A17643:654
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.
The sum is, that we are not only by the present remedies, when we come unto the judgement seat of GOD, to be delivered from fear: but God doeth help more, that he might better provide for our confidence.
The summe is, that we are not onelye by the present remedies, when we come vnto ye iudgement seate of GOD, to be deliuered from feare: but God doeth helpe more, that he might better prouide for our confidence.
Howbeit here we are to note that, with I have always admonished ⟨image 125⟩of before this, namely, that to justify with Paul, is nothing else, then being loosed from the sentence of God,1 to be counted for just. And it is no hard matter to prove that in this present place, where Paul reasoneth from the putting down of one contrary unto the destruction of another: if so that to absolve and to receive for guilty be contrary. Therefore God will not admit any accusation against us: because he hath absolved us from every offence. For undoubtedly the Devil is the accuser of all the godly: the law of God it self, and also their own conscience doth reprove them: but all these prevail nothing before that judge who doth justify them. Therefore no adversary can shake, much less overthrow our salvation. Furthermore, he so nameth the elect, that he doubteth nothing of himself to be in the number of them.2 And that not by special revelation (as certain Sophisters feign) but by the common sense of all the godly. Let every one therefore of the godly by the example of Paul, apply that unto himself which is here said of the elect. Otherwise if he did bury election in the secrete counsel of God, this doctrine were not only cold, but should lye altogether dead. But seeing we know, that that is purposely here uttered which every one of the godly ought to apply unto himself, out of question we are all of us lead unto the touchstone of our vocation, that we be resolved we are the sons of God.