Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

And therefore Saint Peter was to have kept this lesson in mind, That God would not have any force nor violence used.¹ And (that which is more) in what School was he brought up by the space of three years? And besides, did not our Lord Jesus put him in mind, as much as was possible, to behave himself gently & graciously? From whence then should he fetch any allowance of this his rash dealing. Wherefore we have so much the rather to observe that which we have already spoken: to wit, that if we fetch our zeal from men, & be flattered, & well like off, yet will GOD condemn us, if we transgress his commandment never so little. And therefore we shall never be said to be praise worthy, except we walk as God teacheth us by his word. For so soon as we pass this measure, all our virtues stink and become abominable. Lo then what becometh of all our devotions: ⟨image 44⟩For when soever we shall have travailed never so much to do the thing which seemeth good in our own brains, God will utterly condemn it, without it be squared by his word: For he alloweth not nor accounteth any thing to be lawful in truth, but his very word. But as for the history which we are now in hand with, the second reason is much more to be considered of. For, the matter which we have already touched is general: but this saying properly belongeth unto the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he sayeth, Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my father, and he will give me more then twelve legions of Angels. Now a legion, in those days was wont to be four or five thousand men. And therefore (saith he) see what an heavenly army I am able to have, and yet am I contented to put all this quietly up, why then comest thou to take upon thee here more then God would have thee to do, or can abide thou shouldest do.

And therefore Sainte Peter was to haue kepte this lesson in mind, That God would not haue anie force nor violēce vsed.¹ And (that which is more) in what Schoole was hee brought vp by the space of thrée yéeres? And besides, did not our Lorde Iesus put him in mind, as much as was possible, to behaue himselfe gently & graciously? From whence then should he fetch any allowance of this his rashe dealing. Wherefore wée haue so much the rather to obserue that which wée haue already spoken: to wit, that if wée fetche our zeale from men, & bée flattered, & well like off, yet will GOD condemne vs, if wée transgresse his commaundement neuer so little. And therefore wée shal neuer bée saide to bée prayse worthy, except we walke as God teacheth vs by his word. For so soone as we passe this measure, all our vertues stinke and become abhominable. Loe then what becommeth of all our deuotions: