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…

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 ⟨image 120⟩love doth incline us to hope well. But if the desperate wickedness of some men do appear unto us no otherwise, then if the Lord did point it out with the finger, there is not why we should strive with the just judgement of God, or desire to be more favourable then he.

It is no meruaile if such a fallyng awaye be a deadly sinne. For God dooth neuer so depriue his children of the grace of his spirite, but that they receiue some sparke of godlynesse. ⟨p. 103⟩Therefore they must néedes be reprobates, and giuen ouer vnto death, who so fall awaie, that they cast away the feare of God. If anie aske whether the waie of saluation be shut vp against their repentaunce: The answere is readie, That séeing they are giuen ouer vnto a reprobate sence, and destitute of the holy Ghost, they can doe no other thing, then runne headlong into worse, and adde sinne vnto sinne. Further, séeing sinne or blasphemie against the Spirit, doth continually drawe with it such a falling awaie, there is no doubt but it is noted heere. But it is asked againe by what markes we may know that the fall of man is deadly. For except there were certaine knowledge of that thing, the Apostle shuld except in vaine, that we must not praie for that kinde of sinne. Therefore it shall bée lawfull sometimes to determine whether he be past hope that hath falne, or that there be yet place to recouerie. I graunt indéed that that is true: and it is proued without controuersie by this place. But because this cōmeth but seldly to passe, & god commending the infinit riches of his grace, commandeth vs by his example to be merciful: the iudgement of eternall death is not rashly to be giuen vppon anie man: rather