A17643:789
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.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith.) This place is such as may greatly trouble the Reader: and that for two causes. For both it seemeth to be improperly wrested of Paul, and also the words seem to be changed into another sense. But concerning the words we shall see what is to be said of them: First let us consider the application. For it is a place of Deuteronomy, where (as in the former place) Moses speaketh of the doctrine of the law:1 and Paul draweth it unto the promises of the Gospel. This knot may be well untied, thus, Moses in that place showeth the facility or easiness of coming unto life, because the will of God was not now hid nor set a far off from the Jews, ⟨image 150⟩but was laid before their eyes. If he spake of the law only, it had been a frivolous argument: seeing the law of God, being put before our eyes, is nothing more easy to be done, then if it were set a far off. Therefore he noteth not the law only, but in general all the doctrine of God, which comprehendeth under it the Gospel. For the word of the law by it self, is never in our heart: no not the least syllable thereof, until it be put in, by the faith of the Gospel. Secondly, yea even after regeneration, the word of the law shall not properly be said to be in our heart: because it requireth perfection, from the which the faithful themselves are far off. But the word of the Gospel hath his seat in the heart, although it filleth not the heart: for it offereth pardon for the imperfection and want. And Moses altogether in that Chapter (as also in the fourth) studieth to commend unto the people the singular love of God, because he had received them into his tuition and government: which commendation could not be taken from the bare law. Neither letteth it, that Moses preacheth there of reforming the life unto the rule of the law: for the spirit of regeneration is coupled with the righteousness of faith. Therefore he collecteth the one out of the other: because the observation of the law, is of the faith of Christ. Neither is it to be doubted but this sentence dependeth upon that principle, the Lord shall circumcise thine heart: which he had put down a little before in the same Chapter.
6 But the righteousnes whiche is of faith.) This place is suche as maye greatelye trouble the Reader: and that for two causes. For both it seemeth to bee improperly wrested of Paule, and also the wordes seeme to be chaunged into another sence. But concerning the words we shall see what is to be said of them: First let vs consider the application. For it is a place of Deuteronomie, where (as in the former place) Moses speaketh of the doctrine of the lawe: