Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

This place of Paul hath caused the ancient writers to expound that whole Psalm allegorically, whose steppes the posterity hath also followed. So that without contradiction or controversy the Sun compared to a bridegroom going out ⟨p. 143⟩of his chamber was Christians the Apostles were understood by the heavens: They who were more religious, and behaved them selves more modestly in the interpretation of the scripture, do think that it was properly spoken of the building & frame of the heavens, and that Paul did transfer it to the Apostles by way of allusion. But because I find that the servants of God handled the scriptures every where with more reverence,¹ and that they wavered not hither and thither so licentiously, I cannot be persuaded that Paul abused this place in such sort. Therefore I take this his allegation in the proper & natural sense or meaning of the prophet, so that the argument may be this, namely, that God hath made his deity manifest to the Gentiles even from the beginning of the world, albeit not by the preaching of men, yet by the testimony of his creatures. For although the Gospel was not then hard of among them, yet notwithstanding the whole frame and workmanship of heaven & earth did speak, & did glorify their author by their preaching. It appeareth therefore, that God, even at the time wherein he contained & kept the grace of his covenant with in the people of Israel, did not withdraw his knowledge in such sort from the Gentiles, but that he did alway show them some spark, and light thereof. In deed he made him self more nearly known and manifest to his chosen people, so that the Jews might be worthily compared to domesticall hearers whom he taught familiarly by his holy mouth. Notwithstanding because he did also speak unto the Gentiles a far off by the voice of the heavens, by this preamble or foresight the showed that he would all so make himself known at the length to the Gentiles. And yet I know not why the greek interpreter hath translated the hebrew word kavam, ph•hoggon, a sound. For the hebrew word signifieth a line sometime in building, and sometime in writing. But concerning this present plans, seeing it is sure, that the same thing is repeated twice, it seemeth unto me that the heavens are brought in, declaring both by writing & speech the power of God to all mankind.

This place of Paule hath caused the auncient writers to expounde that whole Psalme allegorically, whose steppes the posteritie hath also followed. So that without contradiction or controuersie the sonne compared to a bridegrome going out