A17649:214
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.
Therefore this granting is to be noted. For the Apostle could have said, that every one is not to be believed: but because false teachers did so belie the title of the spirit, he so leaveth the same unto them, that together he showeth that it is frivolous and trifling, except they do indeed perform ⟨p. 68⟩what they pretend, and that they are to be accounted as fools, who being amazed at the very noise of an honourable title, dare not inquire of the matter.
Therefore this graunting is to be noted. For the Apostle coulde haue sayde, that euerie one is not to bée beléeued: but because false teachers did so belye the title of the spirite, he so leaueth the same vnto them, that together hée sheweth that it is friuolous and triflyng, excepte they doo indéede perfourme ⟨p. 68⟩what they pretende, and that they are to be accounted as fooles, who being amazed at the very noyse of an honourable title, dare not inquire of the matter.
Prove the Spirits. Because all Prophecies be not true, the Apostle saith here that they must be brought to the trial. And he speaketh not only to the whole body of the church: but also to every faithful man. But it is asked whence we have such a discretion? They which answer, that the word of God is a rule whereby every thing must be tried, which men do publicly set forth, they neither say nothing nor the whole. I grant that doctrines are to be proved by the word of God: but except the spirit of wisdom be present, it will little or nothing profit to have the word of God at hand, whose interpretation we shall not know. Even as, for example, gold is tried in the fire, and with the touch stone: but of them that have skill. For unto the unskilful, neither the touchstone nor the fire can be profitable. Therefore that we may be fit judges, it is needful that we be endued with the spirit of discretion. And because the Apostle should command us this in vain, except we had power to discern, it is for a certainty to be held ⟨image 85⟩