A17649:137
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.
If it abide in you. This is the fruit of perseverance, that in whom the truth of God abideth, they abide in God. Whereupon we gather what is to be sought in all the doctrine of godliness. Wherefore he indeed hath excellently profited, who hath gone thus far, that he cleaveth wholly unto God. And in whom so ever the father doth not dwell by the son, he is wholly vain and unprofitable, what knowledge soever he have. Further, this is an excellent practise of sound doctrine, because it joineth us to God, and we find in it whatsoever belongeth to the true enjoying of God. In the last place he showeth us, that this is the chief happiness if God dwell in us. The speech that he useth is doubtful: either that this is the promise, whereby he hath promised unto us eternal life: or appositively, that this is the promise which he hath given us, namely, eternal life. Because yet that whether way thou takest it, the meaning is all one: let the choice be free. The sum is, that there is no other way for us to live, then if we nourish continually to the end, the seed of life received in our minds. John is plentiful in setting down this point, that not only the beginning of an happy life is placed in the knowledge of Christ, but also ⟨p. 40⟩perfection. But no repeating of it can be too much, seeing it is apparent that this hath always ben the cause of destruction to men, because not being contented with Christ, they have delighted to range beyond the simple doctrine of the gospel.
If it abide in you. This is the fruit of perseueraunce, that in whom ye truth of God abideth, they abide in God. Wherevpon we gather what is to be sought in al the doctrine of godlinesse. Wherfore he indéed hath excellētlie profited, who hath gone thus farre, that he cleaueth wholy vnto God. And in whome so euer the father doth not dwell by the sonne, he is whollye vaine and vnprofitable, what knowledge soeuer he haue. Further, this is an excellent practise of sound doctrine, because it ioyneth vs to God, and we find in it whatsoeuer belongeth to the true inioying of God. In the last place he sheweth vs, that this is the chiefe happinesse if God dwell in vs. The spéech that he vseth is doubtfull: either that this is the promise, whereby he hath promised vnto vs eternall lyfe: or appositiuelye, that this is the promise which he hath giuen vs, namely, eternall lyfe. Because yet that whether waye thou takest it, the meaning is all one: let the choyce bée frée. The summe is, that there is no other waye for vs to lyue, then if wée nourishe continuallye to the end, the séede of life receiued in our mindes. Iohn is plentifull in setting downe this point, that not onely the beginning of an happie lyfe is placed in the knowledge of Christ, but also