A17643:775
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.
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 ⟨p. 134⟩they crucified Christ, that they cruelly raged against the Apostles, that they went about to destroy and extinguish the Gospel: and yet they had the same defence, wherein we glory securely. Therefore let those vain hastings or wranglings of good intention go. If we seek the Lord from our heart, let us follow the way by the which there is access unto him. For it is better, (As Augustine saith) yea even to halt in the way, then to run stoutly out of the way. If we would be religious, let us remember that is true which Lactantius teacheth, namely, that is true religion, which is joined with the word of God. And again when we see them to perish, who through good intention wander in darkness, let us think we are worthy of a thousand deaths, if we, being illuminated of God, do wittingly & willingly wander from his way.
2 For I beare them recorde. This apperteineth to procure credite to his loue: for there was iust cause, why he should rather haue compassiō on thē, then hate them: seeing that he saw they fell onely of ignorance, & not through wickednes of mind, yea when hee saw that for no other cause, then for some affection of God, they were moued to persecute ye kingdom of Christ. But heereby let vs learne,1 whether our good intētions do carry vs, if we obey them. Commonly this is thought to bee a good and very fit excuse, when hee that is reproued, pretendeth he meant no harme. And this pretence at this day holdeth a great many, that they apply not their studie to search out the truth of God, because they thinke that to bee excusable whatsoeuer they transgresse of ignorance, without set malice, yea with a good intention. But there is none of vs can excuse the Iewes, that