A17643:527
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.
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.1 And therefore is it well said, that the carnal man with the whole consent, and agreement of mind doeth rush into sin: and that the division or struggling, then first beginneth, when he is called of the Lord, and sanctified by his spirit.
For those stinges of conscience wherewith all they are stonge, arise rather of the contradiction of iudgement, then the contrary affection of the will. On the contrarie the godly, in whome the regeneration of GOD is begunne, are so diuided, that with a speciall desire of the heart they feruently aspire vnto GOD, they couette celestiall righteousnesse, and hate sinne: but agayne by the reliques of their fleshe they are drawen towardes the earth. Therefore whiles they are thus destracted, they fight against their nature, and their nature fighteth against them. And they doe not onely condemne their sinnes, because they are forced thereunto by the iudgement of reason: but because from the very heart they abhorre them, and are diipleased with them. This is that Christian warrefare, betweene the fleshe and the spirite, of the whiche Paule speaketh to the Galathians.1 And therefore is it well sayde, that the carnall man with the whole consente, and agreement of minde doeth rushe into sinne: and that the diuision or struggling, then first beginneth, when hee is called of the Lorde, and sanctified by his spirite.