A17643:945
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.
For he is a doctor or teacher, who formeth or instructeth the Church by the word of trueth. He that excelleth in the gift of exhorting, let him regard this end, that he may exhort effectually.
For hee is a doctor or teacher, who formeth or instructeth the Churche by the woorde of trueth. Hee that excelleth in the gift of exhorting, let him regarde this ende, that he may exhort effectually.
And although these offices have great affinity, yea and also connection between them selves: yet they cease not therefore to be divers. No man can exhort without doctrine: yet is not he that teacheth straightways endued with the gift of exhorting. Now no man prophesieth, or teacheth, or exhorteth, but he ministereth: but it is sufficient if we keep that distinction, which we see in the gifts of God, and know to be meet for the order of the Church.
And although these offices haue great affinitie, yea and also connection betweene them selues: yet they cease not therefore to bee diuers. No man can exhort without doctine: yet is not hee that teacheth strayghtwayes indued with the gyft of exhorting. Nowe no man prophesieth, or teacheth, or exhorteth, but hee ministreth: but it is sufficent if wee keepe that distinction, which wee see in the giftes of God, and knowe to bee meete for the order of the Church.
8 He which giveth in singleness. Out of these latter branches we see plainly, that here is declared unto us, what is the lawful use of the gifts of God. By givers, of the which he speaketh here, he understandeth not those which give of their own, but Deacons, who were appointed for the distribution of the public goddes of the Church. By those show mercy, he understandeth widows, and other ministers, who according to the custom of the old Church were ordained to see unto the sick. For they are two divers offices, to minister necessary things unto the poor, and to bestow their labour in seeing to them. Howbeit to the first he assigneth simplicity, whereby without fraud, and partiality, they should faithfully distribute those things are committed to them: of these he would have obedience showed with cheerfulness, least by their morosity (as it often cometh to pass) they spoil their offices of grace or graciousness. For as nothing more comforteth him is sick, or afflicted by any other manner of way, then when he seeth the minds of men cheerful, and ready to help him: so if he see unwillingness in their countenance of whom he is holpen, he will take it to his reproach.