A17643:884
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.
& because he disputeth not of every one of the elect particularly, but of the whole body, a condition is added, if they shall abide in his lenity. In deed I confess, so soon as any abuseth the goodness of God, he is worthy to be deprived of the offered grace: but improperly should this be spoken of any of the godly particularly, that God had therefore mercy on him, when he chose him, if so that he did abide in his mercy. For the perseverance of faith, which maketh perfect the effect of the ⟨image 169⟩grace of God in us, proceedeth from election. Paul therefore teacheth,1 that the Gentiles are received into the hope of eternal life, upon this condition, that by their thankfulness they should hold the possession of it. And surely that horrible defection of the whole world which followed afterward, doth plentifully testify how this admonition was not in vain. For when God had almost in a moment so watered far & wide with his grace, that religion flourished every where, shortly after the verity of the Gospel vanished, & the treasure of salvation was taken away. And whence came so sudden a change, but because the Gentiles were fallen from their calling? otherwise thou shalt also be cut off. Now we understand in what sense Paul threateneth unto them cutting off, whom before he confesseth to be grafted into the hope of life by the election of God. For first, albeit this can not happen to the elect, yet they stand in need of such exhortation, to tame the pride of the flesh: which as it is in trueth contrary to their salvation, so ought it to be terrified with the fear of damnation. As christians therefore are illuminated by faith, they hear to their assurance, that the calling of God is without repentance: but as they carry the flesh about with them, which wantonly kicketh against the grace of GOD, by this speech they are taught unto humility, take heed thou be not cut off. Howbeit that resolution which I brought is to be remembered, namely that Paul speaketh not here of the particular election of every one, but opposeth the Jews to the Gentiles: and therefore in these words he doth not so much speak unto the elect, as unto such as did falsely boast them selves to have gotten the place of the Jews. Yea he speaketh unto the Gentiles to gather, and generally the whole body, wherein many were only in title faithful and the members of Christ.