A17647:28
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.
And because Paul here taketh a similitude from trees: we are wild olives and unprofitable, until we are engrafted into Christ, who by his living root doth make us fruitful trees, according to that in John. 15.1. I am the vine, you are the branches. He showeth also the end, that we should serve to the glory of God: for no life is so excellent in show, which is not polluted, and stinketh before God, except it be directed unto this mark. Whereas Paul here nameth righteousness of works, it maketh nothing against the free righteousness of faith: for it doth not follow by and by that there is righteousness, where there are the fruits of righteousness, because that righteousness before God is no other thing, than a full and ⟨p. 13⟩sound obedience of the law, which is found in none of the Saints: who notwithstanding according to their measure of grace, do bring forth good and sweet fruits of righteousness: that is to say, because God beginneth in us righteousness by the regeneration of his spirit: so that which wanteth, he supplieth by the remission of sins, that righteousness nevertheless should altogether depend upon faith.
And because Paule here taketh a similitude from trées: we are wild oliues and vnprofitable, vntill we are ingraffed into Christ, who by his liuing roote doth make vs fruitfull trees, according to that in Iohn. 15.1. I am the vine, you are the branches. He sheweth also the ende, that we should serue to the glorie of God: for no life is so excellent in shewe, which is not polluted, and stinketh before God, except it be directed vnto this marke. Wheras Paule here nameth righteousnes of works, it maketh nothing against the frée righteousnes of faith: for it doth not followe by and by that there is righteousnes, where there are the fruites of righteousnes, because that righteousnes before God is no other thing, than a full and ⟨p. 13⟩sound obedience of the lawe, which is found in none of the Saincts: who notwithstanding according to their measure of grace, doe bring forth good and swéete fruites of righteousnes: that is to say, because God beginneth in vs righteousnes by the regeneration of his spirite: so that which wanteth, he supplieth by the remission of sinnes, that righteousnes neuertheles should altogether depend vpon faith.