A17649:93
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.
12 Little children. This yet is a general Sentence. And he doeth not speak to them of young years, but generally he understandeth by little Children, men of all ages: as it is noted in the first Chapter, and in this also a little after. This I say because sundry Interpreters do very ill to restrain it to children. But John when he will speak of Children, he will call them [Paidia] that is, By Infancy: which name agreeth to the age. But he as a spiritual Father calleth old men as well as Children [Tecnia] by the name of little Children. Immediately indeed he will apply several sentences to every age. Yet they are not a little deceived which do begin from hence. But rather least the former exhortation, might altogether darken the free forgiveness of sins, this Doctrine which is proper to Faith, he doeth urge again: As in deed this foundation ought always steadfastly to be kept, that eternal life is laid up for us thorough the only grace of Jesus Christ. Holiness of life indeed ⟨image 41⟩must be urged, the fear of God must be diligently taught, men must be vehemently provoked to repentance, the newness of life with his fruits must be commended, yet this must always be taken heed off, that the doctrine of Faith be not strangled, which approveth Christ the alone author of salvation, & of all good things: but rather is this mean to be kept, that faith may always hold the chief place. John doth prescribe us this order, when he hath diligently preached of good works, least yet more should seem to be attributed to them then is meet, he doth so carefully recall us to the grace of Christ.
12 LIttle children. This yet is a generall Sentence. And hée doeth not speake to them of young yeares, but generallye hée vnderstandeth by lyttle Children, men of all ages: as it is noted in the first Chapter, and in this also a lyttle after. This I saye because sundrie Interpreters doe verye ill to restraine it to children. But Iohn when hée will speake of Children, hée will call them [Paidia] that is, By Infancie: which name agréeth to the age. But hée as a spirituall Father calleth olde men as well as Children [Tecnia] by the name of lyttle Children. Immediatlye indéede hée will applye seuerall sentences to euerye age. Yet they are not a lyttle deceiued which doe beginne from hence. But rather least the former exhortation, might altogether darken the frée forgiuenesse of sinnes, this Doctrine which is proper to Faith, hée doeth vrge agayne: As in déede this foundation ought alwayes stedfastlye to bée kepte, that eternall lyfe is layde vp for vs thorough the onelye grace of Iesus Christe. Holynesse of lyfe indéede