A17643:682
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.
Wherefore, it is not a simple and bare comparing of men: for although it were better one member should perish then the whole body: yet Paul therefore esteemeth the Jews so highly, because he giveth unto them the person and (as they commonly say) the quality of elect people. Which thing also appeareth better out of the text, as we shall see straightways in his place. These words, I say my kinsmen according to the flesh, although they signify no new thing, yet they avail much unto amplification. For first least any should think he doth willingly or voluntarily seek a cause of debate with the Jews, he signifieth that he hath not so put off the sense of humanity, but he is moved at this so horrible a destruction of his own flesh. Again, seeing the Gospel whereof he was a preacher, must needs come forth of Zion, it is not without cause that he doth so largely infer the commendation of his kindred. For this exception, according to the flesh, in my judgement, is not added, as else where, for to extenuate, but rather to cause trust or confidence. For although the Jews had rejected Paul, yet he dissembleth not that he was borne of that nation, in whose root the election yet flourished, though the branches were withered. That which Budaeus saith of the word Anathema, is contrary to the sentence of Chrysostom, who maketh [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew], all one.
Wherefore, it is not a simple and bare comparing of men: for although it were better one member shoulde perishe then the whole bodie: yet Paule therefore esteemeth the Iewes so highly, because he giueth vnto them the person and (as they commonly say) the quality of elect people. Which thing also appeareth better out of the text, as we shall see straightwayes in his place. These wordes, I say my kinsmen according to the fleshe, although they signifie no new thing, yet they auayle muche vnto amplification. For first least any should thinke hee doth willingly or voluntarily seeke a cause of debate with the Iewes, he signifieth that he hath not so put off the sence of humanity, but he is moued at this so horrible a destruction of his owne flesh. Againe, seeing the Gospel whereof he was a preacher, must needs come forth of Sion, it is not without cause that he doth so largely inferre the commendation of his kinred. For this exception, according to the fleshe, in my iudgement, is not added, as els where, for to extenuate, but rather to cause trust or confidēce. For although the Iewes had reiected Paule, yet he dissembleth not that hee was borne of that nation, in whose roote the election yet florished, though the braunches were withered. That whiche Budaeus saith of the woorde Anathema, is contrary to the sentence of Chrisostome, who maketh , and , all one.