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ANNOTATIONS VPON THE Epistle of PAUL the Apostle, to the ROMANS. (Book Romans)
CHAP. I.
OF the Epistle, and order of all Pauls Epistles, see my Treatise of Di∣vinity, Lib. 1. ch. 4. p. 70, 71, 72, 73.
The Epistle to the Romans, and the Gospell of John are the* 1.1Keyes of the New Testament. Cardinall Poole answered well to him that demanded what course should be taken in reading the Epistle to the Romans; First (saith he) begin at the twelfth Chapter, and read to the end and practise the precepts of repentance and mortification; and then set upon the former part of the Epistle, where Justification and Predestination are handled.
Vers. 1. Paul] Of his name see Beza on Acts 13.9 Calvin, à Lapide on this place. Paul is a Latin name, from Paulus, that is a little one; so the Romans were wont to call those which were of a lesser stature. Some think he had first this name given him, upon occasion of converting Sergius Paulus the Deputy, Acts 13.9, 12. before he was called Saul. Chrysostome writ eight Homilies in his praise, and usually cals him the Apostle. Hierome cals him the trumpet of the Gospel.
A servant of Jesus Christ] In the Old Testament those which were in great Offices were called the servants of the Lord, that is, of God; as Moses, Jos. 1.1. Joshua, Jud. 21.8. David, Psal. 131.10. Nehemiah, Nehem. 1.6. In the New Testament also Jesus Christ.
Called to be an Apostle] It is simply in the Greek called an Apostle; that is,* 1.2 made and appointed an Apostle. See Matth. 5.9.19. Rom. 7.3.
Separated to the Gospel of God] He alluded perhaps to the name of the Pharisees,* 1.3 which was à separando. The Pharisee was separated to the study of the Law; he being made a Christian was separated by God to the Gospel; separated from his mothers womb, to preach the Gospell to the Gentiles, Gal. 1.15.
Vers. 2. By his Prophets] The Apostle hath respect to the Oracles concerning Christ and his Kingdom, Gen. 3.15. Levit. 18.18. Esay 9.6. & 52.7. & 61.1. & 65.1. Jerem. 31.31.
Vers. 4. Declared] The word signifieth determined; and as it were by definitive sen∣tence concluded to be the Sonne of God.
With power] that is, powerfully, an Hebraisme; or miraculously, viz. by the resur∣rection of ••he dead, as is added; for this Greek word ordinarily signifies a miracle in the New Testament.