A17643:947
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.
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.
8 He which giueth in singlenesse. Out of these latter branches wee see playnely, that here is declared vnto vs, what is the lawfull vse of the giftes of God. By giuers, of the which hee speaketh here, hee vnderstandeth not those which giue of their owne, but Deacons, who were appoynted for the distribution of the publique goddes of the Churche. By those shewe mercie, hee vnderstandeth widowes, and other ministers, who according to the custome of the olde Church were ordayned to see vnto the sicke. For they are two diuers offices, to minister necessarie thinges vnto the poore, and to bestowe their labour in seeing to them. Howebeit to the first hee assigneth simplicitie, whereby without fraude, and parcialitie, they shoulde faythfully distribute those thinges are committed to them: of these hee woulde haue obedience shewed with cheerefulnesse, least by their morositie (as it often commeth to passe) they spoyle their offices of grace or graciousnesse. For as nothing more comforteth him is sicke, or afflicted by any other maner of way, then when hee seeth the mindes of men chearefull, and readie to helpe him: so if hee see vnwillingnesse in their countenaunce of whom hee is holpen, hee will take it to his reproche.