A17649:287
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.
10 This is the witness. The note [Oti] doth not note here a cause, but is only taken in the way of exposition. For after that the Apostle had taught that God doth deserve much more credit then men: now he addeth that we can give no credit unto God, but by believing in Christ: because God doth set him only before us, and doth stay us in him. Hence he gathereth that we do believe in Christ safely and with quiet minds, because God doth establish our faith by his own authority. Neither doth he say that God doth speak outwardly, but that every one of the godly doth feel him the Author of his faith inwardly in himself. Whereby it appeareth how much an inconstant opinion which hangeth upon some other thing, doth differ from faith.
10 THis is the witnesse. The note [Oti] doth not note heere a cause, but is onely taken in the way of exposition. For after that the Apostle had taught that God doth deserue much more credite then men: now he addeth that we can giue no creditte vnto God, but by beléeuing in Christ: because God dooth set him onely before vs, and dooth stay vs in him. Hence he gathereth that we doo beléeue in Christ safely and with quiet mindes, because God doth establish our faith by his owne authoritie. Neither dooth he say that God dooth speake outwardly, but that euery one of the godly doth féele him the Authour of his faith inwardly in himselfe. Whereby it appeareth how much an inconstant opinion which hangeth vppon some other thing, doth differ from faith.
10 He that doth not believe. As the faithful have this commodity, that they know themselves to be without danger of error, because they are grounded upon God: so he maketh the ungodly guilty of great blasphemy, because they accuse God of a lie. Truly nothing is more precious unto God then his truth: wherefore no greater injury can be done unto him, then when he is spoiled of this honour. Therefore that he may stir us up to believe, ⟨image 112⟩he taketh an argument from the contrary. For if it be an horrible and cursed wickedness, to make God a liar: because then, that which is most proper unto him is taken away: who would not fear to abase the credit of the gospel: wherein God will especially be accounted true and faithful? This is diligently to be noted. Some marvel why God doth so much commend faith: why unfaithfulness is so sharply condemned. But here the infinite glory of God is in question. For seeing he would give forth a special show of his truth in the Gospel, they leave him nothing, whosoever refuse Christ therein offered. Wherefore that we may grant that some man may in some other parts of his life, be equal unto an Angel: yet his holiness is devilish, so long as he rejecteth Christ. As we see certain in the Papacy much to flatter themselves with I know not what visor of holiness: when as yet they resist the Gospel most obstinately. Therefore let us hold, that this is the beginning of godliness, obediently to embrace that doctrine which he hath so faithfully avouched for a witness.