A17643:660
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.
37 But in all those things we overcome by him who hath loved us.
37 But in al those thinges we ouercome by him who hath loued vs.
35 Who shall separate? Now that security or boldness is extended unto inferior things. For he which is persuaded of the love of God towards him, is able to stand in most grievous afflictions: which are therefore wont so greatly to torment men, either because they think not, they happen by the providence of God, ⟨image 126⟩or they interpret them to be tokens of Gods wrath, or that they think they are forsaken of God, or that they look for no end, or remember not there is a better life, or some other such like. But the mind which is purged from such errors shall easily be at rest and be quiet. Finally, this is the meaning of the words, whatsoever happeneth, we must stand in this faith, namely that God who hath once loved us, will never cease to care for us. For he doeth not simply say, there is nothing can separate God from the love of us: but he would that the knowledge and lively sense of love which he testifieth •nto us should so flourish in our hearts, that it might alway shine in the mist of afflictions. For as the clouds, although they darken the clear sight of the Sun, yet do not altogether deprive us of his shine: even so God in adversities, sendeth through clouds, the beams of his grace, least any tentation should overwhelm us with despair: yea our faith being supported by the promises of God, as by wings, ought through all impediments which are in the way to pierce up into the heavens. Indeed it is true that adversities are tokens of Gods wrath, if they be esteemed by themselves: but when pardon and reconciliation is gone before, we are to be resolved, that although God doeth chasten, yet he will never forget his mercy. Verily he admonisheth what we have deserved, but withal he testifieth that he hath a care of our salvation, whiles he provoketh us unto repentance. And he calleth it the love of Christ. Because the father in a manner doeth open his bowels unto us in him. Seeing then the love of God is not to be sought for out of Christ, worthily doeth Paul call us hither: that in the beams of the grace of Christ, our faith might behold the clear countenance of the Father. The sum is, that this faith ought not to be shaken with any adversity: for God being gracious unto us, nothing is against us.