A17643:554
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.
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Then I my self in my mind serve the Law of God, but in my flesh the law of sin.
25 I thanke God through Iesus Christ our Lorde. Then I my selfe in my minde serue the Lawe of God, but in my fleshe the law of sinne.
24 O wretched man. He windeth up the disputation with a vehement exclamation, whereby he teacheth that we are not only to strive with our flesh, but with continual sighing to bewail both with our selves, and before God our unhappiness. And he demandeth not by whom he might be delivered, as though he doubted, as unbelievers do, who hold not that there is one only delivered. But it is the voice of one panting, and almost fainting, because he doeth not sufficiently see present help. And therefore hath he used the word take or deliver, that he might show how there is required unto this deliverance a special power of God. By the body of death, He meaneth the mass of sin,1 or heap whereon man is compacted: saving that in him there remained only certain relics, with whose bonds he was holden captive. The pronoun this, or of this, which I with Erasmus have referred unto body, may also fitly be applied unto death, but almost in the same sense: because the mind of Paul is to show, that the eyes of the sons of God are opened, that they might prudently discern from the law of God, the corruption of their nature, and death which proceedeth thence. Howe be it the name body, is all one with the name external man, and members: for Paul noteth this to be the original of sin, that man is fallen from the law of his creation, and so is become carnal and earthly. For although he do yet excel brute beasts, yet his true dignity is taken from him: and that which remaineth, is filled with innumerable corruptions: so that his soul, as it is degenerate,2 may be said to be changed into a body. So god saith with Moses, my spirit shall strive no more with man, because he is but flesh: where by the way of reproach, he compareth man