A17643:774
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.
Hereby we may see with how great carefulness the man of God doth occur or meet with offences. For yet that he might temper whatsoever was bitter or sharp, in opening the rejection of the Jews, he testifieth, as before, his good will towards them, and doth confirm the same by the effect: namely, that he had a care of their salvation before the Lord. For this affection springeth from pure charity. Although perhaps for some other cause also, he was forced to testify his love towards the nation whereof he came: for his doctrine had never been received of the Jews, if they had thought him to be their sworn enemy: and also his falling from the law had been suspected of the gentiles, because they had thought, that for the hatred of men, he was an Apostate from the law, as we have touched in the former Chapter.
HEreby we may see with how great carefulnesse the man of God doth occurre or meete with offences. For yet that hee mighte temper whatsoeuer was bitter or sharpe, in opening the reiection of the Iewes, hee testifieth, as before, his good will towardes them, and doth confirme the same by the effect: namely, that hee had a care of their saluation before the Lorde. For this affection springeth from pure charitie. Although perhaps for some other cause also, hee was forced to testifie his loue towardes the nation whereof hee came: for his doctrine had neuer beene receiued of the Iewes, if they had thought him to be their sworne enemie: and also his falling from the lawe had been suspected of the gentiles, because they had thought, that for the hatred of men, he was an Apostata from the lawe, as wee haue touched in the former Chapter.
2 For I bear them record. This appertaineth to procure credit to his love: for there was just cause, why he should rather have compassion on them, then hate them: seeing that he saw they fell only of ignorance, & not through wickedness of mind, yea when he saw that for no other cause, then for some affection of God, they were moved to persecute the kingdom of Christ. But hereby let us learn,1 whether our good intentions do carry us, if we obey them. Commonly this is thought to be a good and very fit excuse, when he that is reproved, pretendeth he meant no harm. And this pretence at this day holdeth a great many, that they apply not their study to search out the truth of God, because they think that to be excusable whatsoever they transgress of ignorance, without set malice, yea with a good intention. But there is none of us can excuse the Jews, that