A17643:66
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.
Of his Son &c. A notable place, wherein we are taught, that the whole Gospel is comprehended in Christ: so that whosoever goeth a foot from Christ, withdraweth himself from the Gospel. For seeing he is the lively and express image of the father, it is no marvel, though he only be set before us, unto whom all our faith ought to bend it self, and in whom it ought to consist.1 This is therefore a certain description of the Gospel: whereby Paul showeth briefly what is contained in it. I have turned the words following in the same case, Jesus Christ, &c. For this conjunction of the text, seemed unto me, best to agree. Whereupon it is to be concluded, that he which hath profited accordingly in the knowledge of Christ, hath obtained, whatsoever may be learned out of the Gospel. As on the contrary, they which seek to be wise out of Christ, are not only foolish, but altogether mad.2 Who was made &c. Two things are to be sought for in Christ, that we may find salvation in him: his divinity, and his humanity. His divinity containeth in it self, his power, righteousness, and life, which are communicated unto us by his humanity. Wherefore the Apostle put them both ⟨p. 3⟩down precisely, in the sum of the Gospel, that Christ was exhibited in the flesh, and in the same declared himself to be the Son of God: like as John,3 when he had said that the word was made flesh, he addeth that his glory was seen in the flesh, as the glory of the only begotten Son of God. And it is not without great consideration, that he fetcheth the kindred, and pedigree of Christ, specially from David his great Grandfather: for hereby he calleth us unto the promises: least we should doubt, whether this were he, that was promised in old time. The promise made unto David, was so famous, that it is evident, by use to have been taken up amongst the Jews, to call the Messiah the Son of David. This thing therefore maketh for the assurance of our faith, that Christ came of David. He addeth. According to the flesh: That we might know he hath somewhat above flesh, which he brought from heaven, and took it not of David: Namely that, which he addeth afterward of the glory of the deity. Moreover in these words. Paul doth not only prove Christ to have taken the true nature of flesh, but also plainly distinguisheth the human nature, from the divine in him: