A17643:767
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.
1Furthermore thou doest see, how faith and the merits of works are compared together, as things utterly contrary. Seeing then the confidence of works is a great let, whereby the way to obtain righteousness is stopped up against us: it is necessary that that being rejected, we rest upon the only goodness of God. For this example of the Jews ought justly to terrify all those, who seek to obtain the kingdom of God by works.
1Furthermore thou doest see, howe fayth and the merites of woorkes are compared together, as thinges vtterly contrary. Seeing then the confidence of workes is a great let, whereby the way to obteyne ryghteousnesse is stopped vp agaynst vs: it is necessary that that being reiected, wee rest vpon the onely goodnesse of God. For this example of the Iewes ought iustly to terrifie all those, who seeke to obtayne the kingdome of God by woorkes.
- 1Faith and the merit of works are utterly contrary.Faith and the merit of works are vtterly contrary.
For as it is already declared, he calleth not the observations of ceremonies the works of the Law: but the merits of works: unto the which faith is opposed, which faith not regarding his own worthiness, doth (that I may say so) with both eyes behold the sole mercy of God. For they have stumbled at the stumbling stone. By an excellent reason he confirmeth the former sentence. For nothing is more absurd, then that they should obtain righteousness, which go about to overthrow it. Christ is given unto us for righteousness: he laboureth to deprive him of his office, who so thrusteth upon GOD the righteousness of works. And hereby it appeareth, so often as men rest upon the confidence of works, under the vain pretence of being zealous for righteousness, by furious folly they fight with GOD.
For as it is alreadie declared, hee calleth not the obseruations of ceremonies the woorkes of the Lawe: but the merites of workes: vnto the which faith is opposed, which faith not regarding his owne worthynes, doth (that I may say so) with both eyes beholde the sole mercie of God. For they haue stumbled at the stumbling stone. By an excellent reason hee confirmeth the former sentence. For nothing is more absurde, then that they shoulde obtayne righteousnesse, whiche goe about to ouerthrowe it. Christ is giuen vnto vs for righteousnesse: hee laboureth to depriue him of his office, who so thrusteth vpon GOD the righteousnes of woorkes. And hereby it appeareth, so often as men rest vpon the confidence of woorkes, vnder the vayne pretence of being zealous for righteousnes, by furious folly they fight with GOD.