A17643:541
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.
Both these names therefore, as well of the flesh as the spirit agree unto the soul:1 but the one unto that part of the soul which is regenerate, the other unto that which retaineth still his natural affection, To will is present with me. His meaning is not, that he had nothing but an uneffectuall desire: but he denieth that the efficacy of the work answered his will: because the flesh hindered him, that he could not exactly do that he did. And so also understand that which followeth, namely, to do the evil he would not: because the flesh of the godly doth not only let them, that they cannot run speedily: but also putteth many impediments in their way whereat they stumble. They do it not therefore,2 because they perform it not with such alacrity as were meet. Wherefore this will he speaketh of, is the readiness of faith, whiles the holy spirit doth so frame the godly, that they are ready, and study to give their members to obey the Lord. And because their strength is not sufficient, Paul saith, he found not that were to be wished: namely the effect of a good desire.
Both these names therefore, as wel of the flesh as the spirit agree vnto the soule:1 but the one vnto that part of the soule which is regenerate, the other vnto that which reteyneth stil his naturall affection, To will is present with mee. His meaning is not, that he had nothing but an vneffectuall desire: but he denyeth that the efficacie of the woorke aunsweared his will: because the flesh hindered him, yt he could not exactly doe yt he did. And so also vnderstand yt which followeth, namely, to do ye euil he would not: because the flesh of the godly doth not onely let them, that they cannot runne speedily: but also putteth many impedimentes in their way whereat they stumble. They doe it not therefore,2 because they performe it not with suche alacritye as were meete. Wherefore this will he speaketh of, is the readinesse of faith, whyles the holy spirite doth so frame the godly, that they are redie, and studie to giue theyr members to obey the Lorde. And because their strength is not sufficient, Paule saith, hee founde not that were to bee wished: namely the effecte of a good desire.