Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans

19 Not revenging your selves, beloved. That evil which he correcteth here, is more grievous then the former, whereof he made mention of late, as we have admonished, howbeit both of them arise out of the same fountain: namely, too much love of our selves, and natural pride, which maketh us very favourable to our own vices, but most severe towards others. Because therefore that disease doeth beget almost in all men, a furious desire of revenging, when they are touched but a little: here he commandeth, how grievously so ever we be hurt, that we our selves go not about to revenge our selves, but commit it to the Lord.

19 Not reuenging your selues, beloued. That euill whiche he correcteth here, is more grieuous then the former, whereof he made mention of late, as we haue admonished, howbeit both of them arise out of the same fountaine: namely, too much loue of our selues, and naturall pride, which maketh vs very fauourable to our owne vices, but most seuere towardes others. Because therefore that disease doeth beget almost in all men, a furious desire of reuenging, when they are touched but a little: heere hee commaundeth, howe grieuously so euer wee bee hurte, that wee our selues go not about to reuenge our selues, but commit it to the Lorde.

And because they are not easily bridled, who once have bin taken with this unbridled affection, by a sweet speech he doeth (as it were) lay hands upon us, that he might restrain us, whiles he, calleth us beloved. This then is the precept, that we neither revenge, nor seek to revenge the injuries done. The reason is added ⟨image 185⟩because we must give place to wrath. And to give place unto wrath, is to yield unto the Lord the power of judging, which they take from him, that take upon them revengement. Wherefore if it be a great sin to usurp the turn or course of God, then is it not lawful to revenge: for so we prevent the judgment of God, who will have this reserved to himself. And withal he insinuateth, that they who patiently expect his help, shall have God their revenger: but they who prevent him, leave no place for the help of God. Moreover he doth not only here forbid, that we execute revengement our selves, with our own hands, but also that our hart should be tempted with any such desire it is therefore superfluous to distinguish between public & private revengement. For he is no more excusable, who with an evil mind, & desirous of revengement, seeketh the help of the magistrate, than he who deviseth what way he may revenge by himself. Yea revengement is not alway to be desired of God, as we shall see straightways: because if our prayers proceed from a private affection, & not from the pure zeal of the spirit, we do not so much procure the Lord to be our judge, as we make him the minister or executioner, of our wicked concupiscence. Therefore we do not otherwise give place unto wrath, than when with quiet minds we expect a fit time of deliverance: in the mean while wishing that they who are now our adversaries, by repenting may become our friends. For it is written.