A17647:119
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.
4 Rejoice in the Lord. This is an exhortation applied to the time. For because the state of the godly was much troubled, every where dangers imminent, it might so fall out, that they being overcome with sorrow & impatience, might faint. Therefore he biddeth them, howsoever their estate were hated and troubled, nevertheless to rejoice in the Lord: for then especially the spiritual consolations wherewith the Lord do recreate and cheer us, must show forth their strength, when the whole world do provoke us to desperation: but we must consider by the circumstance of the time, how forcible this voice would have been from Pauls mouth, who might be the especial cause of their heaviness. For if they be afraid of persecutions, of bonds, of banishment, or of death: here the Apostle cometh forth, who amidest his bonds, in the midst of hot persecutions, and in fear of death, is not only joyful ⟨p. 85⟩but also cheereth up others. The sum therefore is this, whatsoever shall happen, yet the faithful who have God on their side, have sufficient matter to rejoice. The repetition serveth to the amplification, as if he should say: let this be a strong & steadfast ground unto you, to rejoice in the Lord, and that not for a moment, but that your joy may be continued in him. For truly in this it differeth from the joy of the world, because we have experience that that is deceitful, momentany and soon vanisheth away, and Christ also doth pronounce it accursed, Luke. 6.25. Therefore that is joy fixed in God which is never taken from us. 5. Let your patient mind. This may 2 ways be expounded, either that he biddeth them rather to lose their right than that any should complain of their cruelty & rigour. As if he had said: let all men with whom you deal, perceive your equity and courtesy, that their knowledge may signify their experience. Or else, that he exhorteth them to bear all things patiently, which latter sense doth rather please me: for the Grecians also call [Greek or Hebrew], the moderation of the mind, when as we are not easily moved with injuries, when we are not easily troubled with adversity, but we keep still an equal condition, to which purpose Cicero hath said, my mind is quiet, which taketh all things well and equally.
4 Reioyce in the Lord. This is an exhortation applied to the time. For because the state of the godly was much troubled, euery where dangers imminent, it might so fall out, that they being ouercome with sorrowe & impatience, might faint. Therfore he biddeth them, howsoeuer their estate were hated and troubled, neuerthelesse to reioyce in the Lorde: for then especially the spirituall consolations wherwith ye Lord doo recreate and chéere vs, muste shewe forth their strength, when the whole world doo prouoke vs to desperation: but we must consider by the circumstance of the time, howe forcible this voice would haue béene from Paules mouth, who might be the especial cause of their heauines. For if they be afraide of persecutions, of bonds, of banishment, or of death: here the Apostle commeth forth, who amidest his bonds, in the midst of hoate persecutions, and in feare of death, is not only ioyful