A17643:805
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.
17 Therefore faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
17 Therfore faith commeth by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Here I will not busy the reader over long in reciting and refuting other mens opinions. Let every man use his own judgement, and let it be lawful for me freely to say what I think.
Heere I will not busie the reader ouer long in reciting and refuting other mens opinions. Let euery mā vse his own iudgement, and let it be lawfull for me freely to say what I thinke.
Therefore that you may understand what is the end of this ⟨p. 140⟩Gradation, consider first,1 that there was a mutual conjunction betwixt the calling of the Gentiles and the ministry of Paul, which he did perform and execute among them: so that the approbation of the one did depend upon the approbation of the other. Now it behoved Paul to make the calling of the Gentiles manifest and without all doubt or question, and also to show a reason of his ministry, least that he should seem to publish the grace of God amiss, in that he did withdraw or take from the children of God, the bread which was properly appointed for them, and give it to dogs. And therefore he doth both these things together. But the coherency & agreement of his words will not de perfectly understood, before that every particular part thereof be expounded in order. This his proceeding is as much in effect, as if he should say, that both Jews and Gentiles declare and show that they believe in God, by calling upon his name: because the true calling upon the name of god cannot be, except there were first a right knowledge of him. Furthermore, faith cometh by the word of God. But the word of God is preached in no place but by the special providence and appointment of God. Therefore where the invocation of God is, there is also faith: where faith is, there was also first the seed of the word, Where preaching is, there is also the calling of God, or there men are called of God. Now where there is so effectual and fruitful a calling of God: there is an evident and unfallible token of god his love. Whereby it is apparent, that the Gentiles are not to be debarred or excluded the kingdom of God, whom God hath admitted into the fellowship & participation of salvation. For as the preaching of the Gospel is the cause of their faith, so God his sending is the cause of preaching, whereby it pleased him to provide for their salvation after this manner. Now let us examine particularly, that which followeth.