A17643:634
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.
I answer, our affections nevertheless abide oppressed with darkness,1 until the spirit direct them by his light. But the spirit it self maketh request for us. Although indeed or by the event it appeareth not as yet, that our prayers are hard of God, nevertheless, Paul gathereth that even in the very study of praying the presence of Gods grace already shineth, because no man of himself can conceive holy and godly prayers. Indeed the faithless babble prayers, but with mere mocking of God: because there is nothing in them, either sincere, or serious, or rightly composed. Wherefore the manner of praying well must needs be caught of the spirit: he therefore calleth those sighs unevarrable, whereinto we burst through the vehement motion of the spirit: because they far exceed the capacity of our wit. And the spirit of God is said to make intercession for us, not that indeed humbly kneeling it doth abase it self to pray or mourn,2 but because it stirreth up those prayers in our hearts, wherewithal it is meet we should be touched: Secondly it doth so move our hearts that with their fervency they pierce unto the very heaven. And Paul spake so to the end he might more significantly attribute all it unto the grace of the spirit. Indeed we are bidden knock, but no man can of himself premeditate one syllable, unless by the secrete instinct of his spirit, God knock upon us, and so open our hearts unto him.
I answeare, our affections neuerthelesse abide oppressed with darknes,1 vntil the spirit direct them by his light. But the spirite it selfe maketh request for vs. Although indeed or by the euent it appeareth not as yet, that our prayers are hard of God, neuerthelesse, Paule gathereth that euen in the very studie of praying the presence of Gods grace already shyneth, because no man of himselfe can conceiue holy and godly prayers. Indeede the faithlesse babble prayers, but with meere mocking of God: because there is nothing in them, either sincere, or serious, or rightly composed. Wherefore the manner of praying wel must needes be caught of the spirite: he therfore calleth those sighes vneuarrable, wherinto we burst through the vehement motion of the spirite: because they farre exceede ye capacity of our wit. And ye spirit of God is saide to make intercession for vs, not yt indeed humbly kneeling it doth abase it selfe to pray or mourne,