A17647:52
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.
1 IF therefore. This exhortation is very pathetical, wherein by all means he entreateth the Philippians, that they would embrace mutual concord among them selves, lest that if they should be divided by contentions, they should be laid open to the illusions of the false Apostles: for always in dissentions there is a gate open unto satan, to spread ungodly doctrines, to repel the which, consent is the best defence. Because the word [Greek or Hebrew], is oft times taken for exhortation, the beginning of the chapter might thus be expounded. If my exhortation, which is done in the name and by the commandment of Christ, doth any thing prevail with you. Yet the other sense do better agree with the text: if there be in you Any consolation of Christ, whereby you might mitigate my sorrows: and if you will any way comfort and ease me, which truly you should do thorough love: if you think upon that fellowship of the spirit, which should make us all one: if any feeling of humanity & mercy remaineth in you, which might move you to succour my misery, fulfil my joy, &c. Hereby we gather how great a good unity is in the Church, & with how great care it is by the Pastors to be procured. We must also mark how he humbleth him self, humbly entreating their mercy, who might by the duty of a father have exacted reverence from them as from his sons. He knew how to use ⟨p. 28⟩commanding when need required: now he had rather use prayers, because he knew them more fit to pierce their affections, and because he knew that he spake unto them that were obedient, and easy to be taught. So the Pastor must not refuse to take upon him any person for the Churches sake.
1 IF therefore. This exhortation is very pathetical, wherein by all meanes he entreateth the Philippians, that they would embrace mutual concord among them selues, lest that if they should be diuided by contentions, they should be layde open to the illusions of the false Apostles: for alwaies in dissentions there is a gate open vnto satan, to spread vngodly doctrines, to repel the which, cōsent is the best defence. Because ye word 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, is oft times taken for exhortation, the beginning of the chapter might thus be expounded. If my exhortation, which is done in the name and by the commaundement of Christ, doth any thing preuail with you. Yet the other sense doe better agrée with the text: if there be in you Any consolation of Christ, wherby you might mittigate my sorrowes: and if you will any way comfort and ease me, which truly you should do thorough loue: if you thinke vpon that fellowship of the spirit, which should make vs all one: if any féeling of humanitie & mercie remaineth in you, which might moue you to succor my misery, fulfil my ioy, &c. Hereby we gather how great a good vnitie is in the Church, & with how great care it is by the Pastors to be procured. We must also mark how he humbleth him selfe, humbly intreating their mercye, who might by the dutie of a father haue exacted reuerence from them as from his sonnes. He knew howe to vse