A17649:165
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.
Because the Devil sinneth from the beginning. Even as before he spake not only of Christs person, when he said, he was ⟨p. 51⟩righteous, but did assign him to be the cause and Fountain of righteousness: so now when he saith the Devil sinneth, he comprehendeth his whole body, that is, all reprobates. As if he had said, this is the devils property, that he force unto sin.
Because the Diuell sinneth from the beginning. Euen as before he spake not only of Christes person, when he sayd, hée was ⟨p. 51⟩righteous, but didde assigne him to bée the cause and Fountaine of righteousnesse: so nowe when hée sayth the Diuell sinneth, hée comprehendeth his whole bodie, that is, all reprobates. As if hée had sayde, this is the diuells propertie, that he force vnto sinne.
Whereupon it followeth, that they are his members and are led of him, whosoever delight in sin.
Wherevpon it followeth, that they are his members and are led of him, whosoeuer delight in sinne.
Further, this Beginning whereof the Apostle maketh mention, is not of eternity: as when he teacheth that the word was from the beginning. For there is great odds, between God and creatures. The beginning in God is without time. Wherefore, seeing the word was ever with God, thou shalt not find any instant of time wherein it began to be: but it is of necessity that thou come to very eternity it self. And here John meaneth nothing else, but that the devil was an Apostate, immediately after the creation of the world, and from thence hath never ceased to spread abroad his poison amongest men.