A17649:237
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.
11 Now the Apostle applieth to his purpose, that which he lately spake of the free love of God: that is, that by the example of God he might exhort us to brotherly love As also Paul setteth Christ forth unto us who offered himself unto his father a sacrifice of a sweet smell, that every one of us might bestow our selves to our brethren's good Ephe 5.2. And John doth admonish us, that our love must not be for reward, when he biddeth us love our brethren, as God loved us. For that must be repeated, That we were loved freely. And in deed when we respect our own private commodity, or render to our friends & acquaintance like for like, it is certainly self love, and cannot be accounted for true charity, that of the Apostle is here required.
11 NOw the Apostle applyeth to his purpose, that which he lately spake of the frée loue of God: that is, that by the example of God he might exhorte vs to brotherly loue As also Paule setteth Christ forth vnto vs who offered himselfe vnto his father a sacrifice of a swéete smell, that euery one of vs might bestowe our selues to our bretherens good Ephe 5.2. And Iohn dooth admonish vs, that our loue must not be for rewarde, when he biddeth vs loue our bretheren, as God loued vs. For that must bée repeated, That wée were loued fréelye. And in déede when wée respect our owne priuate commodite, or render to our friends & acquaintance lyke for lyke, it is certaynly selfe loue, and cannot bée accounted for true charitie, that of the Apostle is héere required.
12 No man hath seen God. The sam• words are had in the first chapter of the gospel ver. 18. But John Baptist respecteth no• the same end altogether in that place: for he only showeth, that God cannot otherwise be known, then he hath manifested himself in Christ. The same doctrine the apostle doth here extend further, that we comprehend the power of God by faith and love, that we may know that we are his children and that he dwelleth in us. Yet he first speaketh of love, when he saith, That God dwelleth in us, if we love one another: because it is perfect, that is, his love truly approved in us: as if he should say, that God doth show himself to be present, when by his spirit he frameth our hearts to the love of our brethren. In the same sense he repeateth that, which he had said once already That we know by the spirit which he hath given us, that h dwelleth in us. For it is a confirmation of the next sentence: because love is an effect of the spirit. Therefore this is the effect, seeing love is of the spirit of God, we cannot truly and with a sincere heart love our Brethren, but the spirit showeth forth his power. By this means he is testified to dwell in us. Further God dwelleth in us by his spirit.