A17643:704
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.
Surely true it is, that the next cause of reprobation, is, for that we are all accursed in Adam: yet to the end we might learn to rest in the bare and simple will of God, Paul did lead us aside from the consideration thereof, for so long, until he had established this doctrine: namely, that God hath a sufficient just cause of election and reprobation in his own will or pleasure.
Surely true it is, that the next cause of reprobation, is, for that wee are all accursed in Adam: yet to the end we might learne to rest in the bare and simple will of God, Paule dyd lead vs aside from the consideration thereof, for so long, vntill hee had established this doctrine: namely, that God hath a sufficient iust cause of election and reprobation in his owne will or pleasure.
That the purpose of God, &c. Almost in every word he urgeth the free election of God: for if works had place, he should have said, that the reward of God might stand by works. But he opposeth the purpose of God, which is contained (that I might say so) in his only pleasure. And least there should remain any doubt thereof, by adding the other parcel, according to election, he hath removed all doubt. And then the third clause, not of works, but of the caller. Now then let us apply our minds more nearly unto this text. If the purpose of God according to election, be thereby established, that before the brethren were borne, & had done either good or evil, the one is rejected, the other is chosen: then if any would go about to attribute to their works the cause of difference, the purpose of God should so be overthrown. Now whereas he addeth,1 not of works, but of the caller: He signifieth, not of the behalf of works, but of calling only. For he goeth about to exclude all consideration of works. Wherefore we have all the stableness of our election concluded in the only purpose of God: merits are worth nothing here, which serve for nothing but unto death: no dignity is regarded, for there is none: but the only goodness of God reigneth. And therefore the doctrine is false & contrary to the word of God: namely, that God doth chose or reject, as he foreseeth every man worthy or unworthy of his grace.