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…

Here we are to consider of that which hath been before spoken, to wit, that the death and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is not effectual to all men, because it is a special grace which God bestoweth upon his chosen, whenas he toucheth them by his holy spirit, and although they fall, yet lifteth he them up again, yea & though they stray like wandering sheep, yet gathereth he them together again, and giveth them his hand to bring them to the fold. For we see how Judas was clean razed out from amongst the number of Gods Children, and therefore it was meet his condemnation should be seen and laid wide open before the face of the whole world. And so let us learn (as we have already said) altogether to acknowledge the inestimable goodness of our God. For as he hath declared his love unto mankind, when he spared not his only begotten son, but put him to death for sinners: Even so declareth he unto us the especial love he beareth us, whenas he toucheth us with the acknowledging of our sins by his holy spirit, and causeth us to groan, that we might be brought unto him by true repentance.

Héere we are to consider of that which hath bene before spoken, to wit, that the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ is not effectuall to all men, because it is a speciall grace whiche God bestoweth vpon his chosen, whenas hee toucheth them by his holy spirit, and although they fal, yet lifteth he them vp agayne, yea & though they stray lyke wandring shéepe, yet gathereth he them together agayne, and giueth them his hand to bring them to ye fould. For wee sée how Iudas was cleane rased out from amongst the number of Gods Children, and therfore it was méete his condemnation should bee séene and layde wide open before the face of the whole worlde. And so let vs learne (as we haue already said) altogether to acknowledge the inestimable goodnesse of our God. For as he hath declared his loue vnto mankynde, when hee spared not his onely begotten sonne, but put him to death for sinners: Euen so declareth he vnto vs the especall loue he beareth vs, whenas he toucheth vs with the acknowledging of our sinnes by his holy spirit, and causeth vs to grone, that wee might bee brought vnto him by true repentaunce.

Wherefore, the entrance which we have to come unto our Lord Jesus Christ, cometh not from our selves, but because that God governeth us, & pleaseth to show his choice. Now, these circumstances are greatly to be noted: we see that Judas who was one of our Lord Jesus Christ his Disciples, wrought miracles in his name: and yet what became of him? let us learn carefully to fear and walk, and submit our selves wholly unto our God: & beseech him, not to suffer us so shamefully to fall, as did this miserable man. And again, let us also beseech him, that if we shall fall at any time into the like, to lift us up by his power, that we may return unto him: not with such repentance as Judas did, but with a true and right confession. For, the wicked as it is said by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel, will laugh God to scorn as much as is possible: because they take pleasure, & glory in their