A17649:223
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.
4 You are of God. He had spoken of one Antichrist: now he maketh mention of moe, •ut the plural number is referred to the false Prophets, which even then had come abroad, before the head was extant. Further, the purpose of the Apostle is, to give courage to the faithful, that they might resist the deceivers strongly & without fear. For much cheerfulness faileth, when there is striving with a doubtful success. Further, it might cause the godly to fear, because that when the kingdom of Christ was scarce sprung up, they saw the enemies even then ready prepared to overwhelm it. Therefore howsoever they must strive, he yet saith, that they have overcome: because they shall have an happy issue. As if he should have said, that in the middest of the conflict they are without danger, because they shall prevail. And this doctrine ought to be carried further. For whatsoever strivings we endure against the world and the flesh, yet it is joined with a sure victory. Indeed sharp and hard conflicts remain for us, and one followeth after another: but because we fight in the power of Christ, and are prepared with the armour of ⟨image 88⟩God, in striving and labouring we get th• victory. As much as belongeth to the circumstance of this place, it is an excellent consolation, that with whatsoever sleyghte• Satan set upon us, yet we shall stand i• the truth of GOD. But the reason that he addeth straight way, is to be noted: because he is greater, that is stronger which is in us, than he that is in the world. For that is our infirmity, that before we join battle with the enemy, we are ready to faint. For we are even wrapped in ignorance, and therefore set forth to all sleights: and Satan is exceeding cunning to deceive. If we endure for one day, yet a doubtfulness creepeth upon our minds, what shall come to pass to morrow: and so we are always doubtful. The Apostle therefore showeth that we are strong, not in our own strength, but in the power of God. Whereupon he gathereth, that we can no more be vanquished, then god himself, who hath armed us to the end of the world with his own power. And in our spiritual warfare this cogitation must be settled in our hearts, that we should utterly be undone, if we should fight in our own strength. But because that when we do nothing god confoundeth the enemies, the victory ⟨p. 72⟩