A17643:662
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.
Whereas some take the love of Christ passively, for that love wherewith he is loved of us, as though Paul armed us unto invincible fortitude: this imagination is easily refuted by the whole course of Pauls speech: and straight way also Paul will remove all doubt herein, by defining this love more clearly. Tribulation? or anguish? or persecution? The Pronoun masculine which he put down of late, containeth a secrete Emphasis or force.
Whereas some take the loue of Christ passiuely, for that loue wherewith hee is loued of vs, as though Paule armed vs vnto inuincible fortitude: this imagination is easily refuted by the whole course of Paules speeche: and straight way also Paule will remooue all doubt heerein, by defining this loue more clearely. Tribulation? or anguishe? or persecution? The Pronowne masculine which he put downe of late, conteineth a secrete Emphasis or force.
For when he might have said in the neuter gender, what shall separate us: he chose rather to attribute the person unto the dumb creatures, that he might commit into the fight with us, so many champions, as there be kinds of temptations which assault our faith.1 Furthermore these three differ amongest themselves thus, that tribulation comprehendeth every kind of grief and discommodity: but anguish is an inward passion, namely whiles extremities drive us unto our wits end. Such was the anguish of Abraham & Lot, whiles the one was constrained to offer his wife, the other his daughters: because they being hard bestead, and wrapped in on every side, could not tell what to do. Persecution properly noteth tyrannical violence, whereby the sons of God are unworthily vexed of the wicked. And although Paul denieth the sons to be distressed, or to be brought into narrow straits yet he is not contrary to himself:2 because he doth not simply make them free from painful care, but he understandeth they are delivered: as also the examples of Abraham and Lot declare.