A17643:762
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.
Paul so uttereth that in bare words, which was a marvellous paradox or strange thing, that by a reason added, he tempereth what so ever sharpness or roughness was in it: namely that that righteousness the Gentiles attained unto, doth consist in faith: and therefore doeth depend upon the mercy of the Lord, and not on mans own worthiness. And that that study of the law was in the Jews, was preposterous, because they sought to be justified by works: and so they laboured to attain unto that, whereunto man can not come. Yea, they also were offended at Christ, by whom only we have entrance to obtain righteousness.
Paule so vttereth that in bare woordes, which was a marueylous paradoxe or straunge thinge, that by a reason added, hee tempereth what so euer sharpenesse or roughnesse was in it: namely that that righteousnesse the Gentiles attayned vnto, doth consist in fayth: and therefore doeth depende vpon the mercie of the Lorde, and not on mans owne woorthinesse. And that that studie of the lawe was in the Iewes, was preposterous, because they sought to bee iustified by woorkes: and so they laboured to attayne vnto that, whereunto man can not come. Yea, they also were offended at Christ, by whom onely wee haue enteraunce to obtayne righteousnesse.
But the purpose of the Apostle in this former member, is to advance the mere grace of God, that no other cause should be sought for in the calling of the Gentiles then this, namely, that he vouchsafed to embrace them, being unworthy of his favour.1 He speaketh of righteousness by name, without the which salvation cometh not: but whiles he saith it proceeded ⟨p. 132⟩from faith, he giveth to understand that the righteousness of the Gentiles doth consist in free reconciliation. For if any imagine they were therefore justified, because by faith they had gotten the spirit of regeneration, he is far wide from the mind of Paul. For it could not be true, that they obtained that they sought not, unless the Lord freely embraced them strange and wandering, & offered them righteousness, whereof, in as much as they knew it not, there could flourish no study amongst them. But also it is to be noted, that the Gentiles did not otherwise obtain righteousness by faith, but because God prevented their faith by his grace.