Commentary on 1 John and Jude, Title page – Dedication
¶The Comentaries of M. Jhon Caluin vponupon the firſt Epiſtle of Sainct Ihon, and vponupon 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.
Pſal. 129 5.
Thei that hate Syon, ſhalbe all aſhamed and turned backward.
Prou 19.14.
Houſe and riches are the inheritaunce of the Fathers: but a prudent wife commeth of the Lorde.
Pſal. 32 11.
Be glad ye righteous, and reioyce in the Lorde, and bee ioyfull all ye that are true of harte.
¶Jmprinted at London by Jhon Kyngſtone, for Jhon Harriſon the yonger.
To the Worſhipfull my very good freend Maister VVilliam Swan of Wye in Kent, and to the right Vertuous and Chriſtian Gentlewoman Miſtreſſe Amy Swan his Wife, with all thoſe that in the truth of a ſingle hart louelove the Lord Ieſus, in that Congregation,1. Tim. 4.8. W. H. wiſheth plentie of thoſe bleſſynges whiche hauehave promiſes of this life and the life to come.
IN the often conſideration (right deare in the Lord) of the righteousaGen. 2.17. Rom. 5.12. iudgemēt of GOD, againſt all the ſonnes of men, with the infinite ouerflowinges of allbGen. 8.21. Eſa. 64.6. guiltineſſe before hym, the many aſſaultes ofcGen. 3.1. 1. Cro. 21.1. Sathan, and daungerous inticements of our owndRom. 8.13. harts into the waie of euill, theeDeut. 32.…8.19 20.21. Rom. 6.23. fearceneſſe of the Lordes wrathe for ſinne, and our owne vtterf1. Sam. 2.25. inabilitie to ſtande in his ſight, whiche cauſeth that the hartes of manygPſal. 6.1.2.3.4 5. Math. 24.46. righteous in the feelyng of their owne wants doe euen faint before the anger of the Lorde: hath in the direction of Gods Spirite, giuen an hartie deſire to be aſſured of the waie of ſafetie, with what ſoeuer belongeth to the right application and continuance of the ſame. Wherein as the Lorde hath made knowne the riches of his owne freehIeremy. 32.3. Ihon. 3.6. Rom. 5.8. Gala. 2.21. Ephe. 3.19.5.2. louelove towardes his, the head and alone fountaine of all eternall ſafetie vntounto his elect, ſo is it alſo plaine that by no other way or meane we hauehave attained vntounto the free gift of grace, and full reconcilement with the Lorde, then by the mediation of theiRom. 8.3. 1. Tim. 3.16. ſonne of God in our owne fleſhe. For all the counſell,kMath. 3.17. Gala. 5.17. Ephe. 28. Phil. 1.6.2.13.2. Theſ. 2.17. Tit. 17.14. Heb. 13.21. will, wiſedome, and power of the ſonnes of men, as in them ſelues thei are moſte vncleane, ſo muſt they flie before the face of the Lord and neuer be able to pleade innocencie for his Sainctes. Whiche reconcilement as (albeit in it ſelf it is alſufficient for all the ſonnes of men) it is onelyonly effectuall to the LordeslRom. 9.11.11.5.11.7. elect, who in the power of an effectuallmAct. 13.39.26 18. Rom. 3 21.24.25.28.4.5 11.24. Phil 3.9. Heb. 11.14. faithe alone receiue the fauour of the Lorde with application of the promiſes of his grace: ſo in the like power vntounto hymſelf, alwaies rulyng where he is had, prouidyng cheefly for the nPſal. 11 5. 1. Ihon. 17.4. Act. 3.13. 1. Cor. 6.20.honor of his name with a ioyned care for the good of his Churche,oExo. 29.45. Leuit. 26.12. Eſa. 43.2. Math. 9.36.21.41. and woorking a newneſſe of the wholepIhon. 3.3. 2. Cor. 5.17. man, doeth onelyonly ſeale vntounto the ſoules of the Sainctes of God the aſſuraunce of their good eſtate with the Lord. ForqRom. 8.28.29 30.9.24. 1. Cor 1.9.24. whoſoeuer by an effectuall callyng is grafted into the Sonne of God, and made a member of that bodie whereof Ieſus Chriſt is the head, is one with hym in therMath. 12.50. Ihon. 20.7. Rom. 8.29. Heb. 2.11.12. fellowſhippe of all the bleſſynges of the Lorde. And albeit thei are onelyonly infinite in hym, who hath receiued aboue his fellowes, yet according to the meaſure of the diſpenſation of his grace, thei are freely giuen vntounto all his elect, and are aſſured vntounto them by a moſt effectuall witneſſe, euen the Spirite of adoption and grace, by whō he dwelleth in thoſe that bee his, who as he is not without his effect, ſo in a moſte liuely and quickning power he bothe applieth and ſealeth vp. And as he hath appeared for vsus as1. Sam. 2. Pſal. 2.6. Eſa. 3.6.7. Ieremy. 23.5.6. Ez 34.24. King atHeb 4.14.8.6. Heb. 5.6.….11. Prieſt and avDeut 18.8. Act 3.11.22. 1. Cor. 1 30. Collo. 2.3. Iere. 23.5 45.5. Ezec. 21 26. Zach. 9.9. Prophet, ſo the great kindneſſe of the Lord, is ſeuerally applied according to the ſame. As in the firſt, he hath vtterly ſpoiled and laied waſte the power of all the enemies of his Church, and iustly taken the Kingdome vntounto hymſelf, the Scepter whereof ſhalaPſal. 