A17649:186
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.
16 By this we know. Now he showeth what is true love. For it were not enough to praise it except the power of it were known. And he setteth forth a perfect rule of love, in the example of Christ: because in not sparing his own life, he ⟨p. 58⟩made it known how much he loved us. Therefore he biddeth us labour to this point. The sum is, that therein is our love commended, if we transfer the love of our selves unto our brethren: So as every one after a sort forgetting himself, take care for others. It is indeed most certain that we are not far unlike unto Christ, but the Apostle doeth commend unto us imitation, because albeit we attain not unto him, yet it is good that we follow his steppes a far off. Indeed when the Apostle giveth counsel to hypocrites, that they cast away vain boasting, which brag that they have the faith of Christ, without brotherly love, he doeth show, that except this desire doeth prevail in our hearts, we have nothing to do with Christ. Neither yet as I said doeth he so set before us the love of Christ, that he requireth an equal love of us. For what should that be else but a driving of all at once to desperation? But so he will have our affections framed, that we may desire to bestow both our life and death, first to the glory of God, and then to the good of our neighbour.
16 By this wee knowe. Now he sheweth what is true loue. For it were not inoughe to prayse it excepte the power of it were knowen. And hée setteth forth a perfect rule of loue, in the example of Christ: because in not sparing his owne lyfe, hée ⟨p. 58⟩made it knowen howe much hée loued vs. Therefore hée biddeth vs labour to this point. The summe is, that therein is our loue commended, if wée transferre the loue of our selues vnto our bretheren: So as euerie one after a sorte forgetting himselfe, take care for others. It is indéede most certaine that wée are not farre vnlyke vnto Christ, but the Apostle doeth commend vnto vs imitation, because albeit we attain not vnto him, yet it is good that wée followe his steppes a farre off. Indéede when the Apostle giueth counsaile to hypocrites, that they cast awaye vaine boasting, which bragge that they haue the fayth of Christ, without brotherlye loue, hée doeth shewe, that excepte this desire doeth preuayle in our heartes, wée haue nothing to doe with Christ. Neyther yet as I sayde doeth hée so set before vs the loue of Christ, that hée requireth an equall loue of vs. For what shoulde that bée else but a driuing of all at once to desperation? But so he will haue our affections framed, that wée maye desire to bestowe both our life and death, first to the glorie of God, and then to the good of our neighbour.