A17643:816
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.
Notwithstanding he noteth the reason afterward when he addeth, To whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? For he signifieth that there appeareth no profit or fruit of the word, but whilst God doth shine upon us by the brightness of his spirit, and so is the inward calling distinguished from the outward voice of man. Which inward calling is only effectual, and proper to the elect. Whereby it is evident, how foolishly some men reason, that all are indifferently elected and chosen, because the doctrine of salvation is universal, and God doeth indifferently invite all men unto him. For the generality of the promise alone of it self, and by it self doth not make salvation common and general to all: But rather this peculiar ⟨p. 142⟩revelation whereof the prophet maketh mention, restraineth and tieth it only to the elect.
Notwithstanding hee noteth the reason afterwarde when hee addeth, To whome is the arme of the Lorde reuealed? For hee signifieth that there appeareth no profite or fruite of the woorde, but whilest God doth shine vpon vs by the bryghtnesse of his spirite, and so is the inwarde calling distinguished from the outwarde voyce of man. Which inwarde calling is onely effectuall, and proper to the elect. Whereby it is euident, howe foolyshly some men reason, that all are indifferently elected and chosen, because the doctrine of saluation is vniuersall, and God doeth indifferently inuite all men vnto him. For the generalitie of the promise alone of it selfe, and by it selfe doth not make saluation common and generall to all: But rather this peculiar ⟨p. 142⟩reuelation whereof the prophete maketh mention, restrayneth and tyeth it onely to the elect.
17 Therefore faith cometh by hearing, &c. By the conclusion we see what Paul did respect in framing that his gradation: Namely to show that wheresoever faith is, there God hath already given a manifest and evident sign of his election.