A17643:979
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.
18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth. Tranquility, and a manner of life so composed, that it may make us be beloved of all men, is no common gift of a christian man. Hereunto if we will give our endeavour, we must be endued not only with great equity, but also with great commodity, and facility of manners: which may not only conciliate or get unto us those be ⟨p. 170⟩upright, and good, but also may turn the hearts of the wicked.
18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth. Tranquilitie, and a maner of life so composed, that it may make vs bee beloued of all men, is no common gift of a christian man. Hereunto if wee will giue our indeuour, we must be indued not only with great equitie, but also with great commoditie, and facilitie of maners: which may not only conci••ate or get vnto vs those be ⟨p. 170⟩vpright, and good, but also may turne the heartes of the wicked.
Howbeit here is a twofold caution or head to be taken that we covet not in such sort to be gracious,1 that we refuse (so often as necessity shall require) to take upon us the hatred of any, for Christs sake. And surely we may see many, who, whiles for the pleasantness or sweetness of manners and tranquility or quietness of mind they are amiable unto all, yet for the Gospels sake they have their nearest friends, their greatest enemies. The second caution is, that our facility degenerate not into assentation or flattery, that for quietness sake we would flatter the sins of men. Because therefore it can not alway be obtained, that we should have peace with all men, he hath added two particles,2 by the way of exception, if it may be, and as much as in us lieth