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…

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 ⟨image 136⟩that excel in honour.

LIkewise these &c. This Similitude is not to bee precisely vrged, as if he cōpared those, of whom he speaketh to the Sodomites, or to ye Angels whiche left their saite, or to the vnbeleeuyng people, in all thynges. He onely sheweth, that thei are vassalles of wrathe ordained to destruction: and that thei can not escape the hande of God, but that in his tyme he will set the like example vppon them. For his purpose is, to withdrawe the godlie, least thei intangle themselues in their fellowship. Further, he beginneth in this place more clearely to describe these deceiuers. And first he saieth, thei doe as it were in dreaming defile their fleshe, by which wordes he noteth, a sottishe shamelesnesse: as if he should haue saied, that thei are giuen ouer to all vncleannesse, whiche the very worste did abhorre, except drowsinesse did take from them all shame and feelyng. The speeche therefore is Metaphoricall, whereby he noteth that thei are so blockishe, that thei giue ouer them selues to all filthinesse without any shame. But ye Antithesis is to bee marked, when he saieth,