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…

8 Likewise, these deluded with dreams, do in deed defile the flesh and despise government, and speak evil of them that be in authority. 9 But Michael the Archangest, when striving in judgement, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not blame him with cursed speaking, but sayeth. The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not. But what soever things they know naturally, they know as brute Beasts, in them they are corrupted.

8 Likewise, these deluded with dreames, doe in deede defile the flesh and despise gouernment, and speake euill of them that be in authoritie. 9 But Michaell the Archangest, when striuyng in iudgement, he disputed about the bodie of Moises, durst not blame hym with cursed speaking, but saieth. The Lorde rebuke thee. 10 But these speake euill of those thinges which thei know not. But what soeuer thynges thei knowe naturally, thei knowe as brute Beastes, in them thei are corrupted.

Likewise these &c. This Similitude is not to be precisely urged, as if he compared those, of whom he speaketh to the Sodomites, or to the Angels which left their state, or to the unbelieving people, in all things. He only showeth, that they are vassals of wrath ordained to destruction: and that they can not escape the hand of God, but that in his time he will set the like example upon them. For his purpose is, to withdraw the godly, least they entangle themselves in their fellowship. Further, he beginneth in this place more clearly to describe these deceivers. And first he sayeth, they do as it were in dreaming defile their flesh, by which words he noteth, a sottish shamelessness: as if he should have said, that they are given over to all uncleanness, which the very worst did abhor, except drowsiness did take from them all shame and feeling. The speech therefore is Metaphorical, whereby he noteth that they are so blockish, that they give over them selves to all filthiness without any shame. But the Antithesis is to be marked, when he sayeth, ⟨image 136⟩they defile the flesh, that is, that which hath less excellency, they dishonest: and yet despise as ignominious, that which doeth most excel amongst men. By this second member it appeareth that they were outrageous men, which sought to be without government, that being freed from the fear of law, they might sin more freely. And these two are mostly always joined together, that they that are let loose to wickedness, together desire that all order were abolished. Further, albeit this was their drift, to play the wild Colts with out yoke, yet it appeareth by Judes words, that they used to speak lewdly and contemptuously of those that were in authority. As at this day fantastical fellows do not only grind their teeth, that they are restrained by the authority of Governors: but they furiously wrestle against all government: they cry, that the right of the sword is profane and contrary to godliness. Finally, they proudly abandon out of the Church of GOD Kings and all Magistrates. He calleth Dignities, degrees endowed with excellency, and they