A17649:139
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.
27 Ye have no need. John had been to be laughed at, as I said before, if he had broached an unprofitable doctrine. He doth not therefore ascribe unto them so much knowledge, that he deny them to be Christs Scholars. He only signifieth, that they are not so ignorant that they should be taught as of things unknown: and that he did not propound any thing which the spirit of God did not readily prompt unto them. Therefore mad men do wickedly abuse this testimony, that they might shut out of the Church the use of the outward ministry. He saith that the faithful are taught by the office of the spirit, to keep those things that he delivereth, that they have no need to learn them as things unknown. This he saith to the end that he may procure the more account to his doctrine: while every one findeth his subscription written in his heart with the finger of God. But, seeing that every one understandeth according to the measure of faith, & that faith in some is small, in some mean, and in none absolute: hence it followeth that no man knoweth so much, but that there is yet ⟨p. 41⟩place to further going forward. And then this is another profit of the doctrine, that where men hold fast that is meet, yet we warn them and stir them up, that thereby they may have a greater increase.
27 Ye haue no neede. Iohn had bene to be laughed at, as I sayd before, if he had broched an vnprofitable doctrine. He doth not therefore ascribe vnto them so much knowledge, that he denie them to be Christes Schollers. He onely signifieth, that they are not so ignorant that they should be taught as of things vnknowen: and that he did not propound anie thing which the spirit of God did not readily prompt vnto them. Therefore mad men doe wickedly abuse this testimonie, that they might shutte out of the Church the vse of the outward ministrie. Hée saith that the faythfull are taught by the office of the spirite, to kéepe those thinges that he deliuereth, that they haue no néede to learne them as things vnknowen. This he sayth to the ende that he may procure the more account to his doctrine: while euerie one findeth his subscription written in his heart with the finger of God. But, séeing that euerie one vnderstandeth according to the measure of faith, & that faith in some is small, in some meane, and in none absolute: hence it followeth that no man knoweth so much, but that there is yet ⟨p. 41⟩