A17649:121
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the first Epistle of Saint John, and…The comentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the first Epistle of Sainct Ihon, and…
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the first Epistle of Saint John, and upon the Epistle of Jude wherein according to the truth of the words of the holy Ghost, he most excellently openeth and cleareth the point of true justification with God, and sanctification by the Spirit of Christ, by the effects that he bringeth forth in the regeneration. Translated into English by W.H.The comentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the first Epistle of Sainct Ihon, and vpon the Epistle of Iude wherein accordyng to the truthe of the woordes of the holie Ghost, he most excellently openeth and cleareth the poinct of true iustification with God, and sanctification by the Spirit of Christ, by the effects that he bryngeth forthe in the regeneration. Translated into Englishe by W.H.
London: printed by John Kyngstone and T. East for John Harrison the younger, 1580London: printed by Ihon Kyngstone and T. East for Iohn Harrison the yonger, 1580
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 yet the Apostles do not flatteringly speak so: but by this means they do wisely foresee, least their doctrine should be rejected of any sorts of men, while they show that it agreeth and is profitable not only to the rude people, but even to those that be learned in the Lords school. Experience it self teacheth, how disdainful the ears of men be. Indeed such irksomeness must be far from the godly: yet it is the part of a good and wise teacher to let pass nothing, whereby he may make all willing to hear him. And it is certain that we receive with less heed & reverence that which is spoken, if we suppose that he which speaketh, doth take from us the knowledge which is given of the Lord.
And yet the Apostles doo not flatteringlye speake so: but by this meanes they doo wisely foresée, least their doctrine should be reiected of any sorts of men, while they shew that it agréeth and is profitable not onely to the rude people, but euen to those that be lerned in the Lords schoole. Experience it selfe teacheth, how disdainfull the eares of men bée. Indeede such irksomnesse must be far from the godly: yet it is the parte of a good and wise teacher to let passe nothing, whereby he may make all willing to heare him. And it is certaine that we receiue with lesse héede & reuerence that which is spoken, if wée suppose that hée which speaketh, dooth take from vs the knowledge which is giuen of the Lord.
The Apostle doth together sharpen the readers with this process: because they have the less excuse, which are endued with the gift of understanding, except they go before ⟨p. 35⟩others in profiting. The sum is, that the apostle doth not teach them as rude and such as learn but their principles, but he bringeth to their mind the things which they already know: and then he exhorteth them to stir up the sparks of the spirit, that the full brightness may shine in them. And he expoundeth himself in the next words, denying that he wrote to them, therefore, because they knew not the truth, but because they were well instructed in it. For if they had been ignorant and novices, they could not have understood this doctrine, And whereas he saith, They know all things, it must not be understood generally, but restrained to the circumstances of the present place.