A17649:163
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.
For even as first he had set forth Christ the Fountain of all righteousness: so now also on the contrary, he assigneth the Devil, to be the head of sin. He denieth that any man doth belong ⟨image 67⟩to Christ, but he that is righteous, and approveth himself to be such a one by his works: now he sendeth all other into the devils fellowship, and casteth them under his dominion: that we may know that Satan doth exercise tyranny, where the righteousness of Christ doth not bear the sway. And yet there are not to be imagined with the Manichees two beginnings one against another, for we know that the Devil is evil not by nature & creation, but by the iniquity of his own falling away.
For euen as first he hadde sette foorthe Christ the Fountaine of all righteousnesse: so nowe also on the contrarye, he assigneth the Diuell, to bée the heade of sinne. Hée denyeth that anye man dooth belonge ⟨image 67⟩to Christ, but hée that is righteous, and approoueth himselfe to bée such a one by his workes: now he sendeth all other into the diuels fellowship, and casteth them vnder his dominion: that we may know that Sathan dooth exercise tyrannie, where the righteousnesse of Christ dooth not beare the swaye. And yet there are not to be imagined with the Maniches two beginnings one against another, for we know that the Diuel is euill not by nature & creation, but by the iniquitie of his owne falling away.
We know further, that he is not equal with God, that he should contend with him in a like power: but that he is forced manger his teeth, that he cannot do any thing, except at the will and assignment of his creator. Finally when John saith, Some are borne of God, and some are of the Devil, he feigneth no propagation as the Manichees did dream: but he meaneth that the first are governed by the Spirit of Christ: and the others are violently carried of Satan, as God hath given him this power against unbelievers.