A17643:71
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.
Into the obedience of faith, &c. That is to say, we have received commandment to bear the Gospel unto all nations, whereunto they may become obedient by faith. From the end of his calling, he advertiseth the Romans again of his office: as if he should say, it is my part to execute that, which is given me in charge, that is, to preach the word: and it is your parts to obey the word with all obedience:1 unless you will make that calling frustrate, which the Lord hath given unto me. Whereby we may gather, that they do stubbornly gainstand the power of God, and pervert his ordinance, who unreverently and disdainfully refuse the preaching of the Gospel, whose end is to bring us into the obedience of God. Here also the nature of faith is to be observed, which is therefore adorned with the title of obedience, because the Lord doth call us by the Gospel: and we answer to his calling by faith. As on the contrary, infidelity is the cause of all disobedience against God. I choose rather to translate it, into the obedience of faith, then to obey faith: because this latter cannot be said, but improperly, and figuratively: albeit it is once read in the Acts. For properly it is faith,2 whereby we obey the Gospel.
Into the obedience of faith, &c. That is to say, wee haue receyued commaundement to beare the Gospell vnto all nations, whereunto they may become obedient by faith. From the end of his calling, he aduertiseth the Romaynes agayne of his office: as if he should say, it is my part to execute that, which is geuen me in charge, that is, to preach the worde: and it is your partes to obey the worde with all obedience:1 vnlesse you will make that calling frustrate, which the Lorde hath geuen vnto me. Whereby we may gather, that they doe stubbornly gainstand the power of God, and peruert his ordinance, who vnreuerently and disdaynfully refuse the preaching of the Gospel, whose ende is to bring vs into the obedience of God. Here also the nature of faith is to bee obserued, which is therfore adorned with the tytle of obedience, because the Lorde doth call vs by the Gospel: and we aunsweare to his calling by fayth. As on the contrary, infidelity is the cause of all disobedience against God. I choose rather to translate it, into the obedience of faith, then to obey faith: because this latter cannot be sayde, but improperly, and figuratiuely: albeyt it is once read in the Acts. For properly it is faith,