A17647:79
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 thou must strive with thy self, & after a sort offer violence to thy contrary desires, that thou mayest increase that good which thou hast gotten: for thou art not free, or at thy own liberty. To conclude thou must forget thy self, if thou wilt serve GOD. And if Paul doth reprove them so severely, who had greater care of them selves than of the Church, what judgement do they look for, who being altogether carried away by their own business, do ⟨p. 52⟩nothing esteem the edifying of the Church? although they now flatter themselves: yet God will not spare them. So far it is to be granted to the ministers of the Church, to seek their own, that they be not hindered from seeking the kingdom of Christ: but by this mean they shall not now be said to seek their own, because the life of man is esteemed, according unto the special mark whereat it aimeth. Whereas he saith, All: you must not urge the universal sign, that you admit no exception: for there were others also, as Epaphroditus, but a very few: but he attributeth that unto all, which was every where common When we hear Paul complaining in that golden age, wherein all virtues flourished that true hearted brethren were so hard to find: let not us discourage our selves, if at this day our estate be alike: only let every man take heed to himself that he be not worthily numbered in this catalogue. I would the Papists would answer me, where Peter was at that time, who ought to have been at Rome (if they say truth. Oh heavy and shameful dispraise which Paul should give him: they fable therefore when they feign that he was then Bishop of the Church of Rome. Mark that the edifying of the Church is called the things of Christ, because then truly we do his business, when we labour in trimming his vineyard. But ye know the experience of him. According to the word it is, you know the proof of him, except you had rather have it in the Imperative mood know ye. (for they could scarce take any trial of him in the time) but there is little matter of weight in that. This is especially to be marked, that he giveth testimony unto Timothy of his faith and modesty. It appertaineth to his faith, in that he testifieth, that he served with him in the gospel, & it is a sign of his modesty, that he submitted himself to him, as unto his Father.
yet thou must striue with thy selfe, & after a sort offer violēce to thy cōtrary desires, yt thou maist increase that good which thou hast gottē: for thou art not frée, or at thy own liberty. To conclude thou must forget thy selfe, if thou wilt serue GOD. And if Paule doth reproue them so seuerely, who had greater care of them selues than of the Churche, what iudgemente doe they looke for, who béeyng altogither carryed awaye by their owne busines, doe