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…

Further, this whole reason of the Apostle standeth on three members. For first he showeth the evil, whence danger came to the faithful, and by this means he exhorteth them to take heed. He setteth down the manner of heed taking, that they judge between spirits. And this is the second member. At the last he showeth one special from whence was their greatest peril. He forbiddeth therefore to hear them, which deny that the son of God is manifested in the flesh. Now let us handle every one in order. And albeit this reason followeth in the text, That many false Prophets have gone out into the world, yet it shall be good to begin there. For this sentence containeth a profitable admonition: because, if even at this time Satan had filled many, which should spread their falsehoods under the name of Christ: the like example ought not to discourage us at this day. For this is the perpetual state of the Gospel, that Satan busily go about to infect and to corrupt the purity thereof by divers errors.

Further, this whole reason of the Apostle standeth on thrée members. For first he sheweth the euill, whence daunger came to the faithfull, and by this meanes he exhorteth them to take héede. Hée setteth downe the manner of héede taking, that they iudge betwéene spirites. And this is the second member. At the last he sheweth one speciall from whence was their greatest perill. Hée forbiddeth therefore to heare them, which deny that the sonne of God is manifested in the flesh. Now let vs handle euery one in order. And albeit this reason followeth in the text, That many false Prophets haue gone out into the world, yet it shall be good to begin there. For this sentence containeth a profitable admonion: because, if euen at this time Sathan had filled many, which shoulde spread their falsehoods vnder the name of Christ: the like example ought not to discourage vs at this daye. For this is the perpetuall state of the Gospell, that Sathan busily goe about to infect and to corrupt the puritie thereof by diuers errours.

This our age hath brought forth certain horrible monsters of sects. By occasion whereof many stand amazed, & not knowing whether to turn them, do cast away all care of godliness. For they find not any more speedy way to rid themselves from the danger of error. That is altogether foolish: for in flying from the light of the truth, they cast themselves willingly into the dungeon of errors. Wherefore let this cleave fast in our minds, that there have been false Prophets immediately since the Gospel hath begun to be published. And let this doctrine also arm us against that offence. The ancientness of errors holdeth the most as if it were so bound, that they dare not go out thence. But John showeth here, the deadly danger of the Church, That if even then deceivers were mixed with the Apostles, and other faithful Teachers, what marvel is it, if the doctrine of the Gospel long ago being oppressed, many corruptions be spread abroad in the world? There is therefore no cause why antiquity should hinder us, that we should the less freely discern the truth from falsehood.