A17643:622
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 we know. He repeateth the same sentence again, that he might make a passage unto us: although, that is now said, hath the force and form of a conclusion. For in that the creatures are subject unto corruption, and that not by a natural appetite, but by the ordinance of God. Secondly in that they have hope, in time to come to put of corruption, it followeth they mourn as a woman travailing, until they be delivered. And it is a most apt and fit similitude, that we might know, this mourning whereof he speaketh is not vain nor dead: because at length it shall bring forth a joyful and happy fruit. The sum is, the creatures neither are content with the present state, neither yet so travail, that they should fall away without remedy: but they travail, because there abideth for them a renewing into a better state.
22 For wee knowe. Hee repeateth the same sentence agayne, that hee might make a passage vnto vs: although, that is nowe sayde, hath the force and forme of a conclusion. For in that the creatures are subiect vnto corruption, and that not by a naturall appetite, but by the ordinaunce of God. Secondly in that they haue hope, in time to come to put of corruption, it followeth they mourne as a woman trauayling, vntyll they be deliuered. And it is a most apte and fitte similitude, that wee might knowe, this mourning whereof hee speaketh is not vaine nor deade: because at length it shall bring foorth a ioyfull and happie fruite. The summe is, the creatures neyther are contente with the presente state, neyther yet so trauayle, that they should fall away without remedie: but they trauaile, because there abideth for them a renewing into a better state.
And when he saith they mourn together,1 he doth not mean they are tied amongst themselves by a mutual anxiety, but he joineth them for companions to us. The particle hitherto or unto this present, serveth to mitigate the tediousness of the daily languor. For if the creatures have continued so many ages in their mourning, how inexcusable shall our tenderness or rather cowardliness be, if in the short course of a frail life we faint?