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…

3 After he hath handled the doctrine of the free remission of sins, he cometh again to the exhortations annexed, & dependeth upon it: & first he admonisheth that the knowledge of God, which is conceived by the Gospel is not idle: but doth of it self bring forth obedience. Afterwards, he showeth, what God doth especially require of us, what is the chief in our life: namely, that we love God. That which we read here of the effectual knowledge of God, the Scripture doth not every where repeat without cause: for there is nothing more common to the world, then to draw the doctrine of godliness to vain speculations. After this manner was divinity adulterated among the sophistical Sorbonists, that of all their knowledge, not so much as the least spark of godliness could appear. And vain men every where do only learn from the word of God, that which they may babble out for ostentation sake. Finally, in all ages, this was too common an evil, to talk ⟨p. 18⟩vainly of the name of God. John therefore chooseth this principle, That the knowledge of God is effectual. Whereupon he gathereth, that they do not know God, that keep not his commandments. Plato, though groping in the dark in Phaedro, and other places denieth, that that excellent beauty which he imagineth can be known, but that it will forcibly carry a man into the admiration of it. Therefore how may it be, that thou canst know God, & be touched with no affection? Neither indeed doth this proceed only from the nature of God, that we immediately love him whom we know: but the same spirit which doth lighten our minds, doth like wise breath into our hearts an affection like unto our knowledge. Albeit the knowledge of God bringeth this with it, ye we fear & love him: for neither can we acknowledge him as he showeth himself to be Lord & father, except we yield our selves again to him obedient children and dutiful servants. Briefly, the doctrine of the gospel is a lively glass, wherein we beholding the image of God, are changed into it, as Paul teacheth. 2. Cor. 3.18.

3 AFter he hath handled ye doctrine of the frée remission of sins, he cōmeth againe to ye exhortations annexed, & dependeth vpon it: & first he admonisheth that ye knowledge of God, which is conceiued by the Gospell is not idle: but doth of it selfe bring forth obedience. Afterwards, he sheweth, what God doth especially require of vs, what is ye chiefe in our life: namely, that we loue God. That which we read héere of the effectuall knowledge of God, the Scripture doth not euerye where repeate without cause: for ther is nothing more common to the worlde, then to draw the doctrine of godlinesse to vaine speculations. After this manner was diuinitie adulterated among the sophisticall Sorbonists, yt of all their knowledge, not so much as the least spark of godlines could appeare. And vaine men euery where doo onely learn from the word of God, that which they may babble out for oftentation sake. Finally, in all ages, this was too common an euil, to talk