A17643:638
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.
30 And whom he hath predestinate, them also he called, and whom he called, them also he justified, and whom he justified, them also he glorified.
30 And whom he hath predestinate, them also he called, and whom he called, them also he iustified, and whom hee iustified, them also he glorified.
28 Also we know. Out of the premisses he now concludeth, that the miseries of this life are so far from hindering our salvation, that rather they further it. Neither letteth it, that he hath put the particle illative, seeing it is no novelty with him, so to confound adverbs: although this conclusion doeth also contain a Preoccupation. For here the sense of flesh exclaimeth, that it appeareth not God doth hear our prayers, seeing our afflictions proceed alway in the same course. Therefore the Apostle preventeth that, saying, although God doth not by and by help his, yet he doeth not forsake them; because by a wonderful skill, he turneth those things to their salvation, which seemed discommodities. If any had rather read this sentence by it self, as though Paul went about by a new argument, to prove that adversities which further our salvation, are not heavily and grievously to be borne, I do not gainstande it. In the mean while the counsel of Paul is not bscure, although the elect and reprobate ⟨p. 108⟩are indifferently subject to the like evils, yet there is great difference: because God instructing the faithful by afflictions, doth procure their salvation. And we are to remember that Paul speaketh not but of adversities: as though he said, whatsoever things happen to the godly,1 they are so tempered from above, that that which the world thinketh to be hurtful, the issue declareth it to be profitable. For albeit that is true Augustine sayeth, even sins through the direction of Gods providence, are so far from hurting the Saints, that they serve rather to their health: yet it appertaineth not unto this place, where he entreateth of the cross. And note that he hath comprehended the sum of piety under the love of God: as indeed the whole study of righteousness dependeth thereon. To those who are called according to his purpose. This parcel seemeth to be added by the way of correction: least any should think that the faithful, because they love God, do obtain by their desert, that they receive such fruit by adversities. For we know when the matter of salvation is in hand, men would gladly begin at them selves, and feign unto themselves preparations whereby they may prevent the grace of God. Therefore Paul teacheth, that those whom he called the worshippers of God, were elected before of him.