A17643:526
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.
This difference therefore there is between them and the faithful, ⟨p. 88⟩that they (meaning the wicked) are never so blinded,1 and hardened in their minds, but if they be admonished of their abominations, in the judgement of their own conscience they condemn them. For knowledge is not utterly extinguished in them, but they retain a difference of right and wrong. Sometime also through the feeling of their sin they are so shaken with horror, that even in this life they sustain a kind a damnation. Nevertheless they like sin with their whole heart: and therefore without any true resistance of the affection, they give them selves unto it.
This difference therefore there is betweene them and the faithfull, ⟨p. 88⟩that they (meaning the wicked) are neuer so blinded,1 and hardened in their mindes, but if they be admonished of their abhominations, in the iudgement of their owne conscience they condemne them. For knowledge is not vtterly extinguished in them, but they reteine a difference of right and wrong. Sometime also through the feeling of their sinne they are so shaken with horrour, that euen in this life they sustaine a kinde a damnation. Neuerthelesse they like sinne with their whole heart: and therfore without any true resistaunce of the affection, they giue them selues vnto it.
- 1A difference between the sting of sin in the wicked, & the feeling of sin in the godly.A difference between the sting of sinne in the wicked, & the feeling of sinne in the godly.
For those stings of conscience wherewith all they are stung, arise rather of the contradiction of judgement, then the contrary affection of the will. On the contrary the godly, in whom the regeneration of GOD is begun, are so divided, that with a special desire of the heart they fervently aspire unto GOD, they covet celestial righteousness, and hate sin: but again by the relics of their flesh they are drawn towards the earth. Therefore whiles they are thus distracted, they fight against their nature, and their nature fighteth against them. And they do not only condemn their sins, because they are forced thereunto by the judgement of reason: but because from the very heart they abhor them, and are displeased with them. This is that Christian warfare, between the flesh and the spirit, of the which Paul speaketh to the Galatians.