A17649:271
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.
Yet the question seemeth not as yet to be altogether answered. For the faithful howsoever they be governed by the spirit of God, yet they abide a hard combat with their flesh: and although they sweat, yet they scarce frame themselves unto their duty by the half part. Yea, rather being set, as it were between the sacrifice & the alter (as the saying is) they do almost faint under the burden. We do see how that Paul doeth sigh, that he is holden prisoner, and doth cry out that he is unhappy, because he cannot serve God freely. I answer, that the law is called easy, forasmuch as being endued with heavenly virtue, we do overcome the desires of the flesh. For howsoever the flesh doth rebel, yet the faithful do feel that they are delighted so much in no other thing, as that they may follow God.
Yet the question séemeth not as yet to be altogether answered. For the faithfull howsoeuer they be gouerned by the spirit of God, yet they abide a hard cōbat with their flesh: and although they sweate, yet they scarce frame themselues vnto theyr duetie by the halfe part. Yea, rather being set, as it were betwéene the sacrifice & the alter (as the saying is) they doe almost faint vnder the burthen. We doe sée how that Paule doeth sigh, that he is holden prisoner, and doth crie out that he is vnhappie, because he cannot serue God fréely. I aunswere, that the lawe is called easie, forasmuch as being indued with heuenlye vertue, we doe ouercome the desires of the flesh. For howsoeuer the flesh doth rebell, yet the faithfull doe féele that they are delighted so much in no other thing, as that they maye followe God.
Moreover, it is to be noted, that John doeth not speak of the bare law which containeth nothing besides the commandments: but that he joineth with all the fatherly kindness of God, whereby the rigour of the law is mitigated. Therefore seeing we know that we are mercifully pardoned of the Lord, if our works do not satisfy the law, that doth make us a great deal readier unto obedience, as it is in Psalm. 130.4. There is mercy with thee that thou mayest be feared. Hence then is the easiness of the keeping the Law, that the faithful staid up by forgiveness, if in any point they fail, do not despair. In the mean time the Apostle warneth us, that we must strive that we may serve the Lord. For the whole world doeth stand against us, least we should go forward whether God calleth us. Therefore he in effect shall keep the Law, which shall strongly resist the world.