A17643:96
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.
Two things are here to be considered. First that the Gospel is appointed and offered by the commandment of God unto the wise,1 to the end that the Lord might subject unto him all the wisdom of this world, and might cause all wittiness, all kind of science, and highness of arts give place unto the simplicity of this doctrine: And so much the more, because they are brought into an order with idiots, and are so tamed, that they can now abide those to be their school fellows under the Schoolmaster Christ,2 whom before they would not have suffered to have been their scholars. Secondly, the unlearned neither are to be driven from this school, neither are they through vain fear of themselves to flee away from it. For if Paul were indebted to them, and is to be thought to have been a faithful debtor, undoubtedly he performed that which he ought. Wherefore here they shall find, whereof they may be capable to enjoy it. Here also all Teachers have a rule which they may follow, namely, that modestly, and courteously they humble them selves to the unlearned and idiots. Hereupon it shall come to pass,3 that they may bear more patiently many trifles, and devour almost innumerable contempts, whereof otherwise they might be overcome. Yet withal let them remember, that they are so bound unto the foolish: that they are not by over much cockering to maintain their foolishness.
Two thinges are here to be considered. First that the Gospel is appoynted and offered by the commaundement of God vnto the wise,1 to the ende that the Lorde might subiecte vnto him all the wisedome of this worlde, and might cause all wittinesse, all kynde of science, and highnesse of artes giue place vnto the simplicity of this doctrine: And so muche the more, because they are brought into an order with idiotes, and are so tamed, that they canne nowe abyde those to bee their schoole fellowes vnder the Schoolemayster Christe,2 whom before they woulde not haue suffered to haue beene their schollers. Secondly, the vnlearned neyther are to be driuen from this schoole, neyther are they through vayne feare of themselues to flee away from it. For if Paule were indebted to them, and is to bee thought to haue beene a faithfull debtor, vndoubtedlye hee perfourmed that whiche he ought. Wherefore heere they shall finde, whereof they may bee capable to inioye it. Here also all Teachers haue a rule which they may followe, namely, that modestly, and courteously they humble them selues to the vnlearned and idiotes. Hereuppon it shall come to passe,