A17643:735
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.
For so the meaning shall be more apparent: and it shall be a kind of silence or concealing, wherein must be understood, who therefore can accuse him of unrighteousness, or appoint him a day? For here appeareth nothing but the most straight rule of righteousness. But if we will understand the mind of Paul, every word almost is to be examined. For thus he reasoneth, there are vessels prepared for destruction, that is, bequeathed and destinated to destruction: there are also vessels of wrath, that is, made and formed to this end, that they might be testimonies of ⟨p. 128⟩the vengeance and wrath of God. Now if God patiently suffer those for some time, not destroying them at the first moment, but differing the judgement prepared for them, and that to show forth the testimonies of his severity, that others might be terrified by so horrible examples: and also to set forth his power, whereunto he maketh them diversly to serve: and lastly that thereby the greatness of his mercy towards the elect might be better known, and more clearly appear: what is worthy to be reprehended in this dispensation? how be it it is no marvel though he show not, whence it is that they are vessels prepared for destruction. For out of that is gone before, he taketh it to be a sure thing, that the cause is hid in the eternal, and unsearchable counsel of God: the righteousness whereof we ought rather to worship, then to search after. And he hath put vessels in a general signification for instruments. For whatsoever action there is in any creature, it is (as a man would say) the ministry of the power of God. Very fitly therefore are we the faithful called vessels of mercy, which the Lord doeth use as instruments to show forth his mercy: and the reprobate, the vessels of wrath, seeing they serve to show forth the judgements of God.
For so the meaning shall be more apparant: and it shall be a kind of silence or concealing, wherein must be vnderstood, who therefore can accuse him of vnrighteousnesse, or appoint him a day? For here appeareth nothing but the moste straight rule of righteousnesse. But if wee will vnderstande the minde of Paule, euery worde almost is to be examined. For thus hee reasoneth, there are vessels prepared for destruction, that is, bequeathed and destinated to destruction: there are also vessels of wrath, that is, made and formed to this ende, that they might be testimonies of ⟨p. 128⟩