Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

13 As it is written. Yet he confirmeth by a surer testimony, how greatly that oracle given to Rebecca did avail to the present cause: namely, that by the Lordship of Jacob, & bondage of Esau, the spiritual condition of them both was testified: Secondarily, that Jacob obtained this grace, by the goodness of God, and no merit of his. Therefore this testimony of the Prophet declareth why the Lord gave unto Jacob the birthright. And it is taken out of Malachi, where the Lord upbraiding the unthankfulness of the Jews, first maketh mention of his goodness towards them.¹ I have loved you (quoth he) and he addeth whence the beginning of love proceeded, was not Esau the brother of Jacob? As though he said, what prerogative had he, why I should prefer him before his brother? none at all. For there was an equal right, saving that by the law of nature, this which was the younger, ought to have been subject to him that was the elder: yet have I chosen him, & refused this, being moved thereunto by my mercy only, and by no dignity of works, And now I had adopted you to be my people, that I might still prosecute the same love towards the seed of Jacob: but I have rejected the Edomites, the progeny of Esau. Therefore ye are so much the worse, whom the remembrance of so great favour, cannot provoke to the worship of my majesty. And although the earthly blessings are there also mentioned, which god bestowed upon the Israelites: yet we must not otherwise take them, then pledges of his benevolence. For where the wrath of God is, there followeth death: but where his love is, there followeth life.

13 As it is written. Yet he confirmeth by a surer testimonie, how greatly yt oracle giuen to Rebecca did auaile to the presente cause: namely, yt by the Lordship of Iacob, & bondage of Esau, the spirituall condition of thē both was testified: Secondarily, that Iacob obteined this grace, by the goodnes of God, and no merit of his. Therefore this testimonie of the Prophet declareth why the Lord gaue vnto Iacob the birthright. And it is takē out of Malachie, where the Lord vpbraiding the vnthankfulnes of ye Iewes, first maketh mention of his goodnes towards thē.¹ I haue loued you (quoth he) and he addeth whence the beginning of loue proceeded, was not Esau the brother of Iacob? As though hee said, what prerogatiue had he, why I should preferre him before his brother? none at all. For there was an equall right, sauing yt by the law of nature, this which was the younger, ought to haue been subiect to him that was the elder: yet haue I chosen hym, & refused this, being moued thereunto by my mercy only, and by no dignitie of workes, And now I had adopted you to be my people, that I might still prosecute the same loue towardes the seede of Iacob: but I haue reiected the Edomites, the progenie of Esau. Therefore ye are so much the worse, whom the remembrance of so great fauour, cannot prouoke to the worship of my maiestie. And although the earthly blessings are there also mentioned, which god bestowed vpon the Israelites: yet we must not otherwise take thē, then pledges of his beneuolence. For where the wrath of God is, there foloweth death: but where his loue is, there followeth life.