A17643:542
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.
Hereunto appertaineth the confession that next followeth: namely, that he did not the good he would, but rather the evil which he would not: namely, because the faithful, howsoever they be right minded, yet being privy to their own infirmity, they esteem no work to proceed from them without fault. For seeing Paul entreateth not here of a few faults of the Godly, but in general noteth the whole course of their life, we gather that their best works are alway stained with some blot of sin: so that no reward is to be hoped for, but so far forth as God doeth pardon them.
Heereunto apperteineth the confession that next followeth: namely, that hee did not the good hee woulde, but rather the euyll which hee woulde not: namely, because the faithfull, howsoeuer they bee right minded, yet beeing priuie to theyr owne infirmitie, they esteeme no worke to proceede from them without faulte. For seeing Paule intreateth not heere of a fewe faultes of the Godly, but in generall noteth the whole course of their life, wee gather that their best woorkes are alwaye stayned with some blot of sinne: so that no reward is to be hoped for, but so farre forth as God doeth pardon them.
Finally, he repeateth that sentence, namely that so far forth as he is endued with celestial light, he is a faithful witness and subscriber to the righteousness of the law. Whereby it followeth, that if we had the pure integrity of nature, the law should not be deadly unto us: for the law is not aduersante to that man, who being of a sound mind, abhorreth from sin. Howbeit health is of the celestial Physician.
Finally, hee repeateth that sentence, namely that so farre forth as hee is indued with celestiall light, hee is a faithfull witnesse and subscriber to the righteousnesse of the lawe. Whereby it followeth, that if wee had the pure integritie of nature, the lawe shoulde not bee deadly vnto vs: for the lawe is not aduersante to that man, who being of a sounde minde, abhorreth from sinne. Howebeit health is of the celestiall Phisition.