A17643:875
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 And though some of the branches. Now he toucheth the present dignity of the Gentiles, which is no other, than that should be of branches, if any being taken from some other place, were grafted into some noble tree. For the original of the Gentiles, was (as it were) of a wild and barren olive: because they found nothing in their whole pedigree but malediction. Therefore whatsoever glory they have, that is of the new grafting and not of the old stock: there is then no cause why the Gentiles should boast themselves of any honour of theirs, above the Jews. Add also, that Paul doth prudently mitigate the bitterness, not saying, the whole top of the tree was cut off, but certain of the branches were broken: as God did now and then take some among the gentiles, whom he might graft in the sacred and blessed stock.
17 And though some of the braunches. Now hee toucheth the present dignitie of the Gentiles, which is no other, thē that should be of braunches, if any being taken from some other place, were grafted into some noble tree. For the original of the Gentiles, was (as it were) of a wilde and barren oliue: because they founde nothing in their whole petegrie but malediction. Therfore whatsoeuer glorie they haue, that is of the newe grafting and not of the olde stocke: there is then no cause why the Gentiles should boast themselues of any honour of theirs, aboue the Iewes. Adde also, that Paule doth prudently mittigate the bitternesse, not saying, the whole top of the tree was cut off, but certayne of the branches were brokē: as God did nowe and then take some among the gentiles, whō he might graft in the sacred and blessed stocke.
18 But if thou doest boast thy self, thou doest not bear the root. The gentiles cannot contend with the Jews of the dignity of their kindred, but they must strive with Abraham: which were too bad, seeing he is instead of a root, on the which they are borne and moved. Look therefore how absurd it should be for the branches proudly to boast themselves against the root: so absurd it were for the gentiles to glory against the Jews: namely in respect of the excellency of kindred. For Paul would have it alway weighed, whence the beginning of salvation is. And we know, after Christ by his coming had pulled down the partition wall, the whole world was replenished with that grace, which God before had laid up with an elect people. Whereby it followeth, that the calling of the gentiles is like to a grafting, neither did they otherwise grow up into the people of GOD, then as they took root in the stock of Abraham.