A17643:683
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.
4 Who are the Israelites. Here now he plainly showeth the cause why the destruction of the people of the Jews did so greatly grieve him, that he was ready to redeem them with his own destruction: namely, because they were Israelites. For the Pronoun relative, is put in stead of an Adverb causal. So this anguish grieved Moses, when he desired that he might be put out of the book of life, that the holy and elect seed of Abraham might not utterly perish. Therefore besides humane affection,1 he noteth other reasons, and the same also greater or weightier, which ought to make him favour the Jews: namely, that the Lord had so advanced them as it were by a certain prerogative, that they were separated from the common sort of men. And these speeches of dignity are testimonies of love. For we use not to speak so favourably, but of those whom we love. And although through their ingratitude they made themselves ⟨p. 100⟩unworthy, who should be esteemed of, according to these gifts yet Paul ceaseth not even therefore to reverence them. Whereby he teacheth,2 that the wicked cannot so defile the good gifts of God, but they are alway worthy to be praised and had in admiration: although unto those do abuse them, there come nothing thereby but the greater obloquy. And as we are not, by hating the wicked, to contemn the gifts of God in them: so on the contrary we are to beware, least by our favourable esteeming and praising of the gifts in them, we puff them up: much more also that our praises carry not a show of adulation. But let us imitate Paul, who granteth unto the Jews their ornaments in such sort, that afterward he declareth all to be nothing without Christ.
4 Who are the Israelites. Here now he plainely sheweth the cause why the destruction of the people of the Iewes did so greatly grieue him, that he was readie to redeeme them with his owne destruction: namely, because they were Israelites. For the Pronowne relatiue, is put in steede of an Aduerb causall. So this anguishe grieued Moses, when hee desired that he might be put out of the booke of life, that the holie and elect seede of Abrahā might not vtterly perish. Therefore besides humane affection,1