Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

36 As it is written. ¹This testimony bringeth great weight unto the cause. For he insinuateth, how we ought to be so far off from falling away through the fear of death, that this is almost fatal to the servants of God, to have death as it were alway present before their eyes. It is probable or like that the miserable oppression of the people under the tyranny of Antiochus is described in that Psalm: because it is precisely expressed, that they raged against the worshippers of God so cruelly for no other cause, then for the hatred of true godliness. There is also added a notable protestation, that yet they fell not away from the covenant of God: which thing I suppose was chiefly noted of Paul, neither doth it let, that the Saints there complain of calamity, which then pressed them otherwise then it was wont. For seeing, they first having testified their innocency, then show how they were oppressed with so many evils: an argument is conveniently taken thence, namely that it is no new thing if the Lord permit the godly without desert to be cruelly entreated of the wicked. And it is out of question that the same cometh not to pass, but for their profit: seeing ⟨image 127⟩the scripture teacheth that it is far from the righteousness of God,² to destroy the just with the unjust: but rather it is meet, to requite affliction to those do afflict, and deliverance to those are afflicted.³ Secondly they affirm that they suffer for the Lord: and Christ denounceth them blessed that suffer for righteousness sake.⁴ And whereas they say they die daily, thereby they signify, that death doth so hang over their heads, that such a life differeth nothing in a manner from death.

36 As it is written. ¹This testimonie bringeth great weight vnto the cause. For he insinuateth, howe wee ought to bee so farre off from falling away through the feare of death, that this is almost fatall to the seruauntes of God, to haue death as it were alway present before their eyes. It is probable or like that the miserable oppression of the people vnder the tyrannie of Antiochus is described in that Psalme: because it is precisely expressed, that they raged against the worshippers of God so cruelly for no other cause, then for the hatred of true godlinesse. There is also added a notable protestation, that yet they fell not away from the couenaunt of God: which thing I suppose was chiefly noted of Paule, neither doth it let, that the Saintes there complayne of calamitie, which then pressed them otherwise then it was wont. For seeing, they first hauing testified their innocencie, then shewe how they were oppressed with so many euils: an argument is conueniently taken thence, namely that it is no newe thing if the Lorde permit the godly without deserte to bee cruelly intreated of the wicked. And it is out of question that the same commeth not to passe, but for their profite: seeing