A17643:579
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.
Neither can it. Behold here the power of free will,1 which sophisters cannot sufficiently advance. Undoubtedly Paul doth here in plain words affirm that, which they with full ⟨image 111⟩mouth do detest: namely, that it is impossible for us to subject our affections unto the obedience of the law. They brag that our heart is pliant unto both parts, so it be holpen by the instinct of the spirit: and that in us there is a free election of good or evil, the spirit doeth only help: but it is ours to choose or refuse. They feign also good motions, whereby of our own accord we are prepared: Paul on the contrary saith our heart is full of hardness, and untamed stubbornness, so that it is never moved naturally to undertake the yoke of God: and he disputeth not of one or two affections, but speaking indefinitely, doth cast all those motions arise out of us, into this bundle. Let that Ethnical Philosophy therefore of freewill, be far from a christian mind. Let every man (as in truth he is) acknowledge himself to be the servant of sin, that being manumised by the grace of Christ he may be free: and it is altogether folly to glory in another liberty.
Neither can it. Beholde here the power of free will,1 which sophisters cannot sufficiently aduaunce. Vndoubtedly Paule doth heere in plaine wordes affirme that, which they with full ⟨image 111⟩mouth doe detest: namely, that it is impossible for vs to subiecte our affections vnto the obedience of the lawe. They bragge that our hearte is plyaunt vnto both partes, so it bee holpen by the instinct of the spirite: and that in vs there is a free election of good or euill, the spirite doeth onely helpe: but it is ours to choose or refuse. They faine also good motions, whereby of our owne accorde wee are prepared: Paule on the contrary saith our hearte is full of hardnesse, and vntamed stubbornesse, so that it is neuer moued naturally to vndertake the yooke of God: and hee disputeth not of one or two affections, but speaking indefinitely, doth cast all those motions arise out of vs, into this bundle. Let that Ethnicall Philosophie therefore of freewill, be farre from a christian minde. Let euery man (as in truth hee is) acknowledge himselfe to bee the seruant of sinne, that beeing manumised by the grace of Christ he may be free: and it is altogether folly to glory in another liberty.