A17643:548
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.
22 For I consent to the law of God. Here then thou seest, what manner of division there is in godly minds, whence ariseth that battle of the flesh and the spirit, which Augustine in a certain place, doeth notably call the Christian warfare.
22 For I consent to the lawe of God. Heere then thou seest, what manner of diuision there is in godly myndes, whence ariseth that battayle of the fleshe and the spirite, whiche Augustine in a certaine place, doeth notablie call the Christian warfare.
The law of God calleth man unto the rule of righteousness: iniquity which is (as it were) a tyrannical law of Satan, pricketh forward unto wickedness. The spirit carieth unto the obedience of the law of GOD: the flesh draweth back unto the contrary part. Man thus distracted with divers desires, is now in a manner divided, & of one made two men: but because the spirit ought to hold the principality, he judgeth and estimateth himself chiefly by that part. Therefore Paul saith he was bound captive of his flesh: because whereas he is yet tickled and moved with evil concupiscences: that is a coaction, in respect of the spiritual desire which altogether resisteth. But the acception of the inner man and members is diligently to be noted, which whiles many did mistake, they have fallen upon this rock. Therefore the inner man, is not simply taken for the soul, but for that spiritual part of the soul which is regenerate of God: the word members signifieth the other part that remaineth.1 For as the soul is the more excellent part of man, and the body the inferior: so is the spirit more excellent then the flesh. By this reason therefore, because the spirit occupieth the place of soul in man: and the flesh (that is, the corrupt, and contaminated soul) the place of body: spirit hath the name of inner man, and flesh the name of members.
The lawe of God calleth man vnto the rule of righteousnes: iniquitie which is (as it were) a tyrannicall lawe of Sathan, pricketh forwarde vnto wickednesse. The spirite carieth vnto the obedience of the lawe of GOD: the fleshe draweth backe vnto the contrary part. Man thus distracted with diuers desires, is now in a maner diuided, & of one made two men: but because the spirite ought to holde the principalitie, hee iudgeth and estimateth himselfe chiefly by that part. Therfore Paul saith hee was bounde captiue of his flesh: because whereas hee is yet tickled and moued with euill concupiscences: that is a coaction, in respect of the spirituall desire which altogether resisteth. But the acception of the inner man and members is diligently to bee noted, which whiles many did mistake, they haue fallen vpon this rocke. Therefore the inner man, is not simply taken for the soule, but for that spirituall parte of the soule whiche is regenerate of God: the worde members signifieth the other part that remayneth.