A17643:578
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.
Now then God being against it, and offended, in vain doth any look for life. For after his wrath must needs forth with follow death, which is the revengement of his wrath.1 And here let us observe, that the will of man is in all things contrary to the will of God. For look by how much, crookedness differeth from straightness, so much must we needs differ from God. For it is not subject to the law of God. An exposition of the former sentence: for it declareth how all the meditations of the flesh, war against the will of God: because the will of God is not else where to be sought for, then where he hath revealed it. For in the law he showeth what doeth please him: they therefore that will rightly examine, how rightly they agree with God, let them apply all their counsels and studies unto this rule. For although nothing be done in the world but by the direction of the secrete providence of God, yet under pretence of this, to say that nothing is done but God doth allow of it, is intolerable blasphemy: where about certain frenzy persons cavil at this day. For to seek the difference of right & wrong, which the law hath distinctly and plainly set before our eyes, in a deep Labyrinth, what madness were it?2 in deed (as I said) the Lord hath his secrete counsel, whereby at his pleasure he disposeth all things: but because it is incomprehensible to us, let us know that we are restrained from too curious searching after it. In the mean while let this abide firm, that nothing pleaseth him but righteousness: neither can right judgement be given of our works but by the the law, wherein God hath unfeignedly testified, both what doeth please or displease him.
Nowe then God beeing against it, and offended, in vayne doth any looke for life. For after his wrath must needes foorth with followe death, which is the reuengement of his wrath.1 And heere let vs obserue, that the will of man is in all thinges contrary to the will of God. For looke by howe muche, crokednesse differeth from straightnesse, so much muste we needes differ from God. For it is not subiect to the lawe of God. An exposition of the former sentence: for it declareth howe all the meditations of the fleshe, warre againste the will of God: because the wyll of God is not els where to bee sought for, then where hee hath reuealed it. For in the lawe hee sheweth what doeth please him: they therefore that will rightlye examine, howe rightly they agree with God, let them apply all their counsayles and studies vnto this rule. For although nothing bee doone in the worlde but by the direction of the secrete prouidence of God, yet vnder pretence of this, to say that nothing is done but God doth allowe of it, is intollerable blasphemie: where about certaine phrensie persons cauill at this day. For to seeke the difference of right & wrong, whiche the lawe hath distinctly and playnely set before our eyes, in a deepe Labyrinth, what madnesse were it?