A17647:27
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.
10 That ye may allow. The definition of Christian wisdom, is to know that that is to the purpose, or profitable, not to disquiet the wit in vain subtleties and speculations, for the Lord will not employ his servants unprofitably, least they should learn that which should nothing avail them. Hereof you may gather, in what estimation the divinity of the Sorbonical Sophisters is to be had, wherein if thou spendest thy whole life, thou shalt no more be edified touching the hope of everlasting life, nor reap any more spiritual profit, than out of the demonstrations of Euclides. Truly, although it did teach no false thing: yet for this cause it should worthily be accursed, because the profaning of spiritual doctrine, is very dangerous: for the Scripture as Paul saith, is profitable. 2. Tim. 3.16. There we can find nothing but cold disputations about trifles. That ye may be pure. This is the profit which we reap by knowledge, not that every ⟨p. 12⟩man should craftily provide for his own estate, but that we should live with a pure conscience before God. It followeth: And without offence. The Greek word [Greek or Hebrew], is of doubtful signification. Ghrysostome doth expound it actively: that like as before God he would have us pure and innocent: so now before men he would have us lead an honest life: lest by any evil examples they should hurt their neighbours. This I reject not: yet in my judgement, the passive signification agreeth better with the text: for to this end did he wish them wisdom, that with blameless steppes they should go forward in their vocation, until the day of Christ: as contrariwise by ignorance it cometh to pass, that oftentimes we fall, stumble, and go astray. And how many offences Satan objecteth unto us, which might either break of our course, or hinder it, every one of us for him self have experience. 11 Filled with the fruits of righteousness. This now pertaineth unto the outward life: for a good conscience bringeth forth her fruit by her works: therefore he desireth that they should be fruitful in good works, unto the glory of God. Such fruits he saith are thorough Christ, because they proceed from the grace of Christ: for this is unto us the beginning of well doing, when we are sanctified by his spirit: for it rested upon him, that of his fullness we all might receive.
10 That ye may allowe. The definition of Christian wisedome, is to knowe that that is to the purpose, or profitable, not to disquiet the witte in vayne subtilties and speculations, for the Lorde will not employe his seruantes vnprofitably, least they shoulde learne that which shoulde nothing auayle them. Hereof you may gather, in what estimation the diuinitie of the Sorbonicall Sophisters is to be had, wherein if thou spendest thy whole life, thou shalt no more be edified touching the hope of euerlasting life, nor reape anye more spirituall profite, than out of the demonstrations of Euclides. Truely, although it did teache no false thing: yet for this cause it shoulde worthily be accursed, because the profaning of spirituall doctrine, is verye daungerous: for the Scripture as Paule sayth, is profitable.