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…

And he teacheth that they are diversly to be dealt with, to wit, every man, according to his disposition. For, towards the gentle, and such as are willing to be taught, we must use gentleness. Others are more hard: therefore, to be brought under with fear. This is the putting of a difference which he spake of. The Participle [Greek or Hebrew], that is putting difference, I know not why Erasmus should rather choose to translate it Passively, seeing it is doubtful: and the Active signification, ⟨image 145⟩doeth far better agree with the text. Therefore the some is, that, if we will provide for the safety of them that do fall. We must consider the inclination of every man: that they which are gentle and tractable, be gently called back into the way, as worthy of compassion: but if any be stubborn, let him be corrected more sharply. And because sharpness is almost hurtful, he excuseth it by the necessity, because they cannot otherwise be preserved, which do not follow good counsels of their own accord. Further, he useth an excellent borrowed speech. For, where there is no danger of burning, we doubt not with violence to pull him, whom we desire to have safe: neither in deed were it enough to beckon with their finger, or gently to reach out the hand. So also their safety is to be provided for, which would not come unto God, unless they were hardly drawn.

And he teacheth that thei are diuerslie to bee dealt with, to wit, euery manne, accordyng to his disposition. For, towardes the gentle, and suche as are willyng to be taught, wee must vse gentlenesse. Others are more hard: therefore, to be brought vnder with feare. This is the puttyng of a difference whiche he spake of. The Participle 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, that is puttyng difference, I knowe not why Erasmus should rather chuse to translate it Passiuelie, seyng it is doubtfull: and the Actiue signification, ⟨image 145⟩doeth farre better agree with the text. Therefore the somme is, that, if wee will prouide for the safetie of them that do fall. We must consider the inclination of euery manne: that thei whiche are gentle and tractable, bee gently called backe into the waie, as worthie of compassion: but if any be stubberne, let hym bee corrected more sharpely. And because sharpenesse is almoste hurtfull, he excuseth it by the necessitie, because thei cannot otherwaies bee preserued, whiche dooe not followe good counsailes of their owne accorde. Further, he vseth an excellent borowed speeche. For, where there is no daunger of burnyng, wee doubte not with violence to pull hym, whom we desire to haue safe: neither in deede were it inough to beeken with their finger, or gentely to reache out the hande. So also their safetie is to bee prouided for, whiche would not come vnto God, vnleast thei were hardly drawne.