A17649:195
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.
21 If our heart accuse us not. I have expounded already, that this doth neither belong to hypocrisy, nor to the gross contempt of God. For howsoever the ways of reprobates do please themselves, yet the Lord trieth the heart saith Solomon, Pro. 21.2. This exquisite balance of GOD causeth by his trial, that none can boast himself that he hath a clean heart. Therefore the Apostles words hath this meaning, that then we come only with a quiet conscience into the sight of God, when being of a sound purpose in our selves, we bring with us the witness of a right and good heart. That saying of Paul is indeed true: That we have entrance to GOD with boldness by faith, which resteth upon the grace of GOD. Ephes. 3.12. Again, that by faith we have peace, that our consciences may be quiet before God. Rom. 5.1. But betwixt these ⟨p. 62⟩sentences there is no odds. For Paul showeth the cause of boldness: but John only maketh mention of an inseparable accident, which is necessarily annexed, though it be not the cause. Yet here ariseth a greater hardness, because there seemeth no assurance to be left in the whole world. For who is there to be found whom his heart cannot accuse in any thing? I answer, that the godly are so reproved, as they together do ease themselves: for it is indeed necessary, that they should inwardly be touched effectually with their sins, that fear may instruct them to humility: but by and by they fly to the sacrifice of Christ, where they have assured peace. Albeit the Apostle doeth say that they are not accused in any other sense, because howsoever they acknowledge themselves to fail in many things, yet they are relieved with this testimony of conscience, because they do truly and from the heart fear God, and desire to submit themselves to his righteousness. Whosoever are endued with this godly desire, & in the mean time know that their endeavours, how much so ever they want of perfection, do yet please GOD: are worthily said to have a ⟨image 79⟩quiet and peaceable heart: because there is no inward pricking, which should disturb their quiet cheerfulness.