Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

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 ⟨image 178⟩learn and be taught modesty. As God hath given every man. Unicuique ut divisit deus. Here is the figure called Anastrophe, or inversion of words, for, as to every man God hath given. And here verily is the manner of that sober wisdom he spake of, expressed. For seeing there is a diverse distribution of graces, then every man proposeth unto himself the best mean or measure of wisdom or being wise,¹ when he keepeth himself within the compass of that grace or gift of faith, which is given unto him. So then there is a superfluous seeking of wisdom, not only in superfluous things, & things unprofitable to be known: but also in those, the knowledge whereof otherwise is profitable: when we respect not what is given unto us, but temerously and boldly exceed the measure of our understanding, which importunity, God will not suffer unrevenged. For we may see oftentimes, with what trifles they are carried about, who, through foolish ambition lift up themselves beyond those bounds are set for them. The substance is, this is a part of our reasonable sacrifice, when every one by a gentle and tractable spirit, doeth yield himself to be ruled & ordered of God.

Then followeth the precept, whereby hee both draweth vs, from the searching of those thinges, whiche doe nothing but trouble mens mindes, for they doe not edifie: and also forbiddeth least any shoulde take more vppon him, then his capacitie and calling will beare. And withall admonisheth, that wee onely thinke and meditate those thinges, which may make vs sober and modest. For so I had rather vnderstande it, then accordyng to that Erasmus doth translate it, that no man thinke proudly of himselfe. Both because this sense is somewhat further fetcht, and that other agreeth better to the text. This sentence, Besides that is meete for him to vnderstand. Declareth what hee meant by the former woorde Huperphronein: that is, to bee insolent, or thinke aboue measure of himselfe: namely, that we exceede the measure of wisedome or being wise, if we busie our selues about those things, of the which it is not meete wee shoulde be carefull. To be wise vnto sobrietie: is to be giuen vnto those studies, wherby thou perceiuest thou mayest