A17643:573
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.
8 They therefore which are in the flesh, can not please God.
8 They therefore whiche are in the fleshe, can not please God.
5 For they who are after the flesh. He bringeth in this difference of the flesh and the spirit, not only, by an argument taken from the contrary, to prove that he said before, namely, that the grace of Christ doth not appertain unto any, but those, who being renewed by the spirit, do give them selves unto innocency: but also that with due consolation he might cheer up the faithful, least whiles they are privy in them selves unto many infirmities, they should despair. For seeing none are delivered from the curse, but they who lead a spiritual life, it might seem that hope of salvation were cut off from all men. For what man shall be found in the world furnished with an Angelical purity, so that he hath nothing to do with the flesh? It was necessary to add this definition, what it is to be in the flesh, and to walk according to the flesh. At the first Paul doth not distinguish so precisely: but yet (as we shall see in the process) his purpose is to put the faithful in good hope, albeit they are yet tied to their flesh: so be that, they loose not the reins to the lusts thereof, but suffer them selves to be ruled by the holy spirit. When he saith, that the carnal do care for, or meditate the things of the flesh: he testifieth, that he counteth not those for carnal,1 who aspire unto heavenly righteousness, but who are altogether addicted to the world.
5 For they who are after the fleshe. Hee bringeth in this difference of the fleshe and the spirite, not onely, by an argument taken from the contrarie, to prooue that he sayde before, namely, that the grace of Christ doth not appertaine vnto any, but those, who beyng renewed by the spirite, doe giue them selues vnto innocencie: but also that with due consolation hee might cheere vp the faithful, least whiles they are priuie in them selues vnto many infirmities, they should dispaire. For seeing none are deliuered from the curse, but they who lead a spiritual life, it might seeme that hope of saluation were cut off from all menne. For what man shalbe found in the worlde furnished with an Angelicall puritie, so that he hath nothing to doe with the flesh? It was necessarie to adde this definition, what it is to be in the fleshe, and to walke according to the fleshe. At the first Paule doth not distinguishe so precisely: but yet (as wee shall see in the processe) his purpose is to put the faithfull in good hope, albeit they are yet tyed to their flesh: so be that, they loose not the reynes to the lustes thereof, but suffer them selues to bee ruled by the holie spirite. When he saith, that the carnall doe care for, or meditate the thinges of the fleshe: hee testifieth, that he counteth not those for carnall,