A17643:84
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.
Whom I worship in spirit. Because wicked men which delude God, use no less boldly then rashly to pretend his name, Paul here commendeth his holiness, that he might have the more credit. For who so doeth fear, and reverence God, will abhor to swear falsely. Moreover, he opposeth his spirit against outward hypocrisy. And because many do falsely boast themselves to be the worshippers of God,1 and in outward show appear to be so, he testifieth that he doeth worship God from his heart. It may be also he had respect unto the old ceremonies, in which only, the Jews thought the worship of God did consist. Therefore he letteth to understand that although he retained not that exercise, yet nevertheless he was a true worshipper of God:2 as he saith unto the Philippians. We are the true circumcision, which serve God in the spirit, and glory not in the flesh. Therefore he rejoiceth that he worshipped God in sincere piety of mind, which is true religion, and the lawful worship of God. It was expedient (as I said before) to the end his oath might have the more certainty, that Paul should testify his devotion towards God. For perjury which the godly abhor more then a thousand deaths,3 is but a sport with the wicked. For it cannot be, but where there is a serious fear of God, there should also be such reverence of his name. It is therefore as much as if Paul should say, I know how ⟨p. 7⟩great reverence, and religious devotion there ought to be of an oath, I therefore do not call God to witness as the wicked use to do. And so by his example he teacheth us,4 that so often as we swear, we should give such testimony of holiness, that the name of God which we use in our talk might have his weight. Secondly, he proveth by the sign, that he worshipped not God hypocritically, namely by his ministry. For that was a notable token, that he was a man given to the glory of God, who having denied himself, refused not for the advancing of the kingdom of God, to sustain what dangers soever, whether of reproach, poverty, death, or hatred. Some understand this clause, as though he did therefore commend that worship, wherewithal he said he worshipped God, because it was according to the prescript rule of the Gospel. Sure it is that the spiritual worship of God, is commanded in the Gospel.