corrupt nature, whiles God reformeth us to his image. And hence cometh that kind of speech, because that newness which is wrought in us is the gift of the spirit. Wherefore the integrity of the doctrine of the law, is set against the corruption of mans nature. The meaning therefore is, the law requireth a certain celestial, and angelical righteousness, wherein there should appear no blot, to whose cleanness nothing ought to be wanting: but I carnal man can do nothing but strive against it. And that interpretation of Origen, which notwithstang before this time, it hath pleased many, is unworthy to be refuted. He saith the law is called spiritual of Paul, because the Scripture is not literally to be understood. What is this unto the present cause? sold under sin. By this parcel he showeth, what flesh is of it self. For by nature, man is no less the bondslave of sin,2 then those bondmen are bought with money, whom their masters abuse at their pleasure, like Oxen or Asses: we are so utterly mastered under the power of sin, that our whole mind, heart, and all our actions bend towards sin. I do alway except coaction: for voluntarily we sin, because it were no sin, except it were voluntary. But we are so addicted unto sin, that we can do nothing freely but sin: because that corruption ruleth in us, draweth us hereunto. Wherefore this similitude importeth not (as they say) a coacted or forced astriction or tying, but a voluntary obsequy, whereunto the engrafted servitude addicteth us.
Finally, by the text it may sufficiently appeare, and partly it hath been alreadie declared, that vnder the name of fleshe, is comprehended what so euer men bring with them out of their mothers wombe. And men being taken for such as they are borne, and for such as they be so long as they reteyne their owne witte, are called fleshe: for as they are corrupt, so they neither sauoure nor breathe any thing, but that is grosse and earthly.