A17649:270
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.
3 His commandments are not grievous. This is added, least the hardness (as it cometh to pass) do disable or diminish our endeavour. For they which enter a godly and holy life with a cheerful mind, and great zeal, and after having experience of their own inability, do wax slow. Therefore John that he may stir up our endeavours, denieth that the commandments of God are grievous. But it may be objected on the contrary, that we have experience of a far other thing: and the Scripture doth also witness, that the yoke of the law is not to be borne. Act. 15.10. The reason also is manifest. For seeing the denying of our selves, is as it were an entrance to keep the Law, ⟨p. 88⟩shall we say that it is an easy thing for a man to deny himself? Yea rather, for as much as the law is spiritual, as Paul teacheth Rom. 7.14. & we are nothing but flesh, there must needs be a great strife betwixt us & the law of God. I answer: that this hardness is not of the nature of the Law, but of the fault of our faith, which Paul also plainly expresseth: because after that he said that it is impossible for the law to give us righteousness, he by and by layeth the fault upon the flesh. This answer doth very well reconcile the sentences of Paul and David, which in show do seem much to differ. Paul maketh the law the minister of death he saith it worketh nothing but the wrath of God. 2. Cor. 3.7. that it was given that sin might increase. Rom. 4.15. that it liveth that it may slay us. Rom. 7.10. and 13. David contrarily saith, that it is sweeter unto him then honey, and more to be desired then gold. Psalm. 19.9. Among other praises thereof, he setteth these, that it cheereth the hearts, it converteth unto the Lord, and quickeneth. But Paul compareth the law with the corrupt nature of man. Hence is that great conflict. But David teacheth, how they are affected whom God hath begotten again with his Spirit. ⟨image 105⟩