A17649:257
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.
Further, of this doctrine he will immediately raise an exhortation. But before he ⟨p. 83⟩exhort us to our duty, he commendeth this gift of God to us, which by faith taketh fear from us. I know that all this place is other ways expounded of many: but I respect what the Apostle meaneth, not what others think. They say, That there is no fear in love: because when of our own accord we love God, we are not constrained to his obedience by force and fear. Therefore, according to them, a servile fear is here opposed to a voluntary reverence. Whence also is risen the distinction of servile & childly fear. I grant indeed that that is true, when we willingly love God as a Father, that we are no more urged with the fear of punishment: but that doctrine hath no agreement with this place. For the Apostle doeth only teach, that when the love of God is perceived and known unto us by Faith, peace is given unto our consciences, lest they be any more disquieted.
Further, of this doctrine he will immediately raise an exhortation. But before hée ⟨p. 83⟩exhort vs to our dutie, he commendeth this guifte of God to vs, which by faith taketh feare from vs. I knowe that all this place is other waies expounded of many: but I respect what the Apostle meaneth, not what others thinke. They saye, That there is no feare in loue: because when of our owne accord we loue God, we are not constrained to his obedience by force and feare. Therefore, according to them, a seruile feare is héere opposed to a voluntarie reuerence. Whence also is risen the distinction of seruile & childly feare. I grant indéed that that is true, when we willyngly loue God as a Father, that we are no more vrged with the feare of punishment: but that doctrine hath no agréement with this place. For the Apostle dooeth onely teach, that when the loue of God is perceiued and knowen vnto vs by Faith, peace is giuen vnto our consciences, leaste they be any more disquieted.
Yet it may be asked, when perfect Love casteth out fear: because being endued with some taste only of the love of God towards us, we are never altogether delivered from fear. I answer: that albeit that fear is not perfectly done away, yet when we fly unto God, as unto a quiet haven, safe and