A17649:288
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 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.
10 He that doth not beleeue. As the faithfull haue this commoditie, yt they know themselues to be without daunger of errour, because they are grounded vppon God: so he maketh the vngodly guiltie of great blasphemie, because they accuse God of a lie. Truely nothing is more precious vnto God then his truth: wherfore no greater iniury cā be done vnto him, then when he is spoyled of this honor. Therfore yt he may stur vs vp to beléeue, ⟨image 112⟩he taketh an argument frō the contrarie. For if it be an horrible and cursed wickednesse, to make God a liar: because then, that which is most proper vnto him is taken awaie: who would not feare to abase the credit of the gospell: wherein God will especially be accounted true and faithfull? This is dilligently to be noted. Some meruaile why God doth so much commend faith: why vnfaithfulnesse is so sharply condemned. But héere the infinit glorie of God is in question. For séeing he woulde giue forth a speciall shew of his truth in the Gospell, they leaue him nothing, whosoeuer refuse Christ therein offered. Wherefore that we may graunt that some man maye in some other partes of his lyfe, be equall vnto an Angell: yet his holynesse is diuellish, so long as he reiecteth Christ. As we sée certaine in the Papacie much to flatter themselues with I know not what visor of holinesse: when as yet they resist the Gospell most obstinatly. Therefore let vs holde, that this is the beginning of godlynesse, obediently to imbrace that doctrine which hee hath so faythfullye auouched for a witnesse.