A17643:94
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.
Where we learn, that the Lord many times overthroweth the counsels of his Saints, that he might humble them, and by such humbling, teach them to have respect unto his providence, that they might depend upon it, although the Saints, who deliberate nothing without the will of God, are not properly driven from their counsels. For that is wicked boldness without regard of God to determine upon things to come, as who should say, they were in our power: which boldness, James reproveth sharply.1 Whereas he saith he was letted, thou mayest not otherwise take it, then that the Lord did lay before him more urgent business of the Church,2 which he could not leave without great damage to the Church. Thus yt impediments of the godly and faithless differ: that these think them selves then at length to be letted, when by the violent hand of the Lord they are so hemmed in, that they can not stir them selves: the other are content to take some lawful reason for an impediment: neither do they permit them selves to attempt any thing, either besides their office or contrary to edification. That I might have some fruit. Undoubtedly he speaketh of that fruit, to the gathering whereof the Apostles were sent of the Lord:3 I have chosen you, that ye might go, and bring forth fruit, and your fruit might remain. Which fruit albeit he gathered it not for himself,4 but for the Lord, yet he calleth it his: because there is nothing more proper unto the godly, then that which advanceth the glory of the Lord, whereunto all their felicity is coupled. And he saith he had received fruit amongst other nations, to the end the Romans might be in hope, his coming ⟨p. 9⟩unto them should not be unprofitable,5 which so many nations had proved to be fruitful.
Where we learne, that the Lorde many times ouerthroweth the counsailes of his Saintes, that he might humble them, and by such humbling, teache them to haue respecte vnto his prouidence, that they might depende vpon it, although the Saintes, who deliberate nothing without the will of God, are not properly driuen from their counsailes. For that is wicked boldnesse without regarde of God to determine vpon thinges to come, as who shoulde say, they were in our power: whiche boldenesse, Iames reproueth sharpely.