A17649:229
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.
7 HE cometh again to the exhortation, which he handleth almost in all this Epistle. We said it was mixed with the doctrine of faith ⟨image 91⟩and exhortation to love. He so continueth in two heads, that from one he goeth immediately to the other. When he commendeth mutual love, he doeth not mean that we have done all our duty if we love our friends again, because they love us? But because he speaketh in common to the faithful, he might not speak other ways, then that they might love one another. He confirmeth this sentence by a reason alleged sometimes already: that is, because no man shall approve himself to be the child of GOD, except he which loveth his brethren: and because the true knowledge of God worketh in us of necessity the love of God. He opposeth also after his manner the contrary member, That there is no knowledge of God where love is not in his strength. And he taketh a general principle, because God is love: that is, because his nature is to love men. I know that many do subtly play the Philosophers: and especially that the old writers have abused this place, that they might prove the Godhead of the Spirit. But the simple meaning of the Apostle is: Because God is the fountain of love, that this affection floweth and is poured out from him, wheresoever his knowledge cometh.
7 HE cōmeth again to ye exhortatiō, which he handleth almost in all this Epistle. We said it was mixed wt the doctrine of faith ⟨image 91⟩and exhortation to loue. Hée so continueth in two heads, that from one he goeth immediatlye to the other. When he commendeth mutuall loue, he doeth not meane that wée haue done al our dutie if we loue our friends againe, because they loue vs? But because he speaketh in common to the faithful, he might not speake other wayes, then that they might loue one another. He confirmeth this sentence by a reason aleadged sometimes alreadie: that is, because no man shall approue himselfe to be the childe of GOD, except hée which loueth his bretheren: and because the true knowledge of God worketh in vs of necessitie the loue of God. Hée opposeth also after his manner the contrarie member, That there is no knowledge of God where loue is not in his strength. And hée taketh a generall principle, because God is loue: that is, because his nature is to loue men. I knowe that manye doe subtillye playe the Philosophers: and especially that the olde writers haue abused this place, that they might proue the Godhead of the Spirit. But the simple meaning of the Apostle is: Because God is the fountaine of loue, that this affection floweth and is powred out from him, wheresoeuer his knowledge commeth.