A17643:643
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.
Furthermore, in that Christ is called the first begotten, Pauls mind is only to note this, if Christ obtain the prerogative amongst all the sons of God, he is worthily given unto us for an example, that we should refuse nothing, which he hath vouchsafed to take upon him. Therefore that the celestial father might by all means testify the right & dignity which he hath given unto his Son, he will have all whom he hath adopted into the inheritance of his kingdom to be conformed or made like to his example. For although there be in show a divers condition of the godly, as there is some variety between the members of a mans body: yet is every one coupled with his head. Therefore as the first borne doth bear the name of the family, so Christ is placed in an high degree: not only that he might excel in honour among the faithful, but also ye under the common note of fraternity he might contain all under him.
Furthermore, in that Christ is called the first begottten, Paules mind is only to note this, if Christ obteyne ye prerogatiue amongst al ye sonnes of God, he is worthily giuen vnto vs for an example, that we shoulde refuse nothing, which he hath voutsafed to take vpon him. Therefore that the celestiall father might by all meanes testifie the right & dignity which he hath giuen vnto his sonne, he wil haue all whō he hath adopted into the inheritance of his kingdome to be conformed or made like to his example. For although there be in shew a diuers condition of the godly, as there is some varietie betweene the members of a mans body: yet is euery one coupled with his head. Therfore as the first borne doth beare the name of ye family, so Christ is placed in an high degree: not only yt he might excel in honour among the faithful, but also ye vnder the common note of fraternity he might conteine al vnder him.
30 And whom he hath predestinate, them also he called. Now that he might in a clearer sort prove how true it is, that that conformation or conformity and likeliness with the humility of Christ, is healthful to us, he useth a gradation, wherein he teacheth, that the society of the cross is so linked with our vocation, justification & glorification, that they cannot be separated. Howbeit that the readers might better understand the meaning of the Apostle, they are to remember that, I admonished before, namely,