A17647:78
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.
yet he saith that they are so cunning in caring for their own matters, that they are more cold in the work of the Lord. In show it seemeth to be no grievous fault to seek ones own: but how intolerable it is in the servants of Christ it appeareth thereof, that it maketh them altogether unprofitable, whom it possesseth: for it cannot be that he should employ him self for the Church, that is addicted unto himself. Therefore thou wilt say: did Paul cherish with himself men of no goodness and dissemblers? I answer that it is not so to be taken, as though being altogether bent to their own profit, they had no ⟨p. 51⟩care at all of the Church: but because they being entangled with their own private commodities, they were more negligent to promote the public benefit of the Church: for it is necessary that one of these affections must reign in us: that either neglecting our selves, we should be carried unto Christ, and unto those things that are Christs: or else being too much addicted to our own profit, we should serve Christ for fashion sake. Hereof appeareth how great an hinderance it is unto the ministers of the Church, to seek their own. Neither are these excuses of any force: I am injurious to no man, I must have regard of my self: I am not so hard hearted: but I am carefully moved with respect of mine own commodity: for thou must depart from thine own right, that thou mayest perform thy duty: thy reason is neither to be preferred before the glory of Christ, nor to be made equal with it: whether soever Christ calleth thee, thou must go speedily, leaving all other things. So thou must look back unto thy vocation, that thou must turn away thy senses from all things that may call thee backward. Thou mayest live in another place more wealthily: but God hath bound thee to a Church which maintain thee but slenderly. In another place there is more honour: but God hath given thee that place, in which thou must live humbly. In another place the air is more healthful, or the country more pleasant: but here thy standing is appointed. Thou wouldst wish that thou hadst rather to do with a more gentle people: either their unthankfulness, or their fierceness, or their pride offendeth thee. Finally thou dost not agree with the wit & manners of the country:
yet he saith that they are so cunning in caring for their owne matters, that they are more cold in the work of the Lord. In shew it séemeth to be no grieuous fault to séeke ones owne: but how intollerable it is in the seruātes of Christ it appeareth thereof, that it maketh them altogyther vnprofitable, whome it possesseth: for it cannot be that he should employ him selfe for the Churche, that is addicted vnto himselfe. Therefore thou wilt saye: dyd Paule cheryshe wyth himselfe men of no goodnes and dissemblers? I aunswere that it is not so to bée taken, as thoughe being altogyther bent to theyr owne profitte, they had no