A17643:63
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.
Therefore he saith that he was a minister of Christ, and called unto the office of an Apostle: whereby he signifieth that he did not rashly intrude himself thither. Straight way after he saith, he was separated or put apart: that he might the better prove, he was no vulgar or common fellow, but an excellent Apostle of the Lord. In which signification he had also ⟨p. 2⟩before descended from the general, unto that was more special: seeing that the Apostleship is a kind of ministry. For who so occupieth the function of teaching, is to be counted amongest the servants of Christ: But Apostles, by degree of honour are most excellent amongest all others. This selection or putting a part whereof he speaketh, doth declare both the end and use of the Apostleship. For his mind is briefly to show, to what end he was called unto this function. Therefore whereas he saith he was a servant of Christ, that is common to him with all other teachers. In challenging unto himself the title of an Apostle, he preferreth himself before others: but because he deserveth no authority which intrudeth himself, he admonisheth that he was ordained of the Lord. The meaning is thus: that Paul is a servant of Christ, not a common servant, but an Apostle, and that not by intrusion, but by the calling of God. Then followeth a more clear exposition of the duty of an Apostle, namely that he is ordained to the preaching of the Gospel. For I am not of their mind, which refer the calling, whereof he speaketh, unto the eternal election of God: by separation or putting apart they understand either that whereby he was separated from his mothers womb, whereof he speaketh to the Galatians,1 or that whereby Luke saith, he was appointed unto the Gentiles. For simply he rejoiceth that he had God his author, least any should think he had presumptuously usurped this honour. Here we are to note,2 that all men are not meet for the ministry of the word, wherein there is required a special calling: yea they which think themselves most fit, are to take heed, that without calling they thrust not themselves in. Moreover, of what sort the calling of Apostles & Bishops is, shall be declared in another place. We must observe also, that the office of an Apostle is to preach the Gospel.3