A17643:729
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.
Let us know therefore that God doeth not for any other end cease from speaking, but because he seeth his infinite wisdom cannot be comprehended by our slender capacity, and therefore sparing our infirmity, provoketh us unto sobriety and modesty. Shall the thing formed. We see that Paul hitherto doth alway stand upon this, namely, that the will of God, although the reason thereof is unknown to us, is to be counted just. For he showeth that the Lord hath his right taken from him,1 if he be not at liberty to do with his creatures what he lust. This seemeth hard to the ears of many. And there are also some who allege that God is put to great reproach, if such liberty be given unto him, as though they with their disdainfulness were better divines, then Paul, who hath appointed this rule of humility to the faithful, that they should wonder at the power of God, and not esteem it after their own judgement. And he represseth this arrogance of striving with God, by a most fi• similitude, wherein he seemeth rather to have alluded unto Isaiah, 2then Jere. For nothing else is taught with Jeremiah, then that Israel is in the hand of the Lord, so that for his sins he may break him in pieces, as a potter may his earthen vessel. But Isaiah goeth higher: saying, woe be to him that gain sayeth his maker: namely, to the pot ye striveth with the potter. Shall the clay say to his potter, what makest thou? &c. And surely there is no cause why mortal man should prefer himself before an earthen vessel, when he compareth himself with God. Neither are we to be very curious in applying that testimony to the present cause, seeing the mind of the Apostle was only to allude unto the words of the Prophet, that his similitude might have the more weight.
Let vs know therefore that God doeth not for any other end cease from speaking, but because he seeth his infinite wisedome cannot be comprehended by our slender capacity, and therfore sparing our infirmity, prouoketh vs vnto sobriety and modesty. Shall the thing formed. We see that Paul hitherto doth alway stand vpon this, namely, that the wil of God, although the reason therof is vnknowen to vs, is to bee counted iust. For he sheweth that the Lord hath his right taken from him,1