A17649:199
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.
23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ: & love one an other as he gave us commandment. 24 He that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And by this we know that he abideth in us, by the spirit which he hath given us.
23 And this is his commaundement, that wee beleeue in the name of his sonne Iesus Christ: & loue one an other as he gaue vs commaundement. 24 Hee that keepeth his commaundements abideth in him, and hee in him. And by this we knowe that hee abideth in vs, by the spirite which he hath giuen vs.
23 And this is his commandment. Again he applieth a general sentence to his purpose. The effect is, that we are at such disagreement with God, that we are driven from his presence, except we are knit together by brotherly love among our selves. Albeit he doth not here commend love alone, as before: but he joineth it as a companion and handmaid of Faith. The schoolmen deprave these words with their own devices: as if we obtained freedom to pray, partly by faith, and partly by works. Where John requireth this to the right manner of praying, that we keep the commandments of God: and after teacheth, that this performance standeth in faith and Love, they gather that the assurance of praying. must be gathered of these two. But I have sundry times already showed, that here is not handled from whence or by what means men get this unto themselves, that they dare call upon God. For here the question is not of the cause or dignity, John only showeth, that God vouchsafeth the honour and privilege of his conference to none but to his children, and those that indeed are regenerate by his spirit. Therefore this is the course ⟨p. 64⟩of speech, where the reverence and fear of God doth not bear the sway, it cannot be ye God should hear us. But if our purpose be to obey his precepts, we must consider what he commandeth. But he doth not separate faith from love: but he requireth each of us as if it were in one fellowship. And this is the reason why he hath put Commandment in the singular number. But this place is very excellent: because he showeth as plainly as briefly, wherein consisteth the whole perfection of an holy life. There is no cause why we should allege hardness, when God doth not carry us about by long by walks: but setteth down unto us simple and in one word, what pleaseth him. Add moreover, that in this shortness there is no darkness, because he showeth us plainly the beginning & end to live well: and because here is only mention of brotherly love, passing by the love of God: the reason is (as we have said else where) that brotherly love, as it issueth from the alone love of God, so is it a certain and true proof thereof.