A17647:105
A commentary of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle to the PhilippiansA commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians
A commentary of M. John Calvin upon the Epistle to the Philippians wherein is set out the necessity and profit of affliction unto the faithful, the benefit of God his word, the fruits, of unity and humility, free justification by faith in Jesus Christ without our own merits, the assurance, joy, and contented minds of the godly, and their perseverance in godliness unto the end. With many other comfortable and profitable points of religion. Translated out of Latin by W.B.A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine vppon the Epistle to the Philippians wherein is set out the necessitie and profite of affliction vnto the faithfull, the benefite of God his word, the fruits, of vnitie and humilitie, free iustification by faith in Iesus Christ without our owne merites, the assurance, ioy, and contented mindes of the godlie, and their perseueraunce in godlinesse vnto the end. With many other comfortable and profitable pointes of religion. Translated out of Latine by W.B.
London: printed by John Windet for Nicolas Lyng, 1584
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.
For he admonisheth them, that they should not be proud in their ignorance, and yet he biddeth them be of good cheer, when he saith, that they must look for the revelation of God, for we know how great an hinderance of the truth obstinacy is. This therefore is an excellent preparation unto teaching, if we do not please our selves in our error. Therefore Paul covertly doth show, that we must give place unto the revelation of God, if as yet we have not obtained that which we seek. And when he teacheth that we must proceed by degrees, he encourageth them, that they should not faint in the middle of their course, although he also affirmeth that it is without controversy which he had taught, saying, that unto them which disagree from him, that shall be revealed which as yet they know ⟨p. 75⟩not: for it is as much as if he had said, the Lord will at sometime show unto you the same thing which I have said is the perfect rule to be rightly wise, and to live well. No man could lawfully speak so, but he that were certainly persuaded of the reason and truth of his doctrine. In the mean time also let us learn out of this place, that ignorance for a time in our weak brethren must be suffered, and we must pardon them if it be not forthwith granted unto them altogether to subscribe unto us. Paul was certain of his doctrine, notwithstanding he giveth unto them a space to profit, that as yet could not receive it, neither doth he therefore cease to account them as brethren, only he taketh heed that they should not flatter themselves in their error. Whereas the Latin books have, He hath revealed in the Pretertense, I easily reject it, as being unfit, and not agreeing with the matter. 16 Nevertheless whether we are come. In the distinction the Greek examples also differ, for in some there are two whole sentences, if the division rather please you, the sense shall be that which Erasmus hath given, but I rather embrace a diverse reading, that Paul exhorteth them to the imitation of himself, that at length they may come to the same mark, namely, that they may think one thing, and may proceed by the same rule: for where sincere affection flourisheth, such as ruled in Paul, there is an easy way unto holy and godly concord.
For he admonisheth them, that they should not be proude in their ignorance, and yet he biddeth them bée of good chéere, when he sayth, that they must looke for the reuelation of God, for we knowe how great an hinderance of the truth obstinacie is. This therefore is an excellent preparation vnto teaching, if we doo not please our selues in our error. Therefore Paule couertly doth shewe, that we must giue place vnto the reuelation of God, if as yet we haue not obteined that whiche wée séeke. And when he teacheth that we must procéede by degrées, he encourageth them, that they should not faint in the middle of their course, although he also affirmeth that it is without controuersie which he had taught, saying, that vnto them which disagrée from him, that shall be reuealed which as yet they knowe