45.…. neuer fade or decaie, ſo we being cleared of all daunger, and freed from the perill of all our foes, are in all care & conſcience, to confeſſe him our Lord alone, and as true ſubiects of ſo good a King, to holde our ſelues againſt Sathan and men, vntounto the pure obedience of his wil. Againe, as he is the onelyonly true Prieſt,Pſal. 110.5. Zach. 6.13. Heb. 2.17. who is ſanctified of God to offer vntounto hym a moſt ſweete Sacrifice to reconcile vsus vntounto hymſelf, and as by his alone execution of this office, and offeryng of hymſelf, we hauehave by hym a ſure peace and free entrance into the preſentes of the Lorde, as by hym all enmitie is doen awaie, and there remaineth inaccomptable peace and fauour for euermore, ſo we are moſt ſtrongly to caſt out of ſight the ſleightes of Sathan and all the deuiſes of men, as moste vncleane filthineſſe for euer, and not to ſet our ſelues, or admit others of what ſorte ſoeuer, to ſtande for vsus in this duetie, to ſpoyle vsus of aſſured ſafetie, and the Lorde Ieſus of this honour, that he alone and none but he is the Prieſt of his Churche, and hath fully and alſufficiently performed whatſoeuer appertaineth to their peace for euermore.
And as he alone among all the Prophets of the Lorde,Eſa. 40.11.…1.…. Deut. 18.15. hath infinitly opened the will of God, and as in him is al fulneſſe of diuine wiſedome,Ihon. 10.11. to reueale and make knowne the will of God vntounto his Churche, and as what ſoeuer he diſcloſeth vntounto his Sainctes, hath a ſounde warrant to be the will of the moſt higheſt, and ought to hold vsus in the awe of the ſame: ſo he alone hath this peculier vntounto hymſelf, to bee the moſte excellent Prophet and Apostle of his Churche, and that none muſt be vntounto vsus in this place but he alone, and whatſoeuer doth not proceede from him muſt not be held of power to binde the conſciences of men.2. Cor. 2.12.
In all whiche as the Lorde Ieſus hath troden the Winepreſſe alone,2. Cor. 1.24. 1. Tim. 4.1. Eſa. 63.3. and carried captiue for euermore, what ſoeuer might withſtande the ſaluation of his, and by his Spirite directed vsus into the light and vſe of the ſame: ſo in the like power of the ſame Spirite he ſealeth vntounto the conſciences of men, the ſounde warrant of the infinite fauour of GOD in the righteouſneſſe of his Sonne, to the free and ſure enioiyng of al the reſt.Rom. 8.9. And as who ſo hath not the Spirite of Chriſt is none of his,Gala. 5.22.23. whereby is ſeuered the ſtates of men, ſo the ſame Spirite is diſcerned by his effectes, whiche becauſe in this caſe thei are of two ſortes, it ſhall be profitable in a worde to weigh them a parte, that in the effectuall triall of the ſame, the children of God maie in a ſounde experience of the power of Chriſt in their owne ſoules, bee cheared vntounto conſtancie in eueryevery good duetie againſt Sathan and men: and the vaine diſſemblers, Heretiques, tyme ſeruers, Epicures, and carnall Goſpellers, with the like, who ſwarme eueryevery where, maie (if thei had eyes to ſee) perceiue their iuſt cauſe to returne, and to humble their ſoules vntounto the obedience of the Lorde.
The firſt effecte therefore is an inwarde witneſſe vntounto the ſoule of the infinite louelove and free grace of God by faith in the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt,Rom. 8.16. and whereby is giuen boldneſſe with an aſſured truſt to reſt vponupon hym in eueryevery distreſſe, and to repaire vntounto hym with callyng vponupon his name. As it is written:Gala. 4.6. Becauſe ye are Sonnes, God hath ſent the Spirit of his Sonne into your hartes, criyng Abba, Father. Whiche although for a tyme it ſeeme to bee hid, and beyng as it were raked vnderunder the aſhes of our owne corruption, yet becauſe it is a pl…dge of the louelove of God, which is not for a daie: but perpetuall in his Sonne (For whom he loueth, Ihon. 13.1.he loueth them to the ende) and working in vsus an effectuall callyng,Rom. 11.29. which with God is without repentaunce,Rom. 8.30. it ſealeth vntounto vsus the truthe of a ſure election, and ſo conſequently, that there is no feare of fallyng awaie, becauſe we reſt not on any ſtrength of our owne: but vponupon the reſolute cōtinuance of the louelove of God, and the infinite truth of his worde and grace.
The other effect is more apparātly ſeen. For by faith he doeth purifie the hart,Acts. 15.9. Rom. 6.4. Rom. ….5.6.7.8. cauſeth a true hatred and continual diying vntounto ſinne, and daiely quickeneth vntounto the obedience of the Lorde, chaungeth the naturall diſpoſition of the whole ſoule and body, and frameth it to the will of God,Pſal. 69.9. and worketh a feruent louelove aboue all thynges vntounto the Lord, and to thoſe that be his, with cō tinuall callyng vponupon his name according to his wil. And theſe effectes as thei are peculier to the Spirite of Chriſt, and hauehave not been, in a right purpoſe (namely for the glorie of God and the good of his in any other then in the Sainctes of God, ſo in whom ſoeuer theſe effectes are founde, though with much weakeneſſe,Who ſo hath the fruites of the Spirite, hath the Spirite. 2. Pet. 1.10. ſo it be in truth and with out hypocriſie, it ſhall euer bee founde to bee moſt true, that where is the effectes, there is the cauſe to whom thei belong. So that by this right diſcernyng of the fruites of the Spirite of the Lorde Jeſus, and the hauyng of the ſame, we maie truely gather that we hauehave hymſelf, ſo as is meant in the worde of God, and ſo are ſurely grafted into Chriſt, and maie aſſure our hartes before him both for our ſelues and others, what ſoeuer other waies our feare and feelyng be for the tyme. For if at ſometymes wee maie finde that in ſome meaſure wee hauehave had theſe effectes, the true fruites of a liuely faithe, and ſo the aſſuraunces of our election and ſaluation by Chriſt, then is there no iuſt cauſe of any feare, if wee mourne vntounto the repoſſeſſing of our peace againe,Rom. 11.29. becauſe the giftes and callynges of God are without repentance. And if it bee obiected that wee hauehave felt the fauour of the Lorde, but now it is gone, and cleane tourned awaie, as that obiection is moſt vntrue, ſo to thinke on that faſhion, is to ſuppoſe an impoſſible thyng. For God neuer chaungeth his owne purpoſe, but what ſoeuer he hath purpoſed ſhall ſtand,2. Tim. 2.19. and his counſell ſhall take effect, whatſoeuer lets be againſt it. Wherevpon we maie rightly gather, that who ſoeuer hath a certaine teſtimonie of his faithe and ſaluation in all his life, maie be aſſured that it is there ſtil: and ſhall bee vntounto the ende, although for a tyme thei feele it not, nor perceiue the working of it. For it doeth not followe, that a little child hath no reaſonable ſoule, becauſe he hath not the vſe of it, or that the Trees be dead in Winter, becauſe thei beare no fruite, or that there is no Fire, becauſe there is no flame.
Againe,Rom. 8.10. 2. Cor. 5.17. Reue. 21.5. the Lorde Ieſus Chriſt killeth in vsus, that is, beginneth to kil in vsus the whole bodie of ſinne, and maketh all thinges newe concernyng the qualitie thereof, ſo that our vnderſtandyng and iudgement is lightened and gouerned, that it beginneth to approue of thoſe good thynges which before it miſliked, our will alſo is cleanſed to the hatred of ſinne, and deſire of thoſe thynges that be good, and our affection beginne to flie and eſchewe what is forbidden, and to embrace and followe that whiche is commended of the Lorde. The whiche inwarde power of the Spirite of Chriſt, if wee feele in effect, and working in our owne ſoule, or ſee the care it leadeth others vntounto: the concluſion is infallible and plaine, that wee hauehave faith, and ſo conſequently Jeſus Chriſt & eternall life.
But it is obiected, how can there be aſſuraunce of the vndoubted fauour of the Lorde, and of ſaluation, ſeeyng all men are ſinners: not onelyonly in that eueryevery man is corrupted by nature, but that the corrupt nature of man doth daily bryng forth effectes accordyng to the ſame, mouynges, prouocations, conſentynges, and actions contrarie to the will of God? yea ſeing all doe ſinne? The aunſwere is eaſie, that albeit eueryevery one hath continually in hym thoſe thynges that bee in them ſelues infinitely offenſiue before the Lorde, yet the distaunce is not ſo much betweene heauen and earth, as the difference is great, betweene ſinner and ſinner, that is, betweene hym in whom ſinne raigneth, and hym in whom ſinne is. Of the firſt: the Apoſtle commaundeth ſuch as feare God, that ſinne doe not raigne in them,Rom. 6.12. that is, hauehave power to leade thē with delight in the waie of euill. And of the other he ſaieth by his owne example:Rom. 7.15.17. That that I would not do, that I doe: yet not I, but ſinne that dwelleth in me. Where he meaneth by ſinne, the remnaunces of corruption whiche yet were ſinne, albeit he laboured againſt it, and was ſo farre from taking delight therein, that he euen groned vnderunder the burden thereof,Rom. 7.24. ſaiyng. O wretched man that I am, who ſhal deliuer me from this bodie of death?
But who ſeeth not, that fewe there are, who ſtriue to giuegive obediēce vntounto the Lord, and to ſhew forth the effectual cognizaunce and badge whoſe people thei be, by true regeneration, and ſincere louelove to the bretheren? Infinite in deede are the thouſandes of men, who beare an outward face to the Goſpell of Chriſt, that yet doe wholly prophane them ſelues in the obedience of ſinne, not knowyng, or not regardyng,2. Cor 5.17. that iuſtification, and ſanctification are inſeperable companions, who can not bee ſondred or put aparte. Yet the olde complaint of the Prophet is in vſe at this daie, that men ſeeme to ſaie in their hartes:Eſa. 28.15. Wee hauehave made a couenaunt with death, and with hell are wee at a greement, though a ſcourge run ouer, and paſſe through, it ſhall not come at vsus: for we hauehave made falſhood our refuge, and vnderunder vanitie are we hidd.
Moiſes commaunded the Iſraelites carefully to auoide the roote of bitterneſſe,Deut. 29.18.19.20. Heb. 12.15. and ſheweth what it is and the daunger thereof, that is, an harte hardened at the iudgementes of the Lorde, and ſaiyng: Tuſhe I ſhall hauehave peace although I walke according to the ſtubbornneſſe of myne owne harte. The Lorde ſaieth Moiſes will not be mercifull to ſuche a ſoule. &c.
And who maie not ſee the many, yea infinite thouſandes of ſuche as hauehave in their profeſſion ſucceeded Eſawe, as prophane as he,Heb. 12.16. who contemned and ſolde his birthright for one meſſe of meate, but thei thinke thei ſhall ſafely retourne in conuenient tyme, yet thei are greatly deceiued:Gen. 25.32. Eſawe thought not his birthright worth a ſtrawe if he periſhed with hunger, that is, except it might ſerue hym in this life. Theſe contemne the truth of Gods word, the honor of his name, and care of true obedience vntounto his will, in regarde of their pleaſure or profite the leaſt that maie.Heb. 12.17. Eſawe founde no place to repentaunce, although he ſought the bleſſing with teares: and who can aſſure them that their portion wil not be as his. For howſoeuer thei outwardly pretende to agree with vsus in one and the ſame truthe of God, yet we continually ſee to our intollerable greefe, how in the practize of their life, thei runne headlong to all prophanneſſe, caſt the glorious power of the worde of God (whiche ſhould continually bynde them to the obedience of his will) out of their ſight,2. Tim. 3.2.5. 2. Pet. 2.3. whileſt thei accompt more of gaine then of Godlineſſe, and wallowe in their vaine pleaſures and fleſhly delightes, as is infinitly ſeen at this daie. Who maketh not a tuſhe in his owne ſoule, to giuegive obediēce to the Lorde in all the actions of his life? If outwardly to bragge that we are children of the righteous, to glorie in our titles,Ihon. 8.3.3 if not rightly to accompt of the excellencie of our high callyng with God, if to be hardly drawen to any good waie, and to goe ſwiftly to the waie of ſinne, if our filthie gaine though but in a vile thyng, or beaſtly delightes, bee of force to carie vsus againſt the obedience of the will of God, bee to holde an eſtate with Eſawe as it is in deede, if onelyonly thei hauehave ſealed vntounto them the fauour of the Lorde, who by the power of the Spirite of Chriſt, are chaunged in their whole beeyng, and cherefully led in the obedience of the wil of God, then is there iuſt cauſe, that all carnall Goſpellers, Libertines, careleſſe profeſſors and prophane men, ſhould intollerably feare before the anger of the Lord. And although thei be infinitly drunken with this vile conceapt, that ſo thei bee no Papistes, whiche vncleane beastes in deede remaine in their ſinnes, ſo thei profeſſe the Gospell, alowe of the truthe and doctrine thereof as common men doe, in all thynges that touch not themſelues, that for the reſt, God is mercifull, and thei ſhall doe well enough howſoeuer thei liue: yet let them remēber alwaies the example of Eſawe. He though not the excellencie of Gods callyng to be as it was, in the tyme of his vanitie, nor yet doe thei. He wept for a bleſſing, and it maie be ſome of them would gladly be ſaued: But true repentaunce,Luc 24 47. the waie whereby it is had, was farre from him, and who ſhall promiſe it vntounto them? It maie bee, if the Lorde doe not conuert them, thei maie hauehave ſuche a repentaunce as Judas had, a ſight of the righteous iudgementes of GOD and their owne ſinne: but ſuche a power in their owne ſoules, as maie ſoundly applie the free promiſes of God in Chriſt, and his whole righteouſneſſe vntounto them ſelues, it is onelyonly from the Lorde, and reſteth not in the power of any childe of man, as maie well be ſeen in Eſaw, who is ſaide to hauehave founde no place to repentance, though he ſought the bleſſing with teares.
Againe, ſeing the Lorde maketh it knowen in ſome acceptable meaſure, who doe rightly profite in the profeſſion of his name vntounto the aſſuraunce of his grace & free diſcharge from al daunger in the daie to come. As doeth appeare in the viſitation of the greate Citie ſpoken of in Ezekiel. 9.4. commaundyng that all thei onelyonly ſhall be ſealed to a ſure eſcape, that mourne & crie for the wickedneſſe of men: How ſhall theſe impure Macheuilles, Atheistes, Papistes, Libertines, beastly profeſſors, and carnall Goſpellers be put in hope of the fauour of God, who are ſo farre of from mournyng in their owne ſoules for the euilles of men, that their owne life is nothyng els, but a Sea of ſinne, and daiely proceedyng in continuall tranſgreſſion againſt the Lorde. And albeit it is moſte true, that whom the Lorde of glorie hath called from the death of ſinne to the life of righteouſneſſe, and cauſed that they walke not as thei did before,Ephe. 2.2. ſeueryng his people from the curſe of the worlde, and the vſuall waies of men, yet very fewe there are found, that make conſcience of any chaunge in them ſelues into thoſe waies whiche bee accordyng to the Lorde. And though it be infinitely vrged vntounto the myndes of men, that who ſoeuer is in Chriſt is a newe creature,…. Cor. 5.17. that is, begunne to be chaunged in his whole ſoule and bodie, from corruption and ſinne to the light and willing obedience of the will of God: Yet who maie not ſee that the moſt wilfully ignoraunt of this waie, and that it is true in experience, that the Prophet ſaieth, that, who ſo withdraweth himſelf frō euill muſt be ſpoiled. For where are not thei held commonly for the beſt mē, that beare an outwarde face to the Gospell, while their liues are moſte full of euill, that ſticke at nothing, but at that which is good. Who ſweare, lye, and commit all abhominations, and yet ſaie thei are good Chriſtians, and of many it is ſaide of them, that, thei are very good Proteſtants. But who ſo careth in all his life, to yeeld vntounto the Lorde the fruites of an acceptable obedience from the grounde of a pure harte, and to ſquare his thoughts, words & works after the rule of the worde of God, is made a praie to the reſt. And beyng accompted as the skumme of the worlde, is ſet forthe to the ſhame and reproche of all men, whoſe vnbridled lippes and bloudie handes doe beſoyle and waſte them from daie to daie: So that the poore Sainctes of the Lorde,Pſalm. 124.1.2. maie ſtill renewe the ſong of the Churche in Dauids tyme: Except the Lorde had beene on our ſide, thei had long agoe ſwallowed vsus vp quicke. And euen as of all the enemies that Iuda had, the tenne Tribes of Iſraell that were their bretheren, and gaue an outwarde profeſſion of the name of GOD with them, were the greateſt and moſte daungerous: Euen ſo amongst all the enemies that Syon, Gods Churche hath, the moſte vehement and bitter are the falſharted and counterfaite Iſraelites, Papistes, and other Heretiques, and prophane men. Yet of all the reſt, as one enemie within the Citie is more daungerous then ten without, ſo careleſſe profeſſors and prophane men as thei hauehave moſte power to hurte, ſo are thei furiouſly enraged againſt the truthe of the waies of God, and beeyng ſet on fire to remaine in their ſinne, and euen ſell them ſelues to woorke wickedneſſe: but in vaine, for he that ſitteth on hight ſhal laugh them to ſcorne.Pſalm. 2.4. The Lord ſhall hauehave them in deriſion. For can thei make any accomptes, that euer thei that hauehave beene iniurious to the Churche of GOD, and to his people, hauehave eſcaped the iuſt hande of the Lorde?Gen. 4.10.11. Did not Abels bloud, vniuſtly ſhed by Caine when he thought hym ſelf to bee ſafe, crie vengeaunce on hym and his poſteritie for euer?Gala. 4.29. Pſalm. 137.7. Did Jſmaell or Eſawe go free, for their iniuries done to the Lordes ſeruantes? Went the reprochfull taunts for nought, that the olde and euill worlde did vſe againſt righteous Noe?2. Pet. 2.5. 2. Pet. 2.8. Dan. 6.8. Or Sodome for their ſinnes and iniuries againſt Lott? Or the Princes againſt Daniell? Was there euer Nation, Kingdome, or People, ſo mightie in power, ſo ſurpaſſing in policie, or wiſe in their generation, that hauehave ſet themſelues againſt God, his truth and people, and hauehave not taſted of his indignation in due time, and can theſe tyme ſcruers, hypocrites, and prophane men, perſwade themſelues that thei ſhall be the firſt? Doe thei not remember that the Lorde ſaieth to his Churche, who ſoeuer in thee ſhall ſet himſelf againſt thee ſhall ſurely fall? Are not Nimrod, Pharao, Ieroboham, Nabuchadnezer, Darius, and Alexander, and many moe gone, their Kyngdomes laied waſte, and their great and famous names raiſed from the earth? Is not their Religion chaunged from euill to worſe, their Cities, Townes, and Temples made dennes for wilde beaſtes and vncleane birdes, as the Lordes Prophets tolde long before? Can thei be more cruell then Nero, Diocleſian, Domitian, or ſuche like? Can thei paſſe Iezabell, Antiochus, or ſuche beaſtly tormentors? And yet in ſpite of them all, and all thei could doe, the Lord hath defended his, and powred vppon them the recompence of their waies, in his due tyme. If the wicked that now liue, could paſſe all theſe in madneſſe, and them ſelues in crueltie, yet ſhall this be iuſtly taken vp againſt them:Pſalm. 2.5. Why do the heathen rage and the people murmure in vaine? For he is infinitely more ſtrong that is with vsus, then any that can be againſt vsus. And though the wicked bende them ſelues, and runne together againſt the Lorde and his annointed: yet if wee weigh the cauſe well, wee ſhall euer finde it moſte true, that,2. Kin. 6.16. There are moe with vsus thē with them. Iob. 19.29.Let the vngodly therefore hauehave their momentany ioye that ſhal ende with ſhame. And let vsus ſtriue to be mynded as he, who ſaied:Pſal. 62.7.18.2. The Lorde is my ſtrength ſaieth my ſoule, therefore will I truſt in hym, and vnderunder the ſhadowe of his winges ſhall be my refuge, &c. For as the Lorde our moſte good and mercifull father, doeth, according to his infinite wiſedome and endleſſe compaſſion, prepare his people vntounto hymſelf, triyng what thei wil beare for his names ſake, euen ſo he doeth not aſſaie them aboue that he makes them able to beare:… Cor. 1….13. but armes them beyonde the thoughtes of the harte of man, till he ſende them full deliueraunce of all euill. In theſe miſerable daies wherein we liue, as God in greate merciemercy hath ſtaied the rage of our enemies, that thei can not ſo ſpoyle and make waſte of the bodies and liues of the godly mynded, and ſuche as daiely labour and profite in the true feare of GOD, as is like thei would: ſo yet thei remaine themſelues, euen men vowed and giuen ouer to the will of Sathan, hauyng their hartes ſett on thoſe thynges that are euill, and their feete ſwift to commit ſinne.Prou. 1.16. What their bloudie hands dare not attempt, their poiſoned tongues ſpare not to ſpue out where ſoeuer thei come. Now that fire and faggot ceaſe, their ſlaunderous liyng lippes are opened wide, and their vncleane mouthes made Brothelhouſes of all vntruthe againſt the ſeruauntes of the Lorde. And where thei dare not openly blaſpheme the doctrine for feare of ſhame, thei ſecretly ſeeke to vndermine it, by inueighyng againſt the teachers and true profeſſors thereof, railyng, liyng, and ſlaundering, without care or conſcience what thei ſpeake, ſo that thei maie doe the miſcheefe that thei labour for. This kinde of perſecution is not leſſe greeuous to a godly mind, then the other, and yet it is euer true,Prou. 28.1. the righteous are bolde as a Lyon, and a iuſtified mynde will tourne it ſelf vntounto God, will beare his croſſe thankefully,Iames. 1.2. Phil. 1.29. accompting it for exceedyng ioye to be called out of the Lorde, to ſtande in his cauſe, and to ſuffer ſomewhat for his names ſake, confeſſing that the ſeruaūt is not aboue his Lord.Math. 10.24. If Chriſt our Lorde eſcaped not the venome of ſuche impoiſoned tongues:Ihon. 8.48. but thei called him Samaritane, and ſaide that he had a Deuill, let no true Christian looke to be free. For if thei hauehave called the Maiſter of the houſe Beelzebub,Math. 10.25. what will thei call them of the houſholde? Dauid,Pſalm. 52.2. a paterne of the Church of God, felt thoſe euilles, when he compared ſlaunderous tongues to Raſors and ſharpe ſwordes, and when he praied:Pſalm. 120.2. Deliuer my ſoule O Lord from liyng lippes and from a deceiptfull tongue. And the Lorde cut of all flatteryng lippes, and the tongue that ſpeaketh proude thynges. And as the Prophet hath praied, ſo will it come to paſſe to all ſuche as with vniuſt reproches or otherwaies iniurie the Sainctes of the Lord, and thei ſhall one daie approue it to be moſt true that is ſaid of our Sauiour Chriſt, that, It were better a Milſtone were hanged aboute their neckes and they drowned in the depth of the Sea, Math. 18.6.thē that thei ſhould offende one of the leaſt of them that beleeue in hym. For our owne partes, wee ſee into what condition we are come, that vnderunder Poperie we are tormented and perſecuted with all extreame handling, and vnderunder the Gospell we are ſlaundered and reuiled: ſo that we maie iuſtly ſaie with the Apoſtle:Rom. 8.36. Pſalm. 44.22. We are daiely accompted as Sheepe appoincted to be ſlaine. And yet beyonde all this, Sathan hath preuailed in an other euill, whiche is more vneaſie to be borne to a godly mynd then all the reſt is. And that is to ſee, that Papistes and other Heretiques, the longer thei hauehave helde and practiſed their error, the more forwarde and feruent thei bee in the waie of ſinne, but many that ſeemed to hauehave well profited in knowledge of the Lordes truthe, hauehave at once tourned out of the waie, and as beeyng in a dead ſleepe of ſecuritie, flatter themſelues in a naked knowledge without all true zeale to quicken the giftes that thei hauehave, to the honour of God and the good of his Saincts. Jt is accompted a notable poinct of exceedyng wiſedome in this daie with many, not to ſhewe a face to the truthe or to our bretheren before men, but as the moste doe, whiche is nothyng at all. When we firſt began to bee lightened with knowledge of the truthe, the Gospell it ſelf was moſte ſweete vntounto our ſoules, and the fellowſhippe of our bretheren was moſte deare and profitable vntounto vsus: but now Sathan hath beſotted vsus with an imagination of knowledge, and almoſt who doeth not thinke it follie to be feruent, and a poinct almoſt of extreame madneſſe to make more accomptes of men as thei accompt of the Lorde, and yet we hauehave the preſident of the Spirite of God,2. Theſſ. 1.3. to comforte vsus in that waie. True knowledge in deede, and right zeale for the Lorde, are ioynt cō panions, or rather Twinnes, that maie not be ſondered, whereby the harte is lightened and ſtirred vp to a cherefull and moſte readie obedience of the will of God, with deſire of his glorie and the good of his people before all thynges in the worlde. And what maie we thinke of them that be otherwiſe, that pamper them ſelues either in a blinde zeale without care of knowledge, the waie to error, or in a bare knowledge thinking themſelues wiſe deſpiſe the waie of the Lord, which is in true zeale and right knowledge of the Lordes waies according to his word. And their ſuch proude accompt of nothing, taking the very ſhadowe of knowledge for true knowledge it ſelf, maketh them ſecure, who of wiſe and zealous members of Gods Churche, according to the meaſure of their experience in that tyme, are now becomne vnprofitable Drones, and careleſſe Epicures, and thinke them ſelues more wiſe (in their extreame follie) then euer thei were before. But it muſt needes be as the Lorde hath foretolde of the like, that thei are either ſtonie grounde,Math. 13.5.6.7. Luc. 8.6.7.8. where the ſeede had no depth of yearth, or that it is choked with thornes,Math. 12.45. euen their harts eaten vp with the care of this world, whoſe ende will be worſe, then the beginnyng.
Some others there are that take exceptions at whom thei wil, and albeit the Lord hath teſtified that there is no reſpect of perſons with hym,Act. 10.34. Rom. 2.11. yet thei feare not to vpholde this imagination of their owne, that in reſpect of profityng and practiſe of true godlineſſe, eueryevery one in their place, it is more free for ſome men then for otherſome, and for all men then for women. And that their ſuch dreaming may appeare the more groſſe, thei let not to ſaie, (with what purpoſe I leaue to them ſelues) that a woman ſhould not bee more religious then her houſbande, forgettyng belike, the approued examples of the Scriptures 1. Sam. 25.3. Luc. 8.3. Acts. 1.14. Rom. 6.6.12.13. 2. Tim. 1.5. Luc. 23.55.56. Luc. 24.1. Read Maiſter Foxe, and by name Anne Askewe, and Preſtes wife of Exceter.And how many holy women are infinitely mentioned in the worde, without any mention of their houſbandes fall, and holy Hiſtories teſtifie of very many, that hauehave māfully giuen their liues for the Gospell, when their houſbandes hauehave beene backeſliders, and ſome of them hauehave perſecuted their poore wiues. And that thei maie bee founde to peruert the ſtraight waies of the Lorde, thei ſaie a man ſhould not take to wife (as the like) one that is more religious then hym ſelf. I would aske theſe men whether a man maie take a wife that is more welthie then hymſelf, if thei graunt that he maie (as I truſt thei will eaſily do) then ſhal thei be inforced to ſaie, either, that the thynges of this worlde are more to be eſteemed, then the heauenly bleſſinges of the Spirite of God, and the tranſitorie thynges of the bodie, more worth then the giftes of the mynde, or that a man not onelyonly ſhould: but alſo ought to make especiall choyce, as there are excellent bleſſinges in the inner man.Gen. 2.18. And if the wife muſt be in all thynges a helper, then in the cheefe thynges it were abſurde to ſaie ſhe muſt bee vnapt to helpe. Thei maie remember that the Lords people hauehave from tyme to tyme, been forbiddē to match themſelues with the prophane,Deut. 7.3. Iude. 3.7. whiche neceſſarily intendeth the contrarie. But thei will except, that thei doe not denie, but the wife ſhould hauehave ſome religion, but not more then her houſbande: But thei ſhould rather ſaie it is ſhame worthie in the houſbande, who ſhould be ſo farre before, to come ſo farre behind. I aske, when the houſbande hath no religion, and the wife muſt not hauehave more then he, or when he doth not labour for it, and ſhe muſt not labour more then he: how muche is then left vntounto her, either of religion, or of meanes to attaine vntounto it, none at all. This is ſo farre of from continuyng them vntounto all good duetie vntounto their houſbandes,Ephe. 5.22. Collo. 3.18. 1. Pet. 3.1. wherevnto thei are faſt bounde by the lawe of God: and ſuche as in truthe feare the Lorde, will I am right ſure make conſcience of: that it is to ſaie almoſt, that their ſaluation and the meanes of it, is not free, but at the deuotion of others, that God, his worde and grace, with the glorie of his name, are quite out of ſight, and the houſbande muſt be in his place. Let no man thinke that my meaning is to looſe the realmes of obedience in this caſe: for my whole deſire is quite contrarie. Firſt, that bothe the houſbande, and the wife, ſhould obey the Lorde, bothe as Chriſtians, and in their ſeuerall place: thei that are to gouerne, to gouerne in, and accordyng to the Lorde,Collo. 3.17. and thei that are to obey, to obey in, and accordyng to the Lorde.Acts. 4.19. If any intende otherwayes, their authoritie will bee without the Lorde, and deſerueth to bee ſo taken. Againe I aske, ſeyng the Lorde hath appointed this vntounto all his children,1. Theſ. 4 1.2. that whatſoeuer thei hauehave gained of knowledge & practize in the worde of God,2. Pet. 3.18. Pſalm. 84.7. thei ſtill grow and goe forwarde to full perfection whether thei be men or women: who ſhall preſcribe a ſufficiēcie, or dare ſaie that thei hauehave enough? J wiſh we maie in this cleare light of knowledge leaue winking, as it were, at noone dayes, and tremble, thus to dallie, or thus to deale vniuſtly with the moſt holie truth of the Lorde, and to preſſe vniuſt iniuries vppon the ſoules of our poore bretheren, leaſt in careleſſe greeuyng the conſciences of the Lordes annointed, we violently bryng vponupon our ſelues the heauie wrathe and indignation of God.
If we in the truth of an humble ſoule do weigh the ſeuerall teſtimonies of the worde of the Lorde, to the right guiding of his ſeruaunts to the aſſuraunce of his grace in the obedience of his will, we ſhall eaſily be made able to meete with all theſe miſcheefes and many moe, that might otherwaies preuaile to turne vsus out of the waie. And as the Spirite of God hath amongst infinite other places of Scripture to that effect, by the Apoſtle Sainct Ihon in his firſt Epiſtle, proued that true iuſtification and eternall life is onelyonly by Ieſus Chriſt, and ſhewed further, that there is no aſſuraunce of this grace of the Lorde, where is not the effectuall power of the Spirite of the Sonne of God in the iuſtified (who are vnited vntounto hym as the members vntounto the head, and receiue of his fulneſſe) to leade them in a continuall true obedience of his will reuealed in his worde, and in the truthe thereof, that thei might ſtand out immouably vntounto the end, exhorted to beware of falſe teachers and all that deceiue, and reaſoning from the effect to the cauſe, he proueth the truthe of the louelove of God towarde vsus, by our louelove to the bretheren. Which beyng well conſidered of vsus and applied to our ſeuerall vſe in the direction of the Spirite of Chriſt, will not onelyonly arme vsus againſt Sathan in the former euilles: but make vsus effectuallie wiſe in the waie of life. And as the ſame Epiſtle of Sainct Jhon is moſt ſweete and plentifull in it ſelf, being full of plaine witneſſe of the grace of God, and effectuall testimonies who bee his: So is it moſt clerely & profitably opened and made plaine by the reuerende and moſte worthie ſeruaunt of Ieſus Chriſt, M. Caluin, in his tyme. Whiche his labours, in regarde of the greate good thei might doe to many fearing the Lorde, that want the knowledge of the tongue wherein he wrote: I hauehave (as my other occaſions hauehave giuen me leaue) tranſlated into the Engliſhe tongue, and offryng my poore labours therein to the Churche of GOD, I hauehave been bolde to commende the firſt fruites, as it were, vntounto you, right hartely praiyng, that whatſoeuer the Lord ſhall therein open vntounto you, that maie concerne you through conuerſion, continuaunce, or cherefull conſtancie in the Lorde, that you will applie it nere vntounto your ſoules, and that you maie ſo alwaies profite in the ſame, as may more & more ſeale vp vntounto your ſeuerall conſciences the effectuall aſſuraunce of the eternall grace of God in Ieſus Chriſt, and make you able to ſtand vnderunder the burthens that you do, or ſhall indure from tyme to tyme, for the honour of his name. Maiſter Caluin alſo vponupon Iude, and an Epistle of his owne written to a freend, J hauehave, as I might, tranſlated likewiſe, and deliuered withall to the Printe, praiyng that the one and other, maie doe that good to Gods Churche, and namely to your ſelues, that I hartely wiſhe, and that you maie euer remaine together in the vnitie of truthe, and in all holy fellowſhip among your ſelues, and with the whole Church of God, growing vp from ſtrength to ſtrength, to a full meaſure of perfection in Ieſus Chriſt, to whoſe mercies I ſhall not ceaſe by his grace, to cōmend you and the whole Church of God for euer.
Yours aſſuredly in the Lorde. W. H.
THE COMENTAries of M. Iohn Caluin, vponupon the firſt Epiſtle of Iohn. The Argument.
THis Epiſtle is moſt agréeable to his ſpirit, who before others was therfore beloued of Chriſt, that he might make him familiar vntounto vsus. Further, it contayneth Doctrine mixt with exhortations. It diſputeth of the eternall deitie of Chriſt, together alſo of the incomparable grace, which being made manifeſt to the world he brought with him, & generally of all his benefits: and chiefly it commendeth and extolleth the ineſtimable grace of the adoption of the Lord. Thence it taketh the occaſion to exhort. Sometimes it doth generally admoniſh to religious and holye lyfe, and againe by name it giueth preceptes of louelove: but none of theſe it doth proſecute in continuaunce. For euerie where in teaching and exhorting he is diuerſe, but eſpecially he is plentifull in vrging to brotherly louelove. It alſo toucheth other thinges briefly: as of taking héede of ſeducers and ſuch other lyke. But euerie thing maye be obſerued in his place.