A17649:277
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.
6 This is he which came. That our faith may rest safely in Christ, he saith, that the whole substance of the ⟨p. 91⟩shadows of the Law do consist in him. Neither indeed do I doubt but that he doeth allude to the old rites of the Law in the words of Water and Blood. Further, the comparison hath this purpose, not only that we do know, that the law of Moses is done away by the coming of Christ. But that we should seek in him the fulfilling of those things which the ceremonies in times past did signify. And although there were many figures, yet the Apostle doeth note under these two the whole perfection of holiness and righteousness. For all uncleanness was washed away with water, that men should not come unto God, but pure and clean. In Blood was the purging and pledge of a full reconciliation with God. But the law did only shadow by outward signs that which was to be performed soundly and indeed by the Messiah. Therefore John doth fitly prove that Jesus is the anointed of the Lord, promised before, because he hath brought with him wherewith he may sanctify us in all points. And truly touching the blood wherewith Christ hath pacified GOD, there is no doubt but it may be demanded how he came by water. For it is not probable that this is referred ⟨image 108⟩to Baptism. Truly I think that John doth here express the fruit and effect of that thing which he declareth in the history of his Gospel. For whereas there he saith, that water and blood did issue out of the side of Christ, no doubt it is to be accounted for a miracle. I do know that some such thing doth naturally come unto the dead: but it came to pass by the determinate counsel of God, that the side of Christ should be a fountain of blood and water: that the faithful might know that true cleanness (whereof the old Baptisms were figures) is assured unto them in him: that they might know also that it is fulfilled which all the sprinklings of blood did in times past promise. Wherefore, this short division hath an excellent grace, because it showeth briefly whereto the old ceremonies did chiefly endeavour: to wit, that men being purged from defilings, and fr••d from all offences, might have God merciful, and might be consecrated unto him. Furthermore, that the truth was showed in Christ: because the law had nothing but the visible shadows.