A17647:106
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.
Therefore because as yet they had not perceived what true perfection was, that they might come thither, he would have them followers of himself, that is, with a pure conscience to seek God, to arrogate nothing to themselves, quietly to submit their senses unto Christ. For in the imitation of Paul all these virtues are contained, a right zeal, the fear of the Lord, modesty, denying of himself, readiness to teaching, love, and a desire of concord. He biddeth them together be followers of him, that is, all with one consent and with one mind. Note, that the mark of perfection, unto the which he inviteth the Philippians by his own example, is, ⟨p. 76⟩that they should think the same thing, and proceed by the same rule, but before he put the doctrine, wherein they should agree, and the rule whereunto they should frame themselves. 17 Consider them. By this word he signifieth, that they had others as well whom they might choose to imitate, so that they framed themselves unto that purity whereof he was an example, whereby all suspicion of ambition is taken away: for whosoever is addicted to himself, refuseth companions. And he also admonisheth them, that all indifferently are not to be followed, as he addeth more plainly.
Therefore because as yet they had not perceyued what true perfection was, that they might come thether, hée woulde haue them followers of himselfe, that is, with a pure conscience to séeke God, to arrogate nothing to themselues, quietly to submit theyr senses vnto Christ. For in the imitation of Paule all these vertues are contained, a right zeale, the feare of the Lord, modestie, denying of himselfe, readinesse to teaching, loue, and a desire of concord. He biddeth them together bée followers of him, that is, all with one consent and with one minde. Note, that the marke of perfection, vnto the which he inuiteth the Philippians by his owne example, is, ⟨p. 76⟩that they should thinke the same thing, and procéede by the same rule, but before he put the doctrine, wherin they should agrée, and the rule whervnto they should frame themselues. 17 Consider them. By this word he signifieth, that they had others as well whome they might choose to imitate, so that they framed themselues vnto that puritie whereof he was an example, whereby all suspition of ambition is taken awaie: for whosoeuer is addicted to hymselfe, refuseth companions. And hée also admonisheth them, that all indifferentlie are not to bée followed, as hée addeth more playnelie.