A17643:630
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.
25. But if we hope for that we see not. This is an argument taken from the antecedent to the consequent: because patience necessarily followeth hope. For if it be grievous to want the good thing thou desirest: unless thou support and comfort thy self by patience, thou must fall by desperation. So then hope alway draweth patience with it. So it is a most fit conclusion, namely, that ye doth vanquish away whatsoever the Gospel promiseth of the glory of the resurrection, except by bearing the cross and tribulations patiently, we pass through this present life. For it life be invisible, then we must have death before our eyes if glory be invisible, then ignominy is present. Therefore if thou wilt comprise this place in few words,1 thou mayest digest the arguments of Paul into this form. Salvation is laid up in hope for all the faithful: it is the property of hope, to intend upon good things to come, and which are absent: therefore the salvation of the godly is hidden up. Now hope is not otherwise maintained then by patience: therefore the salvation of the godly is not consummated but by patience.2 Finally, here we have a notable place, that patience is an inseparable companion of faith. The reason whereof is at hand; because whiles we comfort our selves with the hope of a better estate, the sense or feeling of the present miseries is mollified and mitigated, that they are not so hard to be •oure.
25. But if we hope for that we see not. This is an argument taken from the antecedent to the consequent: because patience necessarily followeth hope. For if it be grieuous to wante the good thing thou desirest: vnles thou support and comfort thy selfe by patience, thou must fall by desperation. So then hope alway draweth patience with it. So it is a most fitte conclusion, namely, that ye doth vanquish away whatsoeuer ye Gospel promiseth of the glorie of the resurrection, except by bearing the crosse and tribulations patiently, we passe through this present life. For it life be inuisible, then we must haue death before our eyes if glorie be inuisible, then ignominy is present. Therfore if thou wilt comprise this place in fewe wordes,1 thou maiest digest the argumentes of Paule into this forme. Saluation is layde vp in hope for all the faithfull: it is the propertie of hope, to intēd vpon good thinges to come, and which are absent: therefore the saluation of the godly is hidden vp. Nowe hope is not otherwise mainteyned then by patience: therfore the saluation of the godly is not consummated but by patience.