A17647:54
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.
3 That nothing be done thorough contention These two are ⟨p. 29⟩most hurtful plagues to trouble the peace of the Church. Contention ariseth whilst every man will stiffly defend his own opinion, and when it is once hot, it is carried headlong into that way where it entered: but vain glory tickleth the minds, so that every man flattereth himself in his own inventions. Therefore this is the only reason to meet with dissentions if we avoid strife, by counselling and dispatching matters quietly, and especially if we be not carried by ambition, for ambition is as it were the bellows of discord. Vain glory signifieth all the glory of the flesh: for what have men wherein to rejoice, but in vanity? But thorough humility. Against both these diseases he setteth one remedy, submission, and that not without cause, for it is the mother of modesty, whereby it comes to pass, that yielding as it were somewhat of our own right, we grant it unto others, and rage not easily thorough dissension. He defineth what true humility is, namely, when every man preferreth others before himself: and if any thing be hard in our whole life, this is especially, therefore it is no marvel if humility be so rare a virtue, for (as he saith) every man hath a kings mind in himself, in challenging all things unto himself: behold the pride of nature. Then of the foolish admiration of our selves springeth contempt of our brethren, and we are so far from that which Paul here commandeth, that scarce any man can suffer others to be equal with him, for there is no man that desireth not to be aloft. But here a question ariseth, how can it be that he, who in deed excelleth others, should esteem them better than himself, whom he know do come nothing near him? I answer, that all this dependeth upon the right estimation of the gifts of God, and of our own infirmities. For howsoever any man excelleth in excellent gifts, he must think that they are not bestowed upon him to this end to please himself, to exalt himself, or to account of them, but he must exercise himself in examining and acknowledging his own vices, and so he shall have large matter of humility. Contrariwise, he shall ⟨p. 30⟩honour what virtues he seeth in other men, and shall bury their vices by love: he that shall observe this rule, shall easily prefer others before him self.
3 That nothing be done thorough contention These two are