A17649:78
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…
The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the first Epistle of Saint John, and upon the Epistle of Jude wherein according to the truth of the words of the holy Ghost, he most excellently openeth and cleareth the point of true justification with God, and sanctification by the Spirit of Christ, by the effects that he bringeth forth in the regeneration. Translated into English by W.H.The comentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the first Epistle of Sainct Ihon, and vpon the Epistle of Iude wherein accordyng to the truthe of the woordes of the holie Ghost, he most excellently openeth and cleareth the poinct of true iustification with God, and sanctification by the Spirit of Christ, by the effects that he bryngeth forthe in the regeneration. Translated into Englishe by W.H.
London: printed by John Kyngstone and T. East for John Harrison the younger, 1580London: printed by Ihon Kyngstone and T. East for Iohn Harrison the yonger, 1580
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
If we keep his commandments. But there is no man, that doth keep them in every part. By that means then should be no knowledge of God in the world? I answer, that the Apostle is not at odds with himself. When therefore he had lately set all men in guiltiness before God, he doth not understand that they keep the commandments, which satisfy the law in all points (which example can no where be found in the world): but those which labour to conform their life to the obedience of God, so much as in regard of mans infirmity they can. For so often as the Scripture speaketh of the righteousness of the faithful, it is so far off from excluding the forgiveness of sins, that rather it doth take the beginning from it. Neither indeed is it to be gathered from thence, that faith doeth lean upon works. For albeit that every one hath the witness of his faith, from works: yet it followeth not that it is founded there, seeing that this latter proof is added for a sign. The assurance therefore of faith, ⟨p. 19⟩resteth in the alone grace of Christ: but godliness and holiness of life discerneth true faith from a counterfeit & dead knowledge of God: because this truth is in Christ: as Paul saith, to have put off the old man, &c.
If we keepe his commaundements. But there is no man, that doth kéepe them in euerie part. By that meanes then should bée no knowledge of God in the world? I answere, that the Apostle is not at oddes with himself. When therefore he had lately set all men in guiltines before God, he doth not vnderstand that they kéepe the commaundements, which satisfie the lawe in all poynts (which example can no where be found in the world): but those which labour to conforme their life to the obedience of God, so much as in regard of mans infirmitie they can. For so often as the Scripture speaketh of the righteousnesse of the faithfull, it is so farre off from excluding the forgiuenesse of sinnes, that rather it dooth take the beginning from it. Neither indéede is it to be gathered from thence, that faith doeth leane vpon workes. For albeit that euerie one hath the witnesse of his faith, from works: yet it foloweth not that it is founded there, séeing that this latter proofe is added for a signe. The assurance therefore of faith, ⟨p. 19⟩resteth in the alone grace of Christ: but godlinesse and holinesse of life discerneth true faith from a counterfaite & dead knowledge of God: because this truth is in Christ: as Paule saith, to haue put off the old man, &c.