A17643:547
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.
21 I find then. Here Paul imagineth a fourfold law. Namely, 1. the law of God, which only is properly so called, because it is the rule of righteousness, whereby our life is fashioned aright.1 2. Hereunto he addeth the law of the mind, so learning the readiness of a faithful mind to obey the law of the Lord: because it is a certain confirming of us to the law of God. 3. On the contrary side, he opposeth the law of unrighteousness, and by a certain allusion, he so calleth, the dominion which iniquity hath as well in a man not yet regenerate, as in the flesh of a regenerate man. For the laws of Tyrants how wicked soever they be, yet abusively are called laws. 4. Unto this law of sin, he maketh the law of members answer: that is, the concupiscence resting in our members: For that consent it hath with iniquity. Concerning the first member, because many interpreters take the name law, in his proper sense, they understand Cata or Dia: and so doth Erasmus translate it, by the law. As though Paul had said, by the instruction, and direction of the law he found out that corruption was grafted in him. But that thou mayest understand or add nothing, the sentence shall run well thus, the faithful whiles they go about to do good, they find a certain tyrannical law in them selves: because there •s grafted in their marrow and bones a corruption contrary, and rebelling the law of God.
21 I finde then. Here Paule imagineth a fourefolde lawe. Namely, 1. the law of God, which onely is properly so called, because it is the rule of righteousnesse, whereby our life is fashioned aright.1 2. Hereunto he addeth the law of the minde, so learning the readinesse of a faithfull minde to obey the law of the Lorde: because it is a certaine confirming of vs to the lawe of God. 3. On the contrary side, he opposeth the lawe of vnrighteousnesse, and by a certaine allusion, he so calleth, the dominion whiche iniquitie hath as well in a man not yet regenerate, as in the fleshe of a regenerate man. For the lawes of Tyraunts how wicked soeuer they bee, yet abusiuely are called lawes. 4. Vnto this law of sinne, hee maketh the lawe of members answere: that is, the concupiscence resting in our members: For that consent it hath with iniquitie. Concerning the first member, because many interpreters take the name lawe, in his proper sense, they vnderstande Cata or Dia: and so doth Erasmus translate it, by the lawe. As thoug Paul had saide, by the instruction, and direction of the lawe he founde out that corruption was graffed in him. But that thou mayest vnderstande or adde nothing, the sentence shall runne well thus, the faythfull whiles they goe about to doe good, they find a certayne tyrannicall lawe in them selues: because there s graffed in their marrowe and bones a corruption contrarye, and rebelling the lawe of God.