Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

This verily is apparent, that no cause is brought above the will of God. Seeing the answer was at hand, namely, that the difference doeth depend upon just causes: why did not Paul use this compendious or short form, but placed the will of God in the highest degree, that it only might suffice us for all causes? assuredly if the objection had been false, that God doeth reject or elect according to his pleasure, whom he either vouchsafeth not with favour, or whom he loveth freely, the refutation had not been neglected of Paul. The wicked object, that men are cleared from guiltiness, if the will of God bear the chiefest sway in their salvation and destruction. Doth Paul deny it? Yea by his answer he confirmeth, namely that God doeth decree or determine of men as it pleaseth him: yet in vain and madly do men rise up to contend, because God by his right power, or authority assigneth to his works what lot he will. And they who say that Paul wanting reason, did flee unto brawling, or chiding, charge the holy Ghost with great reproach. For he would not at the first bring forth those things which might make to the defence of the equity of God, and which he had in a readiness, because they could not be conceived or apprehended. Yea he also so tempereth the second reason, that he doeth not undertake a full defence. But yet so that he declareth or showeth forth the righteousness of God, if it be with devout humility and reverence weighed of us. That therefore which was most meet, he admonisheth man of his condition, as if he said, seeing thou art a man, thou must acknowledge thy self earth and ashes: why then doest thou contend with the Lord, about a matter which thou canst not understand? to be brief, the Apostle hath not brought that could be said, but that was expedient for our rudeness. Proud men storm, that Paul, not denying men to be rejected or elected by the secrete counsel of God, allegeth no cause, as though the spirit of God wanting reason held his peace: and not rather by his silence did admonish that the mystery which the minds of men do not comprehend, is reverently ⟨p. 127⟩to be had in admiration, & so might bridle the waywardness of mans curiosity.

This verily is apparaunt, that no cause is brought aboue the will of God. Seeing the answere was at hande, namely, that the difference doeth depende vpon iust causes: why did not Paule vse this conpendious or short forme, but placed the will of God in the highest degree, that it onely might suffice vs for all causes? assuredly if the obiection had been false, that God doeth reiect or elect according to his pleasure, whom hee eyther vouchsafeth not with fauour, or whom hee loueth freely, the refutation had not been neglected of Paule. The wicked obiect, that men are cleared from guiltines, if the will of God beare the chiefest sway in their saluation and destruction. Doth Paule denie it? Yea by his answere hee confirmeth, namely that God doeth decree or determine of men as it pleaseth him: yet in vayne and madly doe men rise vp to contende, because God by his right power, or authoritie assigneth to his woorkes what lotte he will. And they who say that Paule wanting reason, did flee vnto brauling, or chiding, charge the holy Ghost with great reproch. For hee woulde not at the first bring forth those thinges which might make to the defence of the equitie of God, and which he had in a readinesse, because they coulde not be conceiued or apprehended. Yea hee also so tempereth the seconde reason, that hee doeth not vndertake a full defence. But yet so that hee declareth or sheweth forth the righteousnesse of God, if it bee with deuout humilitie and reuerence weighed of vs. That therefore whiche was most meete, hee admonisheth man of his condition, as if hee sayd, seeing thou art a man, thou must acknowledge thy selfe earth and ashes: why then doest thou contende with the Lord, about a matter which thou canst not vnderstande? to bee briefe, the Apostle hath not brought that coulde bee sayde, but that was expedient for our rudnesse. Proude men storme, that Paul, not denying men to be reiected or elected by the secrete counsayle of God, alleageth no cause, as though the spirite of God wanting reason helde his peace: and not rather by his silence did admonishe that the mysterie which the mindes of men do not comprehend, is reuerently