A17643:83
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.
9 For God is my witness. He showeth his charity by the effects. For unless he had loved them greatly,1 he would not so carefully have solicited their health with the Lord, and specially he would not have so earnestly desired to advance the same by his own labour. Therefore that carefulness, & that desire are sure tokens of his love: for except they sprung from that, they could never be. And because he knew it was expedient for establishing credit to his preaching, that the Romans should be well persuaded of his sincerity: he addeth an oath, A necessary remedy as often as that talk which ought to be firm and out of all doubt, is called into question. For if an oath be nothing else ⟨image 20⟩then a calling of GOD to witness, for the confirmation of our talk, they are very foolish which deny the Apostle to have sworn in this place, and yet notwithstanding he transgressed not the commandment of Christ. Whereby appeareth that the meaning of Christ was not (as the superstitious Anabaptists dream) altogether to put down oaths,2 but rather to call us unto the true observation of the law. And the law permitteth an oath, forbidding only perjury, and superfluous swearing. Therefore if we will, accordingly as we should, swear, let us follow the sobriety and reverent discretion which appeared in the Apostles.3 And to the end thou mayest understand this rule, know thou, that GOD is so called to be a witness, that he is also called to be a revenger if we do deceive. Which thing Paul expresseth in another place in these words, Now I call God for a record unto my soul.
9 For God is my witnes. He sheweth his charitie by the effectes. For vnlesse he had loued them greatly,1 he woulde not so carefully haue sollicited their health with the Lorde, and specially he would not haue so earnestly desired to aduance the same by his owne labour. Therfore that carefulnesse, & that desire are sure tokens of his loue: for except they sprong from that, they coulde neuer be. And because he knew it was expedient for establishing credit to his preaching, that the Romanes should be wel perswaded of his sinceritie: he addeth an oth, A necessary remedie as often as that talke which ought to be firme and out of all doubte, is called into question. For if an othe bee nothing else