A17643:988
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.
CHAPTER. 13.
1 Let every soul be subject to his higher powers. For there is no power but of God: for the powers which be, are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he which resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they which shall resist, shall get unto them selves judgement.
1 Let euery soule bee subiecte to his higher powers. For there is no power but of God: for the powers which be, are ordeyned of God. 2 Therefore he which resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinaunce of God: and they which shall resist, shall get vnto them selues iudgement.
1 Let every soul, &c. that he doeth so diligently handle this place, yea & that whiles he dealeth with the institution or fashioning of a christian life, thereby appeareth he was constrained thereunto by some great necessity: which seeing the preaching of the Gospel doeth alway bring with it, at that time chiefly it was like to bring it. For thereby alway tumultuous ⟨p. 172⟩spirits, who think the kingdom of Christ, can not be sufficiently advanced unless all earthly powers or authorities be suppressed: neither that they can enjoy the liberty given by him,1 except they shake off every yoke of humane subjection. Howbeit this error did possess the Jews above others, who thought it unmeet that the progeny of Abraham, whose kingdom flourished before the coming of the Saviour, should now after his manifestation abide in servitude. And there was also another thing, which did no less alienate the Jews then the Gentiles from their princes: namely, because they did not only all of them abhor from piety, but also with most infestuous or deadly minds, did persecute religion. Therefore it seemed an absurd thing, to acknowledge them for lawful Lords and princes, who went about to take the kingdom from Christ, the only Lord of heaven and earth. For these causes it is like, Paul was moved, that with greater care he might confirm the authority of Magistrates. And first of all, he putteth down a general precept, where in summarily be comprehendeth that, he is about to speak of: then afterward he addeth those things which make unto the exposition, and confirmation of the precept. He calleth them high powers, not the highest powers, as though they obtained the highest empire or rule, but which excel above other men. In respect therefore of subjects, and not in respect of them selves, one being compared with another, Magistrates are so called. And verily by this word the Apostle seemeth unto me, to go about to take away the curiosity of men, who are often wont to enquire by what right, they which are in authority, came by their power: but to us it ought to suffice, that they do rule. For they have not ascended unto this estate by their own strength, but they are placed by the hand of God. And whereas he nameth every soul, thereby he taketh away all exception, least any should pretend an immunity or freedom from the common subjection.