A17643:768
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 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.
Moreover, it is no hard matter to be known, how they stumble at Christ, who trust to the confidence of works: for except we acknowledge our selves to be sinners,1 bare and void of righteousness that is our own, we obscure the dignity of Christ: which consisteth in this, that he might be light, health, life, resurrection, righteousness, and medicine to us all. And to what end serve all these, but that he might lighten the blind, restore the damned, quicken the dead, rear them up are brought to nothing, wash them are full of filth, cure and heal those are deadly diseased? yea if we claim unto our selves any righteousness, we do in a sort strive with the power of Christ: seeing his office is, as well to beat down all pride of flesh, as to ease and comfort those labour and are heavy laden. And the testimony is properly cited. For there God denounceth that he will be an offence to the people of Judah and Israel, where at they should stumble and fall.