A17643:930
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.
But before he command, he saith, he hath authority given him, to the end they might hearken unto him, no less then unto the voice of God himself: for his words are as much in value, as if he said, I speak not of my self: but being an ambassador of GOD, I bring unto you the commandments he hath enjoined me.1 By grace (as before) he meaneth his Apostleship, whereby he commendeth the goodness of GOD therein, and withal insinuateth, that he did not temerously intrude himself, but that he was chosen by the calling of God. So then he getting unto himself authority, by this preface, doth bind the Romans with a necessity of obeying, unless they would contemn GOD in the person of his minister.
But before hee commaunde, hee saith, hee hath authoritie giuen him, to the ende they might hearken vnto him, no lesse then vnto the voyce of God himselfe: for his woordes are as muche in value, as if hee saide, I speake not of my selfe: but beeing an imbassadour of GOD, I bryng vnto you the commaundenientes hee hath inioyned mee.1 By grace (as before) hee meaneth his Apostleshyp, whereby hee commendeth the goodnesse of GOD therein, and withall insinuateth, that hee did not temerously intrude himselfe, but that he was chosen by the calling of God. So then hee getting vnto himselfe authoritie, by this preface, doth binde the Romanes with a necessitie of obeyng, vnlesse they woulde contemne GOD in the person of his minister.
- 1Grace puc for Apostleship.
Then followeth the precept, whereby he both draweth us, from the searching of those things, which do nothing but trouble mens minds, for they do not edify: and also forbiddeth least any should take more upon him, then his capacity and calling will bear. And withal admonisheth, that we only think and meditate those things, which may make us sober and modest. For so I had rather understand it, then according to that Erasmus doth translate it, that no man think proudly of himself. Both because this sense is somewhat further fetched, and that other agreeth better to the text. This sentence, Besides that is meet for him to understand. Declareth what he meant by the former word Huperphronein: that is, to be insolent, or think above measure of himself: namely, that we exceed the measure of wisdom or being wise, if we busy our selves about those things, of the which it is not meet we should be careful. To be wise unto sobriety: is to be given unto those studies, whereby thou perceivest thou mayest