A17649:306
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.
There is a sin unto death. I have said already that sin is called so, whereto there is left no hope of forgiveness. But it is demanded what manner of sin that is. For it must needs be very grievous, which God so severely punisheth. It may be gathered by the course of the text, that the fall was not in part, as they say, nor the transgression of one precept: but a general falling away, where by men do utterly estrange themselves from God. For the apostle addeth afterwards, that the sons of God do not sin: that is, that they forsake not God, and give over and imbondage themselves wholly unto Satan.
There is a sinne vnto death. I haue sayd alreadie that sinne is called so, whereto there is lefte no hope of forgiuenes. But it is demaunded what manner of sinne that is. For it must néedes be very gréeuous, which God so seuerely punisheth. It may be gathered by the course of the text, that the fall was not in part, as they say, nor the transgression of one precept: but a generall falling away, where by men doo vtterlye estraunge themselues from God. For ye apostle addeth afterwards, that the sonnes of God doo not sinne: that is, that they forsake not God, and giue ouer and imbondage themselues whollye vnto Sathan.
It is no marvel if such a falling away be a deadly sin. For God doth never so deprive his children of the grace of his spirit, but that they receive some spark of godliness. ⟨p. 103⟩Therefore they must needs be reprobates, and given over unto death, who so fall away, that they cast away the fear of God. If any ask whether the way of salvation be shut up against their repentance: The answer is ready, That seeing they are given over unto a reprobate sense, and destitute of the holy Ghost, they can do no other thing, then run headlong into worse, and add sin unto sin. Further, seeing sin or blasphemy against the Spirit, doth continually draw with it such a falling away, there is no doubt but it is noted here. But it is asked again by what marks we may know that the fall of man is deadly. For except there were certain knowledge of that thing, the Apostle should except in vain, that we must not pray for that kind of sin. Therefore it shall be lawful sometimes to determine whether he be past hope that hath fallen, or that there be yet place to recovery. I grant indeed that that is true: and it is proved without controversy by this place. But because this cometh but seldom to pass, & god commending the infinite riches of his grace, commandeth us by his example to be merciful: the judgement of eternal death is not rashly to be given upon any man: rather