A17643:877
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.
18 Thou wilt say then. In the person of the gentiles he pronounceth whatsoever they could pretend for themselves: and that was such, that it should have been so far from puffing ⟨p. 153⟩them up, that rather it should give unto them, matter of humility. For if the cutting off, of the Jews, was through unbelief, and the grafting in of the Gentiles by faith: what remaineth, but that by acknowledging the grace of God, they might thereby be prepared to modesty and submission?1 for this ariseth from the nature of faith, and is proper in it, that it should beget in us the humbling of our selves, and fear. But understand that fear, which is not contrary to the assurance of faith: For Paul would not have our faith to waver, or to change with any doubting, much less would he have us to be overthrown or to tremble. What kind of fear then shall this be? namely as the Lord biddeth us bestow our selves in the consideration of two things, so it is meet a twofold affection should proceed thence. For he would have the miserable condition of our nature to be still considered of us, the same can bring forth nothing but horror, weariness, anxiety, and desperation: and so it is meet we should be utterly thrown down and broken, that at length we might mourn to him. Yet that horror holdeth not from the consideration of our conceit, but our minds trusting to his goodness may abide calm: that weariness hindereth not, but we may enjoy full consolation in him: that anxiety & desperation letteth not but we obtain sure joy & hope with him. Therefore he doth nothing else but oppose this fear of the which he speaketh as a preservative against proud contempt: because as every one taketh more unto him then is meet, so he is too secure, & at the length insolent against others: therefore so far forth we are to fear, least our heart being lift up by pride do advance it self. But he seemeth to cast a doubt of salvation, whiles he admonisheth them to take heed, least they also be not spared. I answer, seeing this exhortation serveth to the taming of the flesh, which alway is insolent,2 yea even in the sons of God, it derogateth nothing, from the certainty of salvation. But chiefly we are to note, and remember that I said of late, namely that the speech of Paul is not so much directed against private men, as against the whole body of the Gentiles